Logitech Launches G502 Lightspeed Mouse: The Classic Mouse Goes Wireless
by Anton Shilov on May 8, 2019 1:00 PM EST- Posted in
- Peripherals
- Logitech
- Mouse
- Logitech G
- Lightspeed
Logitech this week is introducing an upgraded, wireless version of its popular G502 mouse. Dubbed the Logitech G502 Lightspeed, the new wireless gaming mouse uses the company’s latest Hero 16K sensor, while its internal architecture has been significantly redesigned from the original G502 to accommodate its wireless features.
New On The Inside...
Similar to the company’s other modern high-end gaming mice, the Logitech G502 Lightspeed is based on the company’s HERO sensor, which is tuned to provide tracking resolutions up to 16,000 DPI. That sensor is paired with a 32-bit ARM Cortex-M-based SoC, which offers a 1ms USB polling rate. The new sensor and the SoC support automatic surface tuning, so the mouse can show all that it can on most surfaces, Logitech says. Essentially, the tracking performance and responsiveness of the Logitech G502 Lightspeed is designed to be similar to that of other gaming mice from the company.
The biggest addition, of course, is the inclusion of wireless functionality. The G502 Lightspeed uses the company’s proprietary (and aptly named) Lightspeed wireless interconnection technology, which is designed specifically to minimize input lag. According to Logitech, the company achieves this by optimizing the internal architecture of its devices, increasing the polling rate of the wireless receiver to 1 ms, increasing the signal strength, applying a proprietary frequency hopping mechanism which uses the strongest interference-free channel, and optimizing the software stack as well.
Wireless support isn't just on the communications side, either: the other key wireless addition to the G502 Lightspeed is optional support for wireless charging, via Logitech's PowerPlay wireless magnetic charging technology. Sold separately from the G502 Lightspeed itself, Logitech's PowerPlay system relies on a combination of a power reception module that goes into the mouse itself, and a special power mat that, unfortunately, is only compatible with Logitech’s devices. Overall, the company says that the battery used inside the G502 can sustain 800 cycles without degradation. In fact, to ensure longevity of the battery, PowerPlay keeps the battery between 85% and 95%, charging the battery back up to 95% once it reaches the lower threshold.
...But Still G502 On The Outside
Intended to retain the design of the wired G502 mouse from which it's derived, the G502 Lightspeed is similar to the original mouse from 2014, it features 11 programmable buttons that can be configured to perform an individual action or assign macros. Furthermore, the unit has an adjustable weight system (114 + 16 grams), textured rubber side, and other ergonomics features that one comes to expect from a gaming mouse.
While the G502 Lightspeed mouse looks like its legendary predecessor, Logitech had to put a lot of efforts to sustain the design/ergonomics while changing everything internally. One of the things that engineers from Logitech had to invent an internal endoskeleton and use a special external thin-wall design to free up space for all the extra hardware (primarily, a battery) used by the new G502.
Logitech also put a lot of effort into ensuing that the feel of the Logitech G502 Lightspeed is as close to that of the original G502 as possible. As a result, gamers familiar with the 2014 mouse will have no problems migrating to the new one.
Pricing and Availability
The Logitech G502 Lightspeed will be available this month directly from the company, as well as its retail partners. In the U.S., the product will carry an MSRP of $149.99.
Related Reading:
- Logitech Re-Launches ‘Legendary’ MX518 Mouse with 16,000 DPI Sensor
- Logitech Launches G Pro Wireless Gaming Mouse with 16,000 DPI Sensor
- Logitech Unveils G305 Mouse with Lightspeed Wireless, ‘Hero’ 12,000 DPI Sensor
- Logitech Boosts Precision of G203 Prodigy Mouse to 8000 DPI via Firmware Update
- Logitech Launches G603 ‘Lightspeed’: 12,000 DPI Hero Sensor, 1 ms Polling, 500 Hrs Battery
Source: Logitech
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PeachNCream - Wednesday, May 8, 2019 - link
I've always been curious about whether or not a $150 mouse is fundamentally better than a $15 model. It would be nice if that was quantified via some form of testing, but I'm not sure how you'd even do that. I can say that the Razer DeathAdder Chroma game me basically the same experience I had with a Logitech wireless M315 except that my computer regularly failed to fully boot the OS with Razer's software installed.baka_toroi - Wednesday, May 8, 2019 - link
Mind you, it's not only about sensor refresh rate. I love the G502 even if I barely game nowadays since it's scroll wheel is just the best one I've ever used. In case you're unaware, it has two modes: a clicky traditional mode and a non-clicky mode that I use to rapidly scroll when the scroll bar is not good enough or unavailable. The change between these modes is mechanical.Also, you can configure the weight on it but I barely care about that. Nice to have anyway.
