"the mouse features customizable lighting with up to 16.8 million colors" I'll never get this feature. Not only will nobody ever be able to tell it only has 16000 colors (as opposed to a normal screen where you can tell in an instant) but the lighting is covered by the hand most of the time. It seems to be a nearly pointless investment that can just raise the cost of the mouse.
Logitech is all we've got these days, Microsoft dropped the ball with the recent Sculpt Mice/Keyboards. If you want ergonomic all you've got is Logitech and it sucks because generally their stuff could be great if they didn't cut every corner and make some of the dumbest material design choices. All the other keyboards/mice don't take any ergonomic concerns into account so that if you are older than 30 they'll ruin your hands.
The thing that makes me the most mad is that Logitech could be great, if they did like Microsoft used to do and spend the extra dollar to get the better plastics and durability.
You know that their G502 is considered to be essentially the king of gaming mice, right? And their software is possibly the easiest to use. Their new G810 is also being touted as a fantastic mechanical keyboard. Get your head out of your ass and do some research instead of using preconceived notions from years ago
I am generally very happy with Logitech's hardware quality, and try to get Logitech or Corsair first. My Harmony keyboard has done amazing things to make my complicated home theater. My G930 wireless headset has worked flawlessly for years and has incredible range. While I use a Corsair mouse now (free from Newegg for review), the Logitech it replaced worked wonderfully for 6 years without issue and still tracks smoothly at high speed today. Their speakers, while obviously not high-end, are far better *and* cheaper than anything made by Bose, not that that's hard to do, and their keyboards have a far better reputation than Razor's despite often being cheaper.
Yeah, it's not like it adds any more to the price than a monochromatic light up mouse. And you can most definitely tell the difference when you're trying to color-match to the other lights and colors of a complete system theme.
Think about it this way, If you have leds like that, then you can usually customize them. So that means changing then to a more subtle white, or off entirely. That's much better than a cheap blue led that I can't turn off.
But if you're doing interpolation between different colors, having just 16k colors will prevent the transitions from appearing smooth. You'll see the stepping between the colors instead of a continuous gradient.
Sure, of course, I'm positive that it'll be a really, really great mouse but the price is silly. Once we all buy this, at this cost, they'll release another one with an increased price.
I'd pay that much for a mouse that felt and worked great and offered truly convenient wireless functionality. I don't think this mouse quite meets the criteria since I'll undoubtably get lazy and just leave the cable plugged in (even Logitech's old mice with swappable batteries were a better solution), but my money is waiting if someone can solve that problem.
I think most wireless charging technologies end up creating a magnetic attraction side effect as part of the way the energized coils transfer power between the charger and the device. I could be totally wrong on this, but I think that if you had a wireless charging mouse pad, the mouse would get slightly magnetically attracted to the charging coil in the pad, which would be atrocious for just about any mouse use case because the mouse would be subject to suddenly being pulled in a direction you didn't intend. But maybe I'm totally wrong, its just something I've noticed with every phone I've ever charged wirelessly.
this issue could be mitigated by having the charging surface have a detachable power cord so that the problem you mentioned would not have as big of an impact.
As someone who has a Logitech mouse that charges off the cable... It is so un-noticeable as to be a perfect solution. Also (maybe because mine doesn't have a light?) the battery charge lasts weeks and it charges in an hr. So to recap. I can continue using my mouse while charging, for one hr every couple of weeks. Perfect. Yep.
So just disable charging temporarily while the mouse is in use.
The exact parameters would depend on just how much force the charging process could exert on the mouse, but it shouldn't bee too difficult to make it impossible to feel while actually using the mouse. As long as you don't plan to use the mouse for 24 hours straight, this should provide plenty of power.
So when my mouse is in use and suddenly needs charging, I either cant use my mouse or I have to contend with a non-zero centering force. Sounds dumb. Alternatively I can plug in a cable and keep using my mouse as is...
Given the choice, I'd much rather plug in my charging base so that I can then wirelessly recharge my mouse. It's just such a clear advantage over plugging the mouse in directly for "olden-days" wired-style charging.
