Software

The Logitech SetPoint software is a very versatile software and also translated and able to recognize many of the world’s languages. Above you can see the introduction and language/location selection screen, although I doubt you will understand much of them as the software recognized the location set in my Windows XP (being Greece) and set the language to Greek. Fortunately, in the language/location screen you can change the language and location to any of your liking.

After a few (worthless to discuss) steps, such as the EULA notice, you will come to the software installation screen. Here you can select to install the SetPoint software for keyboards, mice or both. I checked only mice because I only need the SetPoint to recognize the G5 laser mouse. Logitech also includes a full version of the MusicMatch application, which is a good media player; however I did not install it because I prefer other software of my liking. After the software is installed, the installation utility will ask you if you like to restart the computer and if you want it to take action after that.

After installing the SetPoint, I found out that it recognizes every Logitech mouse attached to the PC. It instantly recognized the G5 laser mouse, as well as the MX510 and Click! Plus mice I installed for testing. At the first screen, you can assign the actions of the mouse keys to whatever they suit you better; all of the keys that is, even the DPI sensitivity buttons. Inside the mouse movement screen, you can adjust its movement behaviour, like the acceleration or trailing for example. You can also change the speed of the scrolling wheel and enable/disable smart movement. Finally, inside the game settings screen, you can adjust the behaviour of the mouse in-game. This way the mouse can work different inside games and different on the desktop. By clicking at the advanced game settings at the lower right corner, you will bring up the advanced game settings screen, where you can fine tune the resolution and sensitivity settings of the mouse.

Inside the advanced game settings screen, you can fine tune the mouse sensitivity with excellent precision. You can set up to 5 sensitivity settings, instantly available from the DPI resolution buttons on the mouse. You can adjust the resolution from 400 up to 2000 DPI, in 50 DPI steps. Not only that, but you can separate the sensitivity of the X axis from the sensitivity of the Y axis, making one move faster than the other. I am not sure who wouldn’t like the X/Y resolutions to be linked, but the feature to unlock them is there.

The software also provides a battery check-up screen, which of course is not visible when using the G5 as it is a corded mouse without batteries. I had to switch the selection to my Click! Plus mouse for that. Of course, if you are using only the G5, this screen will not be useful so it will not even be visible to you. The SetPoint software also has a tools section, which provides you with plenty of information concerning Logitech’s technical support, ergonomics and a quick tour.

Final words and conclusion

The feel and precision of the G5 Laser mouse are certainly of the best I have encountered up to date. The mouse worked on any surface I tried, being a plastic mouse pad, a wooden table, a book cover and a concrete surface. I had no trouble adjusting to the mouse as it ergonomically it is very well designed, plus it feels much alike other Logitech mice. Those that will certainly have big trouble with this mouse are the left handed people, which I doubt they can even use. The mouse is specifically designed for a right hand, so no left handed person can even hold it properly. While playing, it took me a quite a bit of time to get used to the on-the-fly DPI changes, but I certainly found them very useful in FPS games like F.E.A.R. Then again, I am not even an average gamer, so hardcore games will adjust much faster and certainly be far more dangerous with it. The weights were a nice idea also, as people with different muscular strength can adjust the weight to their liking. It also is a good idea for those that use different styles of holding the mouse; for example I enjoy a far lighter mouse because I tend to move it with my fingers alone than using my hand, but on the other hand there are people who are moving the mouse by moving their whole arm with it, which will like a heavier mouse for better precision. Another thing that I did not like is the missing ‘forward’ thumb button, as I was quite used to it, but I guess that the tilting wheel makes up for it. So let us sum up:

Pros:

• Excellent feel and grip, as well as sliding
• On-the-fly DPI resolution changes
• Weight adjustment
• Tilting wheel
• Tuneable DPI resolutions and X/Y axis speeds

Cons:

• Absolutely useless for left-handed people
• Could use a button or two more

Concluding, the Logitech G5 laser mouse is the gaming mouse, which any adept gamer will love. I think that only the Logitech G7 cordless laser mouse is comparable to it. If you do not need the mouse to be cordless and can use the lower price and adjustable weight feature, I doubt there are many rivals to the G5. Hence, I do not see a reason not to give our Heavenly Hardware Gold Award to the G5 laser mouse; it is one of the best adjustable and precise mice out there, if not the best out of them all.