Logitech G9
The Logitech G9 picks up where the G5 left off and adds further customization options for even more control. The G9 has two thumb buttons that can be remapped to do a number of different tasks. The scroll wheel is clickable and also tilts left and right like that of the G5, but doesn't offer much tactical feel - no solid "click" noise or feedback to let you know the button has been depressed.
The DPI adjustment buttons can be set on-the-fly from 200 to 3200 DPI. These lie just behind the left mouse click button and are arranged horizontally. A custom LED bank displays the current DPI and profile settings.
Cartridge weights are also included with the G9: four 4g and four 7g weights are included, but you can only use up to four weights at a time in the cartridge. Two different grips, Wide Load and Precision, are also included. The Wide Load grip has a smooth satin-like feel and, as the name implies, offers a "fatter" mouse. The Precision grip is a bit slimmer and has a grippy, almost sandpaper-like feel to it.
Logitech equipped the G9 with a MicroGear similar to the one found on the MX Revolution. When engaged, the MicroGear acts like the clutch in a manual transmission of a car, and takes the scroll wheel "out of gear", allowing it to spin freely on its axis. This allows you to scroll through long documents, playlists and web pages at incredible speeds. The button to activate the MicroGear, however, is located on the underside of the mouse and thus, isn't all that convenient. On the MX Revolution, this function can be activated simply by flicking the scroll wheel quickly to disengage the gearing system - a much more convenient system in my opinion. The other button on the belly of the G9 is the profile selector. With the G9, you can save all of your custom settings directly to the mouse and have them at your disposal anywhere you go - this includes macros (up to 5 at a time), DPI and LED color settings.
The LED color in the DPI display can also be changed to better match the color theme of your system. Polytetrafluoroethylene feet help guide the G9 across your mousing surface with ease.
While gaming and during general use, I found that I preferred the Precision grip, with its slimmer profile and more secure feel. The scroll wheel worked very well, although again, it was a bit difficult to depress the scroll wheel for a button click. The tilt function worked well but I would have preferred a more tactical feel to let me know that the button had indeed been pressed.
The overall feel of the G9 was good and it slid across my mouse pad without effort. I wasn't too fond of the placement for the DPI adjustment buttons: on more than one occasion, my index finger would accidentally press the button to lower the DPI. Having these buttons in the center of the mouse behind the scroll wheel seems like a more convenient place overall, but we won't blame Logitech for trying something different with the G9.
In the end that would seem to be the ultimate purpose of the G9, continue the successful record of its predecessors while trying a few new tricks.
Price as of writing $79.99
Pros:
- Adjustable on-the-fly DPI
- Two Interchangeable Grips
- Onboard Memory to Store Profiles
- Braided USB Cable
- Adjustable Weight Cartridges
- Custom-color LEDs
Cons:
- Inconvenient DPI Adjustment Button Placement
- Inconvenient MicroGear Button Location
- Relatively Expensive