Logitech MX518

Posted 06/23/2005 at 12:24pm | by

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This variable-sensitivity gaming mouse will tickle your fancy

Using a hyper-sensitive gaming mouse can be both a blessing and a curse. Sure, having lightning-quick turn speed and pixel-perfect accuracy are great in a hot-‘n’-heavy deathmatch, but when you’re sniping, 1,600dpi is just too twitchy. For the best of both worlds, Logitech’s new MX518 lets you change the resolution on the fly using two hard-wired buttons.

Here’s how it works: The two buttons above and below the MX518’s scroll wheel control the mouse resolution. Press the button above the wheel, and the sensitivity and mouse speed increase. Press the button below the wheel, and the sensitivity decreases, netting you finer control over mouse movements. The mouse ships with three presets—400dpi, 800dpi, and 1,600dpi—that work all the time, even if you haven’t installed Logitech’s mouse drivers. If you install the drivers, you can reconfigure the sensitivity settings to better suit your needs.

Getting this to work in games takes a little tweaking, but the benefit is huge, especially in games that include vehicles. We recommend setting your in-game mouse sensitivity with the mouse set at the highest resolution you plan on using. Then you can crank the resolution down for extremely accurate movement when you’re sniping or flying an aircraft. In fact, the lower resolution provides more precision with the inaccurate weapons in games such as Brothers in Arms and Battlefield: Vietnam.

Logitech also improved the MX518’s feet. Instead of the usual Teflon-footpads, this rodent sports new shoes that use an even slicker substance. The result? Silky smooth movement when paired with a gaming mousepad.

Of course, you might be wondering why Logitech would go with a traditional optical design instead of the laser design they debuted in the MX1000. The answer is simple: Many gamers don’t dig the “floaty” feel of the laser mouse. Because the only laser mouse released to date is the wireless MX1000, it’s impossible to tell if the float we felt on that mouse is the result of the laser sensor or the wireless connection. Regardless, we’re fond of the multitude of options that the MX518’s selectable sensitivity gives us.
—Will Smith

+ DONUT HOLES:
Adjustable sensitivity sans drivers rocks. Feet are super smooth.
- BULLET HOLES:
The sensitivity buttons are small and difficult to use.

Month Reviewed: June 2005
Verdict: 9
kickass=yes
URL: www.logitech.com