Vertigo
10-10-2007, 11:33 PM
As most of you are probably aware, Logitech has released updated versions of the popular G15 keyboard as well as the G5 mouse. Recently I was lucky enough to get each, and decided to write a review of my experience.
Let's start with the G5, the new and improved gaming mouse is as comfortable as ever. The first obvious difference is the color, the previous version had a metalic finish, version 2 sports a black finish with blue fracture line accents. It's a nice contrast to the orange sensitivy display, which happens to be in close proximity to my feature of the new G5. Unlike the previous version, logitech included a second thumb button. The two buttons are well placed, even on my large hands.
When flipping the mouse over, we find another handy change. No more bright red laser beems to the eye when your wife's cat knocks your mouse off of the desk. The new "Gaming Grade Laser" is invisible to the eye. The underside boasts another great feature of the original, the adjustable weighted cartridge. One quick note, on my original G5 I've noted difficulty if I try to switch the weights in the cartridge, the weights stick in and there's little room to get at them beyong using a pencil and possibly breaking said instrument in half in the process. My issue may have been exclusive to the particular mouse I purchased; however, I have had no such issue with this new G5.
The mouse is responsive, can run up to 2000 DPI and is highly adjustable. Even the software seems to have improved from customer feedback and testing.
Now on to the beast, the G15...
Where the G5 had only minor cosmetic changes, the G15 had a total facelift. Someone at Logitech apparently has a problem with pointy edges, because the new version is now rounded at each corner. Taking a look at the thing next to the previous version it's obvious immediately this is a smaller keyboard. It's design is apparently meant more for keyboard trays.
The most notably area where the fat has been trimmed is on the left side, many of the G keys have been removed, leaving a total of 6 G keys. Which leads me to my only real gripe with this slick board, the G keys, as in the original version, are entirely too close to the rest of the keys. They are closer than the ESC and F keys are to the main body of keys. THAT, is entirely too close. This quibble aside, all of the keys react beautifully. Likewise, the backlighting is well done, though I find it amusing that the mouse went from orange to blue in color and the keyboard from blue to orange (maybe they should try to make them match up sometime).
One of the more controversial items on the keyboard that I've found is the LCD panel. It's refered to by some as a "gimmick" only, however I've found it to be quite useful while gaming. Being able to see what time it is, or what song is running on iTunes, or heaven forbid my stats in game without having to change anything but the position of my eye for an instant is a god send. I've found that the software is pretty solid, capturing a good deal of stats from WoW and BioShock. Similarly, it's media player software has been able to control and read information from every media player I've thrown at it: iTunes, WinAMP, Media Player, etc.
And the best part is, this is all out of the box. As has been noted elsewhere on the site, there is plenty of room for customized lcd mods on various sites, so if your game isn't supported by the stock software, it's surely available as a download somewhere. Overall, I'm very pleased with both of these updated devices.
Pictures are coming, battery in my camera died before I could grab any pics.
Let's start with the G5, the new and improved gaming mouse is as comfortable as ever. The first obvious difference is the color, the previous version had a metalic finish, version 2 sports a black finish with blue fracture line accents. It's a nice contrast to the orange sensitivy display, which happens to be in close proximity to my feature of the new G5. Unlike the previous version, logitech included a second thumb button. The two buttons are well placed, even on my large hands.
When flipping the mouse over, we find another handy change. No more bright red laser beems to the eye when your wife's cat knocks your mouse off of the desk. The new "Gaming Grade Laser" is invisible to the eye. The underside boasts another great feature of the original, the adjustable weighted cartridge. One quick note, on my original G5 I've noted difficulty if I try to switch the weights in the cartridge, the weights stick in and there's little room to get at them beyong using a pencil and possibly breaking said instrument in half in the process. My issue may have been exclusive to the particular mouse I purchased; however, I have had no such issue with this new G5.
The mouse is responsive, can run up to 2000 DPI and is highly adjustable. Even the software seems to have improved from customer feedback and testing.
Now on to the beast, the G15...
Where the G5 had only minor cosmetic changes, the G15 had a total facelift. Someone at Logitech apparently has a problem with pointy edges, because the new version is now rounded at each corner. Taking a look at the thing next to the previous version it's obvious immediately this is a smaller keyboard. It's design is apparently meant more for keyboard trays.
The most notably area where the fat has been trimmed is on the left side, many of the G keys have been removed, leaving a total of 6 G keys. Which leads me to my only real gripe with this slick board, the G keys, as in the original version, are entirely too close to the rest of the keys. They are closer than the ESC and F keys are to the main body of keys. THAT, is entirely too close. This quibble aside, all of the keys react beautifully. Likewise, the backlighting is well done, though I find it amusing that the mouse went from orange to blue in color and the keyboard from blue to orange (maybe they should try to make them match up sometime).
One of the more controversial items on the keyboard that I've found is the LCD panel. It's refered to by some as a "gimmick" only, however I've found it to be quite useful while gaming. Being able to see what time it is, or what song is running on iTunes, or heaven forbid my stats in game without having to change anything but the position of my eye for an instant is a god send. I've found that the software is pretty solid, capturing a good deal of stats from WoW and BioShock. Similarly, it's media player software has been able to control and read information from every media player I've thrown at it: iTunes, WinAMP, Media Player, etc.
And the best part is, this is all out of the box. As has been noted elsewhere on the site, there is plenty of room for customized lcd mods on various sites, so if your game isn't supported by the stock software, it's surely available as a download somewhere. Overall, I'm very pleased with both of these updated devices.
Pictures are coming, battery in my camera died before I could grab any pics.