| Article Index |
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| Logitech G9 Laser Gaming Mouse Review |
| Page 2 - Profiles |
| Page 3 - Changeable Covers |
| Page 4 - Weights and Conclusion |
| All Pages |
Logitech already dominates the market for gaming mice, primarily with the G5 model which is still the benchmark that all
mice are compared to. Now they’ve released their new G9 model – jam-packed with features but a lot more expensive.
The G9 is the latest model in Logitech’s range of gaming grade mice and unlike the Logitech G5 which has succeeded through it’s excellent functionality rather than having a host of features, the G9 is trying to give the best of both worlds, with excellent functionality and more features than you can put your hand on.
The G9 uses a more sensitive Laser tracking system than the G5 with a 3200dpi capable laser engine, compared to the G5’s 2000dpi version, although both mice seem to have the same image processing engine, able to process 6.4megapixels per second. Though it’s not like saying “only as good as G5” is anything bad.
The tracking of the G9 is top notch, no matter what the sensitivity level is set at, the movement is very precise at both very slow and very fast speeds. Even with very fast, sudden movements there is no skipping, Logitech state that the G9 can move at a maximum speed of 65 inches per second depending on the surface, which is a lot faster than you’ll ever move it playing a game. There’s certainly nothing wrong with the Laser tracking engine, easily as good as, if not better than the old G5. Also just like the 2007 version of the G5 (not the original), the G9 uses the full potential of the USB connection, transmitting at a rate of (up to) 1000 reports per second, unlike cheaper mice which can be as low as 125 reports per second, means there is absolutely no lag or delay on your mouse movements, something rather important to a hardcore gamer.
The sensitivity can be change on the fly just like many other models on the market, by way of two +/- buttons just behind the left mouse button. Behind this switch is an LED status panel that displays which level the sensitivity is currently set at - level 1, 2, 3 or 4.
The LED status panel also lets you know which profile is currently active and running, the G9 can store 3 different profiles within the mouse itself. There are default profiles already stored within the mouse, so the only need to download and install the Logitech SetPoint software is to modify these profiles, and once they’re modified they’re stored in the mouse’s memory, so you can use the mouse on other computers with the same profiles at your fingertips, no software needed.
A great feature of the G9’s profiles is that (almost) every button can be customised, and there are a total of 9 buttons on the top of the G9 (Left Click, Right Click, 2 Thumb Buttons, Scroll Wheel Button, Left+Right Side-Scroll Buttons and the +/- Sensitivity buttons), some are disguised though, such as the scroll wheel which has a left and right side-scroll function, these are actually customisable buttons and just like all the other buttons can be set to one of more than 50 pre-defined functions, set to launch a program, macro, or even bind to a keystroke or keystroke combination (i.e. ctrl-c/ctrl-v) assignment.
Every button on the mouse, (except the left-click) can be customised in this way, and as you can have different button assignments for every profile, each button can have 3 different functions – this could really get confusing. All these assignments can be transferred between PCs without the need for any software or drivers to be installed on the other PCs thanks to the G9’s internal memory (only program launch assignments need Logitech SetPoint software).
You switch between the different profiles by pressing a button on the base of the mouse while pressing one of the +/- buttons on the top, so while you can change sensitivity on the fly, changing profiles is not quite as easy, which may be a good thing, so you won’t do it accidentally in the middle of a game. You can tell which profile you are in because the LED status panel changes colour, standard is red/green/blue for the three profiles, however you can even customise the colour of the LED for each different profile, with a choice of 204 different colours to choose from.
Also on the base of the mouse is a toggle switch to change the scroll wheel from either smooth or notchy scrolling, personally I prefer a notchy feel to my scroll wheel, it’s far easier and more precise when trying to scroll menus or select weapons within a game. However I’m sure there’s demand out there for a smooth scroll wheel and the G9 has you covered either way.
Still looking at the base of the mouse, there are two very large and very slippery feet front and back which make it slide effortlessly over both cloth and hard plastic mouse pads, I’m using a SteelSeries Steelpad S&S mousepad here for the review, and compared to my normal CyberSnipa mouse which sounds and feels a bit scratchy over the surface, the G9 is silky smooth - sounds a bit corny I know, but it’s just so nice to use I think I can get away with it. There’s also a 3rd foot under the thumb side of the mouse, however this is not part of the mouse, but rather it’s simply part of its cover.
The G9 has a removable outer cover and comes standard with 2 different covers - one which is wider, more filled out and has a smooth rubberised plastic feel to be as comfortable as possible, and another which is thinner and has a hard textured plastic feel and appearance to it, designed to give you better control for games. It’s a cool idea and not the first time Logitech have used interchangeable covers - the original Cordless Wheel Mouse came with 3 different colour covers 8 or so years ago - and I can see a whole range of aftermarket or special edition covers coming out before too long.
Underneath the cover, on the base unit of the mouse there’s a small cartridge in which you can install small weight units, not an original concept, but always a welcome inclusion in a high-end gaming mouse. The G9 comes with a pack of weights that include 4 x 4g and 4 x 7g weights, of which any combination of 4 of these weights can be installed into the mouse itself, allowing you to customise the feel and weight of the mouse to your heart’s content.
Conclusion:
The Logitech G9 sells online for around AU$127, which is about AU$40 more than the old G5 and while it is a lot of money to spend for ‘just a mouse’ I can safely state that I believe this is the best mouse on the market today! It’s comfortable, good looking (some people in the office think otherwise – make up your own mind) and its performance is second to none!
The G9 will work to its full potential straight out of the box and any advanced configuration is extremely easy to get through with the Logitech software. The fact that any changes you make on one computer are transferred to any other PC is just brilliant, you can setup your profiles and even your macros, plug into your friends PC or a gaming cafe computer and they’re all there, no software needed.
I can’t think of any more features or functionality this mouse should have, and as such it is now the yard stick to which all other shall be compared.
OzHardware Rating – 10/10 – Perfect!
This product can be purchased online at www.techbuy.com.au (Direct Link)
