The benefits of
BlueTrack over optical or laser mousing technology in gaming situations will probably be debated amongst our children's children, but if you've decided that Microsoft's latest and greatest is the one for you, the SideWinder X8 gaming mouse hits stores this week. Besides that 13,000fps image processing of BlueTrack and a user-configurable 250 to 4,000 dpi, the mouse is a 2.4GHz wireless number with "virtually no latency" and it includes a play-and-charge cable for upping the juice without dropping the action. It even has
a decent hands-on under its belt, so if you've been holding out for this one there's nothing really stopping your unemployed self from heading down to a local big box and plopping down $99 for the privilege.
posted Feb 24th 2009 11:05AM
I would definitely purchase this if it were bluetooth.. Sweet looking mouse.
I have the BlueTrack Explorer. This mouse is god, I too wish it were bluetooth, or at least if Microsoft used their propreitary wireless tech and just had all it's devices use that [the one used in the 360 controllers.]
Can anyone even game at over 900 dpi? Maybe i am using my gaming mouse incorrectly but setting over 850 DPI makes me move too fast and makes me dizzy. Am I doing it wrong?
Also, whats the rule? turn up mouse sensitivity in the game settings or turn up the DPI on the mouse?
You turn game settings all the way down and dpi all the way up. Do this and you get an ultra high-res mouse which should (depending on your display's dpi or ppi) give smoother performance. Also, You've obviously never used microsoft's wireless products in games. I thought my vid card was having trouble, but it was my mouse creating choppiness.
I'm sorry, but that thing is as ugly as sin................gluttony to be specific..
I concur, this mouse looks awful as do most "gaming" mice. More buttons/fake metal is not always a good thing.
It wasn't always like this. The Logitech G5 (and G7), which are still widely available online, are beautiful gaming mouses. I bought the original G5 model, and it has served me well for many years. I don't know what is up with the recent trend of uglified gaming mouses, but it is disappointing.
This looks nicer than the recent Logitech mouses, and I like that magnetic charging cord, that also holds the various little accessories. My G5 has been going strong though, so don't think I can justify $100.
@ 0megapart!cle
...
Mice?
I've got the soon-to-be-older, wired, 2,000 IR Laser LED model of this, its not ugly in the slightest up-close. Takes some getting use to I agree, but its a fantastic mouse and looks better lit up on your desk!
I prefer meeces. I am also loving my second gen blue G5 ( I love the rubberized texture on it)
The words "unemployed", "$99", and "privilege" make me nauseous.
This warrants a little more attention than I usually give anything other than a Logitech.
Wireless with no latency and a play and charge cable. +1
4,000dpi +1/2 the G9x has 5,000dpi most people can't stand my G9 with 3,200dpi, but I like fast mice.
BlueTrack vs. Laser??? I do have a gaming mouse pad so laser hasn't been a problem, but there are advantages to Blue.
Grip? It needs to be larger and more comfy than the G9s. If it is this could be my next mouse.
Software. Setpoint works ok, but if Microsoft has a better control scheme.
For the last 4 years, I have worked and gamed with a £10 'Harry Potter' branded laser mouse which I found in tesco. The picture on the mouse lights up when the mouse moves. I kill hard with that mouse, and I don't think that my killing skills would improve with this thing.
Microsoft needs to stop making these things and instead save the money they're obviously losing on them and invest in Logitech... or something!
The tech in this mouse is there... just PLEASE reevaluate the design.
Damn thats ugly, thank god your hand covers it out of sight
aaaaaaahhh--- DEEEM why did I bought my RAZER LACHESIS MOUSE --- If I knew about this then I could have waited for this mouse!!!!
Looks -- not the best///// Functions-- all the best!!!
MS IntelliMouse 3.0 ftw!
Sadly as ugly as it is, its a step up from the current sidewinder series.
Can someone help me out here? Why does there need to be a snap in device for this to work, instead of just having the transmitter built in to the body?
I'm sure there is a simple answer, but I must be having a mental block on this one...
Because something needs to plug into the USB port on your PC.
So the dongle is just stored inside the mouse when not in use right? Got it, thanks!
Ugly looking mouse....
Why doesn't a mouse company just make a mouse with a full QWERTY keypad and just call it quits. The new mouses have upwards of 12+ buttons and more controls than the new Resident Evil game.
http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/05/the-combimouse/
I have to say that those of you who are commenting on the look of the device that have never actually held either of the previous two iterations of the new sidewinder mouse should really hold judgment until you try them. I went hunting for a new gaming mouse last year after using Logitech exclusively and I found the Sidewinder mouse to be easier to use and more comfortable to hang on to. The Logitech mice are curved and rounded which makes them comfortable, but really easy to lose grip of in fast games if you've been playing for a while and maybe have worked up a little palm perspiration.
I found the sidewinder mouse to be solid, customizeable (weