Even though the keyboard and mouse for competitive gaming don’t quite score higher, they continue to hold their ground.
In addition to the headset it introduced earlier this year, Logitech has added a new mouse and keyboard to its G Pro competitive gaming gear line. Both the $159 (£149, AU$300) Pro X Superlight 2 mouse and the $199 (£199, AU$370) wireless Pro X TKL Lightspeed keyboard represent significant improvements over earlier models. Additionally, each have some wonderful, albeit optional, new capabilities.
Both are available in eye-bleeding pink, white, or black. The company also included a matching pink version of its top-notch G Pro X 2 headset in the package with the mouse and keyboard.
The layout of the keyboard is similar to that of other recent tenkeyless models from Logitech; it is more similar to the G715 or the G915 TKL than the wired Pro X, or would be if the G715 had a less flamboyant appearance and the G915 had a higher profile. The “less” indicates that it lacks the number pad component, as do all TKL variants.
The G Pro X keyboard product range now includes a new edition that incorporates Bluetooth and Lightspeed wireless with RGB lights. Along with a volume roller and a set of media control keys, it connects via USB-C rather than USB-A. It is otherwise comparable to its predecessor. As a result, users have the option of doubleshot PBT keycaps with GX Blue (clicky), GX Brown (tactile), or GX Red switches.
Logitech claims that new model offers enhanced audio quality as well — The GX Brown switches on my evaluation unit sound comparable to other keyboards I’ve recently tested with similar switches (like the Razer BlackWidow V4 75%). I’m not sure if this is better or worse than before. However, compared to some others, the spacebar does feel and sound more stable.
For some reason, the Logitech unit they provided me has the ISO layout rather than the ANSI style we’re used to in the US; it has the single-width, double-depth enter key, the backslash and bracket keys to the left of it, and the euro sign stencilled on the “5” key.
Although it’s not a big deal, it can be annoying if you’re a touch typist used to ANSI; I keep hitting backslash when reaching for enter.
You can switch between the Lightspeed and Bluetooth connections, which function as promised, however if you take a little break you won’t be able to tell which connection is active because the buttons don’t stay illuminated. The G Hub software allows you to assign the function keys to a second set of functions (G Shift).
Compared to the original Superlight, the mouse has undergone many more upgrades. It has brand-new optical-mechanical switches (named Lightforce) that can be switched between hybrid and optical-only modes. The optical only mode has less friction and feels slightly more crisp than the hybrid mode, which uses less power and is likely more durable. The battery is rated by Logitech for 95 hours, which is a significant increase.
The sensor on the mouse has also been changed to the denser, quicker Hero 2, now up to 32,000 dpi and 500 in/sec compared to 25,600 dpi and 400 ips of the prior model; that speed is a little on the slow side considering the resolution. When using an ultrawide or side-by-side monitor, for example, or in games where you need to move it back and forth much more than up and down, you can independently select resolution for the x and y axes.
Even without adding the accompanying grip tape or replacing the Powerplay aperture door with the provided cover, which has a PTFE bottom for improved glide to match the rest of the feet, the Superlight 2 is still, well, very light at 60g. The mouse’s design hasn’t changed, but I still wind up adding grip tape since I find these ultralight mice to be excessively slippery. with all the grace of a child who has accidentally opened a box of bandages.
Additionally, the software contains a new mouse-matching feature that enables you to calibrate the Superlight to replicate a specific mouse’s response. Although you may set it to low, medium, or high, you cannot adjust it to liftoff distance (how it performs when you lift it above the mousepad).
G Hub has generally gotten better over time, but it’s now at a stage where it can still be a little perplexing. I mean, truly, why do gaming gear manufacturers treat settings like Easter eggs? — but I no longer despise it. Additionally, there is a Mac-compatible version, which is positive for some folks.
A dedicated dpi button would be preferable to the ability to build up numerous profiles in G Hub and map them to one of the buttons. There are no other LEDs than the one that shows the device is connected and the battery is functional, thus it’s impossible to know which settings have been loaded. It helps if you simply have it toggle between two, but if the changes are slight, you’re in trial-and-error territory.
The G Pro X Superlight 2 and G Pro X TKL Lightspeed are two excellent models from Logitech that should be on your short list of options for competitive-class equipment. However, unless some of the improvements sound compelling, you might want to wait and see how the prices for the older models fare during the holiday shopping season.
