Logitech G9 Laser Gaming Mouse

With the G9 being a gaming mouse, there really isn’t a lot to do with it to test it’s capabilities out other than, well, game. To do this, we played with the G9 for a few days in a couple of our favorite games. We played Counter-Strike: Source, Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter and Command and Conquer 3. Our angle on including a RTS game like C&C is simple. Not everyone plays FSP games. Granted, most do and this is who this mouse is primarily targeted towards. I will officially admit though, I am a member of the church of C&C. It’s been one of my favorite games since the Win95 days and not much has changed since.

In CS: S, we could really appreciate the conveniently placed DPI switch. It was nice to enter a room with the DPI set to a higher than normal setting and in my case, spray and pray. Conversely, it was nice to sit from a bit farther back with by Bullpup and lower the DPI to get precision shots in on anyone stupid enough to stand still long enough for me to get in a lucky shot.

In GRAW 2, we have been conveniently working on our AGEIA PhysX evaluation in the game and decided that it was as good a time as any to play using the G9. Like Counter-Strike, the controls of the mouse were appreciated in the games frequent firefights. The new shape and design of the mouse was actually comfortable in long gaming sessions.

I don’t know how much I could use it on my main machine, the one that I work on daily, as the older style of the Logitech line allows for a more relaxed grip where the hand almost lays on the mouse. With the G9 however, there is more of an on edge, precision gripping that I found myself using in the FPS games.

In Command and Conquer 3, aside from bumping the DPI way up to get the cursor all the way across the 24″ Dell in a reasonable amount of time, there wasn’t a whole lot that the G9 offered that the other mice we have laying around don’t. It’s not that the G9 is bad in these types of games, because its not. It’s simply not as far above our existing mice as it is in FPS games.

Logitech has effectively taken an incredible lineup of mice and combined their best features into one amazing mouse and marketed it right square at gamers everywhere. Combining the upgraded laser eye, the Revolution’s scroll wheel and the weights and braided cord of the G5, the G9 is sure to be a hit with most anyone that uses it.

With that said though, I can say with almost complete certainty that the redesigned shape won’t be for everyone. There are going to be people who will absolutely hate this new design and that’s fine. A mouse with a MSRP of $99.00 (US) will never be an everything to everyone kind of mouse. This is a niche mouse manufactured for a niche audience.

Now, we covered the good and the bad and in our honest opinion, this mouse utterly kicks major tail. We know there are mice out there with a higher DPI but who needs 2000 DPI, let alone the 3200 that the G9 provides? I love the braided cable and I love the removable grips. I would like to see more grips produced in the future, perhaps one with more of an area for the palm. Other than that however, it’s safe to say that the Logitech G9 has earned an Editor’s Choice.

While the price of the mouse is a bit much (it’s difficult for me to recommend to everyone any mouse that sells for $100) it’s one of those times where the saying “You get what you pay for” can be said. Your paying for the ultimate gaming mouse on the market and because of that, you’re going to pay a premium price. If you have the cash, and you’re a die hard gamer, the G9 might not be a bad choice for your next gaming mouse. All things considered, the G9 from Logitech earns a 9 out of 10.

Pros
• Changeable Grips
• Incredible Scroll Wheel
• Braided USB cable
• Optional Weights
• On Board Memory
• 3 Year Warranty

Cons
• The shape will -not- be for everyone
• Pricey (MSRP $99.00 US)

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