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Hardware Technology

Logitech is Relaunching the MX518 Gaming Mouse (venturebeat.com) 133

Posted by msmash from the how-about-that dept.
From a report: Logitech has announced it is bringing back the "legendary" (the company's word, not mine) MX518 gaming mouse. The announcement says "many consider [it] to be the finest gaming mouse of all time." I am definitely one of those people. Logitech first released the MX518 in 2005, as the successor to the already-pretty-good MX510 gaming mouse released in 2004. The MX518 was around for six years before Logitech tried to replace it with the G400 gaming mouse in 2011. I say "tried" because, well, it just wasn't the same. Logitech has finally admitted as much, after eight years of trying. The company is promising that the reborn MX518 will have the same shape and feel as the original. The materials have been updated, and there's a new "Nightfall" finish but, crucially, it's still an MX518.
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Logitech is Relaunching the MX518 Gaming Mouse More

Logitech is Relaunching the MX518 Gaming Mouse

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  • yeah, right (Score:5, Informative)

    by negrace ( 984807 ) on Wednesday February 20, 2019 @10:48AM (#58151688)
    Is the cable still designed to break after 1 year of use? I have like 3 of them in my drawer, with loose cables that randomly stop working once in a while.

    • Re:yeah, right (Score:5, Insightful)

      by jellomizer ( 103300 ) on Wednesday February 20, 2019 @10:53AM (#58151714)

      Pro Tip, keep the Cat(s) out of the gaming room. Cables last longer without Cats. Also for Mice cables, make sure they have enough slack for free movement.
      One of Apples biggest mistake in mice design, isn't the one button, but the tiny little cable, that didn't allow for a wide range of movement.

      • One of Apples biggest mistake in mice design, isn't the one button, but the tiny little cable, that didn't allow for a wide range of movement.

        I'm pretty sure it was the round mouse, actually. You can solve the cable problem with an extension. Solving the round mouse problem requires buying another mouse, or going to extreme measures to modify it.

    • I always have the mouse cord tucked under my keyboard and wrapped around one of it's rear feet with just enough slack for maximum mouse movement. This way I'm not fighting gravity trying to pull the cord onto the floor and losing and yanking to regain the required slack. It is much easier on the cord - I don't how you manage to break the cords unless you are using them for some sort of BDSM ritual or something.

      • I used to do that "loop around rear foot of keyboard" thing, but then found a better method. Buy some "Xmas light suction cups", combine with some white tack (to no-fuss keep them in place) to affix to edge of desk, route mouse cable through the cable clip on the suction cup. No more dragging, and easy adjustment of how much slack there is in the cable.

        Ever since I spotted them in a DIY store some 4 years ago I've been using them for all manner of desktop cables: mouse, keyboard, headphones, TrackIR 5 P

    • Around that time quality dropped off a steep cliff. I have a Logitech mouse that predates the decline that I use daily at work and I love it. The mice, keyboards and headsets purchased afterwards for myself and my employer had a disastrous failure rate. They've been on my vendor of last resort list since. I don't need products with deliberate failure points.

      On the plus side I found I love Sennheiser wired headsets (this one is a PC 360). They cost a bit more, but as they've lasted longer than multiple Logi

      • On the plus side I found I love Sennheiser wired headsets (this one is a PC 360). They cost a bit more, but as they've lasted longer than multiple Logitechs

        I have abused the living shit out of my HD420 headphones, and they are still trucking. If Sennheiser is still building stuff with that level of quality, then their goods are worth every dime. (I'd have said penny, but...)

        • I've been using a Logitech G5 Laser as my primary desktop mouse for close to a decade now, on an indigo Func Industries Surface 1030 mouse pad of the same vintage (smooth side).

          Both remain optimal for desktop work.

          Apparently there were some G5 mice that lacked the thumb buttons. Mine has two thumb buttons, and a tilt wheel, and the DPI controls.

          I'm right handed, but I switched my mouse to my left hand a long, long time ago to reduce back pain. By doing so I position my mouse hand closer to my midline: my an

          • I guess I do more cut and paste than your average keyboard monkey, but here's one more tip.

            When you need to select more text than fits into your window, don't do that horrible slither-drag where you take your mouse outside of the text window, causing your window to continuously smooth scroll in the desired direction.

            At least on my system, the smooth scroll is never smooth enough, and if you're the least bit impatient, you never see the target coming until you overshoot.