Plus: A new gadget to occupy the vast, endless expanse that is my desktop.
Why bother with a charging pad that not everyone will like? Maybe offer it as am option, but out of the box just use Qi or something semi standard so the user can place a small charge pad on an out of the way location... When you're done you throw it there. I'd actually prefer that + a cabled option over a fancy combo mousing + charging surface.
I'm quite a fan of Logitech's mice, but I never like their drivers/software. In fact for the a few effort I tried to convince myself it's worth my time to download them, they are simply useless. They just simply won't load properly, never show the correct mouse status and never be able to remember my custom buttons settings. Luckily all Logitech mice don't require their lousy software to work. I'm happy with my G300... hey, the LED lighting works, I can switch to 3 different colors, suiting my mood, even though I will never be able to customize the extra buttons.
I'm wondering, if I switched the LED color fast enough, and with the right duration for the red, green and blue color, will I be able to get 16,777,216 colors, too? /s
As part of the left-handed community, it's nice to see Logitech is keeping us in mind...just kidding, I've been using mouses right-handed since I first used a computer. I seriously don't get why people insist on ambidextrous mouses and joysticks and whatnot. It's not like being left-handed magically makes your right hand go all claw-like or something. I'm willing to bet the only people who use these products are those people who want to feel like special snowflakes.
I know somebody who does, his grandpa used the mouse with the left hand and he learned that way.
I'm left-handed but I've always used the mouse right-handed for obvious practical reasons. I still do decent at FPSs. It's weird that this does not translate to other things like brushing teeth.
I am right handed but in gaming which this mouse is designed for accuracy is incredibly important why on earth would you want to use a hand that is most likely less accurate? Its like driving you can learn to do it with the other hand but you will never be as good and lefties get in more accidents because of this. In gaming if you are left handed and use a right handed mouse or use your right hand you are probably going to get fragged more than if you had used the correct hand.
On a side not the $150 MSRP is getting ridiculous.
Nice ad. You had me convinced, until you mentioned the battery life. How can it be so bad? Real wireless mice do fine for months on a pair of AA batteries. The charging cable does somewhat compensate, but still this difference is so tremendous... It doesn't make sense at all why would anyone make such a pathetic product, or why anyone would want it.
Pity Logitech does not offer any other ambidextrous gaming mouse in current range. They used to have one in lower price range, which was perfect for me... I'm casual gamer, spending too much on mouse feels a bit wasteful.
My current CM Storm Recon has a strange "feature" - every now and then, it does not work on computer's boot; has to be unplugged and replugged. It does not happen often - once in a month or two? - and it works fine once detected, but it is still a bit annoying. I've replaced mobo and did clean Win 10 install (instead of upgrading from 8.1) so I'm pretty sure it is mouse... and it has been doing that since day one, available driver/firmware updates didn't improve it. I had Logitech mice before, usually entry level gaming, and they all behaved nice.
Anyone tried Roccat Kova? Ambi, reasonably priced, has additional buttons (beside thumb buttons). Don't have any experience with the brand, tho...
RGB each channel with 8 bit, 0 to 2^8 = 0 to 255. The total number of RGB color combination is 256^3 = 16,777,216 colors = 16.8 M colors
But the main concern is not about the number of colors but the gamma curve Logitech are doing is probably linear. Notice if you tweak the RGB values = 128, it's not suppose to return half the luminance. In gamma domain, half luminance should be (1/2)^(1/2.2)*255 = 186.
My Logitech G910 Orion Spark keyboard RGB colors aren't accurate but again, it's just an approximation, not true display for color accuracy, so I would think if you want a gamma tuned RGB mouse/keyboard, expect they cost more and pretty much pointless.
A gamma curve was used back in the old days of cathode ray tubes where the luminance analog signal is non-linear, y = x^2.2. This has become today's standard color display luminance. That's why when you convert from linear domain to luminance, the RGB value has to do the following:
rR^2.2, gG^2.2, bB^2.2
where r, g, b are the luminance gain of R, G, B respectively.
