Logitech G303 Daedalus Apex Capsule Review
by Jarred Walton on March 5, 2015 4:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Mouse
- Peripherals
- Gaming
- Logitech
Logitech G303 Daedalus Apex Introduction
Logitech has been making mice for about as far back as most PC users can recall, enhancing and refining the input peripheral over the years. Their new G303 Daedalus Apex is an advanced lightweight gaming mouse that builds off the foundation of previous offerings, and it’s launching today.
Getting straight into the details, the core design is very similar to the existing G302 Daedalus Prime MOBA mouse, but with an upgraded sensor. The G303 uses the same optical sensor found in Logitech’s G502 Proteus Core, the PMW3366, which is regarded as one of the most advanced sensors around. With the G303, Logitech has elected to reveal some additional details about the sensor, which are included in the following table.
| Logitech G303 Daedalus Apex Technical Specifications | |
| PMW3366 Sensor | |
| Sensor Features | Exclusive Clock Tuning Technology Delta Zero Technology Zero Smoothing Zero Filtering No Pixel Rounding No Pixel Doubling Sensor Surface Tuning |
| Tracking | Resolution 200-12000 DPI Max Acceleration: >40G* Max Speed: >300 ips* * Tested on Logitech G240 Gaming Mouse Pad |
| Responsiveness | USB Data Format: 16 bits/axis USB Report Rate: 1000 Hz (1ms) Microprocessor: 32-bit ARM |
| Button Specifications | |
| Features | Mechanical Microswitches Metal Spring Left/Right Button Tensioning System On-the-Fly DPI Switching High-Speed Clicking |
| Durability | Left/Right: 20 Million Clicks |
| Programmability | 6 Programmable Buttons 3 Onboard Memory Profiles (Logitech Gaming Software required for some features) |
| Additional Features | |
| Glide | Dynamic Coefficient of Friction*: 0.11 µ(k) Static Coefficient of Friction*: 0.17 µ(s) 250 km of Movement * Tested on Wood-Veneer Desktop. |
| Physical Specifications | Weight: 133g (Mouse Plus Cable) Weight: 87g (Mouse Only) 115mm x 65mm x 37mm (LxWxH) Cord: 7 feet (2.1m) |
| Lighting | RGB Customizable Lighting |
| Price | MSRP: $69.99 |
We won’t cover all of the features, but the sensor is definitely one of the most advanced options around. This is currently Logitech’s best mouse sensor, and the Delta Zero along with Zero Filtering/Smoothing are features that gamers in particular can appreciate, as they ensure there’s no acceleration and no additional lag generated by smoothing input over multiple samples. (Note that it’s necessary to also disable the OS smoothing/filtering aspects to get the unadulterated experience.) The resolution range of 200-12000 DPI is quite large, and personal preference certainly plays a role in what DPI an individual user likes; the G303 allows switching between up to five settings on-the-fly via the Logitech Gaming Software.
Logitech has also refined the buttons with metal spring tensioning on the left and right buttons that’s designed to improve the responsiveness, feel, and durability of the buttons. Rated at 20 million clicks, that’s equivalent to someone clicking the buttons every second for twelve hours a day, seven days a week for a full year. Or for those who prefer not to suffer from RSI, you could use the mouse and click the buttons on average 10 times per minute for eight hours a day and you still wouldn’t hit 20 million clicks even after ten years – at which time you’d likely be using a newer mouse regardless.
Besides the sensor and button specifications, which are obviously important for the target market, Logitech also has customizable RGB lighting on the mouse and a high quality braided cable. The weight of the mouse is very light, and the body is relatively small compared to some gaming mice. The total of six buttons (left, right, two thumb buttons, the scroll wheel, and the button behind the scroll wheel that’s typically used for DPI switching) is a bit limited compared to other offerings, but the Logitech Gaming Software does offer a full range of customizations and macro features.
We could go on but the key takeaways are that Logitech has attempted to create the best possible sensor with an extremely precise tracking system and a high quality and comfortable chassis. This is definitely a niche product as many users are more than happy with less expensive mice, but for competitive gamers that live and die by their mousing skills, Logitech hopes to win them over with the G303.
