Can I say "WOW" to the MS Sidewinder Gaming!

[{JNT}Raptor]

If you don't know about grips, you're not a gamer. If you're not a gamer, don't buy a gaming mouse!

You presume alot don't you?

I'm a gamer....been a gamer for yr's....I use a trackball and do not know about grips.

On topic......I like the look of the MS mouse....but I'll stick to my Logitech 4-button trackball.

 

[Darknova]

I got the new X8 Sidewinder. Bloody Love it! and I went from a Logitech G5. It's not massive at all, it's wider than the G5, but that's about it.

The thumb buttons are much nicer then the original sidewinder mice, and I must say, they're better positioned than any other mouse for ease of use.

The "Bluetrack" tracking technology is brilliant, but the software hampers it quite a bit. By default "Enhance Pointer Precision" is set to on, and this causes massive tracking problems such as skipping and the mouse acting like it's moving. Since I've turned it off I've had no problems.

The software does have good sides though, every single button (except the sidewinder button which launches games manager) is customizable, that includes the left and right mouse buttons, and the mouse has a macro button.

The battery life on this thing is epic. I got it last friday (27th March) charged it on the Sunday after heavy gaming (hadn't been charged since I bought it), and it's still going now (6th April) over a week later and I've been gaming quite a lot.

The only thing that disappointed me? The pictures all showed a blue glow from the back of the mouse, no such thing

Me thinks an LED mod is in need

 

[JATownes]

You presume alot don't you?

I'm a gamer....been a gamer for yr's....I use a trackball and do not know about grips.

On topic......I like the look of the MS mouse....but I'll stick to my Logitech 4-button trackball.

Hell yea!! My MS Trackball Optical rocks Trackballs FTW

 

[kyle2020]

Children, please! :shadedshu

Still prefer the look of the G9 (currently own one) and it has pretty much all the same features . . . weights, on the fly DPI adjustment, etc etc.

 

[3870x2]

I didnt like that mouse, i went with the Logitech G5, a much better mouse around the same price

no, the features of the sidewinder actually match that of the G9 mouse, and is pretty much exact in performance. G5 doesn't compare.
Beware that it has a weak scroll wheel click, mine broke, now I use a high dollar razor, although the M$ mouse actually performed better, Id rather have another.

 

[DrPepper]

1. It's comfortable, something very important for me
2. The macro feature is a must for the games I play
3. The on the fly dpi switching is something I found handy
4. I found no real benefit going from 500Hz to 1000Hz polling rate so 500Hz suites me just fine.

It looks uncomfortable to me. I hate those side buttons sticking out.

 

[EastCoasthandle]

From what I know, the SideWinder is HUGE. Even for a person with large hands it might be a problem. The DA is great because of it's shape and looks, but there are plenty of other mice out there that are better in every other aspect.

Don't flatter yourself . If this mouse is to big for you it's because you don't have large hands.

It looks uncomfortable to me. I hate those side buttons sticking out.

There is more to a mouse then it's looks. When using your mouse you are not staring at it, lol. Also, the shape of the mouse is comfortable for me. That's all that matters. I've tried other mice and they were either way to small, very uncomfortable, offered no tangible benefit, to light, didn't offer other features or a combination of the 5.

 

[FelipeV]

I do not know about the Microsoft Sidewinder Mouse (I use a MS Trackball Optical 1.0 ), but I use the MS Sidewinder X6 Keyboard and it is amazing. Switchable Macro keys are AWESOME and the removable keypad is unique, though not very functional, besides to shorten the keyboard for transport to LANs.

http://img.techpowerup.org/090405/microsoft-sidewinder-x6486.jpg

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/gaming/productdetails.aspx?pid=102

I´ve got the entire set key + mouse, it looks good, I´m still having problems with the keyboard, I not used to flat keyboards, since 96 I was using MS Ergonomic Keyboard, the first one released, and still working, its yellow now and not white anymore but my P5Q-E doesnt like PS2.

The mouse is great, Its very confortable, my fingers reach the buttons naturaly, not much contorcionism to do. I did like the pads and wight settings, I could find a good set for my mousepad, I dont use to much the macros or any other settings in the mouse, the first game that made me use th DPI switch was Wanted.

For the keyboard I´m using to open my folders and for fan profiles for my 4870X2 and now I removed the numpad, only using the keyboard.

 

[DrPepper]

There is more to a mouse then it's looks. When using your mouse you are not staring at it, lol. Also, the shape of the mouse is comfortable for me. That's all that matters. I've tried other mice and they were either way to small, very uncomfortable, offered no tangible benefit, to light or a combination of the 5.

I didn't say it was uncomfortable. I just don't like the design of it. I can say that a big deciding factor in picking my mouse is its design. I don't think I will swap my mx revolution anytime soon because of its second scroll wheel which is a godsend when a crap song comes on and your gaming. That ms mouse was a contender for the spot of Pepper's mouse so was the logitech Gx series.

