Logitech G402 vs 502 Gaming Mouse- Comparison Review
side-by-side comparison
Logitech G402
4.8 out of 5
vs
Logitech G502
4.8 out of 5
A brief overview of the G402 and G502
Mouse | Sensor | DPI | Buttons | Weight | Scroll wheel |
Logitech G402 Hyperion Fury | Fusion Engine Hybrid Sensor (500 IPS) | 240-4000 DPI | 8 | 108g | All-rubber wheel |
Logitech G502 Proteus Core | Delta Zero IR Sensor | 200 - 12000 DPI | 11 | 145g | All-metal, dual-mode hyper scroll wheel |
Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum | PMW 3366 | 200 - 12000 DPI | 11 | 121g | All-metal, dual-mode hyper scroll wheel |
Logitech G502 HERO | HERO16K | 100 - 16000 DPI | 11 | 121g | All-metal, dual-mode hyper scroll wheel |
Logitech G502 Lightspeed HERO | HERO 16K | 100 - 16000 DPI | 11 | 114g | All-metal, dual-mode hyper scroll wheel |
Most people only change their gaming mouse when it breaks. But some can’t stay with a mouse long enough to get used to it. It begs the question, what influences one to pick one gaming mouse over another.
While Logitech is always a step ahead in their designs, we can’t help but notice similarities in most of their mice. Today’s post dwells on the G402 and G502. These mice are near-identical in design. But a closer look reveals that only the shape and form is similar.
The G402 Hyperion Fury FPS gaming mouse and the G502 Proteus Core were both released in 2014. But Logitech has since unveiled other versions of the G502. These include the Proteus Spectrum, HERO, and Lightspeed.
It’s like Logitech took the features on the G402 and improved them in the G502. Ever since the G502 Proteus Core, only a few changes have been made to the succeeding versions. We are talking about the sensor, sensitivity, and a wireless version in the Lightspeed.
Unlike other mice that we have compared before, G402 and G502 are each on a different path.
Logitech G402 vs 502 Compared
Logitech G502 Specifications
Logitech G502 Specifications
This mouse has come a long way from its first version. The Proteus Spectrum was the most sought mouse of 2016. All thanks to its new and improved design. It also tracked the best owing to the newly unveiled PMW3366 sensor at the time.
We wouldn’t recommend the Proteus Core or the Proteus Spectrum today. We are all about the G502 HERO and G502 Lightspeed. The latter is a wireless version with the latest HERO 16K sensor.
The G502 HERO is the wired version. It is budget-friendly. Likely because you will deal with cable drag from time to time. Other than that, this is the best G502 mouse when you want sophisticated features on a budget.
Shape and Size
The G502 Lightspeed takes on the conventional G502 shape and size. Only the wireless technology has been added and a few grams have been slashed. We are talking about the curvy profile which is shorter and wider than the G402.
Logitech has not called it an ergonomic mouse. And we can see why, because ergonomics is difficult to test for. But this mouse is designed for comfortable use in long gaming sessions. Because of its shape, this mouse can be used by different grip styles and for different purposes.
It comes with a high mid-level hump which feels great for palm grip style. It also does well with a claw grip style because it has a less bulbous shape. But it is not a nice mouse for fingertip users. This is because it is wide and the palm area is smooth. It may not maintain as much grip if you have sweaty hands.
The left side of the mouse comes with a flared thumb rest. It has rubberized sides for the thumb rest on the left, and the pinky and ring finger on the right. We like that the textured rubber grip extends to the bottom. Together with the three sleek feet on the bottom, we are confident it can maintain decent contact with any surface. And, the feet are easy to replace since they wear out after a couple of years.
Weight Tuning
Unlike the G402, all G502 mice have a weight tuning system. The G502 Lightspeed is seven grams lighter. Now, you can use the mouse for professional eSports or FPS. These games require a light mouse for fast flicking and precision.
The G502 allows you to reduce, increase, or change the center of gravity to get a better feel of the mouse. Instead of a cartridge system, Logitech uses a hexagonal core. This design ensures that the vertical weight distribution is not influenced by how you tune the weight.
You get six weights in total. Two are 4g weights and four are 2g weights. In the Proteus Core, Proteus Spectrum, and HERO models, you have five weights. Each is 3.6g. On the G502 Lightspeed, you can put weights on the bottom to get a heavier mouse. This way, you can play at high DPI without losing control of the cursor.
We like that the shell is easy to access thanks to the magnetic cover that is part of the thumb rest. It allows you to get into the core for fast and easy weight tuning.
Buttons
All G502 mice have 11 customizable buttons. You have the right and left buttons and a five-button layout on the left side. Out of the box, all the buttons are set to the same default function for what they are designed to do. But you can easily program them to reflect on the functions you want for your games.
The left and right buttons use a metal-spring tensioning system. This is to maintain the springy feedback that is needed for gaming. All other buttons have a little resistance to them which is expected. We like that the left and right buttons are built of different pieces of plastic. They are designed to last and are tested for twenty million clicks by Logitech.
The G502 mouse comes with two DPI switches that sit next to the left button. Then, you have the DPI switching level LEDs, and the web browser buttons after the LEDs. The top DPI shift thumb button can be programmed to give you lower DPI when held down. This feature is super helpful to FPS players. It comes in handy when you want super-accurate sniping action.
Lastly, G502 Lightspeed also adorns the all-metal, dual-mode, hyper scroll wheel. This scroll wheel has come a long way since the Proteus Core. Although it has maintained the heavy-duty knurling, it does not require as much effort to use.
The scroll wheel can be used in the infinite spinning mode, side by side clicking, or as a middle click button. It is so versatile. You can go from switching weapons in-game, to scrolling endlessly on long pages.
Sensor
The G502 Lightspeed comes with the HERO 16K sensor. The sensor tops sensitivity at the highest since it goes up to 16000DPI.
This sensor features an incredible 400IPS tracking speed. You don’t have to worry about smoothing acceleration, or filtering. Not to mention, HERO 16K is power efficient. Since G502 Lightspeed is a wireless model, the sensor allows it to run for up to 60 hours.
Remember that G502 Lightspeed supports PowerPlay wireless charging. You can ditch wires completely.
Perhaps the unique thing with the G502 sensor is that you can fine-tune it to the type of surface you are using. It tracks well right out of the box on most types of surfaces. From wood veneer to glass, we don’t see it having problems.
The G-Hub software comes with settings for G440 hard mat and G240 cloth surface. We know that the fine-tuning works. This is because if you use the G440 settings for the G240, the sensor will not track correctly. Even without calibrating the sensor, it still adapts to uneven, hard, or soft surfaces.
Software
Logitech has updated its gaming software so that it works with both Windows and Mac OS. You can customize buttons, create profiles, set DPI, and customize Lightspeed lighting.
Speaking of lighting, you can now experience LIGHTSYNC technology. It boasts full RGB lighting which means up to 16.8 million colors to play with.
The Logitech G Hub Software helps to sync lighting to games, music, and videos. Also, you can create personalized RGB animations.
On the G502 Proteus Core, you can only change the lighting effect but not the color. The Proteus Spectrum supports one zone of RGB lighting. The G502 HERO has all the LIGHTSYNC features.
Logitech G402 Specifications
This mouse is the simpler version of the G502. Everything about is toned down from the buttons to the sensor. The G402 Hyperion Fury still ranks as one of the best FPS mice Logitech has ever produced. It has a lightweight design in a narrow, long shape that gives you all the control.
Time has made it such that the G402 is no longer competitive. Even on a budget, I’d rather you go with the HERO or the G403. The Logitech G403 features the HERO 16K sensor and is practically the newer version of the G402.
Shape and Size
You’ll notice that the G402 is narrower than the G502. It is also taller and longer. The advantage of this form factor is that most people can use it. If you have small hands, it is easy to grip. The highest point is towards the back and it slopes towards the front. It favors palm and claw grip styles just like the G502.
The G402 follows with a matte black shell. It has a smaller thumb rest than G502. Although it is not textured like in the G502, it still maintains a decent level of grip.
At 108g without the cable, we can say it is lighter than the G502. Once you throw in the cable and you have some hefty 144g to deal with. You can always include a bungee like the Zowie Camade to deal with the drag.
It uses a regular-braided cable that is not the most flexible. That’s why you will most likely need a mouse bungee.
Buttons
The G402 Hyperion Fury has eight programmable buttons. The left and right buttons are quite distinct. They ensure you’ll make sure clicks every time. This mouse offers on-the-fly DPI switching. The other five buttons are laid out on the left side of the mouse.
With this mouse, Logitech maintains the traditional all-rubber wheel. It does not have a free-spinning mode. This means it won’t do much when you want to switch out weapons superfast.
It’s nice that you can customize any of the buttons. G402 features onboard memory to store your profiles and skills. It comes in handy when you have to use another PC. However, you can only adjust and save profiles when using Windows. It is not compatible with Mac OS.
Sensor
The G402 uses the Fusion Engine Hybrid sensor. It is a hybrid sensor because it also features Delta Zero technology. Fusion Engine is responsible for the 1ms response rate over cable. Delta Zero, on the other hand, delivers reliable tracking at 500IPS.
This sensor is just as good as newer sensors. It is not prone to cursor jumping and spinning. However, you cannot calibrate it to the surface you will be using.
This mouse has up to 4000 DPI. Considering that 1000 DPI is ideal for precision targeting in FPS, it still a viable mouse today. Logitech is all about its superfast tracking. That is if you can complete 360 quick scope moves at superfast speed. But we don’t see how.
The G402 uses micromechanical switches. They don’t have the snappy feedback experienced with the Lightspeed. They come close to the Proteus Core though.
Conclusion
The G502 Lightspeed is our editor’s choice in this comparison review. It combines ultrafast wireless technology with an equally fast HERO 16K sensor. That said, Pro gamers have everything to gain with this mouse.
You will enjoy a similar performance with the G502 Hero only that you are not going wireless. G502 HERO favors those looking for a pocket-friendly mouse.
And, only if your budget is really tight can you go with the G402. It is quite basic and not competitive by today’s standards.