Logitech G700 with Sanyo Eneloop XX

First of all, let me say that this mouse for me is the perfect mouse. It's not a pure MMO mouse like some reviewers say it is. I use it for FPS like CS:GO, BF3 as well as ARPGs like Diablo 3 and soon-to-be released Torchlight 2. There are two cons to this mouse: the stiff cable and the single-AA battery. Logitech's decision to cripple a perfect mouse with those two tells me they made a wired mouse with a crappy cable that has the ability to be wireless... for a short time.

But this post isn't a review of the mouse. This is to let people know that I am now thoroughly satisfied after almost selling it to go back to a G500 or try the G9x. I am in love with my G700, finally.

While I haven't done scientific tests, my observation tells me a whole lot about the difference between the 'white' Sanyo Eneloops and the 'black' Sanyo Eneloops. As a photographer who has tried quite a bit of rechargeable batteries, whether with high draw or low draw devices, I will always swear by Eneloops. This time, I tried the 'black' 2500mAh (2,400 minimum) for the first time. (I didn't feel like replacing all 40+ Eneloops, that I know of, that I use for my flashes but now I'm considering it.)

First of all, the white Eneloop the G700 came with lasted all of 8 hours during work and then 3-4 hours of gaming before I go to bed. This was so consistent every day that I couldn't possibly blame it on a worn out battery. Keep in mind that a deteriorating battery, which no longer holds full charge, almost never gives this kind of consistency. Furthermore, with a little googling, I found out that this mouse when wireless only lasts 10-12 hours of normal use (I think that means non-gaming). Charging every other day gets so annoying. It's fine if I can charge while I'm sleeping or doing something else, but I always find myself plugging in during work and I absolutely detest the cable.

While some will tell me to just carry extra batteries, that's not the reason why I got a wireless mouse. So I can pack more batteries in my already overweight bag? So I can keep swapping? That would mean labeling each battery (normally comes in a set of 4) and charging them together for optimal life span. And while they're charging and I need to use my computer, what do I do? Plug in or buy an alternating set? You see where I'm going with this?

Enter the Eneloop XX. Same low discharge technology by Sanyo but about 500mAh more. Now you might think, if it's only 500mAh more, wouldn't it last you only a few extra hours compared to the white ones? Surprisingly no. The last green bar, prior to turning red, lasts so long. When it does turn red, before it blinks and dies, it lasts just as long. The batteries came about 50-75% charged, 2 green bars on my G700, and it has lasted me more than 24 hours. I'm on my second battery just to see if this is consistent, this too came 50-75% charged with 2 green bars, and after a little over 24 hours of use it's only starting to blink now. This tells me, I will have to charge every 3+ days! How in the world did the black Eneloop double the white one, I don't know nor do I care.

I know this isn't a scientific test, but I don't care about the hard numbers. All I know is that I'm using my mouse a lot longer with the black batteries than the white ones, at less than a full charge! To me, that's all that really matters. I'm finally enjoying my mouse and not checking my battery every so often when gaming.

If others have the same mouse and are using the XX or other high-capacity NiMH batteries, please post a feedback! I'm really curious if others have the same or even better results than I do.

UPDATE: I fully charged the batteries since writing the post above and I'm now almost 40 hours of usage into one battery and the last bar is still green. I definitely highly recommend changing their batteries to this one from stock.

 

First, thank you for sharing. I see that nobody gave any answer in your topic. You put an effort writing this down and your experience is surely valuable to other people.

I've had the same experience with Sanyo XX. Actual runtime seems to double despite that the capacity is only 25% higher. And there's an explanation for it.
XX maintains higher output voltage during operation so when you see the red bar, the remaining capacity in XX is actually lower than in Eneloop. But the voltage is higher and thus G700 still shows the green bar for longer time. But standard Eneloop can go for nearly one more day on the red bar while XX can't. I measured this and the result is as follows. The remaining capacity in Eneloop is around 900-1000mAh while XX has 500-600mAh left.

That should make XX even better choice for using in G700. However, there's another concern that made me switch back to regular Eneloop and that's cycle life.
XX lasted less than a year in my mouse before it drastically degraded. I think it lasted 200 days most. The capacity plummeted to 1800mAh and the internal resistance got very high causing noticeable voltage drop.

 

Thanks for pointing that out! Very good to know!

I'm still using the same combination of G700 and XX. I'm still very happy with them.

I think your XX degraded because they only have a rating of 500 charge-discharge cycles. After that, they're not able to hold 100% capacity as they once did out of the box. The white ones have double, I believe.

 

So it's been a year since you've had them, right? You're approaching the cycle life limit
Actually, cycle life tends to be lower in everyday usage. They get 500 out of it by charging at low currents and avoiding any heat. But I noticed that batteries in G700 get quite hot due to poor air circulation within the small battery compartment.
It's a pretty good mouse no doubt about it. I just wish it was a little lighter. I feel like I'm lacking control with it.

 

Love those Eneloops. Panasonic bought Sanyo, so the name will be changing slightly. The XX are rated for 500 charge cycles. But if get fourth generation regular Eneloops, you can get 2100 cycles.

And for those that don't know about Eneloops, they are low self discharge nimh. Regular nimh will start loosing charge once taken off the charger. And the more capacity the faster they loose charge. Eneloops hold about 2000 mah and can hold a charge for a year or more. They can be used in anything that uses AA rechargable batteries. I only use Eneloops. I use them in TV remotes, flashlights, radios, etc.

I am looking for a wireless gaming mouse and keyboard that works ten to 15 feet away. Do you recomend the G700? Changing batteries every other day sounds like a pain.

 

Good review. I also bought some of the 2500mAh batteries, and they're nice.

Also, I just bought the Logitech G700 s for $64.99 on Amazon - it's on sale. Going to give it a shot and maybe do a review: G700 vs G700s. :thumbsup:

 

In all my research, the only difference I could find between the G700 & G700s was the resolution, and the looks and texture difference. If you find battery life or something else is different, let us know.

 

funny how this thread got bumped because i just bought a G700 lol.

i couldn't really get over the G700S' "Tron" look.

 

Agreed! The G700 is still my favorite of the two, but I couldn't pass up the sale for $64.99 on the G700s. I love the stealth black appearance of the 700.