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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Boopop - Saturday, March 30, 2013 - link
These are all well and good but I'm still not seeing anything compelling about these compared to my trusty MX518. I'd quite happily get a G700s for the wireless-ness but for me it just doesn't look as nice as my current mouse and actually has too many buttons.emgarf - Saturday, March 30, 2013 - link
The current equivalent to your MX518 is the G400s (which wasn't reviewed in this article). Mouse shape and button locations have stayed the same throughout the MX510 -> MX518 -> G400 -> G400s evolution.7amood - Saturday, March 30, 2013 - link
Some reported that there is a very weak annoying sound of sine frequency that comes from the old G500 laser when idling, does it exist in the G500s?Dustin Sklavos - Saturday, March 30, 2013 - link
I never heard it on the G500 or the G500s.Wraithtek - Saturday, March 30, 2013 - link
I switched to a G500 last summer and have been liking it so far. Much better than the Razer Lachesis I was using (better for my grip and less rubber texture surface).One issue I see with the G500s in this review is... it *looks* worse than the existing G500. Sure, a mouse is a tool you use, and maybe you don't really care how it looks if it works well. But the visual design makes it look like a cheaper mouse, and the big "G" logo doesn't make me think Logitech, either. I don't know if the new design is meant to look more "gamery," but it doesn't work for me.
And a really minor comment about the G100s... why do manufacturers sell mice without forward/back buttons? At least in this price range. I know these are a deal breaker for me, not for any particular use in gaming, but for everyday web browsing. At least to me, that's far more useful than a dpi switching button. Anyway, I'm not really looking at the G100s, as I'm pleased with my G500, just don't know why so many mice leave out this super basic feature.
kmmatney - Saturday, March 30, 2013 - link
I agree - I'm also using the older G500, and think it looks better than the new one. I'm sure it works fine, and I don't care what my moue looks like that much, but I don't want it to look cheesy.JBaich - Saturday, March 30, 2013 - link
I rarely game but my Logitech gaming mouse is one of the best general purpose computing accessories I have ever purchased. Adjustable dpi resolution, wickedly fast and smooth scrolling wheel, great feel in hand; All these have positive impacts on all day UI effectiveness. A good mouse and keyboard are as important as a good screen. If you care about these things....Laststop311 - Saturday, March 30, 2013 - link
I wish I had a larger selection of mice to choose from. My desk is a glass top surface and I have to use the performance mx since it has darkfield technology so I can use it on top of glass without a mouse pad. Good job logitech for making the only mouse in the entire world that works on glass without a mouse pad, now will you please expand darkfield to more products?WJames - Saturday, March 30, 2013 - link
I have had a G700 for close to two years. The feel and the programmability are fantastic. However, I did initially have one issue with this mouse. After a couple months of use, I began to develop "tennis elbow" - the mouse is just a bit too heavy (imo). After removing the battery and switching the USB cable to a thinner, lighter cable, the mouse was noticeably lighter, and my "tennis elbow" issue went away. I am really not sure why mouse manufacturers are favoring a heavy mouse. However, with the weight issue "resolved", this is a great mouse.piiman - Wednesday, March 19, 2014 - link
Tennis elbow from a heavy mouse? I don't think your using it correctly.LOL