Capsule Review: Logitech's G100s, G500s, and G700s Gaming Mice
by Dustin Sklavos on March 30, 2013 12:01 AM EST- Posted in
- Mouse
- Peripherals
- Gaming
- Logitech
Conclusion: Three Mice for Three Users
I think what I may very well like best about the Logitech G100s, G500s, and G700s is that they're not one-size-fits-all mice. Undoubtedly I've been glowing throughout this review, but honestly I'd be happy using any one of these three mice, and if you've been keeping up with my peripheral reviews you'd know I tend to be fairly picky. Everybody should be; the mouse, keyboard, and display are the ways you interact with the computer and thus should be as enjoyable to use and even as seamless as possible. As far as I'm concerned, that should be the overarching mentality of virtually any vendor making technology products: people should enjoy using these devices, and the devices should not get in the way of what people want to do with them.
.jpg)
Starting at $39, I think the G100s is actually a little bit of a tough sell, at least superficially. This looks like a garden variety mouse, and it does feel a little cheap, but those wind up being the prices you pay for what the mouse is intended for. As an RTS mouse I suspect it's going to be a very popular and effective weapon, and the optical sensor is actually the most fluid and enjoyable to use of the three mice tested here. There's no reason to think this mouse won't go on sale at some point, and at $29 it'd be an absolute steal.
.jpg)
At $69 the G500s continues the G500's reign as the elder statesman workhouse mouse. If you loved the G500, you'll love the G500s, because all Logitech has done is fix their software, upgrade the laser slightly, and make the buttons more durable. I'm madly in love with the coarse texture used on the grips, personally, as well as the toggleable freewheel. Some users will undoubtedly appreciate the configurable weight, too. I wouldn't recommend actually paying sticker price for this mouse; Logitech mice go on sale all the time, and the G500s really belongs at $59.
.jpg)
By now you probably already know whether or not you want the Logitech G700s. In many ways it's like the G500s but better, though I do prefer the lighter weight of the G500s in the hand. If you want to be able to switch between onboard profiles on the fly, though, it's pretty tough to beat. I just wish there were some kind of LED indicator on the mouse for both the active profile and the active DPI setting (similar to the G500s), and the weight kind of comes with the territory of a wireless gaming mouse. Finally, at $79 it's a very hard sell, but there isn't much out there that's quite like it.
I can easily and cheerfully recommend any of these mice, and I would urge users to seriously consider what they're getting for their money. Can you make do with a cheap $20 mouse and keyboard? Sure, absolutely. But you spend extra money for what honestly can be a substantially better experience; I've tested a lot of these peripherals on friends who were used to using basic, chintzy consumer kit and found their reactions often come just short of outright epiphany. The prices on some of these are high (excepting the G100s, which is actually a pretty straightforward deal), but peripherals are very particular from user to user, and the good stuff can really make all the difference.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
95 Comments
View All Comments
mgl888 - Saturday, March 30, 2013 - link
One thing I hate about the Logitech software is the game/application detection. The software has trouble detecting whether I'm playing the game or tabbed out and the profile do not change accordingly.chanman - Saturday, March 30, 2013 - link
My main mouse is a well-used 5-year old Microsoft Sidewinder (the left-click sensor seems like its starting to go - it occasionally registers single clicks as doubles). The feature I enjoy the most on it that doesn't seem to be offered on newer mice (and Microsoft's office mouse line now that they've again discontinued the Sidewinder branding) are the vertically stacked thumb buttons. I love it and wish it was a feature that others making non-ambidextrous mice would use more often.rms - Sunday, March 31, 2013 - link
I also used a Sidewinder for years, but as I'm a claw/fingertip person the thumb buttons were too far forward. Wish they were adjustable! And in general I find thumb buttons to be unusable on any mouse I've ever seenzehoo - Saturday, March 30, 2013 - link
The g100 looks like an mx300, finally they are releasing a mouse with this shape again. I still use my mx300 it was such a great mouse. Only difference seems to be the feet.dbcoopernz - Saturday, March 30, 2013 - link
Do any of them have automatic switching between click to click and freewheeling mousewheel scrolling modes, like the original MX Revolution has?Dustin Sklavos - Saturday, March 30, 2013 - link
No, and that makes me sad all day. :(The MX Revolution's automatic switching was fantastic, I wish they'd use it more.
B3an - Saturday, March 30, 2013 - link
Dustin, it's disappointing you didn't compare the G500s or 700s to the Roccat Pure and Kone XTD that you reviewed recently. You seemed to like the Pure/Kone XTD a lot. What are your thoughts?Tracking benchmarks would also be nice, and maybe tests on different surfaces. Don't think you go in to enough detail in these reviews.
I went from a G500 to the Kone XTD and think it's superior is pretty much every way, including software. The improvements Logitech have made here don't seem to be enough to make any of these new mice as good as the Kone XTD.
The new markings on the Logitech mice look tacky and i can see them starting to wear off after a few months, which ALWAYS happens with every Logitech mouse i've had that has a coating/markings on it (usually silver, always comes off). You end up with a worn down ugly mouse. Any mouse that has this, especially around the buttons, should instantly get marked down for such a ridiculously obvious design flaw.
Dustin Sklavos - Saturday, March 30, 2013 - link
Truthfully I'm on the fence about whether I want to jump to the G500s or G700s or stick with the Kone XTD which is occupying my desktop presently. The coatings on the G500s and G700s don't generate as much raunchy handsweat as the XTD and they have the toggle freewheel, but the XTD's software is so ridiculously good it's tough to choose.That and the XTD *totally* matches my K90.
piiman - Wednesday, March 19, 2014 - link
I almost bought one of these but I couldn't tell if the wheel had a free spin mode and a good percentage reported wheel problems soon after buying.DarKHawK - Saturday, March 30, 2013 - link
I'm interested in knowing what exactly did they do with the internals. I got my G700 as soon as it was released. The micro-switches gave way about a year later. They are omoron brand made in china. Replaced those with omoron made in Japan and they are working ever since. If any one have more technical info about what Logitech really did under the hood please share.