Logitech G303 Daedalus Apex Capsule Review
by Jarred Walton on March 5, 2015 4:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Mouse
- Peripherals
- Gaming
- Logitech
Logitech G303 Daedalus Apex Introduction
Logitech has been making mice for about as far back as most PC users can recall, enhancing and refining the input peripheral over the years. Their new G303 Daedalus Apex is an advanced lightweight gaming mouse that builds off the foundation of previous offerings, and it’s launching today.
Getting straight into the details, the core design is very similar to the existing G302 Daedalus Prime MOBA mouse, but with an upgraded sensor. The G303 uses the same optical sensor found in Logitech’s G502 Proteus Core, the PMW3366, which is regarded as one of the most advanced sensors around. With the G303, Logitech has elected to reveal some additional details about the sensor, which are included in the following table.
| Logitech G303 Daedalus Apex Technical Specifications | |
| PMW3366 Sensor | |
| Sensor Features | Exclusive Clock Tuning Technology Delta Zero Technology Zero Smoothing Zero Filtering No Pixel Rounding No Pixel Doubling Sensor Surface Tuning |
| Tracking | Resolution 200-12000 DPI Max Acceleration: >40G* Max Speed: >300 ips* * Tested on Logitech G240 Gaming Mouse Pad |
| Responsiveness | USB Data Format: 16 bits/axis USB Report Rate: 1000 Hz (1ms) Microprocessor: 32-bit ARM |
| Button Specifications | |
| Features | Mechanical Microswitches Metal Spring Left/Right Button Tensioning System On-the-Fly DPI Switching High-Speed Clicking |
| Durability | Left/Right: 20 Million Clicks |
| Programmability | 6 Programmable Buttons 3 Onboard Memory Profiles (Logitech Gaming Software required for some features) |
| Additional Features | |
| Glide | Dynamic Coefficient of Friction*: 0.11 µ(k) Static Coefficient of Friction*: 0.17 µ(s) 250 km of Movement * Tested on Wood-Veneer Desktop. |
| Physical Specifications | Weight: 133g (Mouse Plus Cable) Weight: 87g (Mouse Only) 115mm x 65mm x 37mm (LxWxH) Cord: 7 feet (2.1m) |
| Lighting | RGB Customizable Lighting |
| Price | MSRP: $69.99 |
We won’t cover all of the features, but the sensor is definitely one of the most advanced options around. This is currently Logitech’s best mouse sensor, and the Delta Zero along with Zero Filtering/Smoothing are features that gamers in particular can appreciate, as they ensure there’s no acceleration and no additional lag generated by smoothing input over multiple samples. (Note that it’s necessary to also disable the OS smoothing/filtering aspects to get the unadulterated experience.) The resolution range of 200-12000 DPI is quite large, and personal preference certainly plays a role in what DPI an individual user likes; the G303 allows switching between up to five settings on-the-fly via the Logitech Gaming Software.
Logitech has also refined the buttons with metal spring tensioning on the left and right buttons that’s designed to improve the responsiveness, feel, and durability of the buttons. Rated at 20 million clicks, that’s equivalent to someone clicking the buttons every second for twelve hours a day, seven days a week for a full year. Or for those who prefer not to suffer from RSI, you could use the mouse and click the buttons on average 10 times per minute for eight hours a day and you still wouldn’t hit 20 million clicks even after ten years – at which time you’d likely be using a newer mouse regardless.
Besides the sensor and button specifications, which are obviously important for the target market, Logitech also has customizable RGB lighting on the mouse and a high quality braided cable. The weight of the mouse is very light, and the body is relatively small compared to some gaming mice. The total of six buttons (left, right, two thumb buttons, the scroll wheel, and the button behind the scroll wheel that’s typically used for DPI switching) is a bit limited compared to other offerings, but the Logitech Gaming Software does offer a full range of customizations and macro features.
We could go on but the key takeaways are that Logitech has attempted to create the best possible sensor with an extremely precise tracking system and a high quality and comfortable chassis. This is definitely a niche product as many users are more than happy with less expensive mice, but for competitive gamers that live and die by their mousing skills, Logitech hopes to win them over with the G303.
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TemjinGold - Thursday, March 5, 2015 - link
Wow good to know. I was seriously considering this mouse but now definitely not.Spoogie - Thursday, March 5, 2015 - link
Likewise I'm sure.I had a mouse that went tits up, only to be told that since the serial number had worn off (unavoidable since it was in a location that hit the pad), I was screwed. They lost me forever.
kashawks - Thursday, March 5, 2015 - link
I just returned and am receiving a replacement for a G930 purchased two years ago, free of any fees or shipping charges. While the process has been fairly slow it has not been difficult and Logitech is completely forthcoming in that they have cooperated entirely.Chaser - Thursday, March 5, 2015 - link
I had a G602 mouse replaced under warranty recently. I sent an email to their support, they sent one back offering common suggestions. I replied that I had already attempted them and that same day a replacement order was made and I had a new mouse at my door in a few days. No joke here. Very professional. Don't buy the isolated hissy fit stories.Spoogie - Thursday, March 5, 2015 - link
So every bad experience is a hissy fit. Okay.Where's the ignore button, Anandtech?
abhaxus - Thursday, March 5, 2015 - link
I would love to say mine was a hissy fit. The original communications were all pretty simple, I fully expected to have to pay for shipping both ways (which seems pretty awful considering they know they produced a run of defective mice). I only escalated when they refused even that, and even then because I had a few hours to kill while driving for work. Just shoddy service all around. They designed a mouse with a defect, that couldn't be updated by the end user, and then refused to fix it for a fee. The only satisfaction I got was wasting an hour of a guys time in legal that cost them more than they made on the mouse.If you think that producing defective products then refusing to fix them in a cost neutral fashion is good business, I don't know what to tell you.
toyotabedzrock - Thursday, March 5, 2015 - link
I bought a notebook mouse for Xmas and the right mouse button is already not working right, it seems to think it is released when it isn't.agentbb007 - Thursday, March 5, 2015 - link
I've had my Logitech G5 mouse for like 8 years and it is still going strong and I love it.kmmatney - Friday, March 6, 2015 - link
I have this one as well (G5Laser with adjustable weights). However, I can't say it works much better than the Amazon basic mouse that's become my standard for all the other computers in the house. I really don't get the whole gaming mouse thing - maybe I don't play the right sorts of games?chowmeined - Thursday, March 5, 2015 - link
This has also been my experience with Logitech. I will not be buying products from them. Their support is clueless, their warranty policies are strange (no part replacement? just complete device replacement? Isn't that expensive?), and I've never had anything with a stable driver from them.The last good product I have was the Z-2300 speakers. The flimsy cable got a little loose, they wouldn't replace the dongle part (they don't ever seem to offer part replacement). All they would offer is to replace the entire speaker set with their cheaped out current generation speakers.
I also had the G930 wireless headphones and they were awful. They were constantly disconnecting/reconnecting with the wireless adapter, the drivers were poor with static and distortion issues that were never resolved. Eventually the usb connector failed and I'm left with a paperweight.
I had a logitech web cam (cost $100) once upon a time, it was also plagued with driver problems and they dropped support for it and never made post-XP drivers.