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.

 

Logitech G303 Software and Closing Thoughts
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  • Flunk - Thursday, March 5, 2015 - link

    Their gaming mice actually work just fine even if you don't install the drivers. The adjustable sensitivity (provided the mouse has dedicated buttons for it) even works.
  • sr1030nx - Thursday, March 5, 2015 - link

    Exactly what I've been doing for the last couple years, works just fine.
  • lpoen - Thursday, March 5, 2015 - link

    Can somebody tell me what is the fuss about all these new mice? I use to play Counter Strike to the point of killing my Logitech MX518 which I think is the greatest mouse of all. Admittedly I have not been gaming since 2008 so many things must of happened since then, but back few years ago MX518 was absolutely perfect, are these new mice really an improvement? They have more buttons, aye, but can they do things I could not do in Counter Strike when I used MX518 back 7 years ago? I would like to know your thoughts guys. Many thanks
  • cmdrdredd - Thursday, March 5, 2015 - link

    They aren't that special. Many supposed gaming mice have acceleration and prediction you cannot turn off which makes them actually less accurate. I use a Logitech G400 for this reason, it has no acceleration of prediction. It looks generic, only has two buttons on the side, doesn't have any fancy 5000dpi, and is optical but I wouldn't trade it for many of the other options that exist today.
  • TidusZ - Thursday, March 5, 2015 - link

    I've used the very similar G302 Daedalus Prime Moba mouse and it was excellent except for one major problem: Very high lift-off distance. It appears this mouse is similar but has adjustable LOD which would make it my next purchase when my current mouse fails.
  • shaolin95 - Thursday, March 5, 2015 - link

    Kone XTD is still my choice!
  • nikon133 - Thursday, March 5, 2015 - link

    My life... a perfectly symmetrical mouse, but without left-hand thumb buttons. Why..?
  • FlyBri - Thursday, March 5, 2015 - link

    I totally agree @nikon133 -- it seems like it could be an ambidextrous mouse, but yet it isn't. I wish they either put buttons on the other side as well, or have a left-handed version. I really wish us lefties had more top-tier mice to choose from.
  • Le Québécois - Thursday, March 5, 2015 - link

    I gave up on Logitech more or less 5-6 years ago when they stopped making high quality ambidextrous mice. Lucky for us, lefties and ambidextrous users, it still possible to find great high end mice. Until a few months ago I used a Razer Lachesis which was amazing and now I'm using a Mionix Avior 7000 which is even better.

    Having Logitech and Microsoft more or less giving up on the high quality ambidextrous mouse market forced me to go with "unknown" brands, for me at least, and I couldn't be more happy because of this.
  • althaz - Friday, March 6, 2015 - link

    G100S. Logitech, cheap, ambidextrous and awesome. I've got two (one for work, one for home). Replaced my Mamba and Deathadder with them.

    That said, I don't know I'd label the G100S as high-quality. They are an awesome sensor with a fairly cheap mouse around it.

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