The G500 has all the features of the older G5, but changes the secondary button layout substantially.
Logitech improved the button layout on the G500 versus the G5.
On the left is the G500, on the right is the G5. The G5 shown here is the updated model, which added a second navigation button under the thumb, for forward and backward. The G500 reshapes the nav buttons, improving the tactile feedback, plus adding a programmable third button underneath the nav keys. The two buttons that adjust DPI on the fly have been moved to the left. The center button, behind the scroll wheel, shifts the scroll wheel from clicky to smooth scrolling and back.
The mouse also has some onboard flash memory, so it remembers its settings. You can have up to five different DPI settings. The intervals and DPI can be adjusted in Logitech’s SetPoint software. The weight cartridge is similar to other Logitech mice.
So the G500 is a significant refinement over the G5 in almost every way. So if you’re a happy G5 user looking for that new, improved version, the G5 is definitely it.
When using the G500, though, it felt… coarse. I don’t mean that it wasn’t smooth moving, or that the mouse pointer was jerky. It’s more like the feel when you move from something like a Dodge Viper to a Lexus. I became spoiled by the overall feel and comfort of the MX1100, and can’t go back.
I’ve become spoiled, however, by the MX1100. It’s partly not being tethered, but what it really comes down to is feel. The G500 isn’t a bad product by any means. It’s more like I’ve moved beyond single-purpose gaming mice. If Logitech ever shipped a more gaming-oriented version of a mouse shaped like the MX1100 – and cordless – I’m there.
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20 comments
Michael Hughes
September 15, 2009 at 9:10 pm (UTC -7)
I use the MX Revolution, and it is hands down the best mouse I’ve ever used. I’m still as terrible as ever at COD4, but the real selling point is it’s ergonomic feel and Logitech’s Set Point software is really quite cool. I have different presets for different programs, and the software has an option to automatically recognize when a game is playing, and let you fiddle with settings within the game’s control settings. At every turn, Logitech gets it right.
YS
September 15, 2009 at 9:11 pm (UTC -7)
The MX1100 is a great mouse. I bought it at full retail price no less, but am happy I got it. The previous mouse, an MX610, did not deal with interference as well as the MX1100. My problem now is that since Logitech likes to change their mice layouts every year, I’m going to have a hard time replacing the MX1100.
A neat trick is that with uberOptions it is possible to reprogram the DPI rocker on the MX1100; giving it 8 programmable buttons to use for games (good for MMOs).
Also, mine uses 2 batteries; maybe that’s the difference between the standalone model and the bundled version?
Chris Nahr
September 16, 2009 at 12:27 am (UTC -7)
An ergonomic mouse that’s good for gaming would be great. I’m still using my trusty old G9 which is great in almost every respect, but there’s no denying the shape is… weird. I’ll have to give the MX 1100 a try.
Chris Nahr
September 16, 2009 at 6:44 am (UTC -7)
Okay, I got my new MX 1100.
Really nice shape, acceptable resolution (1600 dpi), and the hidden thumb button is pretty clever.
Like YS said, though, the mouse uses two batteries (AA), and does not come with any kind of charger. Is this a difference between European and American versions or something?
Loyd Case
September 16, 2009 at 7:01 am (UTC -7)
That’s odd. The MX1100 I have isn’t the standalone version, but the one that comes with the Wave Pro keyboard / mouse kit. It has a mini-USB port in the front prow of the mouse, which is used to charge the NiMH battery.
Maybe it’s a newer version? Except I’ve had it for four months now.
Chris Nahr
September 16, 2009 at 11:20 am (UTC -7)
Must be a different version, I got a pair of standard non-rechargeable batteries and there’s no USB connection for charging either.
Unfortunately I won’t be able to keep the mouse after all. Every couple of minutes, the mouse pointer stops dead for a second or so, often repeatedly. The Internets tell me it’s because Logitech’s new 2.4 GHz receiver operates on the same frequency as cell phones and wireless routers… and is extremely prone to interference from such devices. I found quite a few user reviews pointing out this problem, although others didn’t notice it.
Too bad — I like everything else about the design, but a freezing pointer obviously makes the mouse useless. Loyd, are you using the mouse with no cell phone or wireless router around?
Loyd Case
September 16, 2009 at 11:33 am (UTC -7)
Yes, I’ve got my iPhone nearby most of the time. No mouse interference that I can detect. And I’ve got a D-Link Wireless N router nearby, which is also using 802.11g to some of the laptops in the house. Maybe the receiver is different on the keyboard / mouse kit?
Hmm. Now this makes me want to get hold of a standalone MX1100 to test.
