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  • Author Author: Catwell
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Logitech G Unveils Wireless Mouse That Charges Constantly and Performs Supremely

Catwell

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Logitech is launching two new wireless technologies that complicate the debate of wired vs. wireless mouses due to its reported impeccable performance. The Logitech G wireless mouse and charging pad which is available as a hard or cloth pad. (Photo via Logitech)

 

Are you adding wireless charging to all your designs? Maybe you should.

 

Recently, wireless charging has become an increasingly popular idea in providing unrestricted access to electronic devices, such as AirVolt’s wireless phone charging system, and now Logitech G is releasing a wireless mouse with a similar concept in mind. Constant, wireless charging for a wireless mouse. We are bound to see more of this type of technology added to all of our devices.

 

The two new technologies proposed by Logitech are dubbed Powerplay and Lightspeed; Powerplay refers to the wireless charging component, and Lightspeed technology pertains to the performance of the wireless signal connection to the mouse. Powerplay technology uses electromagnetic resonance which, according to the Logitech press release, is supposedly, “the world’s first wireless charging system for gaming mice,” and charges constantly, eliminating the need to dock the mouse to recharge. The Logitech G website says that the Powerplay charging system’s 275 x 320mm base “creates an energy field above its surface,” which allows it to charge the mouse while it’s in motion without interfering in the measurement and transmission of data. This technology accounts for one element of the argument against wireless gaming mice, which is that they may run out of battery at any given moment (and that they can run out of battery at all). The second issue that arises between wired and wireless mice is their connectivity and performance.

 

Logitech tackles this second issue with its Lightspeed technology, which is described as, “an end-to-end system optimization,” with a one-millisecond report rate that, “delivers competition-level responsiveness at speeds faster than many competitive wired gaming mice,” according to the Logitech press release. So, it appears that Logitech G has provided an answer to the debate between wired and wireless mice, but only through the combination of Lightspeed and Powerplay technologies.

 

Lightspeed wireless mice are available this June and the Powerplay technology isn’t available until August. The Lightspeed wireless G703 and G903 mice have a PMW3366 optical sensor, which is broadly considered the best gaming mouse sensor on the market, and they will be available for $99.99 and $149.99, respectively, and the Powerplay wireless charging system will be $99.99. So at minimum, this supposed ideal gaming experience would cost about $200. Even though the G903, the more expensive of the two mice, offers a more ambidextrous design, a customizable button layout, and additional mechanical features that improve the feel and responsiveness of the buttons, Logitech G seems to be offering a convenient and high-performing product either way.

 

 

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  • in reply to rachaelp

    I've just noticed that Logitech do sell some spares, e.g. these ones for Harmony:

    Logitech Support

     

    I purchased some spare mouse feet (expensive for a bit of plastic but cheaper than buying another $100 mouse! it's ridiculous if it cannot survive for a few years at least) from that site to fix my mouse for now, although I've noticed the mouse has a hairline crack too, from falling off the table a few times. I also had a Logitech keyboard that was so flexy, it stopped working and I'm sure I could hear a SMD component moving around free inside! I swapped that under warranty so I didn't open it to check.

  • in reply to Catwell

    Oh, I missed seeing that when it was released. I've used a few of their gaming mice (because generally they are so awesome for CAD) but sadly end up with their flawed models, maybe I'm too critical : (

  • in reply to rachaelp

    Shabaz,

     

    The Logitch g9x is just about perfect... my main mouse.

     

    Too bad they re-sell for like $200+ these days. Rare electronics are a thing?

     

    C

  • in reply to shabaz

    I agree with you about Logitech products, they have great ideas which they kind of get to 90% designed and then go "meh, bored now, that'll do, just ship it". I've got two Logitech harmony remotes and they both started misbehaving after the first time the got knocked off the sofa arm onto the carpet. They should be more robust than that!

  • I kind of love/hate Logitech products. So much is good, but never perfected.

    I wonder if they have sorted the issue that their 'MX Master' mouse exhibits.. if it is placed on a complex surface (like with fibres, e.g. a cushion) or hovered slightly just above a surface such that there is only slight shake for the sensor, then it spent so long processing it, that it would forget to handle other events like the scroll button. How that wasn't caught during test I don't know.. it's a basic mouse function that it should be able to handle scroll events. And their teflon-ish underside gliding pad has sharp corners that once they catch on something while throwing the mouse into your laptop bag, will bend and forever ruin the mouse movement on many surfaces.