Logitech G5 Laser Mouse: When an update is not worthy of a new name
by Gary Key on July 25, 2007 12:01 AM EST- Posted in
- Peripherals
Design
One of the most noticeable changes from the original design is the new color scheme. Instead of having a faded metallic color scheme like previous Logitech urban design motifs, the main body now consists of black-on-blue color scheme that mimics dry and cracked earth. The sides retain the flat black look that features a unique textured grip surface, which is very good. The other main feature, is of course, a second thumb button on the side that returns this layout design to that of the MX500 series. A change that we wholeheartedly welcome and are glad to finally see.
While the number of buttons first appears to be minimal, the layout design conceals the fact that there are seven available button/wheel choices. The horizontal capable scroll wheel can be configured as three buttons (left, center, right). An additional two buttons are located below the scroll wheel (DPI adjustable) along with the two side buttons, all of which are configurable via the Logitech SetPoint software.
There are a set of 4 LEDs just on the left side of the top of the mouse that are used to indicate power on and the choice of three DPI settings. We found their placement to either be near perfect for taking a quick glance at the current DPI setting or they were completely blocked during usage depending upon your hand size. DPI switching is supported in hardware and features the default 400/800/2000 settings. You only need to install the SetPoint software if you want to customize the DPI settings from the default levels.
The right side of the mouse has a slight indentation that allows the third finger to rest comfortably and allows for precise movements with the mouse. Each side of the mouse is coated with a textured grip surface that allows for a very comfortable feel. On the left side of the G5 we found the thumb grip design gives you a slightly curved surface to rest your thumb on. It feels very comfortable and natural while resting your hand or during quick movements. The top of the mouse has a non-slip texture design as well. Overall, this is one of the most comfortable mice we have used but it is basically a right hand design only.
The bottom of the G5 is fairly ordinary. There are three low-friction polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon based) feet designed to reduce resistance and improve gliding across most surfaces. We found the material on the feet allowed the G5 to glide better across our various mouse pads or desktop surface a lot easier than previous Logitech offerings. In fact, the difference was noticeable the first time we used the mouse when compared to the MX518. The other feature on the bottom of this mouse is a slot for the adjustable weight system that we will discuss next.
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| Click to enlarge | |
One of the most noticeable changes from the original design is the new color scheme. Instead of having a faded metallic color scheme like previous Logitech urban design motifs, the main body now consists of black-on-blue color scheme that mimics dry and cracked earth. The sides retain the flat black look that features a unique textured grip surface, which is very good. The other main feature, is of course, a second thumb button on the side that returns this layout design to that of the MX500 series. A change that we wholeheartedly welcome and are glad to finally see.
While the number of buttons first appears to be minimal, the layout design conceals the fact that there are seven available button/wheel choices. The horizontal capable scroll wheel can be configured as three buttons (left, center, right). An additional two buttons are located below the scroll wheel (DPI adjustable) along with the two side buttons, all of which are configurable via the Logitech SetPoint software.
There are a set of 4 LEDs just on the left side of the top of the mouse that are used to indicate power on and the choice of three DPI settings. We found their placement to either be near perfect for taking a quick glance at the current DPI setting or they were completely blocked during usage depending upon your hand size. DPI switching is supported in hardware and features the default 400/800/2000 settings. You only need to install the SetPoint software if you want to customize the DPI settings from the default levels.
 |
 |
| Click to enlarge | |
The right side of the mouse has a slight indentation that allows the third finger to rest comfortably and allows for precise movements with the mouse. Each side of the mouse is coated with a textured grip surface that allows for a very comfortable feel. On the left side of the G5 we found the thumb grip design gives you a slightly curved surface to rest your thumb on. It feels very comfortable and natural while resting your hand or during quick movements. The top of the mouse has a non-slip texture design as well. Overall, this is one of the most comfortable mice we have used but it is basically a right hand design only.
The bottom of the G5 is fairly ordinary. There are three low-friction polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon based) feet designed to reduce resistance and improve gliding across most surfaces. We found the material on the feet allowed the G5 to glide better across our various mouse pads or desktop surface a lot easier than previous Logitech offerings. In fact, the difference was noticeable the first time we used the mouse when compared to the MX518. The other feature on the bottom of this mouse is a slot for the adjustable weight system that we will discuss next.
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GlassHouse69 - Monday, July 30, 2007 - link
LOL ! nice!you rock :)
not many on here have real opinions.
