Logitech MX518 Review by Peter Brennon

My Overall Rating:

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The Logitech MX518 High Performance Optical Gaming Mouse is not the company’s top of the line model. But, thanks to a wealth of features, many gamers will find that this mid-priced model is all they need or want without breaking the bank. The MX518 is the follow on to the MX510 and retains all its good attributes, while representing a very respectable improvement.

First and foremost is the comfortable grip. Ergonomics is always a personal affair but the MX518 will fit a very wide range of right-handers, and left-handers will still find it usable with some practice. The slick feet on the bottom surface add to the usability, making fast gliding easy.

Also nice is the ability to change the resolution on the fly without special drivers. All the control you need is built right into the mouse. Accessing the web is, of course, a breeze for everyone these days but keeping up with driver changes and dealing with bugs is not always. That lack of driver needed is also beneficial for Linux users who can plug this mouse in and get going right away.

Watch this great review of the Logitech MX518 gaming mouse

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The resolution can be set (or changed on the fly) up to 1600 dpi, too. That number doesn’t wow quite the way, say, the company’s G500 model’s 5,700 dpi does. But past a certain point – around 2,000 or less for almost any game – the difference is probably undetectable anyway.

Even better, a simple press on the + or – buttons lets you raise or lower it to find your personal sweet spot. You can cut the number in half with a single tap of the minus button; a second press puts you down to 400 dpi in a snap.

That high dpi count and fine level of control is also very beneficial when you’re not gaming. Yes, there are times when you have to do other things. Bummer. Editing photos is a breeze since the high setting lets you pick out individual pixels easily. Lowering it lets you decrease the sensitivity so the mouse doesn’t drive you crazy while performing ordinary tasks.

If you do install the driver software, you then have access to the Advanced Game Settings panel. It lets you assign up to five different dpi toggles, change defaults, and add even more granularity to tailor the MX518 to your personal style. While the case is clearly designed with right-handed players in mind, the ability to tweak the handedness of the buttons can make this mouse usable for everyone.

The most demanding gamers may want to pay extra for something like the G700. But for just about anyone else, this model is a fine piece of gaming gear. Five programmable buttons, with two more located above and below the scrollwheel, as well as an application-switching button (equivalent to Alt-Tab), make it highly flexible. That it works so well for everyday tasks – photo and document editing, web browsing, and dozens more – is icing on the cake.

Few mid-priced mice offer so many features as the Logitech MX518 in such an ergonomically friendly case.

Read what other users of the Logitech MX518 have to say about it:

Yu-jin C.,
“I’ve used an MX-518 for over 3 years, during which it saw extensive daily use both for work and games. Aside from some of the paint wearing off, it works just as well today as it did when I got it. The precision of this mouse is such that it’s really not distinguishable from much more expensive laser mice. The buttons are fully configurable and very well placed; it’s second nature using them and does not cause any finger or wrist strain even after hours of use. If you need to adjust sensitivity on the fly, there’s controls for that as well. The shape is ergonomically superior without being totally weird, and it functions well with or without a mousepad. It is also extremely tough- I’ve dropped it, stepped on it, tripped over the wire… you name it, it’s survived it. On that note, it isn’t a wireless and that’s a plus in my opinion- it really seems the batteries on wireless mice die at the worst possible times…” Read full review

RunninWild,
“I bought this mouse to replace my Logitech G5. I like this mouse just as much as my G5 and I can tell no difference other than the feel of the gray outside and it’s a tiny bit lighter. The G5 was a little rougher and this is smooth. It is easier to keep clean because of this. The buttons are all easy to touch. I highly recommend this mouse for any gamer that wants a comfortable responsive mouse. This mouse is worth every penny…” Read full review

Alter,
“I’m an ambidextrous mouse user and this mouse, although designed for a right hand, is also comfortable with the left. The smooth rubber sides on it are good and its very responsive. On the fly sensitivity adjustments are a great bonus, with no special software required to take advantage of it. I’m a gamer and am very picky about hardware… if there was a weakness with its performance I would have found it by now…” Read full review

C.R. Heady,
“I bought this mouse 8 years ago. The mouse has held up perfectly, and performs just as well now as it did the day I bought it. I came online a couple weeks ago and saw that the mouse I bought 8 years ago was still for sale, unchanged, and about 2/3 the price so I did the only logical thing I could think of: bought another. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!…” Read full review

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Logitech G510 Review by Daniel Lavery

My Overall Rating:

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The Logitech G510 is a follow on to the well-regarded G15 and G110 and it works equally well with a Mac or PC. “Equally well” is something of an understatement, here.