            For long selections, I almost always s

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by Luckyo ( 1726890 )

      Stop using the mouse as a climbing rope, that should fix it.

      Signed: seven years of usage out of mx518. That thing is borderline unbreakable.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by dkman ( 863999 )

        Easily the best mouse I've ever used. I would like 2 more thumb buttons near the bottom, but other than that it's as close to perfection as you can get.

        I never tried the G400 and later mice.

        I've been using it for 8 years or so. I have run into the chunky click on occasion, but it's still going.

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by Mashiki ( 184564 )

          I've been using it for 8 years or so. I have run into the chunky click on occasion, but it's still going.

          The chunky click problem has to do with the spring that's built around the microswitch and it getting gummed up simply from normal use(and oil/skin/hair/etc). You can buy replacement switches from allied electric [alliedelec.com](pretty sure those are the G400 switches might be a G500 though), or you can just pull the mouse apart clean it and put it all back together. I've been using a G300 for pretty much 8 years now, and a year or so back started running into the same problem.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by imidan ( 559239 )

      I've had a couple where the cords have failed. It usually fails at the point where it goes into the mouse. One of them (an MX518), I took apart, cut a couple inches of cord off, and rewired it in to the mouse. Delicate work, and a pain in the ass. I wish they'd make the thing properly removable, with some kind of connector, and then they could make money selling us new cords.

      I also have a G500 where the left button often registers double-click when I click only once. It's related to a spring inside the micr

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by Cederic ( 9623 )

        I wish they'd make the thing properly removable, with some kind of connector, and then they could make money selling us new cords.

        The G900 (and G903) have removeable cords.

        They work when the cord is disconnected too, which is my usual form of use. It's only if I've been using the mouse extensively for 20 hours that I need to plug it back in, at which point it keeps working just fine.

      • Re: (Score:1)

        by hey00 ( 5046921 )

        I've had a couple where the cords have failed. It usually fails at the point where it goes into the mouse. One of them (an MX518), I took apart, cut a couple inches of cord off, and rewired it in to the mouse. Delicate work, and a pain in the ass. I wish they'd make the thing properly removable, with some kind of connector, and then they could make money selling us new cords.

        Except the cable is removable with a connector. You can just open the mouse, unplug the cable and plug a new one in, simple as that.

        And while I can't seem to find cables on logitech's spare parts, you can buy one for a few dollars on amazon or others.

        About the microswitches though, you can also replace them, they cost nearly nothing too, but they require a bit of soldering.

  • Too little, too late (Score:4, Interesting)

    by Kokuyo ( 549451 ) on Wednesday February 20, 2019 @10:49AM (#58151696) Journal

    Now that I already invested a shit-ton of money in a lightspeed pad and mouse, I sure as hell am not going to buy another mouse.

    Not to mention that lately only chinesium crap came out of Logitech. I can buy honest chinesium crap for a fifth of the cost and have the same user experience.

  • yea a new mouse (Score:3)

    by jellomizer ( 103300 ) on Wednesday February 20, 2019 @10:50AM (#58151704)

    Ever sense the move to the laser sensor from the roller ball. The default mouse that comes with the PC, or the one you get for $10 really seems to be good enough for most activities, including gaming. I am sure the MX518 may be good for the real competitive gamers, but for most of us our general skills at the game, will not be enhanced with a better mouse technology.

    • but he swears by his gaming mouse. I have one of his hand me downs (it was too small for his hand) but I honestly can't tell the difference. That said, I'm mostly a console gamer who happens to play on PC.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by sinij ( 911942 )
        You can't tell exactly because you are unwashed console peasant that is used to swimming in rubber boots (console controller). Even shittiest mouse is light years ahead of controller's joystick, no wonder you are having orgasmic experiences simply touching discarded hand-me-downs from Glorious PC Gaming Master Race.
      • I use a (wireless) gaming mouse for work related stuff as well. Looks a bit funky with the LED lighting but I prefer the ergonomics and button layout of a gaming mouse, plus I do some casual gaming where it comes in handy. As for the author's hangup about this particular model, it might be similar to the way some people cling to the old IBM clicky keyboard. Not a bad keyboard but I much prefer the ergonomics of modern keyboards, same for mice.

      • The nice thing about a good gaming mouse is that they are expected to take more abuse and are built better. I've been using a Logitech G1 mouse for years now, looks just like the basic $10 Logitech mouse from about when the MX518 first came out, but has held up very well.

        Maybe Logitech should put the G1 back into production, but at least I was smart enough to buy a spare which is still in a drawer, unused and waiting.

