World-renowned gaming hardware manufacturer, Logitech has released the latest addition to their gaming mouse arsenal: the Logitech G502 HERO Mouse (RRP $129.95).
The G502 HERO is a modest improvement over its predecessor, the fan-favourite G502 Proteus Spectrum RGB Tunable Gaming Mouse.
The HERO iteration includes Logitech’s new flagship sensor, the HERO 16K sensor, which Logitech claims is the highest performance and most accurate sensor available on the market today.
DESIGN:
The G502 HERO is almost identical to its predecessor, retaining the eleven programmable buttons, oval shape, rubber grips, and five adjustable 3.6g weights.
The weights are the same as the HERO’s predecessor, and the mouse weighs about 121g when weight-free and 139g when fully loaded.
The beauty of the removable weights is that you can tailor the mouse to your own weighted preference. Even keeping the weight on one side over the other.
However, the difference is negligible to the average user.
While eleven buttons might seem excessive, the buttons are intuitively placed and designed in such a way that users wouldn’t accidentally press any.
The buttons can also be reprogrammed for select commands and macros via the Logitech Gaming Software (LGS), which is easy to download and navigate.
The button that’s the most fun for fidgeters is hands down the button that unlocks the scrolling wheel, so you can spin that to your heart’s content.
The mechanical switches were made in collaboration with OMRON and deliver 50 million clicks, a nice improvement over the predecessor.
The Logitech ‘G’ logo on the body of the mouse has been switched out for a new sleeker version with dynamic RGB lighting.
Lighting can be customised using 16.8 million colours via Logitech G’s LIGHTSYNC RGB technology, up to five profiles can be stored via the Logitech Gaming Software, so you can take your customised settings with you.
The upgraded textured rubber side button grips are comfortable and the mouse appears to be slightly slimmer and longer than the G502 Proteus for a more ergonomic fit.
Although many fans of the G502 Proteus Spectrum were hoping for a wireless version for their next release, the G502 HERO’s updated cable is thinner and features a tighter knit that which will likely make it last longer.
PERFORMANCE:
The big draw for the G502 HERO is the HERO (High-Efficiency Rated Optical) 16K sensor built for speed, accuracy, and responsiveness.
There is much ado made about this sensor, which developers touting it makes gaming “even more awesome” with Logitech claiming it is the best and most efficient gaming sensor they have ever made.
It is capable of exceeding 400 IPS and delivering 16,000 DPI tracking with pixel-precise accuracy. It delivers ultra-precise tracking with no acceleration, smoothing or filtering over the entire DPI range.
This sensor is amazing for aiming-accuracy in FPS games, where accuracy is paramount, however, if users are more into strategy games, this sensitive sensor might drive you a bit mad.
The mouse is arguably too responsive, I barely needed to shift my hand while playing Age of Empires II and suddenly I was on the other side of the map. It got to a point where I just couldn’t take it anymore and took out my regular bog-standard Logitech wireless mouse.
However, it must be said that this is something that one could get used to if one was using this mouse exclusively. It works well as a standard mouse, although with the classic gaming hardware aesthetic it’s market would purely be gamers.
VALUE:
Currently, you can purchase the G502 Hero and the G502 Proteus for the same price ($99) at JB Hi-Fi and I would assume that this is because the HERO isn’t a massive improvement on its predecessor.
Although the HERO 16K sensor is incredibly accurate, the mouse doesn’t make massive leaps to set it apart from the Proteus and thus doesn’t warrant a big price hike.
As it’s from Logitech, you know you will be getting a premium gaming product that any PC gamer would love to have — unless they are jonesing for a particular brand.
Overall, there’s no doubt it’s a fantastic gaming mouse for the PC gamer.
However, if you are already a proud user of Logitech’s G502 mouse, there isn’t enough of an upgrade to justify the cost, unless you want to experience the HERO 16K sensor, and want to have the best of everything when it comes to gaming.
