New mouse in da house!

**Beirut** · 09-08-2005, 18:02

Just bought a Logitech MX518 gaming mouse. Expensive but very nice. Cost $70 Cdn. Traded some work for it so no cash hole in the pocket.

It's plug and play, though it does come with software if you want all the bells and whistles. The big kicker with this thing is it gives you on the fly, in-game options of 400, 800, or 1600dpi control with the touch of a button on the mouse (without installing the drivers). The 400 moves the pointer slowly and the 1600 moves it like lightning. 800 felt best.

The mouse itself is a bit on the big side but after a few minutes it fits the hand nicely. It has the standard left-right and wheel (silent!), and three small buttons on top for turning the dpi up or down or choosing a pre-set favorite (this requires the drivers). Two buttons on the left side are page back/forward as default.

In IL2-Sturmovik (that's a flight sim for you non-plane heads) it was smooth as glass. 800dpi was great for in-flight panning and 400 worked well in the mission builder for precise object placement when building custom scenery. 1600 was just too fast. A custom setting of about 1000 might be best for quick movement.

Tried it in the BF2 demo and it worked very nicely as well. 800 for running and gunning and 400 for sniper work - keeps the crosshairs steady.

For desktop work it's smooth and quick and hassle free. Mind you, it is just a mouse so it's not like it's going to crash through your roof and kill you if it isn't perfect. But it is a good mouse. PC Gamer gave it a 95%.

Lows = Very expensive, a bit big, and it requires the drivers for the fancy options. Drab colour.

Highs = Super smooth. Great control. Driverless in-game adjustable dpi control. Comfortable. Extra buttons.

As meese go, this one deserves the cheese.

"Squeak"

**Boohugh** · 09-08-2005, 18:13

I've had the MX510 for a couple of months now. Its basically the same as the MX518 except is doesn't have the dpi changer (only difference in looks is that mine is blue not grey). If don't need/want the dpi changer, i'd recommend the MX510 as a very good, and slightly cheaper, alternative

.

**Big King Sanctaphrax** · 09-08-2005, 18:15

You use a mouse in IL2? Hat switch all the way for me.

I am in the market for a new mouse though, and this one looks to fit the bill. Thanks for the tip.

**Beirut** · 09-08-2005, 18:53

BKS... you fly?!? we'll have to meet in the air one day.

I use the mouse and the hat switch for panning around. I use the spring-back-to-center option on the hat switch for quick looks and return to center, and the mouse just for looking around and searching for A2G targets. Padlock with the F4 for A2A scraps of course.

LordHugh,

I was going to get the MX510, it was only $30 and looks great, but they've been out of stock for months at the local electronic stores. I was able to trade some tree work with a local computer dude and he ordered it for me so it was pretty painless.

Now I've got my Saitek PC Gamers keyboard and my cool mouse, all I need is the new Saitek X52 HOTAS system and I'll be set with winter.