To convert back to the actual RGB value, do an inverse gamma as the following:
r^(1/2.2)R, g^(1/2.2)G, b^(1/2.2)*B.
Hopefully this can clarify what's RGB and 16.8M colors as well as color accurancy.
We’ve updated our terms. By continuing to use the site and/or by logging into your account, you agree to the Site’s updated Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
37 Comments
Back to Article
close - Thursday, March 24, 2016 - link
"the mouse features customizable lighting with up to 16.8 million colors"I'll never get this feature. Not only will nobody ever be able to tell it only has 16000 colors (as opposed to a normal screen where you can tell in an instant) but the lighting is covered by the hand most of the time. It seems to be a nearly pointless investment that can just raise the cost of the mouse.
Venya - Thursday, March 24, 2016 - link
They implement only 3 colors (red, green, blue) and get ability to show almost any color automatically. I doubt it is really 16M, but no one caresddriver - Thursday, March 24, 2016 - link
3 colors and 8bits per color, quite the achievement for the standards of logitech...laughable to see them leaning on such lame marketing rather than improving on their terrible hardware, software and product value
rahvin - Thursday, March 24, 2016 - link
Logitech is all we've got these days, Microsoft dropped the ball with the recent Sculpt Mice/Keyboards. If you want ergonomic all you've got is Logitech and it sucks because generally their stuff could be great if they didn't cut every corner and make some of the dumbest material design choices. All the other keyboards/mice don't take any ergonomic concerns into account so that if you are older than 30 they'll ruin your hands.The thing that makes me the most mad is that Logitech could be great, if they did like Microsoft used to do and spend the extra dollar to get the better plastics and durability.
theatomicbrainfart - Friday, March 25, 2016 - link
You know that their G502 is considered to be essentially the king of gaming mice, right? And their software is possibly the easiest to use. Their new G810 is also being touted as a fantastic mechanical keyboard. Get your head out of your ass and do some research instead of using preconceived notions from years agoSivar - Sunday, March 27, 2016 - link
I am generally very happy with Logitech's hardware quality, and try to get Logitech or Corsair first. My Harmony keyboard has done amazing things to make my complicated home theater.My G930 wireless headset has worked flawlessly for years and has incredible range.
While I use a Corsair mouse now (free from Newegg for review), the Logitech it replaced worked wonderfully for 6 years without issue and still tracks smoothly at high speed today.
Their speakers, while obviously not high-end, are far better *and* cheaper than anything made by Bose, not that that's hard to do, and their keyboards have a far better reputation than Razor's despite often being cheaper.
nevcairiel - Thursday, March 24, 2016 - link
Full RGB LEDs aren't expensive, and it magically gives you this number of colors "out of the box", so shrug.nathanddrews - Thursday, March 24, 2016 - link
Yeah, it's not like it adds any more to the price than a monochromatic light up mouse. And you can most definitely tell the difference when you're trying to color-match to the other lights and colors of a complete system theme.bigboxes - Friday, March 25, 2016 - link
Match your pursedanjw - Thursday, March 24, 2016 - link
RGB is usually done in 2 digit hex (0-256) for each color. So 256 ^3 is ~16.8 million. Simple.ingwe - Thursday, March 24, 2016 - link
Isn't it 0-255?leoblaze9 - Thursday, March 24, 2016 - link
Yes, but how many numbers are in that range? 256, since 0 is also a numberinighthawki - Thursday, March 24, 2016 - link
I think he was referring to the "(0-256)" which was technically incorrect, as it specifies a range, not a count.darkfalz - Thursday, March 24, 2016 - link
It's just a red, green and blue led with approx. 256 levels of intensity for each, not as complicated or expensive as you make it sound.ImSpartacus - Thursday, March 24, 2016 - link
Think about it this way, If you have leds like that, then you can usually customize them. So that means changing then to a more subtle white, or off entirely. That's much better than a cheap blue led that I can't turn off.Friendly0Fire - Thursday, March 24, 2016 - link
But if you're doing interpolation between different colors, having just 16k colors will prevent the transitions from appearing smooth. You'll see the stepping between the colors instead of a continuous gradient.damianrobertjones - Thursday, March 24, 2016 - link
" $149.99"A fool and his money...