 

[CyberDruid]

Took me a long time to leave off using my Logitech Trackball...and I still find that much faster for typical tasking. But I'm not sure what I think of that mouse...I might have to snab one and give it a run.

I was pleasantly surprised by my Copperhead although it is really small. It pretty much converted me over from the Trackball. But unlike the Trackball only lasted about 8 months. I had a back up mouse (DeathAdder) for my lappy that I now use but I don't like it...I've gotten used to it...but something about it aggravates my wrist after a while.

Style is the reason I tried the Copperhead...and it matched my Saitek Eclipse II. But I grew to like those sidebuttons. Functionality is what I am after since 90% of the time I'm not gaming...but I want the precision, adjustability and extra switches

 

[BumbleBee]

some of these mice come with too many features and it compromises the quality like the weight system, why do they design a weight system (that is useless anyways) in the back of the mouse? every mouse should be heavy regardless of what hand style or sensitivity. how hard is it to place thumb buttons? how hard is it to design a scroll wheel that isn't flimsy and has enough tension. and drivers nothing pisses me off more than Razer drivers took them over a year to fix some tracking issues on the Lachesis or some other companies that add way too many features and the drivers become a bug fest. SteelSeries Ikari has great drivers very simple it's the only one to my knowledge that will actually allow you to input a custom dpi setting so if your running a resolution of 1680 you can input 1680 dpi unlike every other driver that only allows small increments or presets.

 

[EastCoasthandle]

I didn't say it was uncomfortable. I just don't like the design of it. I can say that a big deciding factor in picking my mouse is its design. I don't think I will swap my mx revolution anytime soon because of its second scroll wheel which is a godsend when a crap song comes on and your gaming. That ms mouse was a contender for the spot of Pepper's mouse so was the logitech Gx series.

For me, the design of a mouse has more value if it's functional more so then how it looks. If it's designed functionality (button placement, comfort, etc) warrants my attention then how it looks really doesn't matter to me. I've seen mice with a design that's sleek, curvy and for the most part sets itself different from the rest. But they were not comfortable for me, it was difficult to use and didn't fit what I was looking for.

So in the end, to each his/her own.

Took me a long time to leave off using my Logitech Trackball...and I still find that much faster for typical tasking. But I'm not sure what I think of that mouse...I might have to snab one and give it a run.

I was pleasantly surprised by my Copperhead although it is really small. It pretty much converted me over from the Trackball. But unlike the Trackball only lasted about 8 months. I had a back up mouse (DeathAdder) for my lappy that I now use but I don't like it...I've gotten used to it...but something about it aggravates my wrist after a while.

Style is the reason I tried the Copperhead...and it matched my Saitek Eclipse II. But I grew to like those sidebuttons. Functionality is what I am after since 90% of the time I'm not gaming...but I want the precision, adjustability and extra switches

Bingo...

Took me a long time to leave off using my Logitech Trackball...and I still find that much faster for typical tasking. But I'm not sure what I think of that mouse...I might have to snab one and give it a run.

I was pleasantly surprised by my Copperhead although it is really small. It pretty much converted me over from the Trackball. But unlike the Trackball only lasted about 8 months. I had a back up mouse (DeathAdder) for my lappy that I now use but I don't like it...I've gotten used to it...but something about it aggravates my wrist after a while.

Style is the reason I tried the Copperhead...and it matched my Saitek Eclipse II. But I grew to like those sidebuttons. Functionality is what I am after since 90% of the time I'm not gaming...but I want the precision, adjustability and extra switches

When using a mouse for your applications and general desktop use the trackball is the most intuitive mouse I've ever used.

 

[iandh]

I wonder if it is better than the Lycosa in terms of quality.

I would say they are equal. The initial impression of quality is probably higher on the lycosa, but the sidewinder X6 is built like a tank and feels it.

The lycosa feels a little bit "flexy" but has tighter keys, whilst the sidewinder has a little bit looser keys but the body of the keyboard is built like a tank.

i've bought a intellimouse explorer 3.0 and i find the mouse is perfect for palm grippers and it has a nice design to it

intellimouse 3.0 goes down as one of the greats in my book... a perfect mouse for palm grippers. I only tried the Sidewinder because I accidentally tore the cord out of my im3.0 and had some gaming to do that weekend... it was the best thing I could find at my local BB but was pleasantly surprised.

From what I know, the SideWinder is HUGE. Even for a person with large hands it might be a problem. The DA is great because of it's shape and looks, but there are plenty of other mice out there that are better in every other aspect.

It definitely isn't a small mouse, but the ring finger cutout on the right side makes it comfy for palm and claw grippers alike. It just looks uncomfortable, but it actually is quite nice.