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JarredWalton - Thursday, March 5, 2015 - link
I don't have a glass table to try this on, but I did try tracking on a window. Granted, the window wasn't exceptionally clean so it's probably more like frosted glass? Anyway, on a window it was fine. I also tried testing on a mirror however and that didn't work at all.The True Morbus - Thursday, March 5, 2015 - link
Too goddamn expensive. I'd much rather go for the similarly priced G502.In fact, I did go for a 502 and I couldn't be happier. It's even better than the fantastic G500, which I had before.
Communism - Thursday, March 5, 2015 - link
Losing the toggleable hyperscroll wheel and the "dedicated" DPI up and DPI down buttons seems like a pretty high price to pay to only save ~10 USD over the Logitech G502 Proteus Core (Assuming they both stay close to MSRP) when both mice are already priced very high.Hopefully this new non-hyperscroll wheel will be long lasting unlike the old style non-hyperscroll wheel that was on most of Logitech mice before they introduced the hyperscroll wheel. That scroll wheel stopped being precise within a year or so and detached fully within 2 or so.
Hopefully they will launch a Logitech G403 with the same sensor that addresses both those issues while keeping a smaller form factor design than the G502 and drive the price of the G303 down another ~10 USD.
Communism - Thursday, March 5, 2015 - link
Also, I have to state again that you guys should do actual tests on mice since there are definite objective measures for mice that are extremely helpful for delineation between "bling" mice and true precision instruments.As always, I defer to
http://www.esreality.com/?a=longpost&id=126567...
No reviewers have done/are doing real mouse reviews at all since then.
The advertising value of the article would be exponentially increased if you guys replicated (or bettered) that testing regime as you would make an article effectively a reference article for a device that all gamers should care about.
Now that you guys have additional funding from your new owners you should really think about putting something like that into place.
It will seriously both significantly increase your "street cred" and your reputation for excellence in reviewing.
It will likely also shape the mouse industry as a whole to have real objective tests about the things that matter most in a mice.
Should you actually go about doing this I would suggest using a hard surface for the testing surface as soft surfaces are horrible for precision (and precision testing). That means either a piece of anodized aluminum like the Steelseries SX (sadly discontinued long ago) or a sheet of deep anodized aluminum that you purchase from a metal supplier or something. Deep annodized titanium unfortunately wouldn't work so well since the titanium "rust" is fairly translucent. Stainless Steel would probably also not be a good testing surface as it is fairly reflective and would interfere with sensors that cannot deal with that kind of thing.
Please take this comment into consideration :D. Fill the massive gaping hole in this space to increase your market share and value :P
Flunk - Thursday, March 5, 2015 - link
The reason no one really benchmarks mice is that very few people care. Mice long ago surpassed most people's ability to perceive a difference. Even saying that it would be interesting if they actually did benchmark them. Add some credibility to it.I'm still going to buy the mouse I like the hand feel of, but it might influence some people's buying decisions.
Communism - Thursday, March 5, 2015 - link
That attitude would have people still using 480i TVs because they are too stupid to know the difference between that and 4k @ 120 hz.People's stupidity is a measure of current stupidity. The point of reviews is to decrease stupidity.
I'm sure you could probably get a sponsorship from logitech or something to do the testing.
Logitech spent big bucks making the excellent optical sensor in the G400 as well as the excellent optical sensor in the G502 and now G303.
They should see return on their investment and deny funding on the "bling" utter trash that is most of the market of mice and has been that way since the beginning of consumer mice sales.
Communism - Thursday, March 5, 2015 - link
Nice video which details some of the many pitfalls of most "bling" mice on the market.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lc7JVjcPzL0
kmmatney - Friday, March 6, 2015 - link
We have several gaming computers at our house - I have a nice logitech "gaming" mouse on mine. Not sure which model, but you can adjust the weight (maybe G500). On a guest gaming computer we have a $7 Amazon basic mouse. There is really no difference at all for gaming - give the amazon basic mouse a decent surface and it performs just as well as my G500. I'm through buying expensive mice. I've never bothered installing any logitech software.3ricss - Thursday, March 5, 2015 - link
I have to agree with Flunk on this. Back in the day I used to care about capability, but now it is more form over function for me.Zak - Thursday, March 5, 2015 - link
I like Logitech hardware but their software is awful so I stick to their basic keyboards and mice so I can just use built-in Windows drivers. So this rules out any gaming mice. I do just fine with standard mice, but I am not a competitive gamer or anything.