In an effort to promote more inclusivity in gaming circles, Logitech G has released their Aurora collection with a new gaming headset, keyboards, mouse and accessories.
In addition to using a more subtle color system of white (officially “White Mist”) with green and pink highlights over your typical black, black and more black, another intent of the new Aurora collection is to include some of the take away the harshness of the design found in so many gaming accessories – and Logitech has succeeded with style.
While cynics who haven’t yet put this new range into practice can use Lisa Simpson’s Malibu Stacey argument to use “new hat”, real work has been done to deliver a range that gives female gamers more choice. , but there’s absolutely no reason why this outfit has to be gender-based at all. Some will simply appreciate its slightly different look or its customizable nature, and they’re perfect reasons to check it out – and it just happens to be a good one!
Let’s take a look at the three most important items in the series one by one.
Logitech claims this is built specifically for smaller hands, and our medium-sized legs fit it really well. Coming in the standard “White Mist” of the range, there’s a large RGB backlit three-zone smile, and contours that both provide a comfortable thumb fit and enough arc not to aggravate hands that are a little delicate in the pain department due to all day use. Some mice are just too flat, but this one has a pleasant and supportive bulge. It’s also light enough without feeling cheap, weighing in at just 85 grams.
In use, in our case with Windows 11, it hooks up to Bluetooth in seconds – although you’ll need another active mouse to activate it initially. The alternative is connection via Logitech’s own dongle-driven LIGHTSPEED system, or you can keep it connected via the USB-C to USB-A cable. Working wirelessly, we are promised 40 hours with the RGB lighting on, much more without. We’ve noticed that when we charge it overnight, we’ve never once been caught without juice.
“Some mice are just too flat, but this one has a pleasant and supportive bulge.”
Though aimed at gamers, the G705 works brilliantly as an everyday workhorse beeper, but with features like a gaming-grade sensor, six programmable buttons well placed and a handy DPI cycling button, it’s more than ready for gaming.
While customizable color bits are a big thing with the Aurora line, unfortunately there is no customization for the mouse. But you can get your hands on some nice pastel mouse pads…
There are two keyboards in the Aurora range, both essentially the same except one is permanently wired and the other offers the freedom of wireless. The G715 is the last one, and it’s the one we’ve played with.
The first thing you notice is that it is a ten keyless number – yes, no keyboard. While that might make it more convenient for portability, it’s an instant “No” from us for regular use, as we’ve come to rely heavily on that extra numerical click-clack real estate. We can only hope Logitech gets the memo and adds a full keyboard to the Aurora lineup, because the design of this abbreviated version is otherwise a fantastic combination of form and functionality.
It’s a fully mechanical keyboard, with options for tactile, linear or, our personal favorite, clicky (we prefer “clacky”, but whatever) – when we hit a key, we want the world to know about it! In use it feels great, and joyfully the height of the device is adjustable via two folding legs. The keycaps are also made of double-shot PBT, so they are built to survive.
“Going wireless will get you anywhere from 25 to 30 hours of clicks, depending on whether you turn on the nice RGB lighting.”
The connection, like the G705 mouse, is via Bluetooth, LIGHTSPEED (only one dongle is needed to connect both devices to your system – neat) or old fashioned wired, the latter using the included USB-C to USB -A cable, which, like the one packaged with the mouse, is in matching white. Going wireless delivers anywhere from 25 to 30 hours of clicks, depending on whether you turn on the fancy RGB lighting. In addition to programmable key illumination options in 16 zones, there is also a pleasant glow that comes from under the keyboard. It looks pretty cool when it’s in action, even if it’s just for show. Of course, it can also be synced with the lighting in the G705 mouse, as well as the headset, which we’ll get to shortly. For all your lighting tricks, the Logitech G HUB app is your friend, with thousands of customizable lighting combinations, including the signature Aurora Collection lighting that Logitech has christened ‘Play Moods’.