The DA is a top notch mouse but the non-asymettrical design doesn't lend itself well to many palm grippers.

Style is the reason I tried the Copperhead...and it matched my Saitek Eclipse II. But I grew to like those sidebuttons. Functionality is what I am after since 90% of the time I'm not gaming...but I want the precision, adjustability and extra switches

Sidewinder has style and functionality

 

[ste2425]

If you don't know about grips, you're not a gamer. If you're not a gamer, don't buy a gaming mouse

what!!! come on man you crnt say that!
thats like saying your not a drummer just because you dont no how they make drum shells round just coz the bloke dnt no what a claw grip is dnt make him no gamer

 

[troyrae360]

no, the features of the sidewinder actually match that of the G9 mouse, and is pretty much exact in performance. G5 doesn't compare.
Beware that it has a weak scroll wheel click, mine broke, now I use a high dollar razor, although the M$ mouse actually performed better, Id rather have another.

sorry, your wrong.
The performance features of the Sidewinder are far more comparable to the G5
The G9 is way above preformance wise, Here ill show you why


....................................G9...................G5...............SIDEWINDER

TRAKCING:..................200-5000 Dpi....200-2000 Dpi......400-2000 Dpi

MAX ACCELERATION:.........30g..................20g...................20g

MAX SPEED.................150 inch p/s......65 inch p/s.........45 inch p/s

MAX USB REPORT.............1000................1000..................500

AJUSTABLE WEIGHT...........YES.................YES..................YES

TILT SCROLL WHEEL..........YES.................YES...................NO

ON THE FLY DPI SET............5.....................5.....................3



there you have it.

At the end of the day it comes down to what your hand feels comfortble on

 

[BababooeyHTJ]

I used this mouse for a while. I liked it, very comfortable mouse. The right mouse button started to stick and I saw a good deal on a Steelseries Ikari Laser and picked that up and wow! It tracks way better than the MS sidewinder and once you get used to it very comfortable, I haven't even thought about going back to the sidewinder.

 

[troyrae360]

If you don't know about grips, you're not a gamer. If you're not a gamer, don't buy a gaming mouse!

HAHAHAHAHAHA

Sounds like someone has a firm grip on sumthing!!!

 

[iandh]

sorry, your wrong.
The performance features of the Sidewinder are far more comparable to the G5
The G9 is way above preformance wise, Here ill show you why


....................................G9...................G5...............SIDEWINDER

TRAKCING:..................200-5000 Dpi....200-2000 Dpi......400-2000 Dpi

MAX ACCELERATION:.........30g..................20g...................20g

MAX SPEED.................150 inch p/s......65 inch p/s.........45 inch p/s

MAX USB REPORT.............1000................1000..................500

AJUSTABLE WEIGHT...........YES.................YES..................YES

TILT SCROLL WHEEL..........YES.................YES...................NO

ON THE FLY DPI SET............5.....................5.....................3



there you have it.

At the end of the day it comes down to what your hand feels comfortble on

Reading spec sheets is a horrible way to compare the real world performance of products.

See: audiophiles.



Sensor type vs. mousing surface has MUCH more to do with how the mouse will feel than some carboard box that says 27 gazillion DPI.



I've owned all three mice you listed and prefer the sidewinder. Now why would I use the cheapest out of the list (Sidewinder X5 $35 OEM at newegg) if I didn't truly find it to be the best?

 

[BumbleBee]

....................................G9...................G5...............SIDEWINDER

TRAKCING:..................200-5000 Dpi....200-2000 Dpi......400-2000 Dpi

MAX ACCELERATION:.........30g..................20g...................20g

MAX SPEED.................150 inch p/s......65 inch p/s.........45 inch p/s

MAX USB REPORT.............1000................1000..................500

AJUSTABLE WEIGHT...........YES.................YES..................YES

TILT SCROLL WHEEL..........YES.................YES...................NO

ON THE FLY DPI SET............5.....................5.....................3

the max speed of a mouse depends on the surface. max acceleration has more to do with windows than games usually in games this is already overridden and if we had a choice we would use zero acceleration in favor of more precision. max usb report can be changed to 1000hz no matter what mouse you use so all three of these technical specifications should not be taken into consideration when purchasing a mouse.

 

[Super XP]

I am currently using the OCZ Equalizer Mouse and its the best mouse I've ever used. I just love its features. I also like that I can change the dpi speed of the mouse on the fly. It's grip is great and plays very smooth. I am left handed with the mouse so its difficult for me to find a mouse because most are based for the right hand. This is why OCZ's is great.

 

[iandh]

I am currently using the OCZ Equalizer Mouse and its the best mouse I've ever used. I just love its features. I also like that I can change the dpi speed of the mouse on the fly. It's grip is great and plays very smooth. I am left handed with the mouse so its difficult for me to find a mouse because most are based for the right hand. This is why OCZ's is great.

