bapenguin
09-16-2005, 07:00 AM
Gaming Mice Review: Part 2 The Logitech MX518
Welcome to part 2 of my 5 part series of gaming mice reviews.
Last week we looked at the Razer Diamondback Plasma. (http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5212) The mouse was incredibly accurate and the main buttons were well designed. The mouse was great for lefty or righty gamers, but I felt it was slightly uncomfortable.
This week we look at Logitech’s MX518 (http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=2142,CONTENTID=10121), a mouse similar in features, but cheaper in price to the Razer Diamondback.
The Logitech MX518
Technical Specifications:
• Image Processing: 5.8 mega pixels/second
• Resolution: 1600-dpi native, adjustable to 400- and 800-dpi
• 5.8 mega pixel/second image processing
• Acceleration: 15 g
• Throughput: 16 bit/axis USB data format, and 125/sec USB report rate
http://www.evilavatar.com/images/reviews/mice/mx518.jpg
The nice thing about the Logitech MX518 is its very similar in shape and size to the MX700 Cordless mouse which I was familiar with. I tried to not let this bias my review and impressions of it. Remember, my hands are of average size.
The nice thing about the MX518 compared to the Razer is it has on the fly resolution adjustments in hardware. No drivers required to switch between the 3 settings. There is a little + and – button above and below the scroll wheel to accomplish this.
http://www.evilavatar.com/images/reviews/mice/4mice.jpg
The Logitech MX518, Logitech MX700, Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer, Razer Diamondback Plasma (and a CD).
Another thing that I didn’t really notice before with the Diamondback is the quality of the wires. The wires on the MX518 are a bit “cheaper” and tend to snag more than they did on the Razer Diamondback. The MX518 is definitely heavier than the Razer, and I’m not sure if I like that better or not. The buttons on the MX518 are one solid piece of plastic, instead of the nice huge rubber grips on the Diamondback. The mouse has a “dented” metal look to it, and has a pretty nice black and silver color scheme.
In gaming, I again used BF2 as my main testing grounds. The mouse performs on par with the Razer, though I think it’s SLIGHTLY less accurate. Using the mouse is effortless and it glides around with ease while gaming. I found sniping and shooting just as easy as compared to the Razer.
I was asked to test the tracking while picking the mouse up off the gaming surface and putting it back down. The mouse tracked about 1/3” off the surface, and when placing the mouse back down it didn’t really jump to a new location on the screen rapidly, it only had a slight shake. The thing is, with the resolution so high on these gaming mice, you don’t even need to lift it up to do a full 360 degree turn. It took about 3 ˝” to accomplish a full turn with the MX518 (at full resolution). This is compared to a little under 3” with the Diamondback and about 6 ˝” with the MX700.
I tried the mouse in other FPS like Doom 3 and the F.E.A.R. demo. I noticed it seemed to be on par with the Diamondback in Doom 3, but felt a little lacking in F.E.A.R. much like BF2.
I used the mouse with Guild Wars as well, and this is where it excelled over the Diamondback. This mouse is much more comfortable and I found it much easier to move around and click things faster, control the camera, etc.
Using the mouse was easy and effortless for everyday functions, and the ease of the on the fly resolution adjust with a quick click is much better than holding a button and using the scroll wheel like the Diamondback. Because the mouse felt a little more solid, I found it easier to use for everyday functions.
The mouse is definitely designed for righty gamers only. It’s contoured to your hands shape, and rests your thumb along the side in a ridge. There are button, and forward and a back here that are easy to press and discern between.
Here is fellow Evil Avatar reader Knite’s impressions: (someone with large hands)
Pleasantly designed, but not possessing the raw "sports car sexiness" of the Diamondback. Its' high slung curves, and well constructed frame feel very solid, and heavier than the Diamondback. The top mouse buttons, as well as the ones along the side are well placed and easy to use, and the "on the fly resolution" controls are PERFECT. However, because of the shape of this mouse, I felt my pinky and ring fingers forced together a little into the desk, making it a little uncomfortable after some use. The movement was fairly smooth, but not the buttery experience the Diamondback was, and I preferred the Diamondback's light weight to the heft of this one.
Overall, I felt this was a very good mouse, but I did not enjoy it as much as the Razer.
My Buddy "Gus" again had a go with this mouse. (someone with smaller than average hands):
This mouse has a great feel. Good sense of control. My hand rests on it with ease. The buttons are at a good distance. The hardware sensitivity adjustment is a big bonus. There is no button on the right side, I like that. More control less chance to accidentaly hit that extra side button. Glides very easily over a regular table. Nice look and feel, easy clicking, smooth wheel. so far... the best mouse I've ever used. Only negative thing I can think of is that maybe in future versions they might want to focus on improving the thumb rest. (may want to lower it. it seems a little high for small hands) I like it but because the mouse glides so well it sometimes slips away from me!
Conclusion
I really like the mouse. In fact, I do think I like it better than Razer Diamondback. Even though it doesn't feel as accurate, it's more than adequate for gaming. The comfort level for me personally is much improved for the Diamondback, but this is a righty only mouse. The MX518 has a much better implementation of on the fly resolution adjustment. Overall it's a winner, but it's still not the perfect mouse.
4.5 out of 5 Evil Eyes.
http://www.evilavatar.com/images/icons/e4.5.jpg
MSRP: $49.99
Get it from Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0007Z1M50/happyapplefar-20?creative=327641&camp=14573&link_code=as1) or from Newegg (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16826104178).