inighthawki - Wednesday, May 8, 2019 - link
Poll rate is extremely important when playing at higher framerates. If you do 144hz with 125hz poll rate which is common on cheapo $15 mice it will actually be noticeably choppy.DPI is basically Irrelevant, though. 16K DPI is nothing mroe than a marketing gimmick. Many pro players continue to use 400 and 800DPI settings without any issues. Anything beyond 1600DPI is probably imperceptible.
Cheap mice also commonly apply post-processing/filtering to the input. If you play at very low sensitivities in shooter games thats a huge no-no. It definitely does have an impact.
So more accurately, I would say a cheap $15 mouse vs a $40-$50 gaming mouse is a pretty big leap. But going from a $40 mouse to a $150 mouse? You're just paying for the wireless tech.
Diji1 - Tuesday, May 14, 2019 - link
>You're just paying for the wireless tech.The wireless tech removes the cord. The cord causes changes in resistance.
Barilla - Wednesday, May 8, 2019 - link
To me, a good mouse is essential to using a PC. It's the second most important component after having an SSD as a boot/programs/games drive. I still regard my purchase of the Logitech Mx1000 back in... 2008? as the best PC related purchase I've ever made. If I had to go back to a basic 15$ mouse today… I just can't imagine this scenario. I'd rather go back to a dual core processor writh no hyperthreading than give up my peripherals.paulemannsen - Friday, May 10, 2019 - link
Check out the mouse section on overclock.net if you want to dive into the world of angle snapping and polling rate. But first treat yourself and turn off enhanced pointer precision.Old_Fogie_Late_Bloomer - Wednesday, May 8, 2019 - link
Unless the battery needs to be charged every day or so, it should outlast the actual button switches. I bought the G602 about two years ago, because I wanted the battery to be replaceable, but had to exchange it under warranty after less than a year's time when the middle click went bad.In fairness, the replacement hasn't developed any issues (I'm using the middle click a lot less, though). And the G500 it replaced lasted about half a decade before the left click went.
I do wish Logitech (or someone reputable) would make a decent wireless G502/G602-ish mouse that was ambidextrous or left-handed, though. Yeah, I know there's not a lot of market for it, but the M325 I'm using on the left side of my keyboard is pretty awful by comparison.
fmcjw - Wednesday, May 8, 2019 - link
Brilliant charging strategy. I think it was Lenovo who pioneered the ability to set maximum charging levels to 60% or 80% of full capacity on their laptops, later copied by Asus and maybe others. Samsung (and maybe others) cap their charge levels to 70% in retail demo modes on their recent phones. I suspect Apple secretly prevents their iPads and Macbooks to charge to 100%, too. Either that or they just have good, freshly made Li-ion cells which degrade little even beyond 3 years.wr3zzz - Wednesday, May 8, 2019 - link
I am concerned with non-replaceable battery as well but I think it depends on how power efficient the mice is.My favorite Microsoft Laser8000 finally broke apart last year literally after nearly 10 years of frequent usage. It used replaceable batteries and I have gone through 3-4 replacement sets of 500 cycle batteries.
However, I have noticed that my new Logitech and Razer (will never buy any Razer again for their practice of requiring personal info for driver installation) seem to be about 2-3x more power efficient than the 10 year old Laser8000. In that case a 800 cycle built-in battery might be good enough.
Diji1 - Tuesday, May 14, 2019 - link
>I am concerned with non-replaceable battery as wellIt's a non-issue IME using a G900 for years.