If you are into competitive FPS shooters such as Counter Strike or Valorant, you’ll definitely know who Shroud is. Shroud used to main the original wired G303, fast forward few years – he teamed up with Logitech to create the new G303 Shroud Edition mouse. And it’s packed with all the latest Logitech technology to keep it up-to-date with the competition.
Unboxing
In the box, you’ll find the following:
- Logitech G303 Shroud Edition
- USB-C to USB-A cable
- LIGHTSPEED USB-A receiver
- USB extension
- User manual
- Sticker
For a S$209 mouse, it would have been nice to optional grip tape included in the box.
Tech specs
Dimensions | Height: 125.0 mm Width: 63.5 mm Depth: 40.0 mm |
Weight | 75 grams |
Sensor | HERO 25K Resolution: 100 – 25,000 DPI |
Wireless | LIGHTSPEED wireless technology USB report rate: 1000 Hz (1ms) Microprocessor: 32-bit ARM |
Buttons | 1. Left click 2. Right click 3. Back button 4. Forward button 5. Scroll click 6. DPI button |
Feet/Skates | No-additive PTFE Feet |
Battery life | 145 hours per full charge |
Charging port | USB-C |
Build quality and design
Build quality on the G303 Shroud Edition is top-notch as expected from any Logitech product. There is no observable rattling or squeaking of the plastic, the overall construction feels pretty solid. The coating on the plastic of the G303 Shroud Edition feels similar to that of the G Pro X Superlight, which is a smooth the touch texture that does pick a little fingerprint smudges from time to time.
The left and right sides of the mouse feature an interesting translucent plastic that is slightly rougher than the smooth top shell. I usually need grip tape on my mouse, but somehow the plastic material on the sides of the G303 Shroud Edition seems to offer enough grip even when using it stock.
The mouse buttons all feel well-tensioned and have crispy clicks to them. The DPI button is recessed along the curves of the top shell so you won’t accidentally click it while gaming. The scroll wheel feature a smooth rubberised texture, and has defined steps when scrolling through. The scroll click does feel a tad heavier as compared to that of the Logitech G304. I’m not a fan of the scroll wheel sounds. It is a little loud and I can feel the scroll slightly reverberating in the mouse. You can refer to the video below for the click sounds:
As for the skates/feet, the G303 Shroud Edition uses 2 large prices of zero-additive PTFE which glides around rather smoothly. At the back of the G303 Shroud Edition, you can find a magnetic drawer which you can retract to store the USB receiver if you are bringing the mouse around.
Shape and fit
A good mouse for me might not mean a good mouse for you – it all boils down to whether you enjoy the fit you get with the mouse. The new G303 Shroud Edition has a very unique shape that is not seen in other brands. The G303 Shroud Edition essentially has a diamond shape, with an incredibly distinct hump at the back of the mouse. This is symmetric design is something uncommon as it features rather aggressive angles at the sides.
My hand size measure 18cm * 8.5cm, and I believe that should be in the upper range of the small size. Personally I have been using the Logitech G304 for gaming, and generally employ a relaxed claw grip style. When switching from the G304 to the G303 Shroud Edition, it was a rather drastic change in terms of feel in my hand. And on first impression, the mouse did seem large for me.
Logitech G304 vs G303 Shroud Edition
The biggest difference I felt was the aggressive hump at the back of the mouse. You can see the side by side comparison with the G304 below. When using the G304, the back of the mouse sometimes come into contact with my palm but it is a slight contact which I do enjoy as it gives me more control of the mouse. But with the G303 Shroud Edition, that contact with my palm is way more. The hump kind of wants to push into my palm and I’m forced to let it do so due to the aggressive nature of the design. The hump of the G303 Shroud Edition contacts more on the upper-mid palm while the G304 contacts the lower palm area.
But having said that, it does not mean I do not like the G303 Shroud Edition. In fact, after some games with the G303 Shroud Edition, I actually got used to the shape of it. The hump that pushes into my palm somehow gives me a greater sense of control and manoeuvrability of the mouse. Also, as the hump has a sharper tip, there is still some space at the lower palm area for me to make micro-adjustments. Despite the diamond shape, the edge of the curvature is actually quite gentle so my thumb is able to follow the curvature and grip comfortably. Hopefully, the images below is able to showcase the main nuances of this unique G303 Shroud Edition shape.
I feel like the G303 Shroud Edition is still considered a medium sized mouse and would best fit people with at least hand size of 18cm in height and 8cm in width. I feel that the G303 Shroud Edition kind of forces you to wrap your hand around the shape, and once you let the hump sit against your palm, the mouse will feel a little like an extension of your arm. In short, you can expect the G303 Shroud Edition to give a more locked-in grip, which can provide more control especially if you use some variation of a claw grip. If you are mainly a fingertip or palm grip style, I think you will likely find the shape a little uncomfortable to use.
Performance
There probably isn’t much to comment on the wireless and sensor performance of the G303 Shroud Edition. We all know how good both the LIGHTSPEED wireless and HERO 25K sensor is. As long as you follow the recommended placement of the USB receiver, the experience you get is as close to wired one. The HERO 25K sensor offers superior tracking and responsiveness when I was gaming with it.
The only thing left to comment on is the weight. At 75g, I found it comfortably light for my use, especially since I came from a heavier 90g (AAA modded) G304. Sudden flicks were definitely easier to execute. The weight distribution is also rather well-balanced in the middle. However, some still may find the 75g weight heavy since we have the ultra-light mouses coming in at 63g such as the G Pro x Superlight.
Battery life
The battery life is just insane on the G303 Shroud Edition. It is rated to last 145 hours on a single charge, which should comfortably get you 2 months of use. And if you have to to charge it, thankfully Logitech has finally included a USB-C input on the G303 Shroud Edition.
Conclusion
At S$209, the price is a little steep since it isn’t consider a so-called ‘Superlight’ mouse. You are definitely paying some Shroud tax here. Personally 75g is light enough for me, and it is actually Logitech’s second lightest wireless mouse. Whether or not the G303 Shroud Edition is a good mouse will depend on your grip style and hand size. For a relaxed claw grip user, I found that shape of the G303 Shroud Edition offers me more control and performs great for me when playing games such as Valorant. To me, I feel that the G303 Shroud Edition is a customised mouse will be game-changing for some, but feel completely out of place for others. Do try the shape out if possible if you’re considering purchasing it.
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