Software

The Light² 180 comes with its own software, which is very similar to previous Sharkoon mouse software suites, both in looks and functionality. All options are accessible through four different tabs. The first page allows for button remapping to mouse, keyboard, media, and macro functions. The second page houses CPI adjustment settings for up to seven levels and a range of 100 to 12,000 CPI in increments of 100, and independently for x and y-sensitivity. The third page concerns illumination and is detailed below. The fourth page has the usual Windows pointer settings, lift-off distance (1, 2, or 3 mm), and debounce time (2–20, increments of 2), which effectively determines click latency—lower values will result in lower latency, but higher risk of double-clicking. Polling rate is controlled through a slider located on the bottom of the mouse. Lastly, a macro editor and profile management are included as well. When applied, all settings are saved to the on-board memory, so the software does not need to be running (or be installed) all the time. On my system, the software had a RAM footprint of 16 MB on average when running in the foreground, which doesn't change when minimized to the system tray. Upon exiting the application, all processes are terminated, as they should be.

Lighting

Lighting zones for the Light² 180 include the scroll wheel as well as a logo and LED strip at the back. A total of nine pre-defined lighting effects are available in the software: Pulsating RGB Cycle, Pulsating, Permanent, Color Change, Single Color Marquee, Multi Color Marquee, Ripple Effect, Trigger, and Heartbeat. For most effects, it is possible to set custom colors and adjust brightness as well as transition speed. Of course, the lighting can also be disabled altogether.

Color accuracy and vibrancy are excellent throughout. Here's a short demonstration video in which I go through the Pulsating RGB Cycle, Multi Color Marquee, and Ripple Effect lighting effects: