Ask Me Anything - Official Logitech G Representatives

[LogitechG_Brent]

Hi, Thanks for doing this AMA. I have a couple questions.
1. Are you allowed to comment on a possible successor to the Driving Force GT or the G27? I really want to buy one, but I cant help but feel like theres a new one coming up.
2. Do you plan on selling replacement keycaps for the G710+? I have a single broken key and I'd be willing to buy a whole new set just so I can have backups.
3. Were there ever any really cool/odd product concepts that never made it to production that you are able to talk about?

Thanks

1) I can't comment
2) Check your messages

 

[Timelord104]

Not a question as such but just I just wanted you guys to know. That the G700s is the best mouse I've ever used and hopefully we might see a successor in the near future.

 

[Revan1]

My number 1 question is when will we get a fix for the logitech gaming software. I've owned a g35 and g930 and since day 1 the newest version has always had a bug where audio cuts in and out with distortion and a slight popping sound when switching between different applications. Been using a version of the software that came out in 1864 which doesn't have the bug. This issue is all over their forums, it's not a isolated problem.
Options

 

[anonymous5050]

I have a few questions:

What exactly is an "MCU," and what parts of a mouse does it directly affect?
Why is red often chosen as an optical sensor's LED color?
Can max PCS be easily increased/decreased in a pre-existing product, or do modifications have to be made?

And this one might sound a bit odd, but could a gyroscope be a more accurate/precise/1:1 solution for tracking than an optical-based sensor as the technology matures?

 

[flyflinger]

Any plans for a lower cost affordable steering wheel? Something cheaper than the G27 like the late great Momo racing wheel?

 

[phantomash]

Any news on G702?

 

[g-unit1111]

Does Logitech have any plans to make a full backlit mechanical keyboard with customizable RGB lighting similar to the Razer Blackwidow or the Corsair K70 RGB?

 

[LogitechG_Chris]

I have a few questions:

What exactly is an "MCU," and what parts of a mouse does it directly affect?
Why is red often chosen as an optical sensor's LED color?
Can max PCS be easily increased/decreased in a pre-existing product, or do modifications have to be made?

And this one might sound a bit odd, but could a gyroscope be a more accurate/precise/1:1 solution for tracking than an optical-based sensor as the technology matures?

MCU is shorthand for microcontroller unit - the processor that's used to handle turning all the movement and button data (as well as any onboard macros or whatever) into USB data for the PC to read.

Red/infrared are the easiest spectrums for sensors to read. The light spectrum is defined by the sensor manufacturer.

PCS is really not a good metric. Sujoy invented it in 2007 as a way to describe a negative characteristic of sensor performance in a couple of sensor architectures that were already old at the time - the maximum speed at which you still get "perfect" tracking performance rather than maximum physical speed at which you start losing tracking altogether. In more modern sensors, maximum tracking speed is, for all intents and purposes, the same thing.

Maximum tracking speed is a characteristic of the sensor's design and how effective it is at correlating the images that it is comparing to each other in order to determine movement direction/velocity. Once the design is baked and you're shipping chips, you can't change the fundamental performance of the sensor. Unless you've implemented the design incorrectly, you can't change maximum tracking speed of the mouse without changing the sensor.

We actually have implemented an accelerometer/gyroscope inertial sensor into the G402 Hyperion Fury. It's not a replacement for the optical sensor, as at low speeds you get much better tracking fidelity from optical sensors. We use it as a way to increase the maximum speed at which the mouse can track. Using this system allows us to get the excellent precision and accuracy of the optical sensor at low speeds, while using the high-speed capabilities of the inertial sensor if the mouse is moved fast enough that the optical sensor fails. We've tested it up over 500 inches/second and haven't yet been able to make it fail.

 

[LogitechG_Chris]

Does Logitech have any plans to make a full backlit mechanical keyboard with customizable RGB lighting...?

We have the G910 Orion Spark RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard.

 

[OldGroo]

G'day

Mice! Since the ball/roller is no longer in a mouse, my #1 reason to purchase a new mouse is due to the failing of button 0 and 1. I feel this is primarily due to dust/dirt buildup which occurs do to general design flaw. I am talking several brands, no specific model.

So my question is : What innovations logitech may have or have coming soon concerning mouse button 0/1 failures? (ie ease of cleaning, different switches, redesigned mouse shape/mechanics, ??)

 

[anonymous5050]

MCU is shorthand for microcontroller unit - the processor that's used to handle turning all the movement and button data (as well as any onboard macros or whatever) into USB data for the PC to read.

Red/infrared are the easiest spectrums for sensors to read. The light spectrum is defined by the sensor manufacturer.

PCS is really not a good metric. Sujoy invented it in 2007 as a way to describe a negative characteristic of sensor performance in a couple of sensor architectures that were already old at the time - the maximum speed at which you still get "perfect" tracking performance rather than maximum physical speed at which you start losing tracking altogether. In more modern sensors, maximum tracking speed is, for all intents and purposes, the same thing.

Maximum tracking speed is a characteristic of the sensor's design and how effective it is at correlating the images that it is comparing to each other in order to determine movement direction/velocity. Once the design is baked and you're shipping chips, you can't change the fundamental performance of the sensor. Unless you've implemented the design incorrectly, you can't change maximum tracking speed of the mouse without changing the sensor.

Great answers! Thanks for the fast response. I have one more question:

The G402 uses a gyroscope to aid the sensor in reaching higher perfect control speeds. Does the gyroscope enhance the tracking in any other way besides that? And could a gyroscope eventually be a better way to achieve more precise/raw/1:1 movement over an optical solution as the technology matures?

 

[Andy Yang]

Why had the warranty on more recent gaming products (G402, G302, G710 and G910 even) been lowered to 2 years, instead of the previously customary 3 years? As far as I can tell, it has nothing to do with the price range of the product, as both G100s and G105 had three years.

Shouldn't Logitech show more faith in its own products, especially considering the durability touted by the G910?

 

[atari314]

Dear LogitechG,

1. Why is there a weight on the G100S. It's almost an oblitatory mod to remove it.

2. Is there any plans for a proper light and small claw grip mouse? Maybe an optical version of G9?

Asking it since it's almost impossible to find a good claw grip mouse.
Currently trying to use the G100S as clawgrip, but it's just too big.
I'm almost considering doing some hard mode like this:
http://www.overclock.net/t/1444732/sawed-off-g100s
It's not pretty, but we really have no light+small claw grip options.

Tyvm.

 

[hang-the-9]

Does Logitech have any plans to make a full backlit mechanical keyboard with customizable RGB lighting...?

We have the G910 Orion Spark RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard.

I don't often stop to stare at a keyboard, but that is one sexy beast.

I think you should send one out to all the Tom's moderators for suitable testing

I do have a question, there seems to be often requests for older accessories like older speakers pod controllers, old mice recievers, etc... Has Logitech ever looked into contracting someone to make the older parts again or just offer up the designs for bid to a 3rd party to meet the demand for older replacement parts?

I speak from first hand need here as I have a $300 4.1 THX speaker system that I can't use because the control pod was lost during a move LOL

I also agree with a poster above, the original MX mouse was one of the best mice ever, a hospital I worked at bought them for all the radiology stations and I have had two myself. I could not comment on the sensor tracking vs the new gaming mice but it was very smooth.

Another question I have, how much work goes into the "feel" of the devices across products and measured against competetors feel? Are there "taste" testers so to say for designs where a group of users are brought in to click a bunch of mice? Logitech seems to have a certain style of mouse click that is pretty consistent and is noticable different from say Microsoft mice, is that consciously maintained at the corporate level or does it just go by product?

 

[LogitechG_Chris]

Great answers! Thanks for the fast response. I have one more question:

The G402 uses a gyroscope to aid the sensor in reaching higher perfect control speeds. Does the gyroscope enhance the tracking in any other way besides that? And could a gyroscope eventually be a better way to achieve more precise/raw/1:1 movement over an optical solution as the technology matures?

I don't know how the movement tracking characteristics of future inertial sensors will change, but as it stands optical sensors are significantly better at understanding low-speed movement.

 

[g-unit1111]

I don't often stop to stare at a keyboard, but that is one sexy beast.

I think you should send one out to all the Tom's moderators for suitable testing

I'll gladly take one!! :lol:

Makes me glad I didn't get the Corsair - the feature set of this keyboard -

On the subject of mice while on the subject of multi-colored LED lights, will Logitech produce a version of the G502 with a customizable LED?

 

[LogitechG_Chris]

Dear LogitechG,

1. Why is there a weight on the G100S. It's almost an oblitatory mod to remove it.

2. Is there any plans for a proper light and small claw grip mouse? Maybe an optical version of G9?

Asking it since it's almost impossible to find a good claw grip mouse.
Currently trying to use the G100S as clawgrip, but it's just too big.
I'm almost considering doing some hard mode like this:
http://www.overclock.net/t/1444732/sawed-off-g100s
It's not pretty, but we really have no light+small claw grip options.

Tyvm.

1. There are more people who tell us G100s is too light than tell us it is too heavy.
2. I am prohibited from discussing future product plans

 

[atari314]

Dear LogitechG,

1. Why is there a weight on the G100S. It's almost an oblitatory mod to remove it.

2. Is there any plans for a proper light and small claw grip mouse? Maybe an optical version of G9?

Asking it since it's almost impossible to find a good claw grip mouse.
Currently trying to use the G100S as clawgrip, but it's just too big.
I'm almost considering doing some hard mode like this:
http://www.overclock.net/t/1444732/sawed-off-g100s
It's not pretty, but we really have no light+small claw grip options.

Tyvm.

1. There are more people who tell us G100s is too light than tell us it is too heavy.
2. I am prohibited from discussing future product plans

Tyvm for the reply sir.

Please keep us, the humble claw grip users, in mind for future products.

P.S.: Kudos on the hydrophobic coating on the G100S, it's perfect.

 

[Onus]

I would love to be able to test new Logitech products, except perhaps speakers/headsets, as I'm deaf in one ear.
Speaking of which, one thing I NEVER see on audio peripherals is a stereo/mono switch, and not all devices provide that option (e.g. non-PCs). Please put a bug in someone's ear to consider this option, especially for headsets, so people like me don't "lose" a channel.

 

[whatsntomake]

Hi Logitech, as a bit of a mice and keyboard geek, I just want to say I really appreciate how Logitech has been innovating and pushing new technology.

I always hear the enthusiast crowd push for lightweight devices and complain about heavier mouse devieces. As i underatand it, lower sensitivity users tend to like to swipe, flick and lift their mice, while higher sensitivity users generally won't need to move their mouses as excessively. What are your thoughts on mouse weight and how do you balance the needs of two very different groups when you are designing a mouse?

Are there any plans to retain some of the better features of gaming products and develop more neutral workplace friendly versions that aren’t as eye-catchingly distinctive in a professional environment?

 

[LogitechG_Chris]

For high-end mouse solutions for laptops and travel, I can't help but feel that the Anywhere mouse is a huge step down from the "original" high quality travel mouse, the Logitech VX Nano.

VX Nano:
-AAA Batteries (Months of battery life, even when used daily)
-Lighter
-Smaller
-Dark field Laser (works almost anywhere, though I haven't tried glass)
-No Unifying Receiver

Anywhere Mouse:
-AA Batteries (2-3 weeks of battery life, especially when used often)
-Much heavier than the VX Nano
-A little larger than the VX Nano
-Dark field Laser (works almost anywhere, though I haven't tried glass)
-Unifying Receiver

I own both mice and have used both consistently enough over the past 5-6 years to know that I prefer almost everything about the VX Nano. Are there any plans to bring back a revised version of the VX Nano? The consensus from what I've seen is that the Nano is the better mouse (people even willing to pay $100-$200 on auction sites for a new one).

Thanks. I'll pass your feedback to the people who make our office mice.

 

[LogitechG_Chris]

Hi Logitech, as a bit of a mice and keyboard geek, I just want to say I really appreciate how Logitech has been innovating and pushing new technology.

I always hear the enthusiast crowd push for lightweight devices and complain about heavier mouse devieces. As i underatand it, lower sensitivity users tend to like to swipe, flick and lift their mice, while higher sensitivity users generally won't need to move their mouses as excessively. What are your thoughts on mouse weight and how do you balance the needs of two very different groups when you are designing a mouse?

Are there any plans to retain some of the better features of gaming products and develop more neutral workplace friendly versions that aren’t as eye-catchingly distinctive in a professional environment?

You are correct that making a finite set of products that appeal to a wide audience is challenging. We try to ensure that each of our products meets the needs of as wide of an audience as possible. For weight specifically, we try to ensure that we have a range of products that cater to the different preferences for physical feel, but that fall within a widely acceptable target. For very polarizing options (e.g. tilt wheel vs no tilt wheel) we try to have offerings that both include and do not include those options.

 

[whatsntomake]

The g502 uses this extradionary sensor that's very precise. Many folks were hoping to see more of this sensor on future Logitech products. Can you explain the thought process behind why it wasn't choosen to be included in newer Logitech g devices like the g402 and g302?

 

[Oddkarma]

Hi Chris. Loved you in Guardians of the Galaxy.

We know you hate left handed people, but why do you also hate people with big hands? 🙁

 

[LogitechG_Chris]

The g502 uses this extradionary sensor that's very precise. Many folks were hoping to see more of this sensor on future Logitech products. Can you explain the thought process behind why it wasn't choosen to be included in newer Logitech g devices like the g402 and g302?

I can't give insight further than stating different products are speced with different components. We are very aware of how excited enthusiasts are about the sensor in G502. One thing to keep in mind that products take a significant amount of time to design and bring to market, and G502 first shipped in April of this year.