Logitech G303 Daedalus Apex Capsule Review
by Jarred Walton on March 5, 2015 4:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Mouse
- Peripherals
- Gaming
- Logitech
Logitech G303 Software
As with most advanced gaming peripherals, the software and features provided can be the deciding factor in what a user ends up buying. Logitech has been doing this long enough that their software works quite well. One cool feature is that the first time I loaded up the software, it prompted me to update the firmware on my mouse. A simple unplugging and reconnecting of the mouse with a 5-10 second firmware updating delay and the mouse was ready.
In terms of features, the software allows you to modify the lighting settings, though there aren’t a ton of options. You can set a color for the logo and sides, but the color is the same for both so you have four options: all lighting off, sides on/logo off, sides off/logo on, or all lighting on. As for the colors effects, besides a static color selected from a 24-bit RGB palette, you can enable a breathing effect or a color cycling effect. As for the static colors, while there are in theory 16.8 million possible colors, the actual LEDs seem to have closer to 24 levels of intensity, giving ~14K colors to choose from. Most users will end up using one of about 20 or so colors (or the color cycling effect), and this is similar to most other RBG mouse/keyboard lighting arrangements I’ve seen.
The software also allows you to customize the buttons with custom profiles on a game-by-game basis, with a variety of pre-defined profiles available if you prefer. Most of the time the default settings are sufficient, with only the left thumb buttons needing modification, and users can decide what works best. There are options to record and edit macros, change the mousing surface, and configure the DPI settings as well.
Closing Thoughts
With all the advanced features, at the end of the day mouse preferences are still highly subjective. I haven’t had a ton of time to play around with the G303, but it certainly tracks well on a variety of surfaces and the ability to disable all acceleration is nice. But is it better than the many other competing gaming mice that are already available? That’s a lot more difficult to say.
I have no complaints with using the G303 and the light weight makes it comfortable for me to use for long periods of time – assuming I have the time available to play games for long stretches. I’m not the type of gamer that likes having tons of extra buttons on a mouse, so the six buttons on the G303 fits my style well. I also like the more classic appearance rather than the “futuristic” styling of mice like the Mad Catz R.A.T.5, Cougar 700M, or Logitech’s own G502 Proteus Core.
If you have similar feelings about mouse design and aesthetics, the Logitech G303 is certainly worth a look. It might not actually make you a better gamer, but you might at least look a bit more sophisticated. It’s a good design and is attractive without being overly gaudy. The 12000 DPI setting isn’t something most people will ever use (I generally prefer 800 DPI, though YMMV), but whatever setting you want the G303 should keep you happily gaming for quite a while.
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JarredWalton - Thursday, March 5, 2015 - link
I don't have a glass table to try this on, but I did try tracking on a window. Granted, the window wasn't exceptionally clean so it's probably more like frosted glass? Anyway, on a window it was fine. I also tried testing on a mirror however and that didn't work at all.The True Morbus - Thursday, March 5, 2015 - link
Too goddamn expensive. I'd much rather go for the similarly priced G502.In fact, I did go for a 502 and I couldn't be happier. It's even better than the fantastic G500, which I had before.
Communism - Thursday, March 5, 2015 - link
Losing the toggleable hyperscroll wheel and the "dedicated" DPI up and DPI down buttons seems like a pretty high price to pay to only save ~10 USD over the Logitech G502 Proteus Core (Assuming they both stay close to MSRP) when both mice are already priced very high.Hopefully this new non-hyperscroll wheel will be long lasting unlike the old style non-hyperscroll wheel that was on most of Logitech mice before they introduced the hyperscroll wheel. That scroll wheel stopped being precise within a year or so and detached fully within 2 or so.
Hopefully they will launch a Logitech G403 with the same sensor that addresses both those issues while keeping a smaller form factor design than the G502 and drive the price of the G303 down another ~10 USD.
Communism - Thursday, March 5, 2015 - link
Also, I have to state again that you guys should do actual tests on mice since there are definite objective measures for mice that are extremely helpful for delineation between "bling" mice and true precision instruments.As always, I defer to
http://www.esreality.com/?a=longpost&id=126567...
No reviewers have done/are doing real mouse reviews at all since then.
The advertising value of the article would be exponentially increased if you guys replicated (or bettered) that testing regime as you would make an article effectively a reference article for a device that all gamers should care about.
Now that you guys have additional funding from your new owners you should really think about putting something like that into place.
It will seriously both significantly increase your "street cred" and your reputation for excellence in reviewing.
It will likely also shape the mouse industry as a whole to have real objective tests about the things that matter most in a mice.
Should you actually go about doing this I would suggest using a hard surface for the testing surface as soft surfaces are horrible for precision (and precision testing). That means either a piece of anodized aluminum like the Steelseries SX (sadly discontinued long ago) or a sheet of deep anodized aluminum that you purchase from a metal supplier or something. Deep annodized titanium unfortunately wouldn't work so well since the titanium "rust" is fairly translucent. Stainless Steel would probably also not be a good testing surface as it is fairly reflective and would interfere with sensors that cannot deal with that kind of thing.
Please take this comment into consideration :D. Fill the massive gaping hole in this space to increase your market share and value :P
Flunk - Thursday, March 5, 2015 - link
The reason no one really benchmarks mice is that very few people care. Mice long ago surpassed most people's ability to perceive a difference. Even saying that it would be interesting if they actually did benchmark them. Add some credibility to it.I'm still going to buy the mouse I like the hand feel of, but it might influence some people's buying decisions.
Communism - Thursday, March 5, 2015 - link
That attitude would have people still using 480i TVs because they are too stupid to know the difference between that and 4k @ 120 hz.People's stupidity is a measure of current stupidity. The point of reviews is to decrease stupidity.
I'm sure you could probably get a sponsorship from logitech or something to do the testing.
Logitech spent big bucks making the excellent optical sensor in the G400 as well as the excellent optical sensor in the G502 and now G303.
They should see return on their investment and deny funding on the "bling" utter trash that is most of the market of mice and has been that way since the beginning of consumer mice sales.
Communism - Thursday, March 5, 2015 - link
Nice video which details some of the many pitfalls of most "bling" mice on the market.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lc7JVjcPzL0
kmmatney - Friday, March 6, 2015 - link
We have several gaming computers at our house - I have a nice logitech "gaming" mouse on mine. Not sure which model, but you can adjust the weight (maybe G500). On a guest gaming computer we have a $7 Amazon basic mouse. There is really no difference at all for gaming - give the amazon basic mouse a decent surface and it performs just as well as my G500. I'm through buying expensive mice. I've never bothered installing any logitech software.3ricss - Thursday, March 5, 2015 - link
I have to agree with Flunk on this. Back in the day I used to care about capability, but now it is more form over function for me.Zak - Thursday, March 5, 2015 - link
I like Logitech hardware but their software is awful so I stick to their basic keyboards and mice so I can just use built-in Windows drivers. So this rules out any gaming mice. I do just fine with standard mice, but I am not a competitive gamer or anything.