Another top feature of this keyboard is the selection of media keys at the top, complete with a very handy volume roller.
Rounding out the package is the nicest damn rest we’ve ever seen. That cloud-shaped thing in the photo above? That is it. Just the right level of squishy, it’s a joy to rest your wrists on – if a little bumpy – but unless you subscribe to the Howard Hughes school of cleanliness, it’s guaranteed to turn into a squish in no time. a dirty blecch fest. Glove time?
At first glance the most quintessential looking device in the Aurora triumvirate – even Logitech has given us a variety of colors in this space before – the G735 comes through with some thoughtful features that make it more than just a boring old wireless headset. .
This one has taken more comfort considerations into consideration as it aims to suit all gamers. These include catering for glasses wearers, those with subtle or not-so-earrings, and also long-haired types. As for those who dye their hair in wild colors, it remains to be seen whether the ‘White Mist’ will survive without smudging. Weighing in at just 260 grams, the device is also slightly smaller in size, so there’s none of that fumbling “LOOK! I’M WEARING A GAMING HEADSET!!!” atmosphere that so many such devices scream at you.Relief!
Also including hugely programmable RGB lighting, the battery life is 56 hours plus (without the lights on – you push it to 16), and again, connection comes via Bluetooth, LIGHTSPEED or, of course, classic cable connection – which you need for devices like Nintendo Switch. It should be noted at this point that in a stunning fit of oops for a premium priced product, there is no 3.5mm cable included. They can be picked up quite cheaply, but it really is a surprising omission.
“…this is a headset that feels almost imperceptible on the bonce…”
We gave the G735 a run on every easily connected device we could find, from Windows PC to PS5, Xbox Series X, Switch and our trusty Samsung S22. Now, before we get all technical, we need to comment on the comfineness. With soft materials as the focus, this is a headset that feels virtually imperceptible on the bone (well, until the sound starts pumping) and was a joy to wear for extended periods of time – and we wear glasses to see which screen is on. we watch. Part of the fun of wearing this particular headset is that the ear cups pivot to fit snugly over the ears.
Now get even more technical. Logitech claims the microphone is the first to feature their new Blue VO!CE microphone technology, and we have no reason to doubt them. In use, the microphone is sufficiently flexible, and from all accounts we ended up coming out nice and clear that matters – the other. Excellent news is that the microphone stem is also detachable for when you don’t want to rock the call center look in public.
On-ear dual audio mixing is a top feature and favorite audio settings can be saved both in G Hub and on the headset itself. With a range of 20 meters, you can stray a bit if you want without worrying about falling out. Charging is done via the (fortunately) standard USB-C to USB-A cable. This one really fits.
We can’t say goodbye without mentioning the customization features of the Aurora Collection. There are a ton of extra bits and bobs available, in “Pink Dawn” and “Green Flash” colors, which, as you’ve probably guessed, are pastel shades of pink and green.
Mentioned bits and bobs – all sold separately – include functional items such as replacement headset mics and earcup cushions, keyboard covers and keyboard keys (luckily with the requisite pulling tool to pull the original one off).
The fluffy cloud wrist rest is also available separately, as well as a matching charm and a beautiful love heart shaped case for the headset and mouse that we unfortunately didn’t get to play with. Oh, and there are also those mouse pads we mentioned earlier.
Our only major concern with this fantastic new range from Logitech G is that white is the absolute dingiest, most appealing color out there, so those getting on board should be aware that their new gear will be shiny and happy with the application. of extra cleanliness care.
Otherwise, again, some may be cynical, but we think Logitech G’s initiative to push for a little more inclusion in the gaming space is admirable. The Aurora Collection delivers on its promise to offer gaming staples that have a little more attention than your stereotypical gamer, and the offerings in this first outing manage to deliver quality, as well as a pleasant and very welcome air of whimsy.
The Logitech G Aurora Collection launches on August 29. Pre-order now at JB Hi-Fi.
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