    • Re:yea a new mouse (Score:4, Interesting)

      by sinij ( 911942 ) on Wednesday February 20, 2019 @11:13AM (#58151814)
      I used to play FPS (Counter-Strike) and RTS (Star Craft) competitively and in such situations mouse quality matter a great deal. RTS in sniping situations your mouse makes a lot of difference in your time-on-target. For example, if you try AWP whoring with a $10 mouse, you are likely to end up getting out-sniped by players with AK. There are also some circumstances in RTS where mouse matters - high CPS unit micro just isn't possible without gaming mouse as you end up clicking faster than $10 mouse button could reliably register.

      However, for generic gaming, like playing anything single-player or grinding MMOG gaming mouse doesn't make that much difference.

      • But you stated you did this competitively. For most of gamers out there, there is less skill from the user, and such a pro-tool isn't going to help them one bit.
        It is like a beginning or amature violinist buying a million dollar violin, because they think it will make them play better... However they really don't the violin will still sound like crap, or mediocre because it is the hands playing it that are bad.

         

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by sinij ( 911942 )
          I can't speak for how other do it, but when I trained for matches, I would always do it with a keyboard and mouse I was going to use. I would figure out my setup, layout, shortcuts, sensitivity, what kind of pad and weights I am going to use and then do training drills with that.

          Basic skills and know-how of game mechanics are transferable, but muscle memory is very dependent on your setup. If you are going to practice, then it makes sense to practice with a setup you are going to use.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by G00F ( 241765 )

      for casual use yes, but I find that most acceptable mice are logitec (like HP ones) and those where noticibly better than every other cheap one including microsoft.

      The MX510/8 and such are better. More than the standard 3 button and wheel. You could move the fast w/o the tracking getting lost and find youself looking strait up or down.

      And lastly, it's shape and size. Sandly this is where logitech sucked the most in moving away from it, they've been moving away from the larger size, even the mx510/8 was smal

  • Using dongles sucks. However the M585 with both Bluetooth and a dongle, to be switched between at a button-press is about the most geek-friendly thing I've ever seen. I can use Bluetooth on my own laptop, shove a dongle into whatever I'm working on and switch at a button press. Great for servers, working on user equipment, setting up new systems you haven't paired Bluetooth with etc...

    I've been grilling Logitech for years about bad choices in wireless connectivity, it seems like they're waking up finally.

    As for a gaming mouse? Meh. Blue laser seems to be the best thing I've ever used and Logitech isn't the place to get that.

    • I also enjoy the addition of Bluetooth to their lineup. I mostly enjoy premium mice because I find them more comfortable and the extra buttons useful, I usually don't have the sensitivity turned all the way up. With a blue laser vs a red laser... what application are you using the mouse for that the 300 nm difference is noticeable? When they replaced the old optical sensors with lasers, it seemed to primarily improve what surfaces it could be used on more than anything else. I wouldn't think color would

      • I've just found that it works better on more surfaces. The resolution is nice, but at my previous job the desk were all various sorts of wood for the most part, some with shiny varnish where normal optical mice tended to have issues (and a mouse pad left in place would grow legs - quickly), and I've found other various surfaces where laser mice, blue ones especially, seem to do better. Despite having hated Microsoft with a passion in the past, I caved due to lack of Logitech options in the past and starte

        • Interesting! Thanks for the further details, it didn't seem like the sort of thing that normal reviews would cover well.

          • So, out of pure happenstance, I was using my Lenovo laser mouse on my jeans last night. It worked for a while, then got "laggy". I was blaming my computer at first, which I just reinstalled to upgrade (always keep /home on a separate drive for just such an occasion). Turns out it was using it on my jeans that got to it. I don't think the Bluetrack is quite as bad, but it's subjective.

            Still, I highly recommend the Lenovo mice. I don't even think that one was meant for the US market, it came in a box wit

    • I happily second this. More wireless peripherals should have cost $10 more and have a BT radio built in, it's so much nicer to not need to swap a dongle around between my laptop and server racks at work.

  • Great, now bring back the G700s. (Score:3)

    by tk77 ( 1774336 ) on Wednesday February 20, 2019 @10:56AM (#58151726)

    In recent years my favorite mouse has been the G700s. Just the right amount of side buttons for my needs. I bought a few spares back when they were still $40.

    I'm not sure why just about every Logitech gaming mouse at this point only has 2 thumb accessible buttons. There is the G602 with 6 buttons, which I have as a backup, but it just isn't as good.

