How can you possibly make one of the greatest gaming mice out there better? Add another button, that’s how! I’m talking about the Logitech G5 Laser gaming Mouse, which is what is up on the review block for today. Adding an additional side button to the G5 is something that was very much needed and will be welcomed by all, including me. The G5 even got a cool face lift, with an interesting texture/paint job that Logitech calls ‘Cracle Blue’, they added some new features in the software control panel as well, and did a bit of a change up with the weight kit as well… So, read on to learn more about the new Logitech G5 gaming mouse…
Logitech G5 Laser Mouse Rev2
Reviewed by: Kristofer Brozio AkA Dracos
Sponsor: Logitech
Tech Specs,Features or the Basic Info:
Logitech G5 Laser Mouse Rev2
The gamer’s choice.
Adjust weight, balance and resolution for optimum control. New for 2007, a second thumb button adds even more programmability.
Available in Cracle Blue.
Overview:
Loaded with features optimized for game play.
A Logitech exclusive, the G5’s 36 g adjustable weight cartridge gives you thousands of variations on balance and weightincluding one thats perfect for your unique gaming style. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) gaming feet provide the ultra-smooth glide you want in a gaming-grade mouse, while the 2000 dpi laser engine sends out an astounding 1000 USB reports per second* for precision response at blinding speeds. Logitechs SetPoint software allows you to customize your mouse with advanced features such as game detection and in-game adjustable sensitivity (including independent x- and y-axis settings).
Features:
In-game sensitivity switching
Get instant access to three sensitivity levels 400 dpi, 800 dpi, and 2000 dpi. Shift from pixel-precise targeting to fast-twitch maneuvers without pausing the action.
Adjustable weight cartridge
Adjust the G5’s weight and balance (up to 36 g) for the control you need to dominate the competition.
Dual thumb buttons
New for 2007, the addition of a second thumb button adds even more programmability and control.
2000 dpi laser engine
An ultra-high resolution engine churns images at an astounding 6.4 megapixels per second. A massive (30-pixel by 30-pixel) sensor array provides best-in-class performance and tracking.
Polytetrafluoroethylene gaming feet
Forget sticky workaroundsthe G5’s durable polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) feet give the ultra-smooth glide you want in a gaming mouse.
Full-speed USB
A 1000 reports/second*, bi-directional connection delivers blazing speed and instant acceleration.
Specifications:
System Requirements:
PC with Windows 2000, XP or Vista
USB port
Hardware:
Tracking Resolution: 2000/800/400 dpi (user selectable)
Image Processing: 6.4 megapixels/second
Max. Acceleration: 20 G
Max. Speed: 4565 inches/second (depending on surface)
USB Data Format: 16 bits/axis
USB Report Rate: 1000 reports/second
Sleep Mode: Disabled
Package Contents:
Logitech G5 Laser Mouse
Adjustable weight cartridge
Tuning weights and case
CD with SetPoint software
Installation Guide
3-year limited warranty
Find best deal on the Logitech BF2142 Edition G5 mouse at ShopZilla
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A Better Look at Things
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The packaging for the Logitech G5 got a bit of a face lift as well, but not much, it still resembles the original G5 package, and features the very familiar Logitech Green. The G5 itself is show center of the package to show off it’s new design.
On the back of the package we find the features listed along with some nice close up shots.
Opening the box, we find another plastic box that is compartmentalized, every thing in it’s place…
Included with the G5 is the user manual, driver/software disc, metal case with weights inside and the plastic weight holder. The original weight holder was orange, obviously this is blue in color to match the G5 coloring.
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A Better Look at Things
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The metal weight case is exactly the same as the original, but the holder is a bit different if you look closely at it.
Inside of the holes on the weight holder or case, are rubber grommets or gaskets, this is something very different from the original G5 setup. The original G5 had the rubber gaskets on the weights themselves, why they changed it isn’t explained but I could guess that people lost the rubber gaskets on their weights of the original G5, so this would solve that problem.
Inside the metal weight case we find sixteen small tuning weights, all snug in a foam, sponge like holder. There are only two different sizes of the weights 4.5grams and 1.7grams, or eight of each.
The weights themselves are very nicely made, the labels on the tops are permanent, not stickers, so you don’t have to worry about it rubbing off. I actually tried scraping it off with my fingernail and it didn’t come off.
Here’s a picture of the new G5 weights next to the original weights to show you the difference.
