Logitech G7 Wireless Gaming Mouse Review

<!-- Generated by XStandard version 1.7.1.0 on 2007-01-28T11:33:06 -->

by Chris Yano

Logitech G7 gaming mouse

Looking for a good wireless mouse?  No problem.  Looking for a wireless gaming mouse?  It seems you have but one option, the Logitech G7.  Fret not gamers, the G7 is a good option to have.  The Logitech G7 gaming mouse sports a 2000 dpi laser and fast 2.4 GHz wireless connection.  Two rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery packs eliminate the downtime inherent with rechargeable mice when their batteries run out.  Super-slick Teflon feet round out the feature set and allow for low-friction gliding across most surfaces.

Specifications

• Tracking Resolution: 2000 dpi
• Image Processing: 6.4 megapixels/second
• Max. Acceleration: 20g
• Max. Speed: 45-65 inches/second (depending on surface)
• USB Data Format: 16 bits/axis
• USB Report Rate: 500 reports/second
• Sleep Mode: Disabled
• Three-year warranty
• MSRP: $99.99 US

Note the lack of a back button (view large image)

Design and Features

Logitech’s current color scheme for the G7

Since I bought mine six months ago, Logitech has refreshed the G7’s appearance.  Whereas my G7 is silver and green, the new faux carbon-fiber and black color scheme is more attractive in my opinion.  The refresh did not, however, include the addition of a “forward” thumb button -- which is perhaps my biggest complaint.  Luckily, Logitech’s Setpoint software allows for button remapping, so I tilt the scroll wheel left and right to go backwards and forward in my browser.

On-the-fly sensitivity buttons are conveniently placed

The mouse has convenient on-the-fly sensitivity change buttons right below the scroll wheel.  This allows for instantaneous changes in the dpi settings, and can be very useful when switching between applications.  There is an LED panel that displays the currently selected dpi setting as well as battery charge-level.  One of the LEDs, however, stopped working on my unit shortly after my purchase.

The battery charge-level and current dpi setting are displayed here (view large image)

Changing rechargeable battery packs is simple.  Push a button on the underside of the mouse to eject the discharged battery.  The charged battery will be waiting in the USB charging base, which has two recharge speeds:  boost (two hours) and normal (ten hours).  Note that slower recharges are better for the long-term life of your battery packs.  As we all know, Lithium-Ion batteries do not last forever and I have noticed a decrease in charge capacity after six months of usage.  Unfortunately, Logitech has informed me that replacement battery packs are not available for purchase.

The G7’s battery pack is in the same location as the G5’s weight tray (view large image)

If you are taking your notebook out for the day, you can leave the charging base behind; the USB wireless dongle can be plugged into either the charging base or an open USB port on your notebook.  Although Logitech boasts battery life to be two and a half days of average game play (at four hours per day), I find that a full day of usage (eight or more hours) will result in one or sometimes two battery changes.  

Charging Base with USB dongle attached (view large image)

Comfort

I have always preferred the shape of Microsoft’s mice to that of Logitech’s.  This boils down to personal preference and hand size, but the G7’s performance and features lured me away from the taller and shorter (lengthwise) Microsoft mice.  Logitech’s longer sculpted design fits well in my hand and is comfortable to use over extended periods.

One complaint I have is that the G7 has a glossy finish.  This is a bit of a let down, considering how much more comfortable rubberized surfaces are.  The sweat and oils from your skin build up on the surface and can require frequent wipe-downs.  

Performance

The 2000 dpi laser, 2.4 GHz wireless connection, and Teflon feet make a formidable combination for wireless gaming.  Compared to standard 400/800 dpi mice, the ability to track at 2000 dpi can give you a definite edge in first-person shooters.  I was amazed at the difference when I first switched to the gaming-grade laser.

It will not make you a better gamer but it can help refine your gaming skills.  Smaller hand gestures are required for 180° turns, taking corners, and zeroing in on your enemies.  Less movement translates into faster reaction times, and you too can raise your in-game damage potential with some practice.  It does, however, take some time and effort to adjust to the highly sensitive 2000 dpi setting.   

