Life with a Logitech G7 mouse

OK. I have used the Logitech G7 gaming mouse for some time, now. Though I don't use it for gaming, I have done quite a bit of CAD work (CAD design is a "TLA acronym"), and I thought this super-sleek mouse would do the trick.

Wonderful mouse. Horrible, terrible, abominable battery design. (OK, John, tell us how you really feel!)

Logitech equipped this mouse with a flat, rectangular battery "pack" that slips quickly and easily into the mouse underbelly. Hah! But it lasts about 6-8 hours under continuous "Spider Solitaire" use. I have wondered if the battery was designed to last just as long as it takes to recharge it. Because this mouse comes with 2 batteries: one to live in the combination charger/2.4Ghz wireless port (that connects via USB cable to the computer), and one to live in the mouse. You definitely want to turn it off when not in use. That extends the battery life considerably. But the experience of having to continually and frequently replace the freaking mouse battery pack is incredibly annoying. Because it goes dead red right in the middle of whatever you're working on. And one battery doesn't like to connect to the charger without futzing with it, so that's annoying, as well. You would really hate not having a charged battery ready, wouldn't you? See?

OK (I said that already). I did a quick search on Logitech's web site for their latest and greatest in mouses, and noticed this mouse isn't listed anymore. No surprise, there. I'm sure my experience is reflected (and amplified, as well) 1000 times over by all those disappointed gamers out there who probably now despise this badly-designed contraption.

Don't misunderstand. I love the mouse as a pointing device. Comfortable, balanced, and with enough buttons to keep the most ardent mouse geek occupied for days.

So, what replaces the G7 as the ultimate mouse? This Star Wars spacecraft-looking thing. Of course there's also the wired G9. I already have a G5, but the left-click button fails to click about 50% of the time. I won't risk buying another one of those. I also have both the VX and MX Revolutions. I gave the MX to my wife. She seems to like it, but it hurt my hand to use. The VX I use with my notebook at work. Nice mouse. Compact, comfortable. Battery (single conventional AA battery) lasts about 3 months, and it's wireless, too. The NiMH rechargeable batteries I have don't last as long, for some strange reason.

I should buy Logitech stock.

To summarize: I hate my current mouse; must seek another, one more worthy; desire a wireless mouse; forever fan of Logitech. What to do? What to do? Maybe I should go back to my trusty MX1000. Of course, it needed feeding (via docking station) on a regular basis, as well. That was why I "upgraded" to start with.

I can see I won't be pleased, at least anytime soon.