The Logitech MX518 is a Gaming-Grade Optical Mouse that features 1600 dpi resolution with ability to downshift on the fly to as Low as 400 dpi. Any PC gamers will tell you they look to their mouse for a winning edge in a combat game. In the past the choice of mouse setting was always a choice between maximum speed or optimum precision. With the new Logitech MX518, gamers no longer need to choose between the two.

{mosgoogle}The MX518 puts quick-shift controls at gamers’ fingertips – with one click, gamers can instantly increase and decrease mouse resolution from as high as 1600 dots per inch (dpi) to as low as 400 dpi. And, no software is required. Many of today’s best-selling PC games have scenes that require lightning fast moves in one instant, but in the next ask for pixel precision. When gamers need speed to run, duck, or cover, the MX optical engine delivers with ultra-high resolution and the ability to process 5.8 megapixels of information per second. However, in combat, higher resolution is not always better. With a click of a button, gamers can now shift to a lower-resolution setting that gives them the precision they need for those head shots.

The corded Logitech MX518 builds upon the success of the award-winning Logitech MX510 Optical Mouse, and adds even more power and control. Because lag can mean the difference between victory and “game over,” the MX optical engine uses a 16-bit format to send data – the typical mouse uses 8 bits – enabling the mouse to transmit 8,000 bits of information per second. The result is flawless performance – with no lag or skipping.

Without software, the two buttons above and beneath the mouse’s scroll wheel increase and decrease the mouse resolution during game play to three preset resolutions – 1600, 800 and 400 dpi. With the new gaming-specific version of Logitech SetPoint software, a gamer can program as many as five levels of resolution, ranging from 400 dpi to 1600 dpi.

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Taking a Closer Look

{mosgoogle}The Logitech MX518 mouse features a total of eight buttons, including left and right key plates, which can be set to represent different commands using the SetPoint software. The physical design of the Logitech MX518 mouse is also optimized for the gaming experience, both in appearance and function. The mouse’s super-slick gaming feet help reduce friction and noise, while the mouse’s contoured thumb and finger side grips ensure peak control and comfort.

The mouse’s surface has a clear, smooth coat over a space-age metallic silver finish. Very much keeping with the gaming theme of the mouse, the finish has various shades of reflective silver paint, giving the visual impression of a surface with craters, or a metal door with bullet dents. One thing for sure, no one will mistaken this mouse for anything but a gaming mouse.

The underside of the MX518 houses the 1600 dpi optical engine and five of the slickest mouse feet I have ever tried. I don't know what they're made of but those feet are slicker than the Teflon tape I like to put on my mouse feet. The MX518 is designed to handle the stress of competition level gaming. The buttons are rated to handle 8 million clicks and the feet will last for 250 kilometers of travel. The housing and optical engine can handle 15g of acceleration force and have the optical engine can track with a maximum speed of 40 inches per second.

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SetPoint Mouse Software

{mosgoogle}The Logitech MX518 needs no software to run - just plug it into any free USB port and you're good to go. However, to take maximum advantage of this mouse you really should install the SetPoint software. The software allows you to customize every single button of the MX518.

You want to bind certain keystroke to a button? With SetPoint, it's easy as 1, 2, 3... steps that is. Select  the mouse, select the button to customize, then select the task to assign to that button. Repeat for the other buttons and you're ready to play. The SetPoint mouse software is one of the best piece of controller software I've ever had the pleasure of using.

When SetPoint detect the presence of the MX518 it makes available the SetPoint Advanced Game Settings so you can really tweak out the mouse. Here you can preset up to five different resolutions and customize the mouse for the games you play. You can load as many games into SetPoint as you desire. When you're ready to play, just fire up the game, SetPoint will detect the game that's running and load up the proper settings.

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It's Time To Play Some Games

I tested the Logitech MX518 gaming mouse with my Dell XPS Gen 2 laptop and an Abit Fatal1ty mouse pad (the pad was signed by Falal1ty himself). I tested the mouse with a whole bunch of different games - from Doom 3 to Tiger Woods 2005.

{mosgoogle}The first thing the impressed me were those feet - they were the slickest feet I have ever used on a mouse. Thanks to those feet, the mouse track across the mouse pad with almost no effort. I had a MX1000 Laser Mouse with Teflon tape on the feet for comparison and the it felt like glue when compared to the MX518.

The quick change resolution feature is a God send for gamers. While having lighting-quick turn speed and pixel-perfect accuracy are great for a kill or be killed deathmatch, you want to slow thing down when you're sniping (or camping as the case might be). 1600 dpi is just too twitchy for accurate headshots. With the MX518, you can increase or decrease the resolution as needed.

The two buttons above and below the scroll wheel controls the mouse resolution. Press the plus button and the sensitivity and mouse speed increases. Press the minus button and the sensitivity decreases for finer control over the mouse movement. Without the SetPoint software the MX518 offers 400, 800 and 1600 dpi resolution, which works well most of the time. For finer control, you'll want to install the SetPoint Advanced Game Setting software. At the end of the day, the MX518 emerged as the best gaming mouse I've ever tested. Everything about the mouse is done right, from the bullet dent finish to those super slick mouse feet. The ergonomics is near perfect - if you're right handed. And there lies the one possible downside with the MX518 - it's designed for right handed users only.

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