Sujoy Roy at ESReality.com has published a study on gaming mouse performance.  His results show that higher-sensitivity does not equal higher performance.  I respect his objective approach to ranking the different gaming mice, since most evaluations stem from reviewers’ personal preferences and perceptions.  I do feel, however, that the G7’s sensitivity compensates for my hand speed by allowing me to use smaller mouse movements.  Although the G7 fails at lower speeds than some of the older optical mice, you need to move the G7 faster than necessary to cause failure.  This is where I feel the G7’s ranking in the study may not be truly representative of its actual gaming ability.

Conclusion

Unless you are into gaming, particularly first-person shooters, this mouse may not be the best choice for you.  There are less expensive wireless options available for the average user.  If you are looking for a high-performance gaming mouse and want to eliminate one more wire, however, the Logitech G7 is your only choice.  Sometimes a lack of options is a good thing. 

Pros

• Fast 2.4 GHz wireless connection
• Adjustable sensitivity levels to 2000 dpi
• Low-friction Teflon feet
• Two rechargeable batteries
• Battery charge-level and sensitivity level display
• Charging base and USB dongle can be used together or separately

Cons

• No back button
• No replacement Li-Ion battery packs available
• Glossy finish needs frequent wipe-downs

 

Awesome review Chris

Man, that's a cool feature, I wish notebooks offered a boost or slow charge option. Dell offers QuickCharge, but it's pretty bad for the battery in the long run and a trickle charge is much better. I've never come across a notebook that allows you to fast charge when you're in a pickle such as at the airport between flights and need juice to work on the next flight or just charging a laptop overnight where you don't care if it takes 10 hours to slow charge.

Anyway, I digress, the mouse looks pretty nice and though a bit expensive you can charge more when you're the only game in town for a wireless performance mouse.

 

I recently bought this for my boyfriend. He seems pretty satisfied. The only thing that Irks me when I use it, is that the battery life isn't quite what I expected. If you play non-stop 24/7 though, I'd go with something that doesn't use batteries. Else, you waste them too quickly, and like Chrisyano said, there are no extra battery packs available.

 

The battery does die really quickly.

And sometimes it happens when I'm smack in the middle of the game. While I do like Logitech's swap the battery system, I still need like 20 secs for the swap

That's too much game time I have to miss....

 

it batteries and the lack of forward button is its biggest weakness. so until a wireless mouse don't use battery and doesn't interrupt my -already filled 2.4ghz- airspace frequency; i don't see myself running to the store and buy one. i'll stick with my mx510 then.

c'mon logitech! put back the forward button. jeez!

 

doesn't replacing the battery every 3 hours get annoying?

 

The G7 to me is the benchmark for all other mice. It's great, my only objection is that it might be too much to carry around.

 

I take it that using this mouse long-term (beyond a year) might be tough seeing Logitech doesn't sell replacement batteries and the charge hold is getting significantly smaller after 6 months?

 

Nicely written, Chris

My suggestion to Logitech: Have a mouse that can have 2 battery packs at the same time, and a swith to switch between the batteries. That way if one's dead, you can switch the battery, and while a map loads, you can dump the dead one in the charger

OR, have a CR2032 as a backup while you swap batteries

 

Thanks everyone.

The back button issue can be worked around with the scroll tilting in my opinion. Not having the option to purchase replacement batteries is the other major drawback that currently has no workarounds. Perhaps Logitech will make something available in the future--because I'm sure most people who spend $70-100 on this mouse do not want to throw it away when the battery packs die out (I would estimate you will get about 12-18 months of everyday usage before it becomes a serious problem). I'm hoping this is the case--but we'll have to wait and see.

As far as portability is concerned...yes, it can be a hassle if you know you will need more than what the two battery packs can give you in terms of battery life. I actually got myself a wired mouse recently to simplify usage away from my desk. Makes packing easier too--now I have a mouse at my desk and another in my bag.

 

I think carbon-fiber and black color scheme is much more appealing than this new color scheme. It's shame logitech changes its design.

 

Actually, I have the older color scheme. The faux carbon-fiber/black is the current coloring for the G7.

 

I didnt know you could review this or I would have reviewed the one I got a couple of weeks back.

I really didnt like the normal color scheme so I went for the Carbon-Fiber black color. With the rechargeable batteries I have to say it is one great mouse. No problem whatsoever.

And the software works with Windows Vista. This paired with my G15 Keyboard its a gaming/multimedia all in one.