MX518 -- My opinion

[deveraux]

My brand new and dented MX518 came in the mail today and after about an hour of gaming, I thought that I would share my experiences with the rest of the folks here at AT. In order to prevent any driver issues or driver related sensitivity, I used both mices without any logitech drivers.

My old mouse is the MX1000 which does have the set down delay but doesn't bother me since I have a massive mouse pad. Anyway, in order to compare these two mices, I fired up UT2k4 and left the sensitivity setting exactly the same. I set the sensitivity setting based on the MX1000 for a balance between speed and accuracy which for me was 2.50.

I found almost no noticeable difference between the two mouses when the MX518 was set to 800dpi. So if you guys are willing to take my word for it, then there is no difference between a wired and wireless mouse. At 1600dpi, the MX518 was very responsive but not to the point of being uncontrollable. In fact, it's responsiveness was exactly what I wanted while maneuvering around the map.

Whenever I used weapons that required tracking an opponent for an extended period of time (i.e. minigun), I used 800dpi which was perfect for that task. Sniping using 400dpi took a little getting used to. It's amazing at tracking an opponent especially with the zoom on but I'm just not used to it.

Also, while using this mouse, I found that switching the sensitivity down is much easier than up. Could be my hands being small (MX1000 fits my hand perfectly) but I find that reaching for the sensitivity up button rather difficult to reach, especially in the middle of a firefight.

Lastly, relative to the MX1000, the MX1000 is much more comfortable. Although this mouse is shaped like the MX510 (which I also find not too comfortable), I still very much prefer the MX1000 for normal everyday browsing. To be honest, I don't really see much use for the sensitivity setting other than in FPS games and maybe certain apps like Photoshop.

Is it worth it to upgrade from an MX1000 to an MX518? I would say no since in my opinion most hardcore FPS gamers don't even use wireless mouse for gaming. And I don't think the sensitivity feature justifies buying a new mouse unless you already have a crappy mouse and are looking to buy a new one. So for owners of the MX510, I don't think the upgrade to an MX518 is really worth it, unless you have money to splash...

Any constructive criticism is welcome since this is my first time writing a sort of review for an item.

 

[imported_rod]

Nice review.

Just one question. If you had to choose between the MX1000, MX510 and MX518, which would you choose?

RoD

 

[deveraux]

Since I don't play FPSes as much as I do other games, therefore, I would have to say that I prefer the MX1000. I would definitely not choose the MX510 since in my opinion, the MX1000 has everything the MX510 has plus the comfort. Holding it just seems so natural. Only downside for the MX1000 is that you need to charge it every so often and that its slightly heavier (but that doesn't bother me but I have read some people complaining about the weight of mices). Even as I have my MX518, I am still using my MX1000 for everyday use. I only crack out the MX518 when I'm gaming since I don't have to worry about draining the batteries on my MX1000 and I like the sensitivity feature.

I was initially planning to sell my MX1000 after receiving the MX518. But now that I have used both, I think I will hold on to my MX1000 since I like it more. Hope this answers your question.

 

[Insomniak]

I still say if you have an MX500 or up as of now, these new mice aren't worth the extra dollars.

 

[imported_rod]

I just have a Microsoft (wired) optical mouse. Im just try to decided what to get. The MX518 isn't out in Australia yet, and according to Logitech, it's RRP will be AU$99.95. But i can get the MX510 for AU$59.95, or the MX1000 for AU$118. I think I'll go the MX510. The MX518 isn't twice as good, is it?

RoD

 

[deveraux]

Originally posted by: rod
I just have a Microsoft (wired) optical mouse. Im just try to decided what to get. The MX518 isn't out in Australia yet, and according to Logitech, it's RRP will be AU$99.95. But i can get the MX510 for AU$59.95, or the MX1000 for AU$118. I think I'll go the MX510. The MX518 isn't twice as good, is it?

RoD

Nope. If the price difference is that great, it's probably not worth it. I'd go with the MX510 or better yet, go to your local computer retailer and get a feel for the mice. They are displayed on moulded plastic to fit the exact shape of the mouse so you can have a feel and see which you prefer more and hence help you make a better judgement.


Insomniak, I agree that if you already hv an MX500 or up that it's not worth an upgrade. I also pointed that fact out in my original post saying that its not worth an upgrade unless you are already planning to.

 

[imported_rod]

I've tried out the MX1000 and the MX510, and they both feel fine to me. Since they both seem about equally as good, I think I'll get the MX510, simply because it costs half as much as the MX1000.

Thanks for the review deveraux.

RoD

 

[imported_rod]

I just bought the MX510. IS is SOOO nice. That was well worth the AU$60 it cost me. Now, time to go frag some combine scum!

RoD

 

[puppetmasta]

Originally posted by: rod
I just bought the MX510. IS is SOOO nice. That was well worth the AU$60 it cost me. Now, time to go frag some combine scum!

RoD

I totally agree with you, the MX510 is where its at!

 

[Chad]

i completely agree with you about the mx1000 being MUCH more comfy to hold. and i don't even own one. i own a mx510. my opinion comes from sampling the mx1000 at a brick and mortar store. i cant wait to buy one though.

 

[edmundoab]

so as a gamer, is it worth upgrading from a MX510 to MX518 ?
i know its got 1600 dpi as compared to 800 dpi

 

[deveraux]

Originally posted by: edmundoab
so as a gamer, is it worth upgrading from a MX510 to MX518 ?
i know its got 1600 dpi as compared to 800 dpi

If you are a hardcore gamer that must have the absolute best for your fragging needs, then yes, I believe the MX518 is a worthy mouse to add to your arsenal. However, as I said before, the main feature of this mouse, IMHO, is the adjustable dpi and NOT the 1600dpi. The 1600dpi is great but I feel the main feature for FPS gaming is the ability to change the dpi depending on your needs mid-game.

