Test the Logitech G900 Wireless: has the era of wireless gaming mice finally arrived?
14.6.2016
Translation: machine translated
If you want to have a chance of winning an ultra-fast online game, play with a wired mouse. At least that's been the rule until now. The G900 should prove otherwise. But will Logitech also be able to convince the fervent supporters of the wired mouse?
The wireless mouse is practical. No tangled cables or wires hanging all over the desk. Yet it has never managed to win over gamers, and online gamers in particular. Imprecise, vague, late. Rodents without tails have a bad reputation. I myself tested several models a while back, including the Razer Mamba and the MadCatz R.A.T. 9. But I dug out my good old wired mouse again after a few weeks. I felt that wireless mice lacked precision and that everything was transmitted with a slight delay. At a LAN party, several friends tested them and came to the same conclusion: actions are delayed. Maybe it's just an impression, like when you think your mobile phone is vibrating in your pocket when it's not. I've since set my sights on the Logitech G502.
A chic device with all the finer points
I was rather sceptical when I set out to test the new Logitech G900 Chaos Spectrum wireless mouse. You're entitled to be demanding given its price: 180 francs. When you unpack it, it's impossible to be disappointed. A super stylish design and endless buttons. The mouse can be charged using a USB cable or used directly with the cable. The 2.4GHz WiFi receiver can be connected to the cable using the USB/microUSB adapter supplied. This saves you a USB port. The specifications speak for themselves: 12,000ppp, a 125 to 1000Hz report rate and software that meets all expectations.
Thanks to the modular design, the G900 is customisable. The magnetic keys on the side can be mounted on the left or right (depending on the strong hand). However, there is no longer a weight as on the G502. The wheel can be put into freewheel mode at the touch of a button. The resistance is a little more pronounced than on the G502, which I found rather pleasant. Thanks to a dpi switch, you can adjust the sensitivity level, which can even be coupled with RGB lighting.
Extremely light, but no place to rest
Unlike the G502, the G900 has no area on which to rest your thumb. The palm of the hand also remains suspended in the air and only a small part of the fingers rest on the mouse. But I didn't have any problems with this, even during long games. Perhaps it has something to do with the weight of the mouse, which is only 107 grams. If I had the choice, however, I'd prefer the classic design of the G502. But overall, the G900 feels good in the hand and made a very good impression on me.
Let's get down to business
How is she in the heat of the moment? I set the sensitivity of the two models, G502 and G900, as identically as possible. As they can be used in parallel, I was able to switch between them as I wished during the game. Both models have a maximum resolution of 12,000 dpi - far too much for my 34-inch screen. My verdict: there's really no difference. "Overwatch", "The Division" or "Counter-Strike: GO" - at no point did I get the feeling that I wasn't in control. At first, it's a bit hard to switch because you're so used to your mouse, but eventually you don't notice any difference at all. And with no wires to get on your nerves, you feel almost as free as when you're a naturist. If I didn't have to give it back, it would have become my faithful gaming ally for the next few years.
According to Logitech, the battery lasts 32 hours with the lights off. Of course, I didn't give up on this, otherwise my disco keyboard would have taken wings. But even with the lights on, I didn't give the battery life a second thought. I haven't recharged it for several days now. And, if there's an emergency, you can quickly plug in the USB cable.
Backstory: a mouse that could even catch Garfield - if he'd let it
The G900 is a remarkable toy. Although at a price of 180 francs, you can't really call it a toy any more. The mouse is elegant, has a superb finish, can be used with the left or right hand, is pleasantly light and its sensor is very precise. The wireless function is exceptional, and finally removes the boundary between wired and wireless mice. Hardcore gamers will find one of the best gaming mice on the market here - at a great price.
Here's another wireless alternative
Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chBeing the game and gadget geek that I am, working at digitec and Galaxus makes me feel like a kid in a candy shop – but it does take its toll on my wallet. I enjoy tinkering with my PC in Tim Taylor fashion and talking about games on my podcast http://www.onemorelevel.ch. To satisfy my need for speed, I get on my full suspension mountain bike and set out to find some nice trails. My thirst for culture is quenched by deep conversations over a couple of cold ones at the mostly frustrating games of FC Winterthur.
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