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3. Logitech G500
We tested 9 gaming mice. Turns out they're all decent, but manufacturers target different types of gamers.
The G500, due to popular demand, shares the classic shape and design with its predecessor, Logitech’s famed G5. The G500 was designed to epitomize gaming prowess by being stylish, comfortable, affordable, and very functional. It shares many of the features the G9x offers, including adjustable sensitivity, the ability to save multiple profiles directly on the mouse, hyper-scrolling technology, and added weights.
The G500 is improved in several ways. First, it features a scroll-lock function to enab
le and disable hyper-scrolling directly under the scroll wheel so users don’t need to turn the mouse over to activate/deactivate the function. We found this tremendously useful, especially when switching between standard applications and games and forgetting to change this setting. Instead of delaying precious seconds to push a flat button, it only takes an instant to press this finely-placed button.
The DPI sensitivity adjustment buttons are also placed on the top left of the mouse, beside where the index finger should rest. These buttons are just as easy to press as on the G9x, though we prefer the G9x’s layout in this area. It’s easier to pull your finger back than to stretch it out to press a button.
While the G9x has interchangeable grips, the G500 is a one-size-fits-all mouse. In this respect, the G500 is clearly superior, as its design comes from a long line of Logitech mice and has evolved well over the years. The G9x, in comparison, is comfortable, but some will find the fat body less comfortable than the G500.
A small button resides between the two thumb buttons, with which we have a love/hate relationship. We’ve found that for all applications, having an additional thumb button was helpful, though the placement isn’t perfect. It’s too close to the other two, and especially if you are doing a quick motion, such as during game play, it’s easy to mistakenly press the wrong button.
Gaming on the G500 is pure bliss. Once we got over the middle-thumb button, it became the easiest to simply play with and forget about. The mouse proved to be more comfortable than the bulkier G9x and is quite clearly well designed.
Instead of using an identical weighting system, the G500 uses smaller, round weights that fit in the underbelly of the mouse. This is more convenient than the G9x, which requires removing the grip to replace the weights. Installing the weights is just as easy. The SetPoint software is the same as with the G9x.
The biggest advantage the G500 has over the G9x is the improved scroll wheel. It functions flawlessly. Scrolling left to right is easy, as is pushing the third mouse button. We have yet to accidentally scroll while pressing the button, though for most applications, the frictionless scroll wheel is simply more fun to use than the third mouse button. For gaming, it’s a nice change of pace to have the usable button.
One downside to the mouse is its inability to store multiple profiles on the mouse. Only one profile can be saved and used should users decide to plug the G500 into another computer without installing the software. For LAN gamers or people who like using their personal mice in the workplace, this means you’ll have to install the SetPoint software if you want multiple profiles on the mouse.
Logitech’s G500 retails for $69.99. The G5 is no longer sold direct, though the older G518 MX is. We do not recommend it for anyone interested in higher DPI settings. The G5 is slightly faster, though it may be difficult to find new.
Gaming Performance: 5
Non-Gaming Performance: 5
Comfort: 4.5
Features: 4
Price: 5
Overall: 4.5/5
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Blah... no deathadder?
I really enjoy my classic death adder.
DeathAdder's a great mouse guys, but it's older, and we've already looked at it before. It went into our holiday guide as well, as one of our favorite mice.
Too much useless buttons on the razer,i don't even use all the G's on my G15 kb+ too fat
Mice are so yesterday - Trackballs FTW!
i wish razer would make a new version of the diamonback with better quality construction. I havent found a more comfortable mouse for my hands, but the left mouse button started to go bad on mine, and the cable started to short out where it connects to the front of the mouse. My G9 has buttons that feel like they will last much longer, the side buttons are nicer and easier to use, and the braided-material-covered cord feels like it will hold up better... but the things just too short and doesnt feel as good with my usual claw-ish grip...
i think Logitech G5 and Logitech G9 and Logitech G9x is better than any mic ,i'll chose one of them (difference in price )
i wish razer would make a new version of the diamonback with better quality construction. I havent found a more comfortable mouse for my hands, but the left mouse button started to go bad on mine, and the cable started to short out where it connects to the front of the mouse. My G9 has buttons that feel like they will last much longer, the side buttons are nicer and easier to use, and the braided-material-covered cord feels like it will hold up better... but the things just too short and doesnt feel as good with my usual claw-ish grip...
