I have been a computer gamer all my life, starting with MMOs, evolving into RPGs and then eventually landing on MOBAs. I still have no idea how to build a computer or how they work. My troubleshooting skills consist of turning the computer on and off, or emailing the guy at IT that I have a “situation.”
Even with all these computer gaming years under my belt, I have never owned a gaming mouse. Years ago, I started with an old wireless Staples brand wireless mouse that fit in the palm of my hand. On the school bus I overheard a kid say that wireless mice lag and make you move slower in-game. I couldn’t have myself getting left behind so I chucked that wireless mouse out the second I got home, swearing loyalty to the wired mice gods.
Since then I’ve been using the Dell office mouse, the one that every school or work computer comes with by default. My constant aggressive clicking would break the right button and I’d have to go and get another one. I used to work at a (place withheld) that didn’t really have any supervision over their tech so by the end of my three year employment I had collected around seven mice.
I’m a grown up now and decided it was time for a real mouse, one that might last the test of time (or at least my right click finger.) The fine folks at Logitech hooked me up with their brand new G900 Chaos Spectrum mouse that comes with all the bells and whistles. The mouse looks like it could be one of Michael Bay’s Transformers. The mouse feels great in your hand; it’s not too heavy or too light. The mouse can be used ambidextrously, has 11 programmable buttons and even lights up with customizable RGB lighting (Logitech boasts 16.8 million colors to choose from!). Did I mention it’s wireless?
Beyond your favorite color, Logitech G900 provides even more customizability – a piece of plastic on each side of the mouse can be removed to make room for two additional programmable buttons. That said, I don’t have those buttons on mine because I would accidentally click them whenever I was in a heated moment in game.
There are three buttons on the top of the mouse. One “unclicks” the mouse wheel allowing it to spin freely. I find myself just fidgeting with the wheel, clicking and unclicking because it’s fun. The other two buttons adjust the speed your cursor moves, which I never knew I needed until now. It’s easy to adjust the mouse speed for whatever game I’m playing. There’s no going into menus or using my brain.
Logitech must have overheard the kid on my school bus – and the millions of PC gamers that share his belief – because the PC peripheral giant designed its wireless G900 to have even less lag than a wired mouse . When I click somewhere, it’s immediate. When I make a mistake in League of Legends , I know it’s entirely my fault. That kid on the school bus isn’t right anymore; technology has evolved. We no longer use flip phones, have an irrational fear of Y2K or think Donald Trump is just “that hamster hosting the Apprentice .”
My old wireless mouse used to run on AA batteries, and would die at least once a week. The G900 is fully rechargeable and lasts for a total of 24 hours on. I’ve put this mouse through a grueling gaming marathon weekend, filled with Red Bull, Bagel Bites and a whole lot of lost ELO. I charged the mouse once on Friday; a full charge takes around two to three hours. It didn’t die once, even though I was using the mouse from sun up to sun down. At the end of Sunday I got a notification on my desktop saying that the mouse was at 10 percent.
When you aren’t using the G900 it turns itself off, which may be my favorite feature. It stores energy like a camel, which is great for someone who can’t remember to charge his phone, let alone his mouse. If you are thinking about picking up a new gaming mouse but have no idea where to start, this is a great pick up. It’s a bit pricy, sitting at $150 but comes with a two-year warranty and one of the snazziest stitched charger cords you’ll ever see.
I’m a changed man after using the Logitech G900 Chaos Spectrum; I’m never using an office mouse to play again.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
Tracking
Resolution: 200 – 12,000 dpi
Max. acceleration: >40G*
Max. speed: >300 ips*
* Tested on Logitech G240 Gaming Mouse Pad
Responsiveness
USB data format: 16 bits/axis
USB report rate: 1000 Hz (1ms)
Wireless report rate: 1000Hz (1ms)
Wireless technology: Custom 2.4GHz
Microprocessor: 32-bit ARM
Glide
Dynamic coefficient of friction:* 0.11 μ (k)*
Static coefficient of friction:* 0.17 μ (s)*
* Tested on wood-veneer desktop
Durability
Buttons (Left / Right): 20 million clicks
Feet: 250 kilometers
Battery Life
Default lighting: 24 hours
No lighting: 32 hours
MOUSE SPECIFICATIONS
Connection Type: Wired/Wireless
USB Protocol: USB 2.0
DPI (Min/Max): 200-12,000
USB Report Rate: 1ms
Sensor: PMW3366
Indicator Lights (LED): Yes, RGB
Buttons: 6-11
Other Features: Hyperfast scroll wheel, on-the-fly DPS adjustment, up to 5 onboard profiles
Physical specifications
Height: 5.12 in (130 mm)
Width: 2.64 in (67 mm)
Depth: 1.57 in (40 mm)
Weight: 3.80 oz (107 g) mouse only
Cable Length (Power/Charging): 6 ft (1.83 M)