Therefore, ask yourself this: Are you a hardcore gamer willing to spend money to get the every edge over your opponent? If you are, then the upgrade from an MX510 to MX518 is worth it. If not, just stick with your MX510 since that is a perfectly good mouse. Also, note that I don't think that it will help much beyond FPS games. If you mainly play other genre of games, then this mouse may not be worth the upgrade.

My $0.02.

 

[imported_rod]

Originally posted by: edmundoab
so as a gamer, is it worth upgrading from a MX510 to MX518 ?
i know its got 1600 dpi as compared to 800 dpi

Unless you're a brain surgeon, your hands probably aren't steady enough for you to notice the difference between 800dpi and 1600dpi. If you want the adjustable dpi, then I guess the MX518 may be worth it, depending on how much you would use it. Personally, I like the cruise control buttons.

RoD

 

[Arcanedeath]

As has been stated if you have an MX500 or better it's not really a worthy upgrade unless you are a heavy FPS gamer w/ some money burning a hole in your pocket (I've got an MX510 that I like alot, I moved from an MX500 (my laptop needed a mouse )

 

[imported_thomase]

Ok, there is something that has been bothering me about mouse resolution and the MX518 DPI switching feature.

The way I understand how a mouse works is as follows:

The mouse sends x.y coordinate updates to the computer. The DPI of the mouse is literally, the number of x units moved when the mouse moves left/right and the number of y units the moved when the mouse is up and down. The application (an FPS game for example) then has its own sensitivity setting which translates each unit of x or y movement into some degree of on screen movement.

In this case, you should ALWAYS want the hightest DPI possible. You can always adjust your sensitivity setting so that the overall responsiveness (ie. mouse cursor movement, or first-person-view movement per inch of wrist movement) is the same. For example, double the DPI with half the sensitity gets the you same ratio of mouse to screen movement. The key difference is that with a higher DPI, the total number of discrete positions when moving your mouse across a given path is increased. This translates to increased precision which would for example make it eaiser to snipe. For example, if the enemy is far away and you are trying to get a headshot, if the DPI is too low, you move the mouse the abosulte minimum distance in order to get some onscreen view movement, and your crosshair moves from one side of the head to the other side; you can't zero in on the center without increased precision.

So, the bottom line is that if you are playing an FPS, it would be better for example to bind keys (or mouse buttons) to commands which increase and/or decrease your sensitivity rather than increase or decrease your DPI. I understand that changing the DPI is a more universal solution that should work with everything (regardless of the ability to change sensitivy), but any modern game I have played has allowed you to adjust sensitivity.

 

[YBS1]

Originally posted by: thomase
Ok, there is something that has been bothering me about mouse resolution and the MX518 DPI switching feature.

The way I understand how a mouse works is as follows:

The mouse sends x.y coordinate updates to the computer. The DPI of the mouse is literally, the number of x units moved when the mouse moves left/right and the number of y units the moved when the mouse is up and down. The application (an FPS game for example) then has its own sensitivity setting which translates each unit of x or y movement into some degree of on screen movement.

In this case, you should ALWAYS want the hightest DPI possible. You can always adjust your sensitivity setting so that the overall responsiveness (ie. mouse cursor movement, or first-person-view movement per inch of wrist movement) is the same. For example, double the DPI with half the sensitity gets the you same ratio of mouse to screen movement. The key difference is that with a higher DPI, the total number of discrete positions when moving your mouse across a given path is increased. This translates to increased precision which would for example make it eaiser to snipe. For example, if the enemy is far away and you are trying to get a headshot, if the DPI is too low, you move the mouse the abosulte minimum distance in order to get some onscreen view movement, and your crosshair moves from one side of the head to the other side; you can't zero in on the center without increased precision.

So, the bottom line is that if you are playing an FPS, it would be better for example to bind keys (or mouse buttons) to commands which increase and/or decrease your sensitivity rather than increase or decrease your DPI. I understand that changing the DPI is a more universal solution that should work with everything (regardless of the ability to change sensitivy), but any modern game I have played has allowed you to adjust sensitivity.

Nice post thomase, which is why in a previous thread I said Logitech's method wasn't a true "on the fly" sensitivity solution. DPI is distinct x/y coordinates the mouse hardware can read externally and then are passed on to the software, but most people want to relate DPI directly to cursor speed. Cursor speed is just a byproduct of dpi in that with everything software wise set to dead defaults (1:1 ratio) a higher DPI will result in faster cursor movement on screen. In other words with both an 800 and 1600dpi mouse set up to move the cursor the same distance in a given movement the 1600dpi mouse will "see" twice as many points during that motion, which will/can result in visually smoother panning around in a FPS depending of course on other variables such as screen resolution, framerate, etc.

 

[imported_thomase]

On the other hand, there isn't a way to adjust sensitivity (as we have defined it) without driver or application support. Changing DPI on-the-fly should only be used as a "workound" if your application (Windows XP GUI, FPS game, etc.) doesn't allow for easy on-the-fly sensitivity adjustment.

 

[imported_thomase]

This reminds me of how annoyed I get when I read reviews of high DPI gaming mice.

People say things like, "Its so sensitive that it's hard to get used to." Or, "You need the hands of surgeon to control a mouse with such a high DPI." LOWER THE SENSITIVITY!