You can expect to chew up some desk or table real estate with this model, which measures 21″ wide x 9.9″ deep. On the upside, there’s a lot of functionality in this gaming keyboard and none of that space is wasted.

The 18 separate macro “G” keys have returned like its predecessor the G15 Rev 1! That’s good news knowing that Logitech only provided 6 programmable G-keys in the G15 Rev 2 leaving many die-hard G15 fans disappointed.

Watch this great review of the Logitech G510 gaming keyboard

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They’re arranged in three sets of six, two rows each and with each set well separated. That really helps you define and remember their functions.

Gamers can use the on-the-fly macro record button to set that purpose by creating functions that suit their individual gaming needs. In addition, with three mode select buttons that let you create three separate customized macros per button, that’s 54 customizations.

Each of the macro modes offers custom backlighting for all the keys. The lettering on top is transparent. That backlighting extends to the integrated LCD in the center. Set each mode’s light level according to your taste and you have a visual indicator of which set you’re using at any given time.

That LCD is controlled by the Logitech LCD Manager software that lets you tailor it in a dozen ways. You can have it display CPU and memory usage or show the time of day, for example. There is also software that lets you control the macro keys. Use it to select from 16 preset color schemes or design your own RGB scale, creating exactly the backlighting color you want.

Once loaded, the software scans your system to discover the games you have installed. It also displays a list from which you can select. It then loads a list of macros related to each game. Some selections are obsolete but the great majority are just great.

The G510 also provides a Volume adjustment (with MUTE button) on the upper right corner. Very handy for those times you’re interrupted by a phone call or a knock on the door. Other handy features include the Media Slider switch that lets you turn off certain buttons to avoid botching your play.

Oddly, there aren’t any USB ports, but with so many offered on desktops these days, that’s not likely to be a major problem for most gamers. On the positive side, it does include headphone and microphone jacks. The audio isn’t the equal of a great sound card like the Xonar Xense, but it’ll definitely be useful when you’re on the road or have to keep things quiet at home.

Being an avid user of the popular G15 rev 1 the Logitech 510 is the first G series keyboard which I consider to be better than the original G15. If you want performance, good looks and comfort combined in one single piece of hardware, the Logitech 510 gaming keyboard really should be on your short list.

Read what other users of the Logitech G510 have to say about it:

Ashley L.,
“The Logitech G510 is a very attractive gaming keyboard with a multitude of features. It looks great, I love the different color options for the back-lighting. It comes with software that lets you customize the keyboard to an impressive extent, and it helps you along with tutorials. When you aren’t using the keyboard for gaming, the LED panel can be used as a clock, RSS reader, etc. The keyboard is quick and responsive, and has plenty of programmable keys for macros. You can also hook your headphone directly to the keyboard. Theres a roller for controlling sound volume and button to mute as well…” Read full review

Erich M.,
“After more than a month of non-stop use, I absolutely love this keyboard. The game I am currently playing the most is Battlefield 2142, and it feels like the LCD screen was made for this game. It keeps track of EVERYTHING, including real time info like ping. Keys in general are a pleasure to press, while the keyboard is heavy and feels very sturdy. Everything about this keyboard screams quality. You can also pick ANY backlight color you want, but I keep mine on white. You can, for example, program one of the macro buttons to immediately buy all your weapons/armor in Counter Strike Source. So, instead of pressing B-4-3-B-1-5-B-6-2-B-6-3-B-6-3-B-6-4 at the round start you press only G1 (which you have programmed earlier) and everything is automatically purchased in under 1 second…” Read full review

Dmitry K.,
“Ahhh Logitech: You never seem to amaze me. While I’m not going to try to tell you that every product from them is a winner, but this one is certainly is. While you may be annoyed that it is not wireless, that could be a positive: You’ll never have to use batteries for this, so you take the good with the bad on this one. Be honest: How many times did you buy a Logitech product and simply tossed the installation CD out the window or as I like to do, use them as a drink coaster? Well, I urge you all not to do this! The keyboard software is very useful and will save you a lot of time. As you install the software, a flash-based tutorial pops up on the screen, which introduces you to features quickly and easily…” Read full review

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