Overview
If I only need one mouse for all scenarios – work and game- the Steel Series Rival 500 remains my top favourite that matches the Logitech G604 for MMO, FPS games, and productivity. It is fully customizable with 15 programmable fast-click buttons and is designed for all palm, claw, and fingertip grip styles.
Similarity
The similarity between G604 and Rival 500
1) Both have 15 programmable buttons
2) Both have 6 side buttons
3) Both have 2 side buttons on Left Mouse Button (LMB)
4) Max Resolution 16,000 DPI
Differences
Key differences between G604 and Rival 500
| G604 | Rival 500 |
| Wireless & Bluetooth only | Wired only |
| No side button on RMB | One side button on RMB |
| Change the wheel to smooth or clicky | The wheel only has a clicky scroll |
| Hero 16K Optical Sensor | Pixart 3360 Optical Sensor |
| Max Speed >400 IPS | Max Speed 300 IPS |
Design Critique
One of the main reasons we like the Rival 500 better is the side button on the RMB. However, this button and the 2 side buttons for the LMB feel pretty hard to press. Playing for an hour feels like a gym training session for your fingers. You can pose and share the “biceps” on your fingers soon…
The G604 is buttons are just right. Steel Series should try to use the G604 as a benchmark for the button pressure in the next version of the Rival 500. Logitech should learn from the Rival 500 by adding the side button on the RMB.
Another reason all the mice from other manufacturers lose to Logitech’s is the option to select between clicky and smooth scroll. Every time I use a non-Logitech mouse that is the first thing that I notice immediately.
The 6 side buttons are much larger than G604, and it works by using rotate/slide/flick the thumb towards the 5 buttons while it remains in the centre position to support the grip anytime. The tip of the thumb rests on the 6th button – this is the only one that is directly pressing on. This man-machine interface is carefully studied and works fine, except for the bottom front button, which is harder to flick without accidentally pressing the oversized lower rear button. They also included a switch to disable the 2 bottom buttons, which we find unnecessary but some users may need it.
Another interesting feature of the Steel Series is the Tactile Alert (vibrations) which is customizable.
Summary
To sum it up, we are recommending this mouse because as we are using it ourselves. We share the good and bad points, but we are still happy with it overall. There is no perfect mouse yet, so you have to figure out if this is best for you.
For Steel Series, we hope to see in Rival 500 version 2:
1) Wireless connections with good battery life
2) Clicky and smooth scroll selection
3) Softer side buttons at the top. The press should be easy, but crispy and not mushy, or try out G604 buttons
