Logitech G602 Wireless Gaming Mouse Review

I tested Logitech’s G602 under various conditions, using it in gaming and non-gaming roles. The primary focus of the performance review will be on its ergonomics and functionality as well as some comments on its perceived quality of construction. I will also comment on what is probably its biggest selling point: Just how long do its batteries last? Finally, I’ll have some words about its aesthetics.

Ergonomically it’s a very good mouse indeed. I find its shape to be optimal. Although I’m now very much used to an ambidextrous mouse (both my home mouse and the generic Logitech mouse I have at the office are ambidextrous), the G602’s right-handed shape is just about perfect. The angle at which the mouse’s dorsal surface drops down from the left side to the right feels natural.

Also, the grippy surface treatment of the mouse’s flanks and back-end is effective. It’s not a rubberized coating – it’s just textured plastic from what I can gather – but it works well. You don’t have to use a tight grip with your fingertips to keep this mouse under control.

The G602’s weight is reasonable as well, neither too light nor too heavy. This particular point is fairly impressive given it’s got two AA batteries in it.

Finally, the placement of the buttons is also smart and well-executed. The DPI adjustment buttons require a a bit of a shift of one’s grip on the mouse to reach them, but otherwise they are located well. The cluster of six thumb buttons may have presented a bit of a disaster – I don’t like squeezing so many buttons in such a confined space because it’s so easy to miss and hit the wrong button – but Logitech designed them to all feel distinct from each other. Even without looking, it’s easy to tell all six buttons apart, thereby minimizing the chances of a missed or incorrect button press.

In terms of functionality, the LGS is a great match for the G602 and unlocks its full potential. The LGS always impresses me, and its implementation on the G602 just reinforces that feeling. The software is simple and intuitive. I love the granularity of adjustments available to the DPI settings; I’ve gotten used to switching between just two DPI settings (fast and slow, basically), and the LGS allows me to do just that.

Assigning functions to all of those buttons is also very easy. You just click on the button you want to customize on the LGS’ GUI, edit the setting, and apply the change. And I like that you can really simplify the mouse by disabling buttons as well, if you wish. You don’t have to use every single button if you don’t want/need to.

I also like how the G602 is a dual-mode mouse, in that you can switch between Performance and Endurance modes very easily. As near as I can tell, the biggest performance impact of switching between the two modes is that in Endurance mode, the polling rate is locked to 125Hz, whereas in Performance mode you can select between 125Hz, 250Hz, and 500Hz. Now while some really hardcore users might decry the fact that the maximum polling rate is limited to just 500Hz, I honestly cannot tell the difference changing the polling rate makes. I’m not saying it’s a placebo effect for others, only that I can’t tell.

One thing I actually cannot attest to is whether or not the G602 can actually match (much less exceed) Logitech’s battery life claims for this mouse. Despite having used this mouse as my primary mouse both at home and at the office for around two weeks now, the indicated battery charge remaining still says the pair of AAs are still at full charge. Of course, I’ve been switching between Performance and Endurance modes during this time, but the fact that there hasn’t been any perceivable signs of weakening battery power all this time is hugely impressive. It’s therefore easy to heap plaudits upon Logitech’s design team for their superb work with the G602 vis-a-vis its power consumption.

Of course, the G602 is a gaming mouse; accordingly, I tested it in a variety of games. I dusted off Crysis 2, Crysis 3, Battlefield 3, and Battlefield: Bad Company 2 and used the G602 on these FPSes. It was nice to be able to map commands such as crouch and prone and weapon selection onto the thumb buttons. I did the same with Grand Theft Auto IV. All of the buttons felt good to use, with satisfying click action. The G602’s shape and weight also lent themselves well to smooth, precise movements on the mousepad. I couldn’t detect any input lag whatsoever as well. This mouse was definitely a pleasure to game with.

One nit to pick, though, is its scroll wheel’s lack of side-scrolling capability. Most mice I’ve tested have this capability; it’s curious why Logitech didn’t include this with the G602’s scroll wheel. On the other hand, I honestly don’t use horizontal scrolling all that much, so I don’t particularly miss it. But I’m sure there are users out there who would miss it.

In terms of build quality, well, it’s typical Logitech. Very solid construction and good materials selection conspire to give the impression that this is a reliable, well-built and well-designed product. As mentioned earlier, all of the buttons respond with a satisfying click. I’ve owned a couple of Logitech mice previously, and they all still work perfectly to this day. Everything about the G602’s build quality suggests that it is virtually indestructible as well unless you run over it with an SUV.

Aesthetically, I like the G602. To me, it’s certainly the best looking mouse Logitech’s ever made. I like the sensible dark gray and silver color scheme, and the shape, while being ergonomic first and foremost, is actually good-looking. It exudes a certain aggression, albeit without being over-the-top with its presentation. It’s not pretty the way the Lamborghini Murciélago is; it’s more like the Aventador.

Logitech’s G602 is a bit of a game-changer, at least for me. Forever I’ve thought that the phrase “wireless gaming mouse” was a bit of a joke; the G602 now shows that doesn’t necessarily need to be the case. While most of its features – the aggressive styling, the abundance of customizable buttons, a super-functional software suite – have all been part and parcel of other companies’ gaming mouse offerings for a very long time, the fact that the G602 is wireless AND is apparently very economical in terms of its own power consumption seems to be a revolutionary step. While gamers have been pining for a wireless mouse forever, the biggest possible deterrent – that of the wireless mouse running out of juice at a most unpredictable and inopportune moment – has scared them away from the prospect of ever using one. As far as I can tell, though, the G602 just might represent the dawning of a new age. As hyperbolic as that might sound, it’s how I see things.

You can get all this for an MSRP of $79.99. While that might seem like a steep price to some, I think that it’s a fair price for everything you do get: A great mouse, wireless capability, excellent performance, superb battery life, and a problem-free software suite that is part of the overall package.

Logitech G602 Wireless Gaming Mouse