Logitech G309 Lightspeed
The Logitech G309 Lightspeed Wireless Mouse is a well-rounded gaming peripheral that excels in lightweight design, precision performance, and versatile connectivity. Its Hero 25K sensor and hybrid optical-mechanical switches ensure a high level of accuracy and responsiveness, making it suitable for competitive gaming. The innovative use of a supercapacitor and compatibility with Logitech’s PowerPlay system is a unique feature that enhances the mouse’s convenience and usability. IF you can get your hands on the PowerPlay mat that is.
When it comes to gaming peripherals, Logitech has long been a trusted name, known for pushing the boundaries of technology and design. The Logitech G309 Lightspeed Wireless Mouse is the latest offering in this tradition, promising a blend of precision, lightweight design, and innovative features. In this review, we’ll dive deep into what makes the G309 stand out and evaluate whether it lives up to the hype.
The Logitech G309 Lightspeed Wireless Mouse is designed with a focus on minimalism and functionality. At a mere 68 grams without a battery, it is among the lightest gaming mice available. This weight is a significant advantage for gamers who require swift and precise movements. The mouse features a symmetrical, ambidextrous design, making it suitable for both left- and right-handed users.
The G309 comes in two color options: black and white. The white variant, in particular, stands out with its matte finish and silver accents, lending it a sophisticated and understated look. This is a deliberate design choice by Logitech, moving away from the flashy RGB lighting trends prevalent in many gaming peripherals. Instead, the G309 opts for a more refined aesthetic, which may appeal to users who prefer a cleaner setup.
The mouse’s body is designed to be comfortable during prolonged gaming sessions. However, its flat and somewhat generic shape might not provide the same level of ergonomic support as contoured mice. For users who prefer a more sculpted mouse that fits the natural curve of their hand, the G309’s design could feel less accommodating. Nonetheless, its lightweight build helps mitigate any discomfort that might arise from the lack of contouring.
Performance is where the G309 truly shines. The mouse is equipped with Logitech’s Hero 25K sensor, which boasts a maximum DPI of 25,600. This high sensitivity ensures that even the most subtle movements are captured with precision, making it an excellent choice for competitive gaming where accuracy is crucial. The Hero 25K sensor is known for its reliability and performance, and it delivers here without any noticeable lag or tracking issues.
The G309 features hybrid optical-mechanical switches in its primary buttons. These switches are designed to offer a crisp and responsive click. The tactile feedback from the switches is generally positive, providing a satisfying click without being overly loud or harsh.
In terms of connectivity, the G309 supports both 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth. Surprisingly, no wired option at all since you can’t really charge this mouse conventionally. They’ve done away with the cable entirely, which is a first for us. This dual-connectivity option offers flexibility for various setups. The 2.4GHz wireless connection is preferred for gaming due to its lower latency and higher polling rate, which is set at 1,000Hz. This polling rate is standard for high-performance gaming mice and ensures that the mouse’s movements are transmitted to the computer with minimal delay.
The Bluetooth option is a useful feature for those who might want to use the G309 with multiple devices or in situations where the 2.4GHz dongle might not be convenient. While Bluetooth generally has a slightly higher latency compared to 2.4GHz wireless, it still performs admirably for most non-gaming tasks and casual gaming.
One of the standout features of the G309, and both its biggest pro and con, is its innovative battery system. The mouse uses a supercapacitor instead of a traditional rechargeable battery, the caveat being that you need to use the mouse with a Logitech PowerPlay mat – pretty much at all times. This design does have some benefits. It allows the G309 to be incredibly lightweight, as it eliminates the need for a bulky rechargeable battery.
When used with the PowerPlay mouse pad, the G309 benefits from virtually unlimited battery life. The PowerPlay system uses proprietary wireless charging technology to continuously power the mouse while it is on the pad. However, the PowerPlay mat is sold separately and is priced higher than the G309 itself in India. A pretty significant investment if you are not already considering purchasing the mat.
Without the PowerPlay mat, the G309 relies on a single AA battery, which is included in the box. This battery provides a solid 300 hours of continuous use when connected via 2.4GHz wireless and up to 600 hours with Bluetooth. The battery life is impressive and should be more than sufficient for most users. However, the mouse’s balance goes out of whack, and it becomes too backside-heavy which can mess around with the overall experience. Unfortunately, for most users in India this is going to be the case all the time unless they make the PowerPlay mat purchase.
Other than that, the mouse also allows you to store the 2.4GHz wireless USB dongle within the mouse itself, reducing the risk of losing it during transport.
The Logitech G309 Lightspeed Mouse works with Logitech’s G Hub software, which provides extensive customisation options. Through G Hub, users can adjust DPI settings, remap buttons, and configure profiles for different games or applications. The software allows you to set up five different DPI presets, which can be cycled through using the DPI switch located between the main buttons.
G Hub’s interface is fairly intuitive and offers a range of customisation options. You can create and save different profiles for various gaming scenarios, such as first-person shooters, strategy games, or productivity tasks. The ability to remap the mouse’s six programmable buttons (including the scroll wheel click) is a valuable feature for gamers who need quick access to in-game commands or macros. Or even out of game for that matter.
The Logitech G309 Lightspeed Wireless Mouse is a well-rounded gaming peripheral that excels in lightweight design, precision performance, and versatile connectivity. Its Hero 25K sensor and hybrid optical-mechanical switches ensure a high level of accuracy and responsiveness, making it suitable for competitive gaming. The innovative use of a supercapacitor and compatibility with Logitech’s PowerPlay system is a unique feature that enhances the mouse’s convenience and usability. IF you can get your hands on the PowerPlay mat that is.
The necessity to invest in the PowerPlay mat for unlimited battery life might be a deterrent for some users, given its high price. Without the mat, the G309’s reliance on an AA battery does provide great battery life, but at the cost of balance. It becomes too backside-heavy, with an increase of up to 22 grams concentrated near the rear of the mouse.
At ₹7,995, the G309 is positioned as a premium offering in the gaming mouse market. For those already invested in Logitech’s ecosystem or who value a lightweight design and high-performance features, it is a compelling choice. However, if you are not considering the additional cost of the PowerPlay mat, there are other options available that might offer similar performance at a lower price point, like the HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Wireless for example.
Overall, we’d still say that the Logitech G309 Lightspeed Wireless Mouse is an innovative addition to Logitech’s lineup. It offers a solid combination of lightness, precision, and versatility as long as you have or are planning to pick up a PowerPlay mat. Because if you do have one, unlimited power sounds incredibly convenient and that in itself might make the Logitech G309 Lightspeed worth considering for some.
