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Logitech MX518 Gaming-Grade Optical Mouse

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CNET editors' rating: 4.0 stars Excellent
Detailed editors' rating

Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 44 reviews
See all user reviews

Product summary

The good: Comfortable; five programmable buttons; 1,600dpi optical sensor with on-the-fly sensitivity buttons.

The bad: Designed for right-handed users only.

The bottom line: The Logitech MX518's adjustable sensitivity, customizable buttons, and comfortable grip are sure to please right-handed gamers.

Specifications: Form factor: External ; Compatibility: PC ; Interface required: USB ; See full specs

Price range: $38.99 - $52.99 check prices

CNET editors' review

Reviewed by:
Wil O'Neal
Edited by:
Lara Luepke
Reviewed on: 04/11/2005
Released on: 03/09/2005

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.

See more CNET content tagged:: optical mouse,; Logitech,; sensitivity,; mouse,; gamer

User reviews

Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 44 reviews
My rating: 0 stars Write review

Showing 3 of 44 user reviewsSee all 44 user reviews
4.5 stars

8 out of 8 people found this review helpful

"this mouse is awesome!"

by angryOGG on April 17, 2005

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4.5 stars

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

"A previous generation mouse that's better than most of the current generation"

by DP76211 on January 26, 2006

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4.0 stars

3 out of 5 people found this review helpful

"Fancy mouse."

by Kev50027 on May 27, 2005

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See all 44 user reviews Write review

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Logitech MX518 Gaming-Grade Optical Mouse

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Where to buy

Logitech MX518 Gaming-Grade Optical Mouse: $38.99 - $52.99

store	price	in stock?
Amazon.com Marketplace	$42.87	Yes
	$50.00	Yes
	$39.95	Yes
	$52.99	Yes
	$44.99	Yes

see prices from 14 stores

Reviews from around the WebPowered by alaTest

alaTest.com

Editors' rating: 90

Summary: alaTest has collected and analyzed 1982 reviews of LOGITECH MX518 Gaming-Grade Optical Mouse from international magazines and websites. Experts rate this product 89/100 and users 92/100. Comparing these reviews to 66744 other Mouse & Pointing Devices reviews gives this product an overall alaScore™ 90/100 = Excellent.
pcformat.co.uk

Editors' rating: 100

Summary: A standard wired mouse affair and a solid one at that

Read full review
techpowerup.com

Editors' rating: 97

Summary: If you're looking for a high quality gaming mouse, and are not willing to spend 80+ bucks on a Razor, you should definitely give the Logitech MX518 mouse a look. 1600 DPI is plenty for most people, including most high sensitivity gamers in my opinion, ...

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thetechzone.com

Editors' rating: 95

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techtree.com

Editors' rating: 90

Summary: Characters are not case sensitive

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