Logitech G9 Laser Mouse Review

Logitech is one of the most well known manufacturers of gaming peripherals on the market. Many gamers will argue that Logitech makes the best gaming mice around. The Logitech G7 and G5 gaming mice were big winners for Logitech and worked very well for gamers of all skill levels. Recently Logitech released their latest gaming mouse called the Logitech G9 Laser Mouse.

Features and Specifications

Like the G7 and G5 gaming mice, the Logitech G9 Laser Mouse has on-the-fly adjustable sensitivity levels, but in a first for Logitech the G9 offers up to 3200 dpi sensitivity setting and a polling rate of 1000 reports per second. These two features combine to bring you no lag and fantastic accuracy and speed.

Logitech says that the mouse can withstand 20G of accelerating and read at a maximum speed of up to 45-66 inches per second. The sensitivity can be adjusted form a low of 200 dpi to a high of 3200 dpi. Logitech ships the G9 with two interchangeable grips. One grip is called the Wide Load for gamers who palm their mouse and the other is the Precision grip for those who control the mouse more with the fingertips. Logitech says that there will be other grips available for purchase later.

Like the Logitech G5, the G9 has a weight tuning system. Under the grip is a slide out weight tray that allows you to insert up to 28 grams of weight. The G9 also has large mouse feet that glide well over a variety of surfaces to reduce friction. One of the best features of the Logitech G9 Laser Mouse is the MicroGear scroll wheel.

The scroll wheel is very similar to what Logitech uses on the VX Nano and Revolution mice. A button on the bottom of the G9 allows you to change between free wheel and click mode. Whichever mode you are in, you can still use the mouse wheel click to execute commands in games. The software for the G9 also allows you to change the color of the LED lights and map commands to the buttons on the G9. The G9 requires the use of SetPoint to program the mouse, but features onboard memory so once you program the mouse the first time you can use it on systems without drivers.

Installation and Gaming

Installing the G9 required the installation of SetPoint and plugging the mouse into a vacant USB port. The software is straight forward and allows you to choose from lots of colors for the LED lights. Many of the LED light colors you can choose from look the same on the mouse. The reds tend to be more pink and I couldn’t find an orange that really matched the backlighting on the new G15 keyboard.

The two grips are easy to interchange and remove by simply pressing a button on the rear of the mouse and slipping the other cover over the pegs that lock it into place. The weight-tuning cartridge works well and makes a significant difference in the feel of the mouse while gaming.

The new scroll wheel on the Logitech G9 Laser Mouse is great for a gaming mouse. I didn’t find the free wheel mode to be good for me while gaming, it was hard to choose weapons with precision. However, the free wheel mode is fantastic for general computer work and makes scrolling long documents and web pages much easier.

The thumb buttons are located well and are placed where they are easy to reach, but not so close to your hand that you click them accidentally. The buttons on the G9 offer good feel and feedback when pressed. A button on the bottom of the mouse allows you to change profiles. You can also set LED colors for your profiles, which makes it much easier to remember which profile is where since the G9 can store up to five complete with keyboard macros.

The software is easy to use and if you have used SetPoint before you pretty much know how to program the G9. Gaming with the G9 is fantastic; I love the 3200 dpi sensitivity setting. While 3200 dpi is too much sensitivity for me in many game situations and for normal computer work, the setting is perfect for tasks like driving tanks if Battlefield 2142 where higher sensitivity makes controlling the vehicle easier. In all the Logitech G9 Laser Mouse is my new favorite gaming mouse and is easily the best gaming mouse that Logitech has ever made, which is saying a lot.