    • I have been happy with the Logitech G600. It is a little bit odd, but not too hard to get used to, and has plenty of buttons available for the thumb. I like it for the few games I play because of the fact that when healing, I can just mouseover a player, hit a button with the thumb, and move onto the next one.

      Downside is that it is a pain to get mapped initially, but once that is done, having 20 buttons ready to go is quite useful.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by tk77 ( 1774336 )

        I tried an MMO mouse a while back and just couldn't get used to it. The G602 I have has 6 buttons and, even with that I find that I "fat finger" it and often hit two buttons instead of the one I wanted.

        I should probably try a more recent MMO mouse and see how it goes. The last one I tried was a Naga, many years ago.

      • having 20 buttons

        I only have 17 tentacles!

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by Luckyo ( 1726890 )

      I did the same thing when they discontinued G700s. I suspect the primary reason for discontinuing is that this mouse is almost eternal, due to the fact that it works off AA batteries. Recently logitech seems to be moving from its "quality uber alles" attitude to razer's "peripherals should break or become uncomfortable to use within two years".

      And they don't get to sell you a new mouse every few years when battery dies if you are using AA batteries to power it.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by tk77 ( 1774336 )

        Could very well be that. My current G700s is 4 years old next month and still runs perfectly. Even the button switches haven't given out on me (which would happen all the time on my old Razer Mamba's that I used before the G700s). The pads are a bit worn but that's expected and doesn't seem to impact anything.

        Logitech also just so happened to use the exact same rechargeable AA's that I use (Eneloops). I have an external charger so I can always keep a set ready to go, and the ability to plug the mouse in

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by Luckyo ( 1726890 )

          Exactly the same for me. The mouse is permanently wireless in highest power mode available, because I just pop a battery every time it gives me a 10% battery remaining warning and put it into the charger, and another charged one from the same charger and put it into the mouse.

          Entire operation takes about 10-15 seconds.

          • Re: (Score:2)

            by Cederic ( 9623 )

            I just attach the USB cable to my G900 when I switch off my PC and it's fully charged for next time I need to use it.

            0 seconds interruption during the day and if I do get the 'Battery down to 10%' warning (once every few months) it's a 2 second operation to attach the USB cable and keep going.

            • Re: (Score:2)

              by Luckyo ( 1726890 )

              Same can be done with G700s if you want. It includes charging ability.

              Battery popping is faster and more comfortable imho.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by Vermifax ( 3687 )

      Same I would miss the 4 buttons on the thumb if my g700 ever dies.

    • I game with a G602, and yeah, it's good but not awesome. The two front buttons on the side are too much of a stretch for my thumb, and it's too easy to fat-finger the other four. Wish I could try a 700.

  • Cordless Optical Trackman T-RB22 (Score:1)

    by Anonymous Coward

    This would be a better product to resurect

  • Seriously, now that my oldest is 12, he wants his private pilot license. Flight controls with MS SIM, and flightgear go a long way to helping.

  • ... they have no new idea's for the mouse after 20 years? I've had a tonne and even failed ideas like the strategic commander form microsoft had people experimenting with input devices.

    Basically the button placement on the mouses being designed by these companies are made by people who obviously don't use computers. I've had lots of thoughts about what could be added to mice in various games/software I've used over the years that would need some more testing/refinement as to get the placement right.

    I've a

    • Why try to invent the better mouse(trap) when you already have a perfect one?

      There are certain things you simply cannot improve.

    • If we're going backwards I wish someone would put the middle button back in placed of making a wheel that is also clickable.

      I have a few mice left with actual middle buttons, but they all seem to be second rate in other ways.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by Briareos ( 21163 )

        That's why I'm clinging to my G600, which Logitech of course has also discontinued by now - it has a mouse wheel, but also 3 regular sized buttons that I can rest my index, middle and ring finger on; never mind the other dozen or so buttons...

  • After I got a Logitech Trackman Marble, I pretty much stopped using mice. You lose some precision, but the comfort is priceless. Wrist pains almost completely gone.

    • Yeah, I started w/ a trakball back during the mice/trakball wars. I thought turning the trakball upside down was the wrong way to go.

      I maintained competence with the mouse, of course, and later, when FPS's came out, I found the mouse to be better for gaming.

      So I have the two side-by-side, more or less. Mouse for games n graphics, Trakball for everything else.