Obviously if you own the original G5, the weights are not interchangeable, not a big deal…
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A Better Look at Things
Continued:
When I got the new G5 I posted a couple pics up on my blog, and got a few reactions to the new design. Good and bad, Tom was pretty excited about the second button but wasn’t too sure about the coloring and pattern, he said it reminded him of a blue Venom (referring to Venom from Spiderman of course), but he liked the idea that it wasn’t just a paint job, and it was actually textured for grip. So here it is, the new Logitech G5 or Rev2 as I like to call it…
Here’s a close up of the pattern, it is a ‘cracle’ or I think, more similar to broken glass.
On the original G5, the Logitech logo was dark and sort of blended into the mouse, here it is bright white and can’t be missed, of course the G5 logo is still there in the same place.
Even the G5 and Logitech logos have the textured pattern in them.
Pretty much the most important change is the addition of the second side button on the new G5 mouse, this is something that is very welcome to me and everyone else I have talked to. The forward button is smaller than the back button, but still very accessible to your thumb. I think the reason for this is that most people use the back button more often than the forward button, at least I know I do, so the emphasis is on the most used button. The shape is essentially the same as the original G5, with the slight slant and the groove under the buttons to help get a better grip on the mouse. Up above the back button we find the little DPI indicator LED screen that lights up in increments to let you know what resolution the G5 is set at, same as the original G5.
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A Better Look at Things
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On the front of the Logitech G5 we find the standard right and left buttons and the scroll wheel. I’ve always liked the style of the buttons on the G5, not really buttons at all, they just blend right in seamlessly, into the mouse itself. Another thing about the G5 that I liked was the cord, call me weird for liking a cord, but I really like the braided, sleeved look of it and how it feels much heavier and more sturdy than another other mouse cord.
Behind the scroll wheel is where we find the DPI adjustment buttons, the G5 has the ability to change the DPI up or down, which is a very nice feature. It seems most gaming mice have only one direction to change the DPI and that is up, it forces you to go through all the resolutions to get to where you want. In the following picture you’ll also notice that even the area around the scroll wheel and DPI buttons is textured as well, just thought I would point that out…
The right side of the G5 is the same as the original, no changes here. The sides of the mouse also have a nice texture to them as well, almost a rubbery feel to it actually.
The bottom of the G5 is where you’ll find the Laser sensor, and the place to insert the weight cartridge.
The feet on the G5 are nice and large, and very slick. Another difference between the original G5 and the Rev2 is that the weight cartridge holder is blue, whereas the original was orange. Above the cartridge slot is the release button for the weight holder, push the button and a spring ejects the cartridge.
Personally I really like the new look and feel of the Logitech G5, it’s different, and I like different, I liked the new coloring and cracle blue pattern the minute I set my eyes on it actually, I couldn’t wait to get the box open. I did own two of the original G5 mice, but have them no longer, they died, but that’s another story entirely, no fault on Logitechs part though, I loved them, and am very happy to have this much improved version for review today…
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Installation, Testing and Comparison
Installation is easy, just plug and play, Windows XP and Vista will recognize it as a mouse and install the generic HID driver for it. You’ll be able to use the three standard DPI settings, and the default forward and back buttons of the G5. Although it is highly recommended that you install the Logitech SetPoint software and drivers to get the full use and functionality of all the features of the G5 mouse.
Installing the SetPoint software is easy just follow the instructions on screen, and when finished a Logitech logo icon appears in your taskbar, double clicking on it opens up the SetPoint interface, while right clicking will bring up a small menu with options for ‘Mouse and Keyboard Settings’, ‘Help Center’ and ‘Exit’.
After double clicking on the Logitech icon, the SetPoint interface opens up for you, a nice picture of the G5 is there, and on this screen you can configure the buttons of the G5 however you wish to. You’ll notice three tabs on the left side and two tabs on the top of the interface, we’ll cover all those briefly here.
The second tab on the left side is a pointer, here you can adjust the scrolling action of the scroll wheel and the attributes of how the cursor moves about your screen.
The third tab on the left side is a chess piece, a Rook actually, this is to access the game setting of the G5. You can enable Game Detection, which is used with the Advanced Game Settings where the G5 can recognize the games you play and set itself up according to how you configure it for the games. There are also options to customize how the G5 works while playing games or not.
The ‘Advanced Game Settings’ option is really the heart of the G5 and SetPoint software, here you can customize the sensitivity settings of the G5 to your exact specifications. You can also enable the G5 to use five DPI settings instead of the default three, and each of these can be tweaked to where you want them. At the bottom of the screen is something new for this version of the G5, ‘Report Rate’ here you can select the reports per second for the G5 mouse, this increases accuracy of course. Notice the note to the side where it says ‘As report rate increases, resource utilization also increases’, you can see I have my G5 set at the maximum of 1000 reports per second and I could not tell the difference in any resource utilization between any of the report rates.
