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 G700s: Convertible for the MMO Player
When Logitech showed me the G700s, I was actually pretty impressed by it and disappointed that I never saw the G700 in retail. Apparently I wasn't the only one; other gamers I know never saw the G700 floating around, either. Maybe it was too expensive, who can tell, but it wasn't an eyecatcher on the shelf (something the G500's ostentatious paint job undoubtedly helped.) That's kind of a shame, because if you're a fan of the G500 and G500s, this is basically a beefed up version of that mouse.
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For starters, the switches, textures, and sensors used between the two mice are the same. Where the G700s diverges is that it's a slightly larger mouse without the potentially oversized grip the G600 had. If you need a gaming mouse with more buttons, but the G600 was too big, the G700s might actually be exactly the ticket.
The G700s features eleven configurable buttons, up from the eight on the G500s. Instead of the trio of buttons under the thumb, there are now four. The pair of DPI switch buttons have had a third added beneath them, and then below the mechanical freewheel switch is an additional configurable button. I like that almost all of these buttons are basically where your fingers are going to be anyhow, and they require very little searching. The buttons all have fairly sharp angles to them to make them readily identifiable, but those wedges can be uncomfortable at first and may take some getting used to.
Unlike the G500s, there's no LED on the mouse to tell you what speed it's running at, but where the G700s deviates the most wildly from the G500s is that it's a combination wired and wireless mouse. It comes with a single user replaceable AA rechargeable battery, a wireless sensor, and then a special micro-USB cable that locks into the mouse firmly. I had a few concerns when it came to the potential pitfalls of the convertible design of the G700s, since something like this can be bungled badly in the details.
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My first concern was that the micro-USB connector (and you can use any micro-USB cable) would either wear out, or would be loose, but impressively, the cable that ships with the G700s is very secure. You can still use the mouse while it's charging as a conventional wired mouse, or you can take it off the mains and use the tiny wireless receiver. Note that this is not a unifying receiver similar to the ones used in Logitech's more consumer-oriented products; Logitech stated that the bandwidth required to reach their target 1ms latency meant using a dedicated receiver.
I switched back to corded mice after dealing with latency issues with two of my older wireless Logitech mice; they were great once they got rolling, and the MX Revolution remains a fantastic mouse if exceedingly hard to come by, but there was always a little bit of a hiccup when you started moving the mouse. The G700s doesn't have this problem; it has configurable wireless power levels, and the default one is actually imperceptible from a wired connection.
The G700s is almost flatly superior to the G500s, but I found the feedback on the thumb buttons to be a little too mushy, and the right click was actually too easy to accidentally hit and needed more resistance. If you're willing to make the tradeoffs, though, and are desperate to lose the cable without losing the sensitivity and responsiveness, I don't think you can really beat the G700s.
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yougotkicked - Monday, April 1, 2013 - link
I'm still using my G5 and have no plans to upgrade until it breaks (no signs of that happening any time soon); but it's nice to know there's a fresh round of quality mice to pick from should the need arise.ryccoh - Tuesday, April 2, 2013 - link
I love my G700, but what's with the cheesy graphics on this revisionperry1mm - Tuesday, April 2, 2013 - link
I've been using the G700 for a bit over a year now and I love the design, layout, scroll wheel, software, and wired or wireless, but PLEASE Logitech change the texture on the next update to feel similar to the MX grips!I can overlook it because the other features outweigh one downside, but I've tried other mice simply because the texture still bothers me after a year of trying to put it out of my mind...I still go back to it though, but no reason to go to the 700S when they didn't change that.
Alexo - Tuesday, April 2, 2013 - link
Re Software:When I got a Logitech mouse, the software insisted on controlling both the mouse and the keyboard. Which meant that I could use either the programmable keys of my Microsoft Natural keyboard, or the SW capabilities of the Logitech mouse, but not both because the software would conflict.
Needless to say that the Logitech software got uninstalled pretty quickly.
This is an extremely boneheaded design, one that convinced me to stay away from Logitech mice.
Aikouka - Tuesday, April 2, 2013 - link
Dustin, if I remember correctly, you're not based in the United States, and that might be the reason why you had poor G700 availability. I don't exactly go around looking for the mouse, but I've certainly seen it in Best Buy and various online retailers. I actually own two of them! One of the more interesting aspects of the G700 is the fact that the data cable supersedes the wireless connection if it's connected (it also charges the mouse). That means that you can use it as a wired mouse if you need to, and it also allows you to easily use the mouse on more than one PC. For example, I could plug the mouse into my laptop and use it like a normal wired mouse. When I was done, I could unplug the mouse and use it on a HTPC (that has the wireless transmitter plugged in).Kopa95 - Monday, April 8, 2013 - link
So many are complaining about the quality of the G500. I've had mine for over three years, and it works just fine. Except for the middle mouse button. That doesn't work. But I think that is because I dropped a snow globe on it.Mantvis - Tuesday, April 9, 2013 - link
Good mouse review has to have:1. Mouse weight. That's it. Other reviews have the rest :)
The most difficult spec to find about any mice is weight. Try googling popular mice weight... not an easy task. Wireless mice can be very heavy. Please do a popular mice review and weight them.
Also try comparing the sound of the mouse. Click sound and the sound when you drop the mouse from one inch high. It's no secret that in some cases the mouse hits the table with a big force :)
Also very important to some - mac compatibility. My G700 could be configured only in windows. Zero mac support.
Etern205 - Tuesday, April 9, 2013 - link
I own a G700 and I don't see why you'll need separated LED indicators for DPI and profile. When you select a certain profile, the LED are orange, red or DPI settings, and green for battery, unless it needs to recharge, then it's red.The side G buttons are great as I set it for entertainment and web browsing.
MSRP was $99 but was on sale for $75 and comes with a free game: Orchestra Red Front
Etern205 - Tuesday, April 9, 2013 - link
Why can't Logitech implement their DarkField sensor to their G-series mice?I have a Anywhere MX and that sensor is awesome. It can be use on almost any surface even on glass (has to be at least 2mm thick).
yogibu - Wednesday, April 10, 2013 - link
I have G700. Unfortunately after using it for 6 months I realised that I feel pain in my palm (below/along the pinky finger). At first I ignored it but currently I can't use it anymore as the pain remains there even while I'm not using the mouse. Also mobility of my pinky finger has dicreased a lot. Because of that I hate that mouse.Really liked the placement of the side buttons though, so if not for the shape I would recommend it.
I have long hands - my hand span is 23cm.