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 Features
If you read through Logitech's marketing information one of the single most touted features on the G5 series is the tunable weight cartridge system. This creation from Logitech's rodent lab offers the ability to add up to 36 grams of weight to the mouse in order to "tune" the weight of the G5 to your personal preference. We are split as to whether this system seems a little too gimmicky or according to some adamant staff members, it really does make a difference in gaming performance.
If nothing else, Logitech really went all out with the design of the weight system. The system contains sixteen different weights; eight are 4.5 grams each with the balance being 1.7 grams each. The weight cartridge accepts up to eight weights, so you can customize to your liking.
The weight cartridge inserts into a slot on the bottom of the mouse. This slot is angled and notched making it very easy to insert the cartridge. The button located about the slot allows for a quick spring-loaded ejection once pressed. The weight cartridge is basically centered in the mouse, so any weight changes will be spread evenly across the mousing surface.
The standard weight of mouse is actually very light for its size and we found it to be very comfortable. However, some of us like a slightly heavier mouse so we added a few grams of weight and found ourselves being able to easily "palm" the mouse during gaming with some precision.
If you read through Logitech's marketing information one of the single most touted features on the G5 series is the tunable weight cartridge system. This creation from Logitech's rodent lab offers the ability to add up to 36 grams of weight to the mouse in order to "tune" the weight of the G5 to your personal preference. We are split as to whether this system seems a little too gimmicky or according to some adamant staff members, it really does make a difference in gaming performance.
If nothing else, Logitech really went all out with the design of the weight system. The system contains sixteen different weights; eight are 4.5 grams each with the balance being 1.7 grams each. The weight cartridge accepts up to eight weights, so you can customize to your liking.
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The weight cartridge inserts into a slot on the bottom of the mouse. This slot is angled and notched making it very easy to insert the cartridge. The button located about the slot allows for a quick spring-loaded ejection once pressed. The weight cartridge is basically centered in the mouse, so any weight changes will be spread evenly across the mousing surface.
The standard weight of mouse is actually very light for its size and we found it to be very comfortable. However, some of us like a slightly heavier mouse so we added a few grams of weight and found ourselves being able to easily "palm" the mouse during gaming with some precision.
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cjb110 - Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - link
The weight system is a good idea in principle, but the with the current setup the weight difference isn't noticable. They need to have a greater range, say adding upto 100g, rather than the paltry 36g.yacoub - Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - link
Eagerly awaits an article about modding the G5 by cutting your own lead weights for uber weight advantage / wrist building scheme. ^^Deusfaux - Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - link
This is another major issue with past mice like the G5 that have sideways middle clicks.Did you guys experience a lot of incorrect button presses when attempting to do a middle click? ie, did you hit middle left or right instead or AS WELL as hitting the middle?
With the MX518 hitting the middle click is easy and always guaranteed...
Gary Key - Friday, July 27, 2007 - link
We did not have any incorrect middle clicks during testing. The main reason is the fact that you have to firmly press down on the middle button which made reaction time slower to some degree until you get use to it. I prefer the MX518 middle click but several others liked the G5.Capt Caveman - Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - link
I find that using the right/left tilt buttons on the middle wheel to be faster and more useful than the second thumb button and middle wheel button.MX518 - second thumb button/more responsive middle wheel button = right/left tilt buttons on middle wheel of G5/G7
Nullvoid - Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - link
That you received some new 'Razer' units not RAZOR.flyboy84 - Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - link
...you are correctandepro - Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - link
Did any1 come across this article?:
http://www.esreality.com/?a=post&id=1265679">http://www.esreality.com/?a=post&id=1265679
Gary Key - Friday, July 27, 2007 - link
We had been working on something similar but decided in the end that the amount of testing required for each mouse (G5 as an example, 3dpi/6 USB polling settings x various weight points plus multiple path movements) still would not really tell us anything conclusive about how the mouse operates without knowing the conditions it would be used in. We are still figuring out how to do something more scientific while trying to cover the major variables.
strafejumper - Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - link
have seen it, this esreality article is not perfect, but way beyond any other mouse reviews i've seen anywhere.its written by competitive multiplayer gamers for competitive multiplayer gamers.
haven't read it in a long time but i believe one of the things it covered that really no one else does is negative acceleration. Negative acceleration meaning if you move the mouse x distance at a slow speed, it tracks differently than if you move the mouse the same distance at a fast speed. I would have liked them to test a ball mouse to see if it has any negative acceleration.