VooDooAddict - Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - link
Never missed the second thumb button on the original G5.You could easily configure the right or left side tap of the scroll wheel to various functions that I would have normally used for the thumb button.
BIOSMonkey - Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - link
I was in the market some months ago for a new mouse that had tilt wheel (which I love for internet back/forward), but worried because some games use the middle mouse button (Company of Heroes, Supreme Commander etc) and I have had problems with mis-clicking on tilt capable mice.I found that the middle wheel button is not too bad on this mouse, but since games like the above make heavy use of this function to move the map around I was still getting too many mis-clicks.
One of the big reasons I bought this mouse is because of the extra buttons that I thought could be remapped to the middle mouse button. I also wanted the remapping to be active for specific applications.
Problem is the setpoint software won't let you remap certain buttons. Unless, you install this:
http://www.mstarmetro.net/~rlowens/uberOptions/">http://www.mstarmetro.net/~rlowens/uberOptions/
which opens up remapping to most (or all?) buttons. I can say that I successfully remapped the first thumb button in COH and SC to act as the middle button with 100% success. I also mapped the thumb buttons to zoom in/out in Photoshop.
Also, I personally hated the sandpaper-like feel that I assume is to keep the mouse from slipping out of your fingers and flying out the window, so I fixed that easily with 600 grit sandpaper. Feels MUCH more comfortable to me now. Personal preference I guess.
Overall an EXCELLENT mouse but there is ONE BAD THING that I have not found a fix for: I cannot get the acceleration option to disable in games. I typically use a Low setting for the desktop (which is spread over two 1600x1200 screens), but want it off in games. An example is Q3 arena...even though I set the driver to disable acceleration it is still there.
Spacecomber - Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - link
Coincidently, I just happened to pick one of these mice up, yesterday. I'd noticed that Circuit City had a pretty good price listed, online. When I went to a local store, they were still showing the original price, but they matched their online price when I asked them about this.As an earlier poster suggested, previous reviews, such as those by buyers at NewEgg, had been critical of how the scrollwheel worked as a third button on the original G5. This was an additional reason why the MX518 seemed to enjoy a better reputation (besides the second thumb button). My understanding is that this is improved with the newer version of the G5. Since you have both mice available, it would be interesting to hear your impressions of how much this has changed and presumably improved. Perhaps, comparing it to the MX518 in this regard, as well.
I've not had a chance to really explore mapping buttons on the mouse to ingame settings, but my quick attempt seemed to indicate the Battlefield 2 didn't pick up on my attempt to assign a specific keystroke to a button. I tried to assign a couple of numbers to the right and left wheel clicks, in order to use these to select a weapon more quickly. If I bring up notepad, I can get 2's and 3's to type out by clicking the wheel from side to side, for example, but the game doesn't seem to see these as commands to bring up weapon 2 or weapon 3. I suspect this has more to do with the game than SetPoint, however.
Justin Case - Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - link
It's interesting that, when they dropped the second thumb button, I (and several other people) wrote to them asking to bring it back. We all received a reply saying "thanks for the suggestion, but we have no plans to do that". Well, guess what?Now, if only they would fix the way the cable attaches to the mouse (that's the main point of failure since the MX500). I suppose that's deliberate, so they "die" after 2/3 years and force people to "upgrade"... unless they happen to have a soldering iron.
Etern205 - Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - link
Forget the G5, the future is here!lol
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/peripherals/logitech-g9...">http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/peripherals/...tech-g9-...
Zak - Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - link
It reminds me of something more organic, like some kind of alien web or network of neurons, etc.Zak
chizow - Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - link
Great news for mouse enthusiasts, and Logitech is certainly a great company to buy from. I had a MX700 replaced under warranty a few months ago and it was a completely painless process as they shipped me a new Revolution without needing to return the broken mouse. At the time, I also told the CS tech the G7 would be a much better mouse if they added the 2nd mouse button and he said he'd pass it on to the engineers. Looks like I wasn't the only one begging for a 2nd button on the G-series. Hopefully a G7 refresh is in the works, if/when it does come out I'll be happy to plunk down another $80-$100 for Logitech quality and service.Kalessian - Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - link
There are no "RAZOR" mice. The company is spelled "razer"http://www.razerzone.com/">http://www.razerzone.com/
Kalessian - Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - link
oops, sorry, that's on the conclusion page, 2nd to last sentence.