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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Zoomer - Saturday, August 4, 2007 - link
What really irks me is the repositioning and shrinking of the thumb button. I really like the mouseman optical style.The positioning was a lot like the ifeel version: http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Station/2137/Hardw...">http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Station/2137/Hardw...
bloc - Friday, July 27, 2007 - link
I've been pestering logitech for ages about getting a 3 button mouse with a scroll wheel on the side.Why?
The old school three button mouse was useful in *nix cause it was the paste button. Pasting with a wheel, or a rebound thumb button isn't the same.
The ergonomics of a scroll wheel is better with the thumb, and not the middle finger. Look at how the other fingers move when you scroll with the middle finger. A scroll wheel on the side is perfect as the thumb naturally moves in that motion.
The last thing they need to do is make the mouse shorter. Palming a mouse isn't ideal for everyone. I rather use finger tips to lift, move and reposition.
Time to rethink the mouse logitech/ms...
strikeback03 - Monday, July 30, 2007 - link
I don't use my middle finger for the wheel - use index for wheel and left button and middle for right button. Ring finger guides the right side of the mouse, pinkie just along for the ride. I also rarely pick up the mouse, I just leave my wrist on the desk and move the mouse with my fingers.kachaffeous - Thursday, July 26, 2007 - link
I have the old G5 and the middle mouse click problem is a deal breaker until it gets fixed. Anyone have the old and new to compare the two?GokieKS - Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - link
The only thing that precluded me from getting the G5 before was the lack of a second thumb button - I ended up searching high and low for another MX500 (which I prefer to the MX510/518) and settled on a MX400. Now that's been rectified, the G5 really will be the best wired mouse available, and I think I'll be picking one up soon.skyyspam - Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - link
It has 10 buttons I can press to do things in games. Technically, the new G5 has 11, but for some dumb reason logitech left out the front-most button that you click with your middle finger (the sensitivity + button). I use this, and all other MX518 buttons, exclusively in games.I want more buttons.
An MX518 with left/right tilt would be ideal right now. That'd be 12 total programmable buttons to play with.
Thalyn - Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - link
I've been using an MX1000 for a long, long while now, simply because it's mind-numbingly convenient having all those buttons (page up/down on the jog buttons, home/end on the rocker, and shift/ctrl/alt on the side) - I could handle 2 (alt wouldn't be a big loss), but going down to one would just be frustrating (at least for a little while).Any word if they're updating the G7 to match?
Omega215D - Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - link
I managed to get this mouse at Best Buy for $50 a while back. I found that the weights on this version of the G5 are easier to remove and the textured surface feels pretty nice. It performs really well when playing FPS but sometimes the stock DPI settings can be a bit too quick but changing them to suit me is really easy.I prefer the new G5 to the my MX518.
GlassHouse69 - Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - link
It is fucking uglyfucking
ugly
next.
copper and faded metal look so much nicer.
fucking
ugly.
yes, the word fucking I said.
Jodiuh - Thursday, July 26, 2007 - link
...and it feels like spidey's love juice...or dead skin, take your pick. It's also not as "cool" to the touch after extended gaming. The 518 always feels cool to touch.