I'm left handed but play righty partly due to the lack of options for lefties. Same goes for guitar.

The equalizer looks like a pretty decent mouse for the price.

 

[Altered]

The razer mice look cool but are amongst the most uncomfortable I've tried. They are made for people with small/average hands.

Pretty much my finding. I loved the precision and the way it tracked and all but again the fit to my Large hands made the 2 outside buttons useless. It was like i was always having to have my hand squeezed to keep control of the narrow body.

If you want a Premo mouse for your extra big hands, try the Logitech G9
It ha 3000dpi and you can change the Gearing on the Wheel, it also has an extra body to fir over it more like the sidewinder. and 32mb memory onvoard i think, it might be more lol

The G9 is one seriously nice mouse for a person with large hands. Either type grip works well. The feature I like that I haven't seen on the others is the ability to set the DPI button to 2 where each of the two user selected DPI settings can easily be flipped back and forth without having to click or scroll through many other non used DPI settings. I have 1 setting for scope and 1 for normal game mode. Makes it very simple to swap over to the correct setting in a moments notice. I considered the Sidewinder but the G9 went on sale for $40 after MIR I had to jump on it. I can say it is a very nice solid piece of hardware.

 

[BumbleBee]

by the way the ocz equalizer is a rebrand of a4tech x-750f and the ocz dominatrix is a rebrand of the cyber snipa stinger lol so if you like the ocz equalizer check out a4tech because they offer a lot more models.

the G9 is a claw grip mouse it's asymmetrical and too steep I tried it on display at a computer store and I couldn't palm it to my liking. the knock on it is mainly the scroll wheel and placement of the dpi buttons.

I don't know if you can call this a con but definitely stupid I think not including a third grip that was 50% soft and 50% rough was stupid. people seem to favor the soft grip more for comfort because the mouse is unergonomic but it doesn't give you the traction the rough one gives you while gaming. they should of took a page from cyber snipa the stinger has a soft surface so your palm is comfortable but on the left and right side by the buttons it has a rough surface so your thumb and right finger or pinky can get adequate traction and people rave about it.

 

[Darknova]

sorry, your wrong.
The performance features of the Sidewinder are far more comparable to the G5
The G9 is way above preformance wise, Here ill show you why


....................................G9...................G5...............SIDEWINDER

TRAKCING:..................200-5000 Dpi....200-2000 Dpi......400-2000 Dpi

MAX ACCELERATION:.........30g..................20g...................20g

MAX SPEED.................150 inch p/s......65 inch p/s.........45 inch p/s

MAX USB REPORT.............1000................1000..................500

AJUSTABLE WEIGHT...........YES.................YES..................YES

TILT SCROLL WHEEL..........YES.................YES...................NO

ON THE FLY DPI SET............5.....................5.....................3



there you have it.

At the end of the day it comes down to what your hand feels comfortble on

So why are we all still forgetting the X8?

Specs:

-Resolution: 250–4000 dpi (BlueTrack™ Technology)

-Image Processing: 13000 frames per second

-Max Acceleration: 75 G

-Max Speed: 120 inches per second

-USB Reporting: Full-speed, 500 Hz

-Feet: 3 sets of different mouse feet (for glide preference)

-Wireless Play: Up to 30 hours

Boom.

Better than the G9 and the same price.

 

[troyrae360]

some of these mice come with too many features and it compromises the quality like the weight system, why do they design a weight system (that is useless anyways) in the back of the mouse? every mouse should be heavy regardless of what hand style or sensitivity. how hard is it to place thumb buttons? how hard is it to design a scroll wheel that isn't flimsy and has enough tension. and drivers nothing pisses me off more than Razer drivers took them over a year to fix some tracking issues on the Lachesis or some other companies that add way too many features and the drivers become a bug fest. SteelSeries Ikari has great drivers very simple it's the only one to my knowledge that will actually allow you to input a custom dpi setting so if your running a resolution of 1680 you can input 1680 dpi unlike every other driver that only allows small increments or presets.

I think the Weight of you mouse is prefrence, i dont see why youd say every mouse should be heavy, I often have no weights inserted in mine

The weight system in my mouse is not at the back its underneath slightley back from the center tilting upward to distrubte weight evenley, and works very well

I can have 5 custom dpi settings (on the fly) , but id never set my dpi to 1900 just becouse my resalution is 1920x1080

I use the G5

I am currently using the OCZ Equalizer Mouse and its the best mouse I've ever used. I just love its features. I also like that I can change the dpi speed of the mouse on the fly. It's grip is great and plays very smooth. I am left handed with the mouse so its difficult for me to find a mouse because most are based for the right hand. This is why OCZ's is great.

I seen this mouse in the shop, it seems like a good left hand option,
Heres the link if any leftys wanna look

http://www.nzxt.com/products/avatar_gaming_mouse/