Logitech G7 Cordless Laser Mouse

The Logitech G7 Cordless Laser Mouse has a few minor flaws, but is otherwise a great gaming unit

There’s no tail on this mouse.

Logitech’s G7 Laser Cordless Mouse is fast, it’s stylish and it comes with a series of amenities that make it a slick little gaming controller – great for those shooters where targeting is mouse-driven and reflexive.

This mouse is a mean little rodent, adhering to the current Logitech mouse design with a lip for the thumb, and one for the pinkie to ensure a firmer grip. Unlike the G5 Laser Mouse, which has a rougher-textured surface, the G7 is smooth, and pre-weighted. This mouse glides over surfaces and the buttons are all easily accessible.

Other features include full-speed USB connectivity at a 2.4 GHz rate, which essentially means that this mouse will not lag in communicating to the receiver unit. It also has a 2,000 dpi engine for flawless tracking, and comes with interchangeable batteries (Li-ion batteries) so gamers can always have one charging and one in the mouse itself.

Mouse sensitivity an issue? No problem. The two buttons right below the mouse wheel can adjust the sensitivity on the fly to allow gamers to set the rate that is perfect for them and/or the gaming situation. There is even a thumb button which can be programmed in games for various actions.

There is a battery level indicator on the mouse and therein lays one of the problems with the device. The indicator is under the spot where the web of the hand between the thumb and palm is, effectively covering the indicator lights. Sometimes the only indication that the mouse is out of juice is when it stops working in a game. The can be a problem, especially if you are a gamer used to marathon sessions. While the battery swap-out is quick and painless, if you are in a tense situation in a shooter, those few seconds could mean the difference between living and dying.

The battery seems to have a life-span of about 6 hours before it needs to be replaced, so even those all-day sessions may be interrupted.

The USB receiver actually connects into the charger unit, which uses the USB connection to juice the extra battery pack. It has an indicator light as well to show that the extra battery is charging up. It is recommended that to avoid dead mouse syndrome, when you take breaks, if the charging battery is indeed charged, that you swap out the batteries, keeping a fresh one in the mouse itself. If that is too much of a hassle, then you should go with the G5 laser mouse as it seems just as responsive and is USB-connected to the computer, thus requiring no charging.

The mouse was giving a workout in a variety of titles, ranging from massively multiplayer games to first-person shooters and sims, and in each case it was a joy to use. The tracking is so good that it works on virtually any surface, including pants legs, and was flawless even from 12-14 feet from the receiver unit (Ok, so the phone rang – a true gamer does not let a ringing phone interfere with the game).

Despite a few stumbles in terms of battery life and power indicators, the Logitech G7 Cordless Laser Mouse is a dynamic unit that is silky smooth to use and enhances the gaming experience.

Pros:
The 2,000 dpi laser engine makes tracking hyper efficient. The mouse itself is comfortable in the hand, even in extending gaming sessions.

Cons:
The location of the power light can cause frustration and the frequency of the battery swap-out holds this mouse back from being a truly wonderful device.

Verdict: 9.2
With the seemingly short battery life and the positioning of the power indicator, this mouse is a little less effective than the G5 Laser Mouse, but only in the power management area. When it comes to tracking, on-the-fly sensitivity controls, the G7 is top drawer in the cordless realm.