Product Price
$75

Product Specs
Technical Specifications:

•Tracking Resolution: 2000 dpi
•Image Processing: 6.4 megapixels/second
•Max. Acceleration: 20g
•Max. Speed: 45—65 inches/second
•USB Data Format: 16 bits/axis
•USB Report Rate: 500 reports/second

Package Contents:

•Logitech G7 Laser Cordless Mouse
•2 Li-Ion Battery Packs
•USB Charging Station
•USB Receiver Dongle
•CD with SetPoint software
•Installation Guide
•Three-year warranty

First Impressions
In an environment where you need to pinpoint just the exact pixel of an audio track or slide during precision video editing you have to have the right pointing tool to satisfy your needs otherwise the task will quickly turn into an aggravating nightmare.

The new Logitech G7 mouse is definitely one of the best mice I've ever tried. I'm always skeptical about using a wireless mouse in a studio environment. Hate to bother with batteries and possible interferences. That's why I was (until now) using a wired Razor Copperhead laser mouse. The Logitech G7 redefines everything I knew about convenience of use of any wireless mouse.

In Use
The G7 has a 2000 Dpi Laser sensor, which offers unmatched precision of manipulation. (Conventional Optical mouse ranges from 400 to 800 Dpi.) The G7 will let you adjust the sensitivity on the fly by pressing the + and – buttons on the mouse, just below the scroll wheel. A set of three LEDs keeps you informed as to which of the five settings you're currently using. Or you can install the SetPoint software that allows you to adjust the sensitivity of the mouse in Windows where you can store five different settings. The resolution can be set in even steps of 50dpi between 400 and 2000dpi. As soon as you move the mouse the current setting will be displayed by the orange LEDs on the top of the mouse. The 2.4 Ghz receiver is not bigger than your regular USB thumb drive and in the whole time I was using the mouse I did not notice any interference in 2.4 Ghz range like with other wireless mice I've tried before.

The most annoying about wireless peripherals is the need of batteries. Logitech has solved this problem by supplying the G7 with two removable (600 MAh) Li-Ion battery packs. These are flat squares that slot into the bottom of the mouse. To remove the battery you press the eject button and it just pops right out. The charger plugs into your USB port, much like a normal cordless mouse receiver and has a slot for one battery. Again, this has an eject button that releases the battery. The top of the charging station has a USB port to which you can fit the receiver to save one USB slot. The bottom of the charger has a switch for fast or slow charging and the bottom of the mouse also features an on/off button, so you're not wasting battery power when the mouse is not in use. To tell how much juice is left, just stop moving the mouse and the orange DPI indicator will fade to a green battery indicator.

G7 sports large gliders that are made from polytetrafluoroethylene and with the right surface provide for excellent glide. The ergonomics of the G7 are pretty good and it is comfortable to hold for long periods of time.

PROS
•Well designed sturdy product
•Ingenious charging system
•No need of OS drivers
•Good price
•LED indicators of battery life and dpi settings

CONS
Battery life is about 10 hours of work in 2000 dpi mode, about 3 days of normal use. Not too bad though, comparing to AA.

Conclusion
I also own the Razor Copperhead mouse which is an excellent pointing tool with laser 2000 dpi sensor and 1000 report signals per second rate over the USB port. One of the most praised mice in the world, which is also more suitable for narrow palm with longer fingers. But I have to say, considering superior precision they are both very similar, but with features the G7 beats any other mouse on the market to a bloody pulp.

Ladia Svajcik Senior Systems Engineer MCSE, MCSA, MCP, CompTIA Security+ www.audeum.com