Tim Verry
September 16, 2009 at 12:49 pm (UTC -7)
I am also using a wireless Logitech Mouse. Aside from the batteries dying at the worst possible moments, lol, it’s a great mouse. Even the batteries dying situation could be looked at in a positive way… It’s an excuse to remember keyboard shortcuts! haha. Chris: No wireless router, but I do have a cellphone nearby, and I have never noticed the interference problem. Where did you position the wireless receiver? Maybe try moving it closer to the mouse.
Joey
September 16, 2009 at 3:10 pm (UTC -7)
Your all talking about hte mouse that you got recently, and I’m still using (and loving) my G5
Chris Nahr
September 16, 2009 at 11:16 pm (UTC -7)
Tim: The wireless receiver that came with my MX 1100 cannot be repositioned — it’s just a small plug that fits in a USB port, with no cable whatsoever.
Loyd Case
September 16, 2009 at 11:45 pm (UTC -7)
Now that’s doubly odd. The Wave Pro keyboard / mouse combo came with a USB cable extender. You can plug the wireless dongle directly into the USB port, or into the extender, which plugs into the USB port. I’ve had several Logitech cordless mice that came with the cable extender.
Tim Verry
September 17, 2009 at 2:44 am (UTC -7)
Chris: You can buy USB cable extenders pretty cheap, being able to reposition the reciever might help you get a better/consistent connection. My Logitech mouse came with a extender and a little cradle, but any USB extender should work fine.
Chris Nahr
September 17, 2009 at 3:16 am (UTC -7)
I recall that the MX Revolution came with a cable extender plus cradle. Not this one, though — Logitech probably figured they could save the cable since there’s no recharger anyway!
Anyway, I already returned the mouse for a refund and went back to my trusty old G5 v2 (since the G9 was slowly falling apart).
Tim Verry
September 17, 2009 at 6:26 am (UTC -7)
ah ic, well the G5 is certainly a good option! Maybe by the time the G5 starts wearing down, a new wireless mouse will be out that uses a better frequency that won’t get as much interference from cell phones and such.
YS
September 17, 2009 at 6:59 pm (UTC -7)
Chris, where is your dongle located? I found that it should be within the line-of-sight of the mouse as much as possible.
Compared to the MX610 though, the MX1100 is much better. With the dongles in similar locations the MX610 skipped way more than the MX1100.
Transmitthis
September 18, 2009 at 4:58 pm (UTC -7)
I got the Wave pro desktop combo with the MX1100 as you did Loyd, but found that I prefer the MX Revolution and my old Di novo keyboard.
Reasons are this, The Typing on the Dinovo is so smooth and quite compared to the wave’s clunky key presses. You seem to have to hit the keys in the centre otherwise they stick on the way down, anyway just an opinion.
As for the mouse, I really wanted to like the 1100 and loved the hidden thumb button, however it was really high and didn’t feel comfortable and at the time had software issues that kept reassigning defaults to the buttons. so in the end I am just keeping my old Kboard and mouse and putting a lid on my urge to upgrade when not needed.
Even managed not to be swayed by the new Logitech Performance MX
Loyd Case
September 18, 2009 at 5:13 pm (UTC -7)
Hmm. I don’t have that issue with the Wave Pro keyboard all. I can type 70+ WPM when I need to, and don’t detect any issues. OTOH, my fingers always seem “centered” on the keys, so maybe I’m the kind of typist who naturally wouldn’t run into those sorts of problems.
Andrew
September 20, 2009 at 3:05 pm (UTC -7)
I just bought the g500 and i have to say i love it, but i think logitech could have done better. The g500 is nice and all but the software for logitech mice are horrible. I used 850 dpi on my old g5. With the software on the g500, you can’t use 850, u can only use dpi in increments of 100. Another dissapointing thing is the extra button below the forward and back buttons. It does nothing and most games do not recognize it, so it is useless. The finish on the g500 is nice but i noticed that in some parts of the mouse it is darker than the rest (left click area, logo area, and bottom left area). Besides from those, I think it is a nice upgrade from the g5.
Dan McCoy
September 21, 2009 at 10:49 am (UTC -7)
I’m wondering if the mouse that comes in the combo is really the Performance MX and not a 1100. The Performance MX comes with a single rechargeable battery that can be charged either by the included USB cable that plugs into the front of the mouse or by the included AC adapter that charges with the mouse in very close proximity. What’s different with the Performance MX you can get standalone is that the standalone model comes with a micro-receiver. I bought a Performance MX and was using it up until my Gefen 4 port DVI-DL kvm would need rebooting now and then to regain mouse control. It does that once in a blue moon with my MX Revolution. For my hands, the MX Revolution feels better only in that my pinky isn’t resting on the edge before the taper heads inward to the bottom of the mouse.
The MX1100 is tempting me. I just hope I don’t have the same problems with the KVM as I do the Performance MX.
YS
September 23, 2009 at 12:24 am (UTC -7)
It’s definitely not the new Performance MX; the layout etc is different.