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
The Logitech G-Series Software
One thing peripheral vendors have been notoriously awful about has been software. I was never especially happy with the software Corsair uses, to say nothing of Thermaltake's and even Logitech's older software. The old G500 used the SetPoint software kit, separate from their gaming software, but with the new G series, all of the new mice and keyboards fall under a single unified software umbrella. This is immensely appreciated, as most vendors are using separate drivers and software for each of their products.
As it turns out, the G-series software is pretty good, too, and remarkably simple. Someone at Logitech seems to have decided that existing software was too clunky or not functional enough, because this software is lightweight and incredibly easy to use.
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Strangely, the G100s is the only one of the three mice tested that has more than one configuration page; one page handles the DPI levels while the second handles the limited button configuration. It seems really bizarre that they would take that approach with this mouse, as it's unnecessarily involved. Nonetheless, the software is very simple and intuitive, something that will be consistent across these three products.
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When you get to the G500s, you see most of the same functions as the G100s but lose some granularity in the sensor; the "Advanced" settings are all gone. The first window actually lets you choose between storing your settings in the mouse's on-board memory or storing them in software; from there it takes you to the single configuration window. Changing a button's setting is as easy as clicking on that button in the window, where a dropbox lets you choose between using the default or going to a page that lets you assign a macro, key, or basic mouse function (including multimedia controls.)
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Finally, the G700s ups the ante one more time by allowing you to store and toggle between up to five different profiles, but other than that it's essentially identical to the configuration options for the G500s. It does add the ability to choose a power mode, and I found the Max Gaming mode was enough to make the wireless connection undetectable; under the other two, there's just a little bit of perceptible lag even with the mouse right next to the receiver.
This is really clean, well made software and a major step forward for Logitech. If it loses anything, it's that it's not as robust as the ridiculously configurable Kone mice from ROCCAT. Those mice use illumination to identify different profiles, and they're frankly still going to be almost ideal for users who want to get as much utility out of their mice as humanly possible.
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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