Logitech G5 gaming mouse reviewed

If you liked the Logitech G15 gaming keyboard that we featured earlier today, then you'll probably want to check out its little brother, the G5 gaming mouse. Like most recent pointers of note (though not Apple's much-hyped Mighty Mouse), this one's a laser mouse, which gives it ultra-high resolution and sensitivity (2000 dpi in this case). Other features include custom weights, so you can adjust the balance to your comfort, and three sensitivity levels. ExtremeTech put one through the old click-and-drag drill, and found that "the movement of the G5 is smoother and more precise than any other mouse we've tested." Want one? Be prepared to spend $80, or about $100 for the wireless G7, which has most of the same features but cuts the cord.

[otakucode @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Finally, a wired laser mouse. Was that so hard to do, Logitech?

And it's sweet that it comes pre-dirtied.

[TheCheeks @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

im happy with my mx518...

[Jeffler @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Looks like it'll top my MX700, which I've boughten two of to date (my first one broke due to my error)

[otakucode @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

The one thing that makes me a little anxious about plunking down any significant amount of cash for a mouse is never addressed in reviews. How durable is it? When I miss a shot and slam the mouse down with great force on my desktop, is it going to die? Am I going to throw the laser or sensor out of whack?

Guess I'll find out, I'll definitely be getting one of these when the sluggish manufacturer manages to pump out and actually get their product to a consumer. Atoms are just so unbearably slow to work with.

[Craig @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

TIP : Don't slam your mouse down with great force.

[the known sTrangEr @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Very nice, been waiting for a wired one, i have the wireless mx laser and it works great. I'll no doubt be getting this one. (wired of course, i hate having to wait for my mouse to recharge before i get ready to play a game)

[memodude @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

#4 otakucode
"The one thing that makes me a little anxious about plunking down any significant amount of cash for a mouse is never addressed in reviews. How durable is it? When I miss a shot and slam the mouse down with great force on my desktop, is it going to die? Am I going to throw the laser or sensor out of whack?

Guess I'll find out, I'll definitely be getting one of these when the sluggish manufacturer manages to pump out and actually get their product to a consumer. Atoms are just so unbearably slow to work with."

My MX1000 is pretty tough, but the Logitech logo wears off really quickly.

[Diesel @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

I've got a MX1000, and its been an awesome mouse. The battery can last about 2 days w/o dropping a bar, and the laser performance is unbelievable. People say that wirless mice are not good for gaming, but I find this one to be better than ANY wired mouse I have ever used. Its also nice that if you are using Linux that it does not require software to run. Just plug the base into a USB port, and its ready to go.

[ipodman715 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Yeah, the MX1000's logo wears off, but it's a very nice mouse.

[strider_mt2k @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Looks like the replacement for my MX700 is here!

[sam @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

The new Razer Copperhead > this abomination

[wow... @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

R U Serious?
The Overpriced Feature-bloated Razer crap doesn't hold a candle to Logitech's offering. It may have great dpi and built in flash memory, but what really counts is useabiltiy and comfort/feel. You'll notice this logitech mouse is almost identically designed to the mx500/700 models which have been out for years because it is still the most comfortable mouse to date, and no amount of flash memory will compete witht that!

[Michael @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Why didn't they base it off the MX1000, which is the improved version of the 700?

[sam @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

"The Overpriced"

both have the same msrp

"Feature-bloated"

both have similar features- 2000dpi laser sight (although the Razer might have a higher refresh rate and other higher quality stats), 7 buttons and a scroll wheel, customizable weighting, on-the-fly sensitivity adjustment, and other customizable software settings. So the Copperhead will be able to store the settings inside so that you dont have to load the drivers onto every PC you go on to be able to get your settings... thats a bad thing? Especially considering the two have the same msrp?

"You'll notice this logitech mouse is almost identically designed to the mx500/700 models which have been out for years because it is still the most comfortable mouse to date, and no amount of flash memory will compete witht that!"

the entire reason I'd prefer the Copperhead is because the logitech design really isnt all that great. Its kind of comfortable for relaxed use, but it doesnt give you the neutrality and precision of the razer design. Have you ever tried a Diamondback? Its very comfortable, maybe it doesnt give your hand as much support as those logitechs, but it reacts to your input better too. Maybe a good analogy would be the difference between a Lexus and a BMW. The thing that bothers me most about all those logitechs is the click action. LOL, I dont know why but I'm really picky about house the main 2 buttons click, and the logitechs are actually pretty bad. The travel isn't very predictable, and the click is kind of soft and unsatisfying. In contrast, Razer mice have always had like, a scientifically perfect click action, even on their original crappy mice.

LOL, I cant believe I wrote all that about mice, but i definately think its true. Its preference though, it would depend on what you're using the mice for. But I really cant see many non gamers buying that logitech, and imo, the diamondback at least is a better gaming mouse.

[Jesse J. Anderson @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

This looks just like the Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer that came out in like '99... best mouse I've ever used.

[Ben Gold @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

I have a mx1000 and its he best logitech mouse you can buy thats not for gaming, this mouse is basicly the same thing, minus some handy feature and plus some interesting ones that would be useless in anyother application other than gaming, and what with the gay colors on the logitech gaming mice?

[Za @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Echoing Michael:

"Why didn't they base it off the MX1000, which is the improved version of the 700?"

I have both the MX700 and the MX1000. The MX1000 is much more comfortable, though. It confuses me as to why they brought back an older mouse design to pimp out in Doomesque colors.

[boe @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

When the hell is logitech releasing a BlueTooth laser mouse?

[Jason @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

These mice are such gimmicks. I've been playing FPS games *heavily* with a mouse and a keyboard since the mid 90s, so I'm particulary picky about these things. The first optical mice had twitch problems, but with the mice they sell currently even a budget optical mouse from Microsoft is more responsive and precise than your brain can comprehend.

