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
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Introducing the Logitech G100s, G500s, and G700s Gaming Mice
The dirty secret of gaming peripherals is that if they're good quality products in general, they're often going to be head and shoulders above hardware marketed toward the regular consumer. For whatever reason, high rent keyboards and mice just aren't marketed to consumers who'll often settle on an inexpensive wireless mouse and keyboard combination. This was strangely evident in Logitech's pre-G-branding era, and while the G branding is ultimately a good thing, some users are liable to miss out on some fantastic quality kit.
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In the strictest sense, the Logitech G100s, G500s, and G700s aren't new mice. They're three of the four mice that were recently announced (the fourth being the G400s, which we unfortunately didn't receive in time for review), but they're primarily refreshes. That's okay, though: the G100s is a descendant of the G100 which wasn't made available in North America, the G500s gives me a chance to properly review my beloved G500 as a new product, and the G700s sheds light on the oddly scarce G700.
When I met with Logitech in San Francisco, their statement with these "new" mice was essentially this: "if it ain't broke, don't break it." While I'd be liable to rib them a little bit for complacency, the reality is that many of these products have been phenomenally successful for them and well-received. Seriously messing with the formula runs the risk of disenchanting the customer as well as potentially resulting in a run on a dead product. That's not what you want; you want a run on a live product.
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Our conversations regarding peripherals were actually pretty long and detailed, certainly more than I've gotten from other vendors, but I think that's due to Logitech being principally a long-standing peripheral manufacturer. Mice and keyboards can be tricky things; each person's body chemistry is different which in turn affects the way different materials feel in the hand. I can't use Razer mice, they make my palms clammy in seconds, but I know a lot of people love the texture on their products. That's before getting into the differences in preference between the different mechanical switches Cherry produces in keyboards.
What Logitech is pushing with their G branding marketing, other than finally having a unifying brand umbrella (and software package!) for all of their gaming products, is summed up in their slogan: "Science Wins." It's goofy, but the philosophy is sound: they rigorously test their products (apparently one version of the G600 MMO mouse had a small production run alongside the current version, they were tested against one another, and the release one won out), and they design them based on scientific data about how they're used. That means looking at grip, looking at the situations they're used in, and so on.
The G100s, G500s, and G700s may have gradually increasing model numbers (and price tags to boot), but don't be deceived: each really does serve a unique purpose unto itself.
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yougotkicked - Monday, April 1, 2013 - link
I'm still using my G5 and have no plans to upgrade until it breaks (no signs of that happening any time soon); but it's nice to know there's a fresh round of quality mice to pick from should the need arise.ryccoh - Tuesday, April 2, 2013 - link
I love my G700, but what's with the cheesy graphics on this revisionperry1mm - Tuesday, April 2, 2013 - link
I've been using the G700 for a bit over a year now and I love the design, layout, scroll wheel, software, and wired or wireless, but PLEASE Logitech change the texture on the next update to feel similar to the MX grips!I can overlook it because the other features outweigh one downside, but I've tried other mice simply because the texture still bothers me after a year of trying to put it out of my mind...I still go back to it though, but no reason to go to the 700S when they didn't change that.
Alexo - Tuesday, April 2, 2013 - link
Re Software:When I got a Logitech mouse, the software insisted on controlling both the mouse and the keyboard. Which meant that I could use either the programmable keys of my Microsoft Natural keyboard, or the SW capabilities of the Logitech mouse, but not both because the software would conflict.
Needless to say that the Logitech software got uninstalled pretty quickly.
This is an extremely boneheaded design, one that convinced me to stay away from Logitech mice.
Aikouka - Tuesday, April 2, 2013 - link
Dustin, if I remember correctly, you're not based in the United States, and that might be the reason why you had poor G700 availability. I don't exactly go around looking for the mouse, but I've certainly seen it in Best Buy and various online retailers. I actually own two of them! One of the more interesting aspects of the G700 is the fact that the data cable supersedes the wireless connection if it's connected (it also charges the mouse). That means that you can use it as a wired mouse if you need to, and it also allows you to easily use the mouse on more than one PC. For example, I could plug the mouse into my laptop and use it like a normal wired mouse. When I was done, I could unplug the mouse and use it on a HTPC (that has the wireless transmitter plugged in).Kopa95 - Monday, April 8, 2013 - link
So many are complaining about the quality of the G500. I've had mine for over three years, and it works just fine. Except for the middle mouse button. That doesn't work. But I think that is because I dropped a snow globe on it.Mantvis - Tuesday, April 9, 2013 - link
Good mouse review has to have:1. Mouse weight. That's it. Other reviews have the rest :)
The most difficult spec to find about any mice is weight. Try googling popular mice weight... not an easy task. Wireless mice can be very heavy. Please do a popular mice review and weight them.
Also try comparing the sound of the mouse. Click sound and the sound when you drop the mouse from one inch high. It's no secret that in some cases the mouse hits the table with a big force :)
Also very important to some - mac compatibility. My G700 could be configured only in windows. Zero mac support.
Etern205 - Tuesday, April 9, 2013 - link
I own a G700 and I don't see why you'll need separated LED indicators for DPI and profile. When you select a certain profile, the LED are orange, red or DPI settings, and green for battery, unless it needs to recharge, then it's red.The side G buttons are great as I set it for entertainment and web browsing.
MSRP was $99 but was on sale for $75 and comes with a free game: Orchestra Red Front
Etern205 - Tuesday, April 9, 2013 - link
Why can't Logitech implement their DarkField sensor to their G-series mice?I have a Anywhere MX and that sensor is awesome. It can be use on almost any surface even on glass (has to be at least 2mm thick).
yogibu - Wednesday, April 10, 2013 - link
I have G700. Unfortunately after using it for 6 months I realised that I feel pain in my palm (below/along the pinky finger). At first I ignored it but currently I can't use it anymore as the pain remains there even while I'm not using the mouse. Also mobility of my pinky finger has dicreased a lot. Because of that I hate that mouse.Really liked the placement of the side buttons though, so if not for the shape I would recommend it.
I have long hands - my hand span is 23cm.