  • Please no rubber coatings (Score:3)

    by kiehlster ( 844523 ) on Wednesday February 20, 2019 @11:12AM (#58151812) Homepage
    I might consider this mouse for the fact that the original had no rubber coating on the buttons, but I don't believe the original was 100% coating-free. If they skip the coatings, I might try it out. I'm getting tired of having to replace my mice every few years because the coating gets all gunky.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by Luckyo ( 1726890 )

      Rub your mouse down every few months with a slightly moist dish washing thingy, then wipe off what's left with a standard microfibre dust rag. It gets the gunk out very effectively.

  • That's not what I want back (Score:3)

    by drinkypoo ( 153816 ) <drink@hyperlogos.org> on Wednesday February 20, 2019 @11:20AM (#58151864) Homepage Journal

    What I want back is the original Trackman Marble USB Wheel, M/N T-BB18. But this time, I want them to use microswitches from someone more competent than Omron. I've re-switched this trackball three or four times now.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by cstec ( 521534 )

      What I want back is the original Trackman Marble USB Wheel

      Amen to that. Logitech really failed when they went to wireless only on a mouse that specifically -doesn't have to be moved-.

      The closest thing I have found to a decent replacement is the Elecom EX-G. (M-XT3URBK) It's a little bit smaller, but quite usable and includes extra buttons and an extra high-low speed mode switch on the pinkie. Very nice, but out of the box they ship with a black trackball that has tracking issues. However you can swap your Trackman trackball in and it works perfectly.

      Now i

  • GOAT (Score:3)

    by schematix ( 533634 ) on Wednesday February 20, 2019 @11:22AM (#58151876) Homepage
    Using my MX518 from 2005 right now. That and a gaming mousepad i bought at the same time. Both have been through hell and still work great. Almost every day i roll up the mouse mat and coil up the MX518 and throw it in my backup. Can't risk WFH w/o it. I was hoping to see they made this a wireless version because that is one thing i would have hoped in 13 years they could fix the performance of. The cord is a hassle. All my coworkers fine it odd too that i have a wired mouse. No one does anymore but they also don't realize what an amazing piece of equipment this has been.
  • I had one for a couple of years, and by today's standards it's not that great, frankly. The biggest problem are the glide pads underneath, which are quite small and will wear off completely, so it doesn't last that long. The ergonomics aren't that great, either.

  • Actually the G9x was the best gaming mouse Logitech ever produced. No nonsense, rock solid, adjustable weight, adjustable grip, and the usual adjustable profiles. It was so reliable, I still have two working after over 10 years, I almost suspect it was the reason Logitech stopped making it. Once you owned one you never needed to buy another gaming mouse again. I must not be the only person to think so as original boxed versions go for hundreds of dollars on Ebay.

  • From the article:
    "The company is promising that the reborn MX518 will have the same shape and feel as the original. The materials have been updated, and there’s a new “Nightfall” finish but, crucially, it’s still an MX518."

    Let's hope the materials have gotten better. I have a 2004 MX510 but didn't start using it until around 2010 (it was lightly used and given to me around 2006). During those years of non-use, the rubberized parts of the mouse's surface turned to goo. I managed to w

  • As someone who has used the MX500, MX518, then the G400S (in succession) over the past 15 years, I can say they are all roughly the same

    Further, I've found that the G400S was probably the best variant from a mechanical/comfort standpoint

    That said, I'd buy whatever "clone" mouse of that style is available when I need one

    All of the logitech with more silly features and sharp edges/angles don't look too appealing to me
    • Yeah, I'm using the G400S right now, I really like the shape. Needs a couple more thumb buttons though. I see the 518 has a couple buttons on the right side, which is pretty useless. Wish they'd relaunch the G700.
  • A good start Logitech. Now please bring back the Marble FX Trackball. This was the best thing you've ever made! https://www.facebook.com/Bring... [facebook.com]

  • A few extra buttons to bind to hotkeys and a free-spinning wheel are all I need.

    I knew I had gone too far when one mouse I bought came with a set of 5 weights you could add to it to fine-tune the mass inertia, I guess. I'd have rather had a spare rechargable battery, which I could not find a replacement for online, or even in the battery store.

  • I don't know that I like it better than my G403, though, and possibly even the other way around.

  • The VX Nano is the one mouse I wish Logitech would bring back. Loved the feel of the wheel and the general shape overall.

  • I'm on my third battery, but I'm still using my Logitech MX1000 from 2004. I still haven't found a reason to "upgrade".

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