Being the first mouse to tout a staggering 12,000 DPI is of particular interest to us because it should be ideal for 4K gaming, though the G502’s advanced sensor is complemented by a host of other features that also make for the ultimate gaming companion.
The device is super flexible, working flawlessly on timber, laminate and steel as well as standard mouse pad materials, not to mention its five chevron-shaped 3.6g weights, its eleven programmable buttons, in-game DPI shifting and dual mouse wheel modes.
Design & Features
The G502 Proteus Core is said to be designed from advanced surface materials. The mouse features heat-mapped zone definition and advanced coatings for improved comfort, control and durability, according to Logitech.
From our perspective, the mouse looks very impressive and it is extremely comfortable to hold. Where your thumb would naturally sit there is a small resting spot wrapped in a rubberized material that is comfortable and offers plenty of grip.
The opposite side where the little finger would rest is also coated in the same rubberized material and helped when moving the mouse in a horizontal motion. The right and left clickers seem to be constructed from plastic and have a sleek feel without being glossed. There are quite a few glossy surfaces and they seem to provide pathways for air movement under your hand besides being aesthetically pleasing, and while appearances probably have a lot to do with their inclusion, we believe Logitech was trying to reduce sweaty palm syndrome here.
The G502 measures 132mm long, 75mm wide and 40mm tall, which is similar to my Logitech Performance MX. It also weighs about the same at 145g, which is surprising given the Performance MX is only 147g and includes a lithium-ion battery as it is wireless. The G502 can tip the scales at 163g with all the weights installed (168g if you include the USB cable).
Logitech knows that everyone has their own gaming style and so the G502 is fully customizable. Its surface tuning calibration is an interesting feature that Logitech calls ‘Delta Zero’ technology, which lets gamers tune the mouse’s sensor to work efficiently on any surface. Whether you prefer your mouse pads hard or soft, light or dark, you can expect the best possible tracking response.
The G502 has interchangeable weights. Though this is not a new or exclusive feature, the overall weight as well as the center of balance of the mouse can be customized based on the placement and number of weights installed. Included are five 3.6g weights for personalized mass and balance. Those who want custom buttons for certain games will enjoy the fact that the G502 offers almost a dozen programmable controls thanks to a 32-bit ARM processor controlling the Proteus Core’s onboard memory.
There are eleven programmable controls, and while the mouse works well in its default configuration, there are certain situations where gamers will want to change things. Logitech allows gamers to set up one-button triggers, put push-to-talk in easier reach, temporarily down-shift DPI for sniping and reassign any command or macro.
A nifty feature is the improved dual-mode hyper-fast scroll wheel. This is an updated version of Logitech’s exclusive dual-mode scroll wheel that gives gamers an enhanced click-to-click precision when scrolling as well as blazing scrolling speeds for surfing the Internet with the looser secondary mode. Fans of first person shooters will appreciate on-the-fly DPI shifting when changing from fast-paced close quarters action to slower more precise sniping. This feature allows gamers to make the right move with up to five DPI settings that range anywhere from the pixel-precise 200 DPI to a lightning-fast 12,000 DPI, with three buttons in easy reach of your thumb. Obviously, that 12,000 DPI sensor is the main event of the G502, allowing the mouse to track movement at 300 inches per second with up to 40G of acceleration. Finally, the G502 is backed by a three-year limited hardware warranty as well as a refined software package that we’ll explore on the next page.
