Thoughts on the new logitech G5 laser mouse?

[Bronze MFP]

I recently picked one up because my old (circa 1999) optical mouse was starting to die. It's got 3 preset resolution modes which basicly tell it how sensitive to be. You can program up to 5 with the provided software, but the stock settings have worked well for me. It also has a weight tray that you can put small weights into to adjust how heavy, and to a certain extent the balance of the mouse. fluff for most people, but kind of nice if you want to tinker with that sort of stuff for the 'perfect' feel. I love mine, how about y'all? Especially chime in if you have a cordless. I got the corded one, but now I don't know if saving the extra money a cordless would cost was worth it.

[NSR_s30]

I have a Logictech optical mouse and love it. I don't think it it's adjustable like yours but I think they're way better then regular mouses. IMO.

[MinisterofDOOM]

I'm somewhat of a keyboard/mouse freak. Very picky.

The early G5 was a great mouse, but had a couple major pitfalls in my eyes.The first is that it did not have two thumb buttons, only one.The second was that it wasn't as comfortable as other Logitech mice.

I ended up getting an MX518 instead. It's a "standard" optical rather than a laser mouse, but is still adjustable and has a max resolution of 1600 dpi (G5 is 2000 dpi). It has two more buttons than the G5 (two thumb buttons and a "task switcher" button). The resolution adjustment buttons in better spots as well--much easier to tap without moving your finger off the scroll wheel, which makes for excellent use as an on-the-fly accuracy adjustment (such as for switching from sniper scope to normal view in FPS games).

Logi has just recently released a revised G5 that adresses the major issue I had with the G5: the number of thumb buttons. The new G5 has the same button layout as the MX518, but offers the better laser precision.

The other big difference between the MX518 and the G5 is that the G5 has tilt wheel (basically two extra buttons which function as lateral scrolling in web and word processing apps) while the MX518 does not.

I don't know if the G7 (the G5's wireless counterpart) has been updated yet, though.

I'd get a new G5. But I'd rather have an MX518 than an old G5.

Until the new G5 (which I still haven't used, so I'm not completely sure if I actually like it or not) the MX518 was my choice for best mouse on the market. There are other mice with higher resolutions or other features, but the MX518 is the best overall package. It can also be had for $30 or $40 which is cheaper than a crap MS Intellimouse Explorer 4.0 (you can read my lengthy review of THAT crap mouse here).

[Bronze MFP]

sounds like i need to trade up. While i like the g5 i have, it is the old one, and there is def. space for another thumb button. Also, it seems like my side to side scroll wheel buttons dont work, or freak out when I try to use them> I dont know if its the software or if I got a defective mouse. As far as the resolutions go, I rarely use the max resolution on it and the buttons are hard to reach so its not like changing over during a heated battle in a game is an option. I do like the weights though. At first I thought it was a total gimmick, but after messing around with them some I got the mouse to balance out just how I want it. Def. plus.Glad to read about the microsoft mouse you reviewed. Sounds like absolute garbage.

[Mr1der]

I still use the track ball style mouse honestly...

I'm a lifter when I play FPS's and it tends to throw my aim off using a laser...I guess before long though I'm gonna have to get used to it.

[Driftless240]

I was rocking the G7, Best Buy discount for the win! After about 6 months it died one me. After 5 months, every couple of minutes it would "turn off" for a few seconds... When you play CS as much as I do, it gets alot of usage, but on the same note, I can't have my mouse shut off on me while playing. The mouse it self was the shyt other then it turning off like that. The mouse had a 3 year warranty on it but when it officially died, I was so fed up from it shutting off, it was so damn annoying, that when it officially died on me I chucked it at my floor (Wireless hehe) and instead of it shattering in 1000 pieces it actually BOUNCED and hit my CEILING with nothing but 2 Scuff marks from floor and ceiling, haha. Iunno where 1 of the batteries got ejected too, but yea.

I am planning on getting another G7 when the time comes though. As of right now I need some things for my 240 which is a little more important, but the time will come.

[audtatious]

I have the MX-series right now. IMO, it's simply "OK". To me, the laser is a bit too sensitive to movement which makes it worthless when doing some photoshop work. I still use my IR mouse for that. Who knows, it might be a sensitivity issue that I need to check into.....

[MinisterofDOOM]

Well, the MX series spans a huge range of functionalities and resolutions. One MX series mouse will be gaming focused where another is designed around PS and the like.

Look into the MX Revolution for PS stuff.

[Philipio]

I'm extremely picky with mice as well, and I picked up the new G5 the other day. Came out to about 50 with my discount. I absolutely love it.

I play Quake 4 in professional tournaments, and I've been playing games competitively for a long time now. Hardware matters to me. I had been using an MX518 since the day that mouse came out. I never thought I would even upgrade that mouse, but this new G5 is so much better in every way.

[audtatious]

Well, the MX series spans a huge range of functionalities and resolutions. One MX series mouse will be gaming focused where another is designed around PS and the like.

Look into the MX Revolution for PS stuff.

Mine is a Revolution. M-rag97

[MinisterofDOOM]

Ahhh, I meant the newer Rev. It's got a lower resolution than the other MX series mice for exactly the reasons you mention: laser mice are just too "fast" for a lot of apps.

http://www.logitech.com/index....12134

It's only an 800 dpi mouse instead of 1000+ like most laser mice.