By far the biggest limiting factor in mouse precision today is the little teflon feet on the base of the mouse. If they don't have just the right amount of friction and tackiness (or lack of) it will have a huge effect on your ability to do fine mouse movements. The only solution right now is to get a better mousepad, or to put teflon tape on the bottom of your mouse.

These $100 laser mice are great, I'm sure, but they're no better than any modern optical mouse with extra buttons. I'm convinced reviewers who say otherwise have bought in to some bogus marketing.

But by all means, spend $100 on a mouse. Especially if you hate having money.

[SASniper @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

LEFT HANDED (or at least symmetrical) please!!!

Another sinister bites the dust!

[Jeff L. @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

what's the diff. between optical and laser mice? i've always thought they were the same, with a different name. shows what i know about mice.

[Ben @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Without a doubt, greening you laser mouse is essential if you get one. Although you can buy special greening marker pens to absorb unwanted reflections from the laser or use the old school "Eberhard Faber Design Art Marker No. 255", I've found a major increase in frags to come from using green wax, either "mountain meadow" or "Carribean green" from Crayola. It not only has high absorption but adds just the right amount of slip. Just start from the base of the mouse and apply it in a circular motion along the edges to the front.

[Jared @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Ben,

What are you talking about? Please ellaborate.

[cosine @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Ben,

He's referring to an old trick to make your cd's sound better, the connection is spurious but mildly amusing.

Jeff L - An tradition optical mouse uses a flashing LED for tracking, just a light bulb really, the new laser mice have an actualy laser.

LASER!

[Bah Boom @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

I've used both the MX518 (I own it, now) and the MX1000 and personally, I like the MX518 better. I bought it about only 2 weeks ago. Probably should've waited for the G5.

[mousch @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

In awesome "gaming mouse" fashion, it kind of looks like you've had it and used it since Doom 1 came out.

[Melvin @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

#13: Concerning "click-action", I recently tried using a logitec mouse over an ibm and the first thing I noticed was that its mouse clicks are nice and quiet. I don't have a private office and I know that my wife appreciates the softer clicks while sleeping.

[Spiza @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

I saw some stuff about wireless and gaming so I figured I'd throw in all my knowledge on the subject. First off, most wireless mice will "power down" to save battery life too often. Thankfully, the MX1000 doesn't do this. The MX1000 is not as powerful as a couple of wired mice out right now though. Razor and Logitech both have optical mice that do 1600dpi which is better than the MX1000 (800 dpi?).

Then finally, for those gamers who will do whatever it takes to get an advantage, you can overclock your usb drive. It normally runs at 125Hz giving you an 8ms lag time from mouse to computer. You can overclock it to 500Hz safely a majority of the time and it can go up to 1GHz on some ports. That leaves only a 2ms and 1ms lag time respectively. The faster response means more control. You can't do this with a MX1000 because the Wireless RF only operates at 150Hz.

[jazzay @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

overclocking my mouse? thanks but im still trying to figure out how to safely OC my AMD 64 3200

[Maikeru @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Actually in my findings, the MX1000 does power down after a while (so it's best that if one plans to snipe, they better make sure that they keep the crosshairs moving�as they should anyway since it's best to stay alert�or the mouse goes into a power down after about 5-10 minutes of total inactivity.

[Galley @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Customizable weights? WTF?

[Melvin @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

#28: The MX1000 has a resolution of 1600dpi.

#30: Thats one hell of an intense game of CS you've got going there, with 5 min of inactivity with the AWP. ;)

[Eaglerapids @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Finally Logitech has come out with application specific settings! I don't know why this has been such a problem. But now that we have that they take away some buttons:-(, I like buttons. I wonder if the + and - buttons can be reprogramed to anything you like? But then you wouldn't have them for use in applications. There are times when I like to change back in forth in an application. I have the Logitech 510 and the Razer Diamondback. The side buttons on the Diamondback are essentially useless and you have no application specific settings. Logitech seems to be getting closer but I want that forward button back! If Logitech had kept the button layout of the 510, allowed you to change the sensitivity by pressing the forward button and rotating the wheel, like the Diamondback, and added the application specific software, it would have been perfect.

[Dan Harris @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Ok firstly i have always been a razer fan, the design, the presentation and the general looks are so much better suited to gamers, my plan of action all be it a waste of money is that i'm going to buy the g5 until the copperhead comes out. I'm sorry to say this but i feel that logitech you have just rushed the production of the g5 to compete with the copperhead and infact what will happen is that the copperhead will kill all known competition in the gaming mouse market! Harsh i know but i think you will agree it's a fair comment =)

[Scott @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

I played on the G5 and the copperhead at quakecon this year. The copperhead isn't any better than the diamondback. The G5 is like the mx518 with a weight you dont have to take apart the case to get to. If you like the mouse you're currently using....keep it. One of these isn't going to make you an uber gamer.

[photog @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

i'm not so much a gamer as i edit pics (wedding photographer) in photoshop. this crappy old logitech ball mouse (looks like the pilot with scroll button) just doesn't cut it. my question is, i don't want to buy a wacom tablet, for PS work, so i'd like to have aprecision mouse that can hit on a pixel! it needs to be very comfortable, and because i have long fingers, i constantly press the right click accidentaly. my brother told me he bought the razor coppermine, but the size/comfort scares me away. i was leaning toward the G5 but then i was also looking at the MX1000. after reading peoples small problems with the reaction/dpi compared to the wired mouses (which is something i hate with my mouse) i thought to finalize it to either the G5 or MX518. any input and help appreciated.
btw, FWIW, i don't want a mouse that will fly to the corner of the screen when i move the mouse 1/2 an inch.