Logitech G500
Posted 11/08/09 at 10:00:00 PM by Will Smith
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This throwback laser mouse is sure to please fans of the classic MX518
At first glance, Logitech’s new G500 mouse looks like yesterday’s model. Its chassis is almost identical to the classic G5, which was in turn a slight redesign of the MX510/518 series. The G500 takes the classic hump design of the MX510/518 and updates the sensor with one similar to the sensor used in the newer G9x line of mice. That’s very nice.
When we say the same laser sensor as the G9x, we really mean that Logitech included an ever-so-slightly upgraded version of the G9x’s sensor. The G500’s adjustable sensor lets you select a setting from 200–5,700dpi, while the G9x limits you to 200–5,000dpi. This isn’t really a significant upgrade, as even the 5,000dpi setting is unplayable outside the small subset of games that let you set an incredibly low sensitivity. Still, we love the silky-smooth action of this mouse.
Logitech's G500 gaming mouse takes the gamer-friendly sensor of the G9x and puts it in a mouse reminiscent of the classic MX518.
With five programmable buttons, plus the clicky mouse-wheel, there are plenty of options for the button-crazed gamer. We’re not necessarily fans of the triple thumb-button cluster, though; it sacrifices simplicity and the ability to instantly know which button you’re pressing for an extra button that we rarely use. Still, players of macro-friendly games—like RTSes and World of Warcraft—will find that it’s simple to program, although getting the timing perfect can be tricky. We absolutely love that the switch that alternates the mouse wheel between its detente-less smooth scroll setting and the more traditional one-click stop setting is squarely front and center—on top of the mouse, directly below the scroll wheel. However, its placement does mean that it’s possible to accidently click should you lose your grip.
Like the other G-series mice from Logitech, the G500 includes a weight tray, allowing you to customize the weight of your mouse in increments of 2g or 5g. Additionally, like the G9 and G9x, you can store profiles containing everything from button assignments to dpi and mouse polling settings on the mouse. This lets you utilize your custom profiles on whatever computer you’re playing on. This is perfect for LAN parties, where you may or may not be competing on a computer you built. While you can save multiple profiles on the G500, you can’t manually switch between them on the mouse itself. It’s a minor feature, but something we liked with the G9-series mice. We were able to set as many as five different sensitivity settings in the Logitech control panel app, but we couldn’t access more than three in our tests with the actual hardware. Which three could we use? No idea, the mouse simply tells you whether you’re using the slow, medium, or fast setting, without displaying the actual dpi setting you’re using.
Where does that leave the G500? While we love the classic shape of the G500, we miss the G9-series’ ability to switch between profiles using just the mouse. If you absolutely detest the shape and interchangeable bodies of the G9 mice, this is an acceptable rodent. However, if you can adjust to the G9x, it’s a superior product.
Logitech G500
Geeks
Great sensor; classic shape; quick-switch dual-mode scroll wheel.
Freaks
Requires software to change profiles; expensive; too many thumb buttons.
Just got this
Submitted by smeeIT on Mon, 11/09/2009 - 9:51am
Just got this mouse two days ago and am LOVING it...
I was tempting by the G9, and will possibly purchase one to test out against my beloved G500. But for now, the G500 is my new favorite rodent.
Submitted by icebox on Mon, 11/09/2009 - 5:04am
Umm, can one of the mods do something about the spamming that 'becoolbiz00' has been doing? Kind of annoying after looking at the 7th identical posting in seven different articles. Thanks.
Submitted by samduhman on Mon, 11/09/2009 - 6:08am
Submitted by GMoney86 on Mon, 11/09/2009 - 12:00am
The G9x actually uses the exact same sensor as the G500. With the new set-point software, you can set the sensor level of the G9x to 5700 DPI, just like the G500. A Logitech employee said in a dev blog that the G9x always had the capability to run at 5700 DPI, but they wanted to test it first before "unlocking" that resolution. The G500 seems nice, but I am definitely pleased with my G9x (with ID grip).
Submitted by Craig-g on Sun, 11/08/2009 - 10:09pm
It's not bad. I had one of the original G5's. After it eventually died I went to the G9, but never really took to either of the handgrips. I jumped on the G500 as soon as it was available purely for the shape.
The cluster of thumb buttons are fine. Two are raised and in line with each other. The third is lower and below. I've yet to fumble and get confused about which one is which.
You can get all 5 sensitivites. I'm not sure what you guys were doing wrong.
For me it does inherit one annoyance from the G5 that the G9 did fix for me. Clicking the wheel button. Like the G5 it feels like the wheel is raised quite high. It also feels very stiff. When middle clicking a lot I find my finger starts to get sore.
I also find it pretty easy to activate the tilt switches when I meant to only middle click. I use my index finger on both the left click and the wheel, so maybe that has something to do with it. On the G5 I ended up remapping the tilt to middle click. So I would just nudge the wheel for middle clicking.
Multiple profiles would be good if you used them I guess. On my G9 I ended up adjusting one profile to suit my needs and never bothered using anything else.
Get out of my head!!
Submitted by reutnes on Sun, 11/08/2009 - 7:41pm
Interesting you should post this when you did! I just got off the phone with Logitech's warranty claims about my G5, which keeps disconnecting from my computer (apparently that's a common issue when the mouse is in its death throes) and the CSR told me that since the G5 is no longer in production, they would upgrade me to a G500 for free thanks to their 3-year warranty. They even threw in overnight shipping when I asked nicely at no cost at all.
As to your claim that there are "too many thumb buttons," why don't you guys look at them with your eyes? Two of them stick out and look like they'll be easy to push. The third is tucked down, and not in the way. I highly doubt that having that third button will ever be an issue for me.
And then your complaint about about requiring software to switch profiles... I don't know about you guys but I don't switch between a jillion different computers. With my G5 I just ran the setpoint disk that came with it on both my pc's and I never had trouble switching it between the two. Kind of an odd complaint if you ask me. If you're hardcore enough to be at a LAN center where you don't bring your own rig, chances are you'll have spent on a razer, not a logitech.
<3 Logitech
There really are 5 levels of sensitivity
Submitted by SPARTAN-501 on Sun, 11/08/2009 - 7:27pm
I got this mouse too and there really are 5 levels of sensitivity. It's an awesome mouse. When you increase the sensitivity after the top bar is filled, the bottom bar disappears. So at maximum sensitivity, there will be one bar at the top, while at the minimum, it's one bar at the bottom. Just so you guys know.
I think this warrants at least a 9-kickass... and it's a litte more than half the price of the G9x in Canada.
I have this mouse and it's
Submitted by DBsantos77 on Sun, 11/08/2009 - 7:16pm
I have this mouse and it's pretty much amazing. It was a definite step-up from the cheap $15 mouse I had from BestBuy. As far as the price tag goes, you get what you pay for. On Newegg it's running at $65 bucks. The MX518 runs at $40 bucks but with 1800 DPI. SO, for $25 more dollars, you get more than double the DPI. As far as the thumb buttons, they don't get in your way unless you have huge thumbs and don't rest them on the beveled curve.
Oh and to add, the weight pieces are genius. They make the mouse really nice and sturdy.
-Santos
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