I wanted to adjust the speed of my Logitech G502 Hero mouse. Since Logitech doesn’t support Linux, I had to fire up my rarely used Windows laptop.
I searched for “Logitech configurator software”, which made me install Logi Options+. After installing it, I realized that it doesn’t support the G502.
Another search revealed that the Logitech G HUB software supports Logitech’s gaming gear, such as my G502, so I installed it. Then I realized that G HUB doesn’t save settings in the mouse’s onboard memory, which is a deal-breaker because even if I could run G HUB on Linux, I wouldn’t run a background app just for this purpose.
A third, longer search revealed a Logitech support article featuring their Logitech Gaming Software. I installed it, but a popup said that I should use the new and shiny G HUB instead, and it didn’t allow me to use Logitech Gaming Software.
Finally, I uninstalled G HUB, started up Logitech Gaming Software again, and this time, it worked. It saved the mouse speed to the onboard memory, just as I expected.
From a user standpoint, the above experience is inexcusable. Logitech should have one configurator that works on all OSes, and they shouldn’t rewrite or fork it whenever a manager comes up with a wonderful new idea, such as creating a new brand.
Sadly, I couldn’t find any good alternative to the G502. All manufacturers support Windows, some support Mac, but none support Linux.
To draw a stark contrast, the Agent configurator software of the Ultimate Hacking Keyboard supports Linux, Windows, and Mac. It does its job well and doesn’t have semi-working alternatives. As a bonus, we develop it the open on GitHub. I’m the development lead of Agent, we deeply care about it, and our customers love it.