The Logitech G502 is one of the gold standards for gaming mice, but it’s until now only been offered in wireless models. The new Lightspeed model doesn’t reinvent the wheel. For the most part, it just takes what consumers in the know have loved about the G502 for years and added in the most requested feature in the form of Bluetooth connectivity. If you’re already well versed in the intricacies of the G502, that’s probably all you need to know. If you’re new to the party, read on for the details.
Ergonomics
If you’re a dedicated G502 user wanting to know if this wireless model is what you’ve come to love – and we know there’s a lot of you out there – you’re in luck. Despite having had to replace almost all of the components to suit the wireless interface, the Lightspeed looks and feels almost exactly the same. Logitech’s meticulous approach to recreating what users love here is admirable.
The design of the G502 has always been one of its biggest selling points, and it continues to look and feel good. Despite already being loaded up with buttons, the Bluetooth pairing button is easily accessible along the side. The gentle curve and comfortable thumb rest just work, and that’s why the G502 has managed to remain a top seller despite relatively modest changes generation in and generation out.
Aesthetics
If you were to put this side by side with a traditional G502 and cover up the cord, you likely wouldn’t notice the difference. And for those discovering it for the first time, it’s easily one of the most comfortable ergonomic mice you’ll ever meet. Surprisingly enough, it’s somehow slightly lighter than the G502 users know and love. The angular design and bright G logo are iconic and evoke the traditional gaming aesthetics without being unnecessarily garish.
That lighting can be customized using Logitech’s Lightsync interface. Roughly 16.8 million colors are available and easily accessible, but the functionality here really comes into its own when you pair it with other Logitech products. Syncing together separate peripherals is easy, and Logitech supports some really sophisticated animations.
Performance
Despite being overloaded with a ton of different buttons, the Lightspeed never feels unwieldy. They’re smartly placed and not prone to user error. A button that adjusts the scroll wheel’s resistance is a godsend, particularly for gamers, and this wireless edition comes with a programmable button for checking the battery level. DPI sensitivity can be changed directly through a pair of buttons, and there’s even a sniper wheel for when you need a quick shift to a lower DPI setting in game. The compatible Logitech G Hub software is simple to use and offers the expected number of features for changing the RGB lighting, setting macros, and customizing DPI.
No matter where you have the DPI set, this is an incredibly responsive mouse. The Hero 16K sensor is one of the best in the business, particularly for gaming. It offers a tracking speed over 400 IPS and a DPI range that goes up to 16,000. In practical terms, this means you can set the level of sensitivity that works for you and expect precise results no matter the situation.
Charging
The Lightspeed sports a pretty stellar 60 hours battery life. A simple micro USB charging cable comes along with the mouse, and it works about as you’d expect it to. The cord is sturdy and braided but fairly typical. But if you’re willing to invest a little more, you could find yourself never needing to plug it directly into your computer. That’s because the biggest inclusion to the wireless transition is Powerplay charging functionality.
If you haven’t heard of it, Powerplay reduces the need to plug in your mouse whenever you go to bed. This wireless charging system uses a wireless receiver (included) and wireless mouse pad (available for about $100) that charge the Lightspeed as you play. They cycle between roughly 80 and 95% to keep the battery healthy and generally remove the need of worrying about your mouse’s battery entirely. It’s an expensive ask for an already expensive mouse, but it’s easily one of the better innovations in wireless mouse technology in years.
Design Changes
Despite Logitech sticking to their guns with the G502’s design, there are some modest changes made to the existing formula. For the most part, they improve on the formula or at least make sense given the unique demands of a wireless mouse.
The heavy metal scroll wheel has been replaced for a bespoke alternative, and the space taken up traditionally by interchangeable weights now includes the Powerplay module. While you can still adjust the weight here, it requires a bit more of a workaround or sacrificing Powerplay. The customized weights are a little clumsier, but that trade-off will be well worth it for most customers.
Final Thoughts
The Lightspeed is a G502 with wireless. For some users, that will be enough. For others, all you have to do is feel how it moves in your hand to understand what the talk is about. The Lightspeed comes at a bit of a premium, but it’s hands down one of the best gaming mice available. Given the G502’s long pedigree and the smart choices made in adapting it to wireless, that’s unlikely to change anytime soon.
| Brand | Logitech |
| Model | Wireless G502 |
Pros
- Resolution : 100 – 16,000 DPI
- Report Rate: 1 ms
- Battery Life: 48 hours, 60 hours (no lighting)
- 5.2 x 2.95 x 1.57 inches
- 114g, up to 130g with optional weights
Cons
