I have tried out more a dozen Logitech mice since the 1990s and I must say, the latest versions today seem to miss some of the design finesse that the famed mouse maker is known for.
The latest example is the G502 Proteus Core gaming mouse. I’m not saying it’s not a good mouse, features-wise, but the look of the device doesn’t inspire a feeling that this is a premium gadget.
Indeed, it seems similar to what’s being put out by a number of less established rivals in the market.
The bright “G” that is lit on the surface seems to scream “gamer” too much, while the bulky mouse wheel is clearly plastic and could be a bit subtler when it comes to appearances.
In other words, the G502 lacks some of the understated elegance of Logitech gaming mice of the past, while missing out on the sleekness of rival Razer’s design.
Well, the good news is that G502 is very effective. Providing you can get past the looks, you’ll find some of the less-than-pretty components to be handy in a fast-paced game.
The rubber grips on both sides of the mouse, for example, help keep sweaty fingers from losing hold during the panic of an online duel. Not only are they “sticky” in a good way, they have useful grooves to keep any fast motion under control.
The mouse itself is quite easy to grasp, especially for small hands. Its longish shape makes it easier to swing around to face an online nemesis in a shooting game, than with a bulkier, wider mouse.
Another thing I didn’t like the looks of – the big scroll wheel – turns out to be handy in combat on the PC as well. It is easy to access and lets you switch weapons or zoom quickly during the heat of battle.
And finally, one thing that does look fitting for a S$99 mouse is the G502’s long USB cable that is nicely braided. It is useful for hooking up to a big tower PC that may require a long connection.
Perhaps most important for Logitech is the sensor in the G502. It has a resolution up to 12,000 dpi, which is way more sensitive than you need, along with a maximum acceleration of 40G and top speed of 300 inches per second.
Those are the specs. In a game like the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, the G502 doesn’t disappoint.
The mouse engine provides the speed you need to flip around and react. Yet, you can quickly dial down the sensitivity for precise movements, say, when you want to aim for a head shot.
Like with other Logitech gaming mice, you can customise the precise feel of the G502 with add-on weights. Now, instead of rounded weights slotted in at the base of a mouse, like with the old G5, you can place the blade-shaped weights over specific areas of the G502.
This lets you precisely add weight to, say, the left or middle of the G502. So, it’s true, as the marketing materials point out, this is a mouse you can highly tune to your liking.
This extends to the software as well. It lets you tweak to your geeky delight a number of settings that suit different mouse surfaces. So, if you use the G502 on a mousepad at home and on a wooden surface at a friend’s place, you can get the mouse working at the right sensitivity at both places.
This Logitech Gaming Software also lets you in on the 11 programmable buttons on the mouse. Yes, there are that many, despite the G502 not using the dialpad style of other mice made specifically for role-playing games.
In the end, what Logitech has created is a handy tool for the hardcore gamer seeking the ultimate in customisation and performance. Certainly, its practical features are not to be sniffed at.
If only Logitech remembered to build a nicer looking mouse as well in the G502, like how it had done so in the past.
