Logitech G7 Wireless Laser Mouse

Reviews: Peripherals

Accessories | Gaming Devices | Keyboards / Mice | Printers

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Bradford Day
Brian
Logitech
Nov. 27, 2005

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Testing: SetPoint Software

By now you know that if a driver CD is included with a piece of hardware, the first step is to throw it away and get immediately to the gaming!.err, I mean to install the software promptly and check for updates in accordance with the proper guidelines. Driver installation is easy enough, although I was a bit disheartened when I noticed that Windows Media Player 9 was going to be installed along with Logitech's SetPoint software. A copy of Music Match was also available for install, but could be unchecked if so desired. Not so with Media Player, at least on a Windows 2000 machine - I couldn't uncheck the damn thing! I was forced to install it. When I installed the SetPoint software on an XP machine, the Media Player 9 prompt didn't show up (presumably because it was already installed). It could be that Logitech's software requires Media Player 9, I just hate being coerced into installing things I don't need!especially on a gaming machine.

Anyway, after I settled down and stopped ranting about unnecessary installs, I started fiddling with the custom settings. Each mouse button can be assigned a special task using SetPoint. Furthermore, pointer speed, low battery warning, pointer acceleration and smart moving can all be adjusted. After you are finished adjusting all those boring settings check out the "Advanced Game Settings' button under the 'My Mouse' tab; that's why you want this mouse anyway, right? The advanced game settings really unleash the full power of laser mousing. Despite all the marketing hype, laser optics do offer me a significant difference in mouse sensitivity. Remember when the old generation of optical gaming mice came out? "400 DPI resolution, AMAZING!" Oh how times have changed. But what do these new 2000 DPI mice mean to you, the fragger?

I was skeptical about laser mice when they debuted last year. Would a massive jump in resolution even be detectable by human hands? The MX1000 proved to me that yes, laser mice would be the next leap in mouse technology. I was able to get my hand on one at CES 2005 and have since used one at home for a time. I can say that in comparison to a standard LED mouse, the laser engine is much more precise and accurate. But the MX1000 was only capable of 1000 DPI. The G7 improves on the laser engine and Logitech's SetPoint software helps to unleash all 2000 of those DPIs (just count them)!

The advanced game settings allow the user to adjust up to 5 different levels of resolution. These settings can be adjusted in increments of 50 from a minimum of 400 to the maximum of 2000 DPI. X and Y axis resolutions can be set at independent settings, should that be to your liking. And like many other gaming-specific input devices, the custom settings can be tied to profiles which will load when a specific application is launched. Speaking of games, isn't it about time I shut up and start fragging?

Testing: In-Game Usage

From the first moment I placed the G7 on my mouse pad, I was happy that Logitech chose to use Tefl!I mean uh, polytetrafluoroethlene on the feet of this mouse. I have been using a mouse with Teflon tape on the feet and the G7 instantly upstaged the tape. On my marked glass mouse pad the resistance was next to nil. In fact, the combination of ultra high resolution and super slick feet took me quite a while to get used to. Even on a wood veneer finish, the slick feet glide easily. But don't use the mouse on a clear or mirrored surface, as the laser won't be able to pick up all your hand motions. The mouse is heavier than my Microsoft wired Explorer mouse, but lighter than the MX1000. Still, the extra weight melts away on those slick Teflon feet and feels considerably lighter while in use.

The two primary buttons are well placed and require almost no pressure to engage. The side thumb button is also handy when in a firefight. I liked to set mine to toss grenades. I wasn't as pleased with the middle button as I found the action to be lacking. Depressing the button is cumbersome and often results in a slight actuation of the down scrolling motion, which can cause you to swap weapons inadvertently. The button doesn't move much when pressed and doesn't provide an overly satisfying 'click' when engaged. After a short while I grew accustomed to the middle button's action, but it just didn't feel as natural as some other mice I've used. I found that all the games I tested recognized the G7's various buttons with no problems. And from within SetPoint's gaming menu you can adjust the level of DPI customization to your liking as well as assign new roles to each button.

Immediately I noticed a change in my game play with the G7. That immediate change was for the worse. But my instant lack of skills was not for shortcomings of the hardware, but from the massive upgrade in mouse sensitivity and reduction in sliding friction. Going from an LED to a 2000 DPI laser mouse is a quantum leap at the very least. It took me several rounds of play and a few setting adjustments to get used to the new level of resolution. The added movement detail was a welcomed change.

When you're dealing with anything wireless, lag can become an issue. Some older wireless mice were notorious for their movement lag, but I noticed no lag at all with the G7 even when it went into the power save mode. In games like Counter-Strike: Source and Call of Duty I was able to finely tune small movements in an attempt to accurately place headshots (the G7 did help my headshot average, just slightly). The run and gun DPI resolution adjust is infinitely handy when sniping players when zoomed in with a scope. Set the resolution down low to slow your motions while zeroed in on that crouching nazi's noggin. For those of you that like RTS (real time strategy) games, the ability to go from 400 DPI to 2000 DPI will come in handy when zipping across the map. Knock the resolution down for small movement and single troop actions, bump it up to quickly fly across to your enemies advancing horde three screens over or adjust the resolution settings for X and Y movements independently and double your customization. Yes it's just that simple! As you are fragging along and changing DPI resolutions with the tiny +/- buttons, a simple glance at the DPI scale will let you know what setting you're using. The DPI readout is a series of 3 square dots that glows orange from inside the small black window. When the top dot is lit, you are at your highest DPI setting. Two upper dots lit is the next lowest setting and on down until just the bottom square glows indicating the lowest resolution. The adjustable DPI has a multitude of uses within just about any game and is another excellent innovation.

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Page 1: Introduction
Page 2: First Looks
Page 3: Testing: Software & In-Game Usage
Page 4: Testing: Normal Usage & Battery Life
Page 5: Conclusion

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1 User Comment

1 - Posted by handrail on December 28, 2005 - 1:05 pm

One critique that has been brought to my attention by a friend of mine is that the G7 doesn't have a gripping surface on the sides of the mouse, unlike the G5. He has told me that the G7 can get a bit sweaty after prolonged gaming sessions...if you are prone to hand sweat.

brad.

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