I was using the Logitech G7 wireless gaming mouse. I used it for about five months. At first I was happy with the product but the monotonous ritual of having to change the mouse battery every night began to drive me nuts. I'd start off my gaming session with the battery level at a healthy two out of three bars and within a couple of hours I would be getting a pop-up message that would take me out of a game and tell me I needed to change the mouse battery. Sometimes I would ignore it and reap the consequences of a dead mouse in the middle of a fight. It got to the stage where I decided I had better look around and see what other gaming mice are available.

The G9 Logitech Laser mouse is not a wireless mouse and hence no batteries or docking stations. Might seem a little strange to take a step backwards to a wired mouse when you're used to high-end peripherals that are often wireless these days. Let's take a look at what it offers:

 The mouse comes with:

• a braided USB connection cord,
• two different external housings to adjust the width and comfort of the mouse
• software
• a complete set of adjustable weights in a snazzy tin

Not only are these two external housings different widths, they also both have slightly different textures. The mouse is not designed to be used without one of the housings on it. I personally went for the wider housing as I have slightly large hands. Having the option to change it is an awesome idea. It's a simple press of a button to release a cover and swap it over. Fiona's note: If you suffer from RSI, the ability to alter the shape of the mouse to stop the repetitive positioning of the hand could prove beneficial.

On the bottom of the mouse there is the "Microgear" scroll mode button. This allows you to change the way in which the wheel feels when it is moved. It can either be smooth rolling, or have defined clicks in the movement, allowing for precise weapons changes, or being able to zoom your character out to a certain position accurately each time. Most mice offer one type of feel or the other, The G9 has both.

The profile button allows you to manually select from three different built-in profiles which you can set up via the software. The profile button needs to be held in and the positive and negative buttons on the top of the mouse are then used to scroll through the three different possible profiles.

On the bottom of the mouse you will also notice three large pad areas, which ensures that you will get a smooth glide. Gone are the days where mice only come with four tiny little pads in the corners.

The mouse cord, according to Logitech, is a "durable low-friction braided cord". Yes, the cord is braided, and to be honest, it hasn't interfered with my gaming experience what so ever. You can get some mice with stiff ugly cords that you seem to be forever tugging on to give you a little more slack. The cord on this mouse has been quite unnoticeable for the past two weeks. It looks good too.