Other leading tech manufacturers may be staunch defenders of wired peripherals, but Logitech has always been a firm believer that wireless tech can deliver the same, or even a better, level of performance. However, the catch with wireless convenience is that it comes with a higher price tag that some enthusiasts can’t justify. To ease new consumers into their rich ecosystem of products, Logitech developed the Logitech G603 gaming mouse, which promises to deliver high quality wireless performance at an affordable price.
Retailing for $100 CAD, the Logitech G603 bears a striking resemblance to one of my favourite mice to date, the G403 Prodigy. The shell design is simple but aesthetically pleasing and easy to handle. My favourite addition to the design is the colour separated grey front panel, which breaks up the sea of black plastic rather well and also comes apart to reveal the battery compartment. While the resemblance to the previous generation of mice is uncanny, this basic form factor has been adjusted ever so slightly to provide the user with a better grip on the mouse. The thumb now sits more naturally on the two side buttons and the palm rests lower on the body for an easier range of motion.
Spec wise, the Logitech G603 offers the same level of performance as more expensive mice in their lineup in exchange for a few compromises to the overall experience. At the core of the G603 is the newly developed “Hero” sensor. When compared with their competitive level PMW3366 sensor, the Hero shares many of the same specs, including a 20-12,000 dpi range, 1ms response time and an optimized 2.4 GHz connection speed to deliver a consistent connection. The difference between these two sensors is that the Hero has two power management modes to make up for the G603’s lack of a rechargeable battery. When the AA batteries start to run dry, the user can flick the mouse into its low setting to extend their life for a bit longer in exchange for a longer response time. Ideally, the user would only use this mode when they aren’t gaming.
This is where the compromises start to become highlighted. Most Logitech mice on the market bundle in weighted coins and rechargeable tech that the user can use with other Logitech accessories, like their recently released PowerPlay mat, to customize their experience. Instead, these core features have been replaced with AA batteries, which Logitech says can still act as weights in a pinch because the user can operate the mouse with just one battery. Thankfully this example of cost cutting doesn’t hamper the experience all too much and the competitive performance remains intact. It’s expected that the mouse can last upwards of 500 hours with two batteries.
In my game tests of DOOM, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, and Gears of War 4, the Logitech G603 performed admirably. Compared to my experience with the G403 Prodigy and the SteelSeries Rival 700, the G603 hit all of the positives I expect from a high-level gaming mouse. Inputs read properly, the sensor remained accurate, and the mouse felt comfortable to hold for hours. The only negative I noticed was the weight. Since I’m used to wired mice, switching to a mouse with two cylindrical batteries at the base threw off my balance a bit and took some time to get used to, but it never affected the glide of swaying side-to-side in FPS titles.
The Logitech G603 is a great gateway product to introduce new consumers into the Logitech ecosystem of wireless products. While it’s a shame that the G603 couldn’t include every feature in the Logitech playbook, I’m surprised at how effective the Hero sensor was at delivering the same level of performance as the company’s best. If users are seeking the complete Logitech experience in a similar form factor, then the Logitech G703 is the perfect solution to their needs. While I may be hooked on the reliability of wired peripherals right now, Logitech is slowly swaying me over to a cordless future if they continue to put out great products like this.
A retail version of this device reviewed was provided by the manufacturer. You can find additional information about CGMagazine’s ethics and review policies and procedures here.
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