Logitech G303 Daedalus Apex Capsule Review
by Jarred Walton on March 5, 2015 4:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Mouse
- Peripherals
- Gaming
- Logitech
Logitech G303 Daedalus Apex Introduction
Logitech has been making mice for about as far back as most PC users can recall, enhancing and refining the input peripheral over the years. Their new G303 Daedalus Apex is an advanced lightweight gaming mouse that builds off the foundation of previous offerings, and it’s launching today.
Getting straight into the details, the core design is very similar to the existing G302 Daedalus Prime MOBA mouse, but with an upgraded sensor. The G303 uses the same optical sensor found in Logitech’s G502 Proteus Core, the PMW3366, which is regarded as one of the most advanced sensors around. With the G303, Logitech has elected to reveal some additional details about the sensor, which are included in the following table.
| Logitech G303 Daedalus Apex Technical Specifications | |
| PMW3366 Sensor | |
| Sensor Features | Exclusive Clock Tuning Technology Delta Zero Technology Zero Smoothing Zero Filtering No Pixel Rounding No Pixel Doubling Sensor Surface Tuning |
| Tracking | Resolution 200-12000 DPI Max Acceleration: >40G* Max Speed: >300 ips* * Tested on Logitech G240 Gaming Mouse Pad |
| Responsiveness | USB Data Format: 16 bits/axis USB Report Rate: 1000 Hz (1ms) Microprocessor: 32-bit ARM |
| Button Specifications | |
| Features | Mechanical Microswitches Metal Spring Left/Right Button Tensioning System On-the-Fly DPI Switching High-Speed Clicking |
| Durability | Left/Right: 20 Million Clicks |
| Programmability | 6 Programmable Buttons 3 Onboard Memory Profiles (Logitech Gaming Software required for some features) |
| Additional Features | |
| Glide | Dynamic Coefficient of Friction*: 0.11 µ(k) Static Coefficient of Friction*: 0.17 µ(s) 250 km of Movement * Tested on Wood-Veneer Desktop. |
| Physical Specifications | Weight: 133g (Mouse Plus Cable) Weight: 87g (Mouse Only) 115mm x 65mm x 37mm (LxWxH) Cord: 7 feet (2.1m) |
| Lighting | RGB Customizable Lighting |
| Price | MSRP: $69.99 |
We won’t cover all of the features, but the sensor is definitely one of the most advanced options around. This is currently Logitech’s best mouse sensor, and the Delta Zero along with Zero Filtering/Smoothing are features that gamers in particular can appreciate, as they ensure there’s no acceleration and no additional lag generated by smoothing input over multiple samples. (Note that it’s necessary to also disable the OS smoothing/filtering aspects to get the unadulterated experience.) The resolution range of 200-12000 DPI is quite large, and personal preference certainly plays a role in what DPI an individual user likes; the G303 allows switching between up to five settings on-the-fly via the Logitech Gaming Software.
Logitech has also refined the buttons with metal spring tensioning on the left and right buttons that’s designed to improve the responsiveness, feel, and durability of the buttons. Rated at 20 million clicks, that’s equivalent to someone clicking the buttons every second for twelve hours a day, seven days a week for a full year. Or for those who prefer not to suffer from RSI, you could use the mouse and click the buttons on average 10 times per minute for eight hours a day and you still wouldn’t hit 20 million clicks even after ten years – at which time you’d likely be using a newer mouse regardless.
Besides the sensor and button specifications, which are obviously important for the target market, Logitech also has customizable RGB lighting on the mouse and a high quality braided cable. The weight of the mouse is very light, and the body is relatively small compared to some gaming mice. The total of six buttons (left, right, two thumb buttons, the scroll wheel, and the button behind the scroll wheel that’s typically used for DPI switching) is a bit limited compared to other offerings, but the Logitech Gaming Software does offer a full range of customizations and macro features.
We could go on but the key takeaways are that Logitech has attempted to create the best possible sensor with an extremely precise tracking system and a high quality and comfortable chassis. This is definitely a niche product as many users are more than happy with less expensive mice, but for competitive gamers that live and die by their mousing skills, Logitech hopes to win them over with the G303.
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Samus - Thursday, March 5, 2015 - link
Finally something competitive from Logitech in a reasonable price range. Razer and SteelSeries have had mice with less advanced sensors offering all these features for less than Logitech, until now. This mouse goes head to head, feature wise, with the SteelSeries Sensei, while being less expensive and having a modern sensor.ddriver - Thursday, March 5, 2015 - link
Hopefully they improved their build quality and durability. Still disgusted by the G9.silverblue - Sunday, March 8, 2015 - link
Bad luck. Mine is still going after 7 years, though I must admit that I don't game quite as much as I used to.cpupro - Wednesday, March 11, 2015 - link
Logitech mouse quality sucks, some older models from 90's vere great. I have MX1000, battery life sucks, even when was new, I had to replace it with DIY kit, scrolling button is bad. Than I have M500, left button is giving me problems. Very hardly I would ever buy another Logitech mouse.Dark_Archonis - Thursday, March 12, 2015 - link
Again, I think that depends on which model you have, and under what conditions you use it. It could also be luck of the draw. My MX518 is over 3.5 years old, and still performs as if it was new. I recently replaced it with a G400s, simply because I wanted the newer, upgraded, more accurate sensor in the G400s. The MX518 will serve as a backup mouse in case I ever need it. I foresee the G400s lasting a long time.Dark_Archonis - Thursday, March 12, 2015 - link
I forgot to add, I exclusively buy wired mice for the reliability and performance they offer. I was never a fan of wireless mice, and in my experience wireless mice have far more problems than wired mice overall.Wwhat - Sunday, March 15, 2015 - link
I was a bit amazed about that opening statement of the article "enhancing and refining the input peripheral over the years.", because what I see is them releasing a mouse, then releasing a fixed version, rinse and repeat. And as for the functionality and ergonomics, that waxes and wanes all the time.Overall it seems they have a decline over the years.
I hear they are pretty flexible about replacing defective parts though.
Stuka87 - Thursday, March 5, 2015 - link
Less advanced sensors? This mouse may have a higher DPI, but its just a single sensor. One of the great things about Razer mice is their dual sensor technology. It really does make it far more accurate on just about any surface.Sabresiberian - Thursday, March 5, 2015 - link
I'll give that it works better on problematic surfaces that other sensors might have trouble getting accurate readings from, but otherwise there is no accuracy benefit to using dual sensors in any case where a person is using a reasonable mousing surface. In fact dual sensors add complication and the need to account for 2 sensors inputting location data over a larger period of time than it takes to read one data point.As far as build quality - I'll take Logitech over Razer for any product across the line.
Sabresiberian - Thursday, March 5, 2015 - link
After reading a string of posts talking about the lack of quality of the current company Logitech is, I think it is important for me to say that I have moved on from their products. There are better choices, among them Corsair, but I believe Razer isn't one of them, based on to what I have read in recent years about Razer products. My mouse is a Mad Catz design, and while I wouldn't recommend one of their earlier products because they are so dang finicky I have to say the R.A.T. TE is the best mouse I have ever used, and it fits my hand and sense of style.SteelSeries - I have 2 different SteelSeries mousing surfaces and both are superb. Unfortunately they don't make the one I consider to be the best anymore. I have owned 2 of their mice and I would put the quality in the Razer range (or at least what I believe is the Razer range, low to medium quality) and am not likely to buy another SteelSeries mouse.