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
Conclusion: Three Mice for Three Users
I think what I may very well like best about the Logitech G100s, G500s, and G700s is that they're not one-size-fits-all mice. Undoubtedly I've been glowing throughout this review, but honestly I'd be happy using any one of these three mice, and if you've been keeping up with my peripheral reviews you'd know I tend to be fairly picky. Everybody should be; the mouse, keyboard, and display are the ways you interact with the computer and thus should be as enjoyable to use and even as seamless as possible. As far as I'm concerned, that should be the overarching mentality of virtually any vendor making technology products: people should enjoy using these devices, and the devices should not get in the way of what people want to do with them.
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Starting at $39, I think the G100s is actually a little bit of a tough sell, at least superficially. This looks like a garden variety mouse, and it does feel a little cheap, but those wind up being the prices you pay for what the mouse is intended for. As an RTS mouse I suspect it's going to be a very popular and effective weapon, and the optical sensor is actually the most fluid and enjoyable to use of the three mice tested here. There's no reason to think this mouse won't go on sale at some point, and at $29 it'd be an absolute steal.
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At $69 the G500s continues the G500's reign as the elder statesman workhouse mouse. If you loved the G500, you'll love the G500s, because all Logitech has done is fix their software, upgrade the laser slightly, and make the buttons more durable. I'm madly in love with the coarse texture used on the grips, personally, as well as the toggleable freewheel. Some users will undoubtedly appreciate the configurable weight, too. I wouldn't recommend actually paying sticker price for this mouse; Logitech mice go on sale all the time, and the G500s really belongs at $59.
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By now you probably already know whether or not you want the Logitech G700s. In many ways it's like the G500s but better, though I do prefer the lighter weight of the G500s in the hand. If you want to be able to switch between onboard profiles on the fly, though, it's pretty tough to beat. I just wish there were some kind of LED indicator on the mouse for both the active profile and the active DPI setting (similar to the G500s), and the weight kind of comes with the territory of a wireless gaming mouse. Finally, at $79 it's a very hard sell, but there isn't much out there that's quite like it.
I can easily and cheerfully recommend any of these mice, and I would urge users to seriously consider what they're getting for their money. Can you make do with a cheap $20 mouse and keyboard? Sure, absolutely. But you spend extra money for what honestly can be a substantially better experience; I've tested a lot of these peripherals on friends who were used to using basic, chintzy consumer kit and found their reactions often come just short of outright epiphany. The prices on some of these are high (excepting the G100s, which is actually a pretty straightforward deal), but peripherals are very particular from user to user, and the good stuff can really make all the difference.
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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.