Sure, of course, I'm positive that it'll be a really, really great mouse but the price is silly. Once we all buy this, at this cost, they'll release another one with an increased price.
Jedi2155 - Thursday, March 24, 2016 - link
"Logitech has designed a mechanical pivot for the buttons"I call it...."THE MECHANICAL MOUSE" and I'll charge 3x the price for it.
nerd1 - Friday, March 25, 2016 - link
Still better than most high-end mouses that uses cheap omron switches.chaos215bar2 - Thursday, March 24, 2016 - link
I'd pay that much for a mouse that felt and worked great and offered truly convenient wireless functionality. I don't think this mouse quite meets the criteria since I'll undoubtably get lazy and just leave the cable plugged in (even Logitech's old mice with swappable batteries were a better solution), but my money is waiting if someone can solve that problem.ciparis - Thursday, March 24, 2016 - link
This needs to also allow wireless charging; I don't mind the battery life, but I'm done with loose mouse cables sitting around my desk.bj_murphy - Thursday, March 24, 2016 - link
I think most wireless charging technologies end up creating a magnetic attraction side effect as part of the way the energized coils transfer power between the charger and the device. I could be totally wrong on this, but I think that if you had a wireless charging mouse pad, the mouse would get slightly magnetically attracted to the charging coil in the pad, which would be atrocious for just about any mouse use case because the mouse would be subject to suddenly being pulled in a direction you didn't intend. But maybe I'm totally wrong, its just something I've noticed with every phone I've ever charged wirelessly.leoblaze9 - Thursday, March 24, 2016 - link
this issue could be mitigated by having the charging surface have a detachable power cord so that the problem you mentioned would not have as big of an impact.JoeyJoJo123 - Thursday, March 24, 2016 - link
The same issue could be mitigated by instead having a detachable power cord to the mouse, rather than to the "charging surface".Oh wait, I think that's actually what they did here.
doggface - Sunday, March 27, 2016 - link
As someone who has a Logitech mouse that charges off the cable... It is so un-noticeable as to be a perfect solution. Also (maybe because mine doesn't have a light?) the battery charge lasts weeks and it charges in an hr. So to recap. I can continue using my mouse while charging, for one hr every couple of weeks. Perfect. Yep.chaos215bar2 - Thursday, March 24, 2016 - link
So just disable charging temporarily while the mouse is in use.The exact parameters would depend on just how much force the charging process could exert on the mouse, but it shouldn't bee too difficult to make it impossible to feel while actually using the mouse. As long as you don't plan to use the mouse for 24 hours straight, this should provide plenty of power.
doggface - Sunday, March 27, 2016 - link
So when my mouse is in use and suddenly needs charging, I either cant use my mouse or I have to contend with a non-zero centering force. Sounds dumb.Alternatively I can plug in a cable and keep using my mouse as is...
Bobs_Your_Uncle - Saturday, March 26, 2016 - link
Given the choice, I'd much rather plug in my charging base so that I can then wirelessly recharge my mouse. It's just such a clear advantage over plugging the mouse in directly for "olden-days" wired-style charging.Plus: A new gadget to occupy the vast, endless expanse that is my desktop.