My wired diamondback has worked great for 3, going on 4 years now. I also carry it around a lot so it is abused a bit.
What about the Razer Mamba?
Blah... no deathadder?
DeathAdder is crap. Razer is crap. Mouse wheel and grips deteriorate after about a year.
worse piece of crap I ever bought
Too much useless buttons on the razer,i don't even use all the G's on my G15 kb+ too fat
If you play MMOs like World of Warcraft you do end up using all your buttons. Having extra instant cast attacks really helps in PVP combat.
go to 7th page. 3rd paragraph. change LDC to LCD.
dingumf, chill out. Just because your specific product might not have lasted doesn't justify that the whole Company is crap. Mass produced products doesn't guarantee that what you're getting is going to be perfectly produced (and this shouldn't even come to mind when buying anything considering the chances of actually getting a poorly built product)
I've had my Deathadder for a couple of years now, and I've had 0 issues with it. None of the parts have worn down, and it plays just like new. There's no reason to shoot your mouth off like a child because you might have had an unsatisfactory experience with Razer.
I'm going to say that I've never had a piece of Logitech equipment that has lasted me more than a couple of months. I've bought a few headsets, and mice from them, and none of them have lasted longer than 3 months, and the product wasn't all that good for me to begin with. It's just a preference, and I would have eventually gotten used to the mice, but I wasted a bit of cash investing in Logitech. After I got a Razer I've stuck to them, and even bought a Razer keyboard, and both have been performing fantastically.
Guys, the Deathadder is an AMAZING MOUSE. For me, Razer has been a solid company, especially in comparison to Logitech. At least give them a shot.
Man, I'd love to see this article expanded every now and then...specially with some older stuff and then newer stuff as it comes out. I will say though, that I felt the graph was tough to read, if you added the scores, then represented it as a stacked bar graph, it would be much easier to compare mice.
I know il get thumbs down for this but here goes...
Wtf no wireless Logitech G7/sidewinder X8/Razer Mamba gaming mouse???
I know what your gona say, batteries suck, but tell that to the sidewinder X8, or the Razer Mamba, you attach a cord to recharge...if you can't attach a cord to a mouse during the last 2 hours of the battery's life in which it flashes the entire time to warn you of your battery's condition, then you don't deserve a gaming mouse.... I own a G7 and X8 and all I do is game, the tracking is superb on the G7, and you can make 5 dpi settings, the X8 has a very open grip, doesn't leave your hand feeling squeezed, and id try the razer mamba but thats one pricy mouse.
I wish someone made a hybrid of a sidewinder x8 and logitech g7, the hand comfort and functionality of the x8 with the strong build quality and excellent laser tracking of the g7...maybe it's the mamba, but im not desperate enough to spend 115 bucks on a mouse yet
Scratch the X8 part in my post... -.-
really like my G5. I've had it for several years now. It's the only mouse that seems to fit my hand comfortably. It has enough buttons and custom button mapping makes it very versatile. Haven't tried the G500 but it has the same shape so that's what I'll be buying when my G5 craps out. BTW.. I own several rather expensive peripherals and the G5 mouse is one of the best purchases I've ever made.
DeathAdder is crap. Razer is crap. Mouse wheel and grips deteriorate after about a year. worse piece of crap I ever bought
deathadder is an amazing mouse. its the only gaming mouse that has lasted me. i have had it for 2 years, the mouse feet are perfect and the wheel is perfect and everything works great.
Guys, as I said, the Deathadder is an older mouse so it didn't make the cut for this roundup. We did mention it as part of possible Razer mice you might be interested in.
The Associate and GTQ: the Logitech G7 is also very old, so we didn't include it. The Mamba...we wanted to include it, but Razer was unable to get it in to us in time for this roundup. Though my research of the mouse, at least compared to the SideWinder X8, says that the X8 is a better mouse overall. I have not tested or used the G7 at all, though perhaps at CES Logitech will announce a new wireless gaming mouse. That would be quite exciting.