Welcome to part 2 of my 5 part series of gaming mice reviews.
Last week we looked at the Razer Diamondback Plasma. (http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5212) The mouse was incredibly accurate and the main buttons were well designed. The mouse was great for lefty or righty gamers, but I felt it was slightly uncomfortable.
This week we look at Logitech’s MX518 (http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=2142,CONTENTID=10121), a mouse similar in features, but cheaper in price to the Razer Diamondback.
The Logitech MX518
Technical Specifications:
• Image Processing: 5.8 mega pixels/second
• Resolution: 1600-dpi native, adjustable to 400- and 800-dpi
• 5.8 mega pixel/second image processing
• Acceleration: 15 g
• Throughput: 16 bit/axis USB data format, and 125/sec USB report rate
http://www.evilavatar.com/images/reviews/mice/mx518.jpg
The nice thing about the Logitech MX518 is its very similar in shape and size to the MX700 Cordless mouse which I was familiar with. I tried to not let this bias my review and impressions of it. Remember, my hands are of average size.
The nice thing about the MX518 compared to the Razer is it has on the fly resolution adjustments in hardware. No drivers required to switch between the 3 settings. There is a little + and – button above and below the scroll wheel to accomplish this.
http://www.evilavatar.com/images/reviews/mice/4mice.jpg
The Logitech MX518, Logitech MX700, Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer, Razer Diamondback Plasma (and a CD).
Another thing that I didn’t really notice before with the Diamondback is the quality of the wires. The wires on the MX518 are a bit “cheaper” and tend to snag more than they did on the Razer Diamondback. The MX518 is definitely heavier than the Razer, and I’m not sure if I like that better or not. The buttons on the MX518 are one solid piece of plastic, instead of the nice huge rubber grips on the Diamondback. The mouse has a “dented” metal look to it, and has a pretty nice black and silver color scheme.
In gaming, I again used BF2 as my main testing grounds. The mouse performs on par with the Razer, though I think it’s SLIGHTLY less accurate. Using the mouse is effortless and it glides around with ease while gaming. I found sniping and shooting just as easy as compared to the Razer.
I was asked to test the tracking while picking the mouse up off the gaming surface and putting it back down. The mouse tracked about 1/3” off the surface, and when placing the mouse back down it didn’t really jump to a new location on the screen rapidly, it only had a slight shake. The thing is, with the resolution so high on these gaming mice, you don’t even need to lift it up to do a full 360 degree turn. It took about 3 ˝” to accomplish a full turn with the MX518 (at full resolution). This is compared to a little under 3” with the Diamondback and about 6 ˝” with the MX700.
I tried the mouse in other FPS like Doom 3 and the F.E.A.R. demo. I noticed it seemed to be on par with the Diamondback in Doom 3, but felt a little lacking in F.E.A.R. much like BF2.
I used the mouse with Guild Wars as well, and this is where it excelled over the Diamondback. This mouse is much more comfortable and I found it much easier to move around and click things faster, control the camera, etc.
Using the mouse was easy and effortless for everyday functions, and the ease of the on the fly resolution adjust with a quick click is much better than holding a button and using the scroll wheel like the Diamondback. Because the mouse felt a little more solid, I found it easier to use for everyday functions.
The mouse is definitely designed for righty gamers only. It’s contoured to your hands shape, and rests your thumb along the side in a ridge. There are button, and forward and a back here that are easy to press and discern between.
Here is fellow Evil Avatar reader Knite’s impressions: (someone with large hands)
Pleasantly designed, but not possessing the raw "sports car sexiness" of the Diamondback. Its' high slung curves, and well constructed frame feel very solid, and heavier than the Diamondback. The top mouse buttons, as well as the ones along the side are well placed and easy to use, and the "on the fly resolution" controls are PERFECT. However, because of the shape of this mouse, I felt my pinky and ring fingers forced together a little into the desk, making it a little uncomfortable after some use. The movement was fairly smooth, but not the buttery experience the Diamondback was, and I preferred the Diamondback's light weight to the heft of this one.
Overall, I felt this was a very good mouse, but I did not enjoy it as much as the Razer.
My Buddy "Gus" again had a go with this mouse. (someone with smaller than average hands):
This mouse has a great feel. Good sense of control. My hand rests on it with ease. The buttons are at a good distance. The hardware sensitivity adjustment is a big bonus. There is no button on the right side, I like that. More control less chance to accidentaly hit that extra side button. Glides very easily over a regular table. Nice look and feel, easy clicking, smooth wheel. so far... the best mouse I've ever used. Only negative thing I can think of is that maybe in future versions they might want to focus on improving the thumb rest. (may want to lower it. it seems a little high for small hands) I like it but because the mouse glides so well it sometimes slips away from me!
Conclusion
I really like the mouse. In fact, I do think I like it better than Razer Diamondback. Even though it doesn't feel as accurate, it's more than adequate for gaming. The comfort level for me personally is much improved for the Diamondback, but this is a righty only mouse. The MX518 has a much better implementation of on the fly resolution adjustment. Overall it's a winner, but it's still not the perfect mouse.
4.5 out of 5 Evil Eyes.
http://www.evilavatar.com/images/icons/e4.5.jpg
MSRP: $49.99
Get it from Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0007Z1M50/happyapplefar-20?creative=327641&camp=14573&link_code=as1) or from Newegg (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16826104178).