Installation:

Basic installation is easy - you just plug the mouse into your PC, and it's auto-detected like any other USB device. You don't need to install SetPoint, but if you want to get all the functionality out of the G3 Laser Mouse, then you have to. This is especially important, since for some reason, if you want to get 2000 DPI sensitivity you need to have SetPoint installed. The download of SetPoint 3.01, the latest version, is over 46 MB, which shouldn't be a problem on most Internet connections nowadays, but it's still kind of large for mouse software. Logitech should have considered including a driver CD, but I'm guessing they thought that the kinds of people who'd buy this mouse are also the kinds who have high-speed connections.

After installing, you'll have to reboot. Once that's done, the mouse will be auto-detected by SetPoint, and the default options will be setup. The button options are pretty typical for a Logitech mouse; you can pretty much set each button to do a variety of things, but keeping them set as "Generic" buttons will allow them to be used in games as well as on the desktop. The default configuration works well, so I didn't bother to change it.

Button setup.

Movement options.

Movement options were pretty much standard as well - nothing fancy here. The game settings page allows you to configure how the mouse works in games, that is, whether custom mouse button settings should be kept when a game launches. Sometimes you won't want this, and instead will want the buttons to be generic buttons in games - SetPoint provides this functionality.

Game settings.

Sensitivity options.

The sensitivity options allow you to set up to five levels between 400 and 2000 DPI, in increments of 50 DPI. Horizontal and vertical sensitivity can be set independently if for some reason you find one axis needs more sensitivity. You can also configure what games should have these settings. SetPoint, as always, is a good mouse control software package, provides good functionality, and is recommended if you want to customize your mouse.

Testing:

   I tested the G3 a lot in gaming (mostly CS: Source, Guild Wars and Oblivion), and also logged a lot of usage time with it on the desktop, doing regular tasks like web-browsing, image editing and just general desktop usage. Overall, I'm very impressed with its performance and feel, and only have a few reservations. First, I'll start with the good.

The mouse is very responsive, accurate and precise. Even without using SetPoint (and having the G3 limited to 1600 DPI), it was plenty accurate; being able to toggle between 1600 and 800 DPI was quite useful, but the addition SetPoint, which allowed for 2000 DPI sensitivity made it all the more better. Why SetPoint was needed for 2000 DPI is beyond me.

The mouse was also very comfortable to use. The textured side grips (called DryGrip by Logitech) provided a unique and nice feel that made holding on to the mouse not feel slippery at all. It actually did work to help alleviate the problems of sweat during long gaming sessions. The shape is also very nice for an ambidextrous mouse, and I think righties and lefties should be satisfied.

All the buttons also provided nice, sharp tactile feedback - this includes the wheel button and the two extra side buttons. The wheel button also worked well, and wasn't too stiff, unlike some other mice. The wheel also provided a nice ratcheting feedback, and all of the buttons were within easy reach - no contortion needed to reach any of them.

My main complaint would have to be with how sensitivity is changed on the G3. If you only have two sensitivity settings for the G3, the single button isn't a problem, as you'll just be toggling between the two, and chances are, the settings are far enough apart that you won't have trouble telling what the sensitivity is currently set to, just by usage. However, if you have three or more settings, switching becomes tricky and keeping track of what the G3 is currently set to becomes hard because of the lack of an indicator on the G3. Switching between three settings is hard with only one button, as the order goes like this: low->medium->high->medium->low, as mentioned before. There isn't really a good way to switch between three using only one button, though.

My other complaint would be with the side buttons. The button on your thumb-side is easy enough to use, but the other one is a little tricky and takes time to get used to; you might also find yourself accidentally pressing it when holding the mouse. Also, there's a lack of a tilt-wheel for side-to-side scrolling on the G3, which puts it at a disadvantage with other high-end mice, almost all of which feature a tilt wheel.

Conclusion:

   I was very impressed by the G3, and it makes a great ambidextrous addition to Logitech's gaming mouse lineup. While it doesn't offer the functionality of its bigger brothers, the G5/G7, it features a more traditional shape that works well in either type of hand. It also remains quite comfortable to use, with the DryGrip sides providing a good hold and feel.

   It's also extremely accurate and precise, and the sensitivity switching makes it ideal for gaming or even desktop tasks like image editing. If you're still using a 400 (or even an 800) DPI mouse, moving to the G3 will feel like a huge step up. I'd definitely recommend the G3 Laser Mouse. Many thanks to Logitech for making this review possible.

Pros:

• Precise and accurate tracking

• Sensitivity adjustments

• Comfortable to use

• Two extra side buttons

• Right or left handed usage

• Light weight, low friction

• Ideal for gamers

Cons:

• Sensitivity switching tricky with only one button

• SetPoint installation needed for 2000 DPI

• No tilt wheel

• Side button opposite thumb can be tricky to use