Tag Archives: technology

Tech Reviews

Tech Review: Logitech MX Ergo

Leave a comment

I’d like to do something different with my reviews. My line of work and hobbies keep me stuck in front of my computer most days. As a result, I do have issues with repetitive stress disorder that has rendered my hands useless from time to time. It had gotten so bad that I had all but lost the function in my hands. Simple tasks like holding a pencil and writing became impossible due to the pain.

I have since done a lot of research and testing to find a setup that would save my hands from chronic pain, and I would like to share some of my findings. Please note that I am not a doctor, and these recommendations are based on my personal experience. Always consult your doctor with any ailments. I will also be linking affiliate links to any items I review which will give me a little bit of money if you choose to buy anything I recommend.

The first accessory I tried to change was the mouse. I tried a few different mice, but Logitech MX Ergo was by far my favorite. It is by far a bit on the expensive side, but it was worth it since I no longer endure that crippling pain.

The Logitech MX Ergo is a roller mouse, and it will come with a slight learning curve. The device is Bluetooth compatible, but it comes with a dongle that will help you pair it with your computer wirelessly. You can pair and switch between two different computers by default. There is a third-party application that you can use, it isn’t required, but I found that it makes configuring the mouse easier.

The software is pretty easy to set up. You download it from the Logitech website and configure the settings to your liking when it’s done. It asks for an account, but it isn’t mandatory. Every button on this mouse can be rebound as button presses, macros, and even gestures. You can create program-specific bindings that will switch automatically when using said program. If you have two different computers you work between, make sure you set up Flow. Flow comes with the software; it allows you to transfer files between two computers that are connected to the same wifi and have Logitech Connect installed.

Out of the box, I thought the sensitivity was too low. I raised it on the app for it to do what I needed. The mouse has a precision mode by default that can be activated by a side button that will slow the cursor speed when you need it. The mouse also has some insane battery life. I charge the mouse every 1-2 months with heavy use and never turn it off.

Ergonomically, this mouse is a godsend. You can adjust the tilt of this mouse by 20 degrees to better match the natural curve of your hands. I prefer having the full tilt for maximum comfort. This curve in combination with the right height will help reduce the strain on your wrist and hand. One thing to note, there is a learning curve to this mouse that you will need to adjust to. It requires a different range of moments that will tire a different set of muscles. It took me about a week to get used to the movement, so plan accordingly.

I have no issues gaming with this mouse. I mainly play MMOs and whatever games I get to review, but I have not seen any negative effect on my performance. I don’t consider myself a competitive gamer, but I can complete end-game content in all the MMOs I play. I’ve also had no problems with PVP content. Your mileage may vary. At the very least, this will make for a more comfortable gaming session.

I have been daily driving this mouse for two years and have noticed the difference. I no longer feel the crippling pain in my hands and wrists. This mouse isn’t a perfect fix, you should take regular breaks and look into stretches, but I don’t see myself going back to any other mouse. Do your hands a favor and start looking into the ergonomics of the tools you use.

The mouse is $97.50 usd as of writing this. Get yours today

video game reviews

Game Review: Tower of Fantasy

Leave a comment

The new Gotcha MMO Tower of Fantasy has just been released and if you are thinking of trying it out, now is a good time because of how many rewards they are throwing at their players.

For those not familiar, this is a Genshin Impact clone that is trying to make its place in the genre. For the most part, I think it’s succeeding. Full disclosure, I am not an expert on the game and will be speaking about this game from a casual perspective. If you are someone looking for the best strategies to optimize your gaming experience, there are tons of YouTube channels dedicated to the subject.

Tower of Fantasy is playable on Android, IOS and PC. It is cross-platform, and I was able to play it on both PC and mobile. As far as the art goes, it is fine. It isn’t too busy, but I do prefer the dreamlike art style of Genshin Impact slightly better. There is character creation to this, but I can’t speak on how detailed it can get. I tend to randomize my appearance, but I liked my character. Not that character creation matters because you can roll for playable characters later on through the game’s Gotcha mechanic.

As far as Gotcha games go, Tower of Fantasy doesn’t feel very predatory. I got a healthy amount of in-game currency and was able to pull a couple of the chased characters. Most importantly, I found a character I love playing without spending any money on the game.

The game has a story, but it isn’t very good. You go from town to town completing chores and learning about the world’s lore. There is voice acting in this game, but it is very inconsistent. Some voice actors are great, but there are some bad recordings. I guess we can be grateful that there is voice acting, but some of the cut scenes are a chore to get through. The NPCs aren’t very memorable unless you want to play as them. I didn’t care enough about the story to care about many of the characters.

The gameplay is like any open-world MMO. There is a map you are encouraged to explore, tons of enemies to fight, and real people you can play with. Exploration is fun. You get a mount early on and other movement abilities that make traveling across the map interesting. Sometimes the movement abilities feel clunky and don’t work as intended, but the game just came so I can forgive it for now. The game encourages exploration by hiding treasures and secrets across the map that offer in-game currencies or items. 

Combat is my favorite part of this game. You carry three weapons that you must switch between to maximize your damage. You work towards combos and ultimate attacks by fighting, switching weapons, and dodging properly. I never felt like the combat got stale because there is always a different combo to pull off. You have to level up your gear to keep up with the mob levels by feeding your equipment materials you find in the world. I got a steady amount of supplies to keep up with the content by only playing casually.

I’ve played this game on PC, iPhone, and the iPad. While I much prefer the PC experience because it runs smoother and my big fingers don’t get in the way, it runs fine enough on mobile. I will say that it felt especially clunky, and I encountered the most crashes on my iPad 8.

Tower of Fate has had a solid launch. I’ve encountered a few bugs and crashes, but nothing that would ruin the experience. It honestly comes down to taste. If you like the art style, go for it. If you are on the fence, try it out, it’s free. This is a very casual friendly game, especially if you only have an hour a day to play your games.

You can find out more information on the game’s official website.