Logitech’s Lightspeed tech has wowed
us in keyboards, but squeezed into a
compact mouse, it’s easy to argue that
the super-low-latency wireless protocol
is where it needs to be. A good keyboard
tends to stay where it is. Going wireless
for keys is merely a matter of occasional
convenience; rarely do you type so hard
and so excitedly that a wire becomes a
problem—if you do, perhaps it’s time to
take a look in the mirror and ask some
difficult questions. A mouse is made
to move, and boy, does this Lightspeed
edition of the iconic G502 move.
The updated HERO sensor (now
capable of an unnecessarily fine
16,000 dpi) is unerringly precise, the
light-bodied mouse is slick underneath
for maximum ease of travel, and it’s
intricately and stiffly molded to the point
that we didn’t notice the apparently
thinner plastic employed in this new
model in order to cram in the wireless
tech. As long as you’re a right-hander, the
narrow body feels great in the hand, with
an integrated thumb rest and textured
silicon (which, on the left, curls around to
reach all the way up to the palm), adding
reassurance when things get slippery. If
you like a heavier mouse, or want precise
control over balance, there’s a number of
weights in the box, which can be slotted
into your choice of position underneath.
The G502 Lightspeed is not short
on buttons. It’s positively dripping with
them, in fact: There’s a pair of thumb
buttons, with a third “sniper” button
mounted at the very tip of the thumb; a
pair of DPI buttons set to the left edge
of the left mouse button; the requisite
top buttons, with the left feeling lighter
to click than the right; a top button that
seeks a connection between the mouse
and its USB receiver; and three ways of
actuating the wheel, with a central click
and left and right nudges counting as
individual functions.
What’s more remarkable is that we
didn’t have any of our usual reservationsThe best mouse
made better?
Logitech
G502
Lightspeed
9
verdict Logitech G502 LightspeedFreedom Superb design;
great comfort; excellent sensor;
stacks of customization.
ImprIsonment Slightly wonky wheel;
high price.
$150, http://www.logitech.comSPECIFICATIONSsensor Optical
sensitivity 16,000 dpi
sensor model Logitech HERO 16K
polling rate 1,000Hz
programmable Buttons 10
Leds RGB
Battery Up to 60 hours,
Powerplay wireless
charging compatibleabout the layout. At least to these large
hands, everything is where it needs to
be. Take that sniper button, for example.
Some mice put it right on the pad of your
thumb, but the G502 has it just slightly
out of reach, requiring the tiniest palm
readjustment to actuate it. That’s perfect,
because it’s an occasional function, not
a core one. Likewise the DPI buttons,
which ask you to shift your pointer
finger to the side slightly to switch. Not
something you’d accidentally do, but
not something that’s difficult to reach—
and a damn sight more convenient than
searching for top-mounted DPI switching
in the heat of battle.
As well designed as it is, though,
this isn’t a perfect mouse. The G502’s
spoked wheel (or at least half of it) is its
one misstep. It’s a dual-mode number,
with a nice clicky mechanical switch
toggling between ratcheted and free-
wheeling modes, but only the latter
gets it right. Quality bearings mean that
there’s a supreme amount of spin—we
counted some 13 seconds in a completely
non-scientific test—and it’s incredibly
smooth. The ratcheted mode, however, is
rough and unpleasant, particularly when
compared with other dual-mode mouse
wheels we’ve tried. Clicking the wheel’s
side switches is easy enough, but clicking
down as a middle button requires a
Herculean feat of strength which, on
one hand, is a boon if you’re prone to
heavy-fingered misclicking, but on the
other, it’s annoyingly difficult if you’re
letting the wheel run free. Honestly,we would have probably dropped the
toggle altogether in favor of a better-
feeling ratchet.
Yes, it’s expensive. Very. But you’re
paying for a wireless mouse that,
thanks to that Lightspeed protocol,
is indiscernible in the quality of its
operation from a wired one. A mouse
form that’s already well established
and well respected, made even better
than before. A considered and incredibly
careful piece of engineering. It’s worth
every cent. –ALex coxin the lab
86 MAXIMUMPC aug 2019 maximumpc.com