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 G-Series Software
One thing peripheral vendors have been notoriously awful about has been software. I was never especially happy with the software Corsair uses, to say nothing of Thermaltake's and even Logitech's older software. The old G500 used the SetPoint software kit, separate from their gaming software, but with the new G series, all of the new mice and keyboards fall under a single unified software umbrella. This is immensely appreciated, as most vendors are using separate drivers and software for each of their products.
As it turns out, the G-series software is pretty good, too, and remarkably simple. Someone at Logitech seems to have decided that existing software was too clunky or not functional enough, because this software is lightweight and incredibly easy to use.
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Strangely, the G100s is the only one of the three mice tested that has more than one configuration page; one page handles the DPI levels while the second handles the limited button configuration. It seems really bizarre that they would take that approach with this mouse, as it's unnecessarily involved. Nonetheless, the software is very simple and intuitive, something that will be consistent across these three products.
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When you get to the G500s, you see most of the same functions as the G100s but lose some granularity in the sensor; the "Advanced" settings are all gone. The first window actually lets you choose between storing your settings in the mouse's on-board memory or storing them in software; from there it takes you to the single configuration window. Changing a button's setting is as easy as clicking on that button in the window, where a dropbox lets you choose between using the default or going to a page that lets you assign a macro, key, or basic mouse function (including multimedia controls.)
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Finally, the G700s ups the ante one more time by allowing you to store and toggle between up to five different profiles, but other than that it's essentially identical to the configuration options for the G500s. It does add the ability to choose a power mode, and I found the Max Gaming mode was enough to make the wireless connection undetectable; under the other two, there's just a little bit of perceptible lag even with the mouse right next to the receiver.
This is really clean, well made software and a major step forward for Logitech. If it loses anything, it's that it's not as robust as the ridiculously configurable Kone mice from ROCCAT. Those mice use illumination to identify different profiles, and they're frankly still going to be almost ideal for users who want to get as much utility out of their mice as humanly possible.
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Flunk - Saturday, March 30, 2013 - link
"With the G500s available there's no reason to recommend the G500" This statement isn't quite true. Logitech is fire saling the G500 so price is a big factor at the moment (I paid $30 for one). After that, I doubt there will be any more to compare.Dustin Sklavos - Saturday, March 30, 2013 - link
The problem is that the G500's primary buttons aren't particularly durable. I wore out my first G500 and I have a friend who wore his out as well.You can get a G500 at a fire sale price, but there's really no point when you'll just wind up replacing it with the G500s anyhow.
shahrooz - Saturday, March 30, 2013 - link
mine tooDeo Domuique - Wednesday, April 3, 2013 - link
I really wonder why you keep buying Logitech mice... Their damn buttons were always as crappy as hell... And they insist... The point is, why do you, the customers instist, likewise? Their god damn build quality is as cheap as possible; you need new mouse in a few months due to misbehaving/broken/malfunctioned buttons.nickb64 - Thursday, April 4, 2013 - link
My G400 has been fine, and I've used the hell out of it for the slightly more than 1 year I've had it. It's also spent a significant amount of time getting stuffed in my bag to take with me to college to use instead of the crappy Dell mice the school has in the computer labs.The only problem I've had was the scroll wheel was stuck for a couple days, and didn't turn as freely as it normally does. Upon further inspection, all I needed to do to fix it was scrape some junk that had become lodged in the opening out of the space. It's still just as functional as ever.
Best mouse I've ever owned, and I bought an extra just in case they don't have something like it when this one finally wears out, or in case I need another mouse when I get a proper desktop PC again.
Lyianx - Thursday, April 11, 2013 - link
MY G700 has been great for well over a year. It sounds like you are mistreating your mice so they break under conditions they were not meant to be put though, or you've got a lemon.piiman - Tuesday, March 18, 2014 - link
LOL you must work for Razar. lolThe cheap button are rated at 20,000,000 clicks yeah they're cheap lol
I had my g700 since it came out and button 3 is sticking in the down position. Probably just dirt but I felt like a new mouse after 4+years and grabbed the 700s at Best Buy which amazingly was the best price I found at 69.99. I'm sure it will last me just as long if not longer. What mouse do you think has better buttons?
offshoresho - Sunday, April 21, 2013 - link
I don't know how you've been treating your mouse but my G500 has been with me since Bad Company 2 and had no button problems EVER. To me the LOGITECH mouse were build to last. Playing FPS is my first love with games and constantly changing DPI when i need too. Now compare it to another 2 brands my friends have and playing the same games, i would only say "R" & "C" have problems.As long as im happy with my mouse. Don't abuse your mouse. (It's animal abuse)
bgatot - Sunday, April 21, 2013 - link
Do you work for Logitech? Do you hold stock in the company? Why assume that when they break it's always, 100% OUR fault? Still, it was a nice mouse before the middle button (and the scroll wheel with it) gave up the ghost.And as far as people keep buying Logitech, probably because there ain't much better alternative. At least I don't know any. My Razer's buttons are failing too. I wonder if the new Logitech would last longer, now that the button clicks have apparently been improved. If not, what other brand of mouse is durable enough out there?
anon29929292992 - Friday, May 29, 2015 - link
I'm jumping ship to Corsair's new mouse because I've seen the build quality of their cases. If they can build a durable case, then they will probably build a durable mouse. Logitech has always been a good brand, and I've bought and recommended Logitech for over a decade, but they constantly fail in build quality. When their products work they are great, but I've seen too many product failures. They need to take their flagship products and perfect them instead of pumping out design defects, and they need to seriously consider redesigning their software and customer service model. Customer service doesn't even exist at Logitech...so until they can step the game up I'm finding and recommending alternatives....