Logitech MX518 Gaming-Grade Optical Mouse

Peripherals manufacturers have long tried to create the ultimate controller for games involving first-person shooters, real-time strategy, and role playing. After years of disappointing efforts, these companies have realized that you simply cannot beat the tried-and-true combination of a keyboard and a mouse. The Logitech MX518 gaming-grade optical mouse will more than hold its own as half of your gaming setup.

In many ways, the MX518 is a logical update to the company's widely popular MX510 performance mouse. Outfitted in slick gray and black, the MX518 boasts five user-programmable buttons; a scrollwheel; two buttons, located above and below the scrollwheel, that allow the user to adjust the mouse's sensitivity on the go; and an application-switching button (the equivalent of hitting Alt+Tab). The MX518, which connects to your PC via a USB cable, is designed for right-handed gamers only. It's extremely comfortable to use, and during several rousing Unreal Tournament 2003 death matches, we never once hit the wrong button.

While many will bemoan the MX518's lack of wireless capability, serious gamers understand that many wireless mice suffer from lag that can occasionally mean the difference between LAN party supremacy and failure. With that in mind, the MX518 sports an amazingly quick 1,600dpi (dots per inch) resolution. At first, we found the MX518 almost too sensitive, but the dedicated buttons for increasing and decreasing the sensitivity helped us find the sweet spot. In fact, during gameplay, we consistently found ourselves changing the mouse's sensitivity depending on what was happening in the game. This is one of those features that you never thought you'd want (or need), but once you use it, you'll wonder how you ever did without it.

At $49, the MX518 is fairly priced, and right-handed gamers will no doubt be pleased with its performance.

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