Logitech G9 Laser Mouse

By Ahmer Kazi

Thanks to its highly customizable design, the Logitech G9 Laser Mouse ($79.99 direct) has something for hardcore gamers and casual users alike. It can be outfitted with different grips, has adjustable weight, and features on-the-fly adjustable DPI that can even switch automatically depending on the program in use. Above all, it's quick and responsive. While its maximum DPI isn't as high as some competitors, it's a fine choice for anyone looking to step their game up.

Design
A grip-release button on the rear of the G9 allows the user to swap between the two included interchangeable grips. One is charmingly titled the "Wide Load Grip" since it provides a fuller shape and wider thumb cradle. As far as texture goes, this grip comes in a soft, satin finish. The second is the "Precision Grip," whose more compact size suggests it was designed for gamers with smaller hands. Unlike its Wide Load counterpart, the Precision Grip is decked out in what Logitech has dubbed a "DryGrip" texture, essentially a rougher, sandpaper-like texture that prevents sweat accumulation during prolonged use. This is not unlike the "No-Sweat" coating found on the sides and thumb rest of the Roccat Savu . Stripped of its grips and free from all the aesthetic bells and whistles, the G9 resembles something of an endoskeleton. In this naked state, you'll notice its spring-loaded weight tuning system at the rear, which can be outfitted with up to four of the included eight 7- or 4-gram weights.

With the exception of the slightly wider body found on the Wide-Load Grip, both grips bear the same shape. Unlike the ambidextrously designed SteelSeries Kinzu Optical Mouse , both grips are made for right-handed use. In terms of ergonomics, the thumb cradles for both grips are comfortable, with forward and back web-browsing buttons conveniently located on the upper crests. There's no such cradle for pinkies, though, so expect a slight pinkie drag during use. In between the right and left mouse-click buttons is a somewhat demure scroll wheel that doesn't stand out as prominently as that of the Corsair Vengeance M60 . The G9's underside sports two smooth feet that allow it to glide over most surfaces. In addition to a button that selects different user profiles stored on the G9's on-board memory, the bottom also features a "MicroGear" button that toggles between two different modes on the tracking wheel: "Ratchet" mode yields the click-to-click tactile sensation typical in scroll wheels, whereas "Hyper-Fast" mode results in a frictionless scroll that comes in handy for gliding through long documents. Back on the G9's top, you'll notice an LED indicator below the left click button that displays the selected profile and DPI speed.

Unlike the Razer Mamba (2012) , there's no wireless option for the G9, just a braided, tangle-free USB 2.0 cord. Despite the inevitable cable clutter, wired mice offer a higher degree of precision that has yet to be guaranteed by their wireless counterparts. That said, gamers looking for the fastest available connection for their mice should stick with the USB 3.0-equipped Corsair Vengeance M60.

The included Logitech SetPoint software allows the user to create and store up to five different profiles on the G9's on-board memory. Consequently, the mouse can be configured via software and then selected with the G9's built-in profile selection button. This is helpful for switching between different profiles on the fly at, say, a LAN party or gaming tournaments. Profiles allow for multiple configurations regarding button assignments, keyboard macros, DPI settings, and LED display colors. The software also runs an Application Detection feature, which disables the profiles on the G9's on-board memory and instead allows it to automatically designate profile settings that correspond to specific applications. I tested this concept by toggling between Photoshop and Excel, and found that it yielded surprisingly efficient results.

Performance
In and out of gaming, the G9 displayed exceptional capabilities. Outside of gaming, its Application Detection feature disables the G9's on-board profiles and automatically designates profile settings that correspond to specific applications, which yielded surprisingly efficient results when I tested it by toggling between Photoshop and Excel. In gaming, its 3,200 DPI speed was evident every time I quickly spun around to ascertain my environment. Adjusting the DPI on the fly was fluid and effortless, though nowhere near as effective for first person shooters as the dedicated "sniper" button found on the Corsair Vengeance M60, which automatically lowered DPI to a lower pre-set rate for momentarily precise aiming. Additionally, the G9 exhibited a speedy response rate?our testing found a maximum polling rate of 921Hz, falling short of the Razer Mamba (2012) (1,000Hz), and, to a larger extent, the Corsair Vengeance M60 (1,300Hz).

The Logitech G9 Laser Mouse aims to please and, for the most part, hits the mark in terms of performance and design. For gamers who place more of an emphasis on precision, though, its maximum DPI of 3,200 doesn't measure up to the accuracy offered by the less costly Corsair Vengeance M60 or the significantly pricier Razer Mamba (2012). Ultimately, however, it's a fine choice for anyone looking to step their game up.

COMPARISON TABLE
Compare the Logitech G9 Laser Mouse with several other computer mice side by side.

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