Back to the main SetPoint screen, if we click the second tab labeled ‘tools’ on the top right it opens up options for ‘Information Resources’. Here you can access several things from Logitech, the Help Center, Ergonomic Information, SetPoint version info and the Logitech Support.
On the left side of the ‘Tools’ menu is another category or tab with the Logitech icon, this is to check for updates, configure how updates are handled and if you want to show the Logitech icon or not in your taskbar.
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Installation, Testing and Comparison Continued:
For some reason I have an affection for mice, lots of products I get for review I give away, but almost every mouse I have ever gotten for review I still have. Why, I don’t quite know, I just think they are really cool devices, and they are usually very good looking with different features for all of them. Lately I’ve gotten a few gaming mice for review, so it’s nice that they are fresh in my head to make comparisons with the G5.
As with the original G5 there is a small LED display on the side of the mouse that let’s you visually know what the DPI of the G5 is set at.
It is broken up into segments, normally when there are three resolution in use one of the three segments will light up corresponding to the DPI, but when you use all five resolutions two of the LEDs will light up to essentially add another level to it.
I know I’ve mentioned it before, but I’ll say it again anyway, I’ve really been into BF2142 lately, so I got to give the G5 a nice workout, while playing a few hours every night. I just hit the rank of Master Sergeant Gold by the way, woohoo… If anyone is interested I go by ‘dampeal’ in BF2142, so if you wish to find me you can add me to your buddies list.
Anyway, I play other games as well, but the G5 is a gaming mouse and it really shows its performance in FPS type games where the ability to change the DPI is pretty much a must anymore if you want to keep up with everyone else. In BF2142 I have two kits that I play all the time, depending on the map or the mood I am in, Sniper and Support, being able to drop the resolution when sniping is very nice, but also being able to raise the resolution when sniping is cool as well, that way you can hit moving targets much easier. Using it with support is not as important, except when in a vehicle, here is where I change the DPI usually. I think it’s very important that you are able to change the resolution up and down, and with the G5 this is done very easily and quickly, you can switch from low to high with a tap or two.
I recently got the IceMat 2nd Edition for review (review HERE) and the Ideazon Fragmat (review soon) as well, the Icemat is glass while the Fragmat is a flexible hard surface type of pad. I also have my Ratpadz HS mouse pad (review HERE), Corepad cloth pad and the Raptor-Gaming HS mouse pad (review HERE) handy for testing as well.
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Tracking was the same on all surfaces during gaming, the G5 never missed a beat, but it really performed well on the IceMat, then again from my experience, every mouse does well on the IceMat. The feet of the G5 are excellent and they just glide across every type of surface.
The ability to change DPI is very handy during gaming, but it also can be useful for regular computing tasks as well. I use two 17 LCD monitors all the time, so it’s nice to be able to zoom across the displays quickly with a higher DPI, but then be able to lower the DPI when I need to do thing like editing pictures, or even writing a review like this. The lower DPI allows me to more accurately edit pictures down at the pixel level, or put the cursor exactly where I want it in a text document. So the idea of changing the resolutions is very useful even in ‘real-life’ as well.
All in all the Original G5 was/is an excellent mouse that has been made better by the addition of the second button, a face lift and some extra tweaking abilities.
I think I now have like the ultimate gaming setup, with the G5 mouse, Raptor-Gaming K1 keyboard and the IceMat 2nd Edition, I’m very happy with this combination. Of course though, you can have all the most expensive stuff out there, but without the skillz it really doesn’t matter what you have in the way of hardware. The G5 will improve your game I’m sure, it is a tool though, and you need to learn how to utilize it to achieve its maximum performance.
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Summary:
The new Logitech G5 is a welcome addition to the Logitech lineup of quality products. I was very fond of the original G5 and thought it was a great mouse, but the new version is just much better with the second button added. The quality of Logitech products is known everywhere, and the new G5 continued the tradition of Logitech to create and improve upon already great products. Go and get the new G5 mouse, you won’t regret it…
DragonSteelMods gives the Logitech G5 Laser Gaming Mouse a 5 out of 5 score and our Editor’s Choice Award as well.
Pros:
-Added second button
-Logitech quality
-Same great G5 mouse
-New paint job isn’t just for looks, adds texture and grip
-Fully adjustable/configurable via software
-New adjustable report rate
-Excellent tracking on all surfaces
-All around great mouse
Cons:
-None that I could find
DIGG IT!
I would like to thank Logitech for the chance to review the G5 Laser gaming Mouse and for their continued support of DSM.
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‘Nuff Said