Impulses - Sunday, March 27, 2016 - link
Why bother with a charging pad that not everyone will like? Maybe offer it as am option, but out of the box just use Qi or something semi standard so the user can place a small charge pad on an out of the way location... When you're done you throw it there. I'd actually prefer that + a cabled option over a fancy combo mousing + charging surface.geekman1024 - Friday, March 25, 2016 - link
I'm quite a fan of Logitech's mice, but I never like their drivers/software. In fact for the a few effort I tried to convince myself it's worth my time to download them, they are simply useless. They just simply won't load properly, never show the correct mouse status and never be able to remember my custom buttons settings. Luckily all Logitech mice don't require their lousy software to work. I'm happy with my G300... hey, the LED lighting works, I can switch to 3 different colors, suiting my mood, even though I will never be able to customize the extra buttons.I'm wondering, if I switched the LED color fast enough, and with the right duration for the red, green and blue color, will I be able to get 16,777,216 colors, too? /s
DwayneAK - Friday, March 25, 2016 - link
As part of the left-handed community, it's nice to see Logitech is keeping us in mind...just kidding, I've been using mouses right-handed since I first used a computer. I seriously don't get why people insist on ambidextrous mouses and joysticks and whatnot. It's not like being left-handed magically makes your right hand go all claw-like or something. I'm willing to bet the only people who use these products are those people who want to feel like special snowflakes.Murloc - Friday, March 25, 2016 - link
I know somebody who does, his grandpa used the mouse with the left hand and he learned that way.I'm left-handed but I've always used the mouse right-handed for obvious practical reasons. I still do decent at FPSs.
It's weird that this does not translate to other things like brushing teeth.
PubFiction - Tuesday, March 29, 2016 - link
I am right handed but in gaming which this mouse is designed for accuracy is incredibly important why on earth would you want to use a hand that is most likely less accurate? Its like driving you can learn to do it with the other hand but you will never be as good and lefties get in more accidents because of this. In gaming if you are left handed and use a right handed mouse or use your right hand you are probably going to get fragged more than if you had used the correct hand.On a side not the $150 MSRP is getting ridiculous.
Visual - Monday, March 28, 2016 - link
Nice ad. You had me convinced, until you mentioned the battery life. How can it be so bad? Real wireless mice do fine for months on a pair of AA batteries. The charging cable does somewhat compensate, but still this difference is so tremendous... It doesn't make sense at all why would anyone make such a pathetic product, or why anyone would want it.nikon133 - Monday, March 28, 2016 - link
Pity Logitech does not offer any other ambidextrous gaming mouse in current range. They used to have one in lower price range, which was perfect for me... I'm casual gamer, spending too much on mouse feels a bit wasteful.My current CM Storm Recon has a strange "feature" - every now and then, it does not work on computer's boot; has to be unplugged and replugged. It does not happen often - once in a month or two? - and it works fine once detected, but it is still a bit annoying. I've replaced mobo and did clean Win 10 install (instead of upgrading from 8.1) so I'm pretty sure it is mouse... and it has been doing that since day one, available driver/firmware updates didn't improve it. I had Logitech mice before, usually entry level gaming, and they all behaved nice.
Anyone tried Roccat Kova? Ambi, reasonably priced, has additional buttons (beside thumb buttons). Don't have any experience with the brand, tho...
itechjp - Tuesday, April 5, 2016 - link
RGB each channel with 8 bit, 0 to 2^8 = 0 to 255. The total number of RGB color combination is 256^3 = 16,777,216 colors = 16.8 M colorsBut the main concern is not about the number of colors but the gamma curve Logitech are doing is probably linear. Notice if you tweak the RGB values = 128, it's not suppose to return half the luminance. In gamma domain, half luminance should be (1/2)^(1/2.2)*255 = 186.
My Logitech G910 Orion Spark keyboard RGB colors aren't accurate but again, it's just an approximation, not true display for color accuracy, so I would think if you want a gamma tuned RGB mouse/keyboard, expect they cost more and pretty much pointless.
itechjp - Tuesday, April 5, 2016 - link
Correction. 8bit is 0 to 2^7 = 0 to 255.A gamma curve was used back in the old days of cathode ray tubes where the luminance analog signal is non-linear, y = x^2.2. This has become today's standard color display luminance. That's why when you convert from linear domain to luminance, the RGB value has to do the following:
rR^2.2, gG^2.2, bB^2.2
where r, g, b are the luminance gain of R, G, B respectively.
To convert back to the actual RGB value, do an inverse gamma as the following:
r^(1/2.2)R, g^(1/2.2)G, b^(1/2.2)*B.
Hopefully this can clarify what's RGB and 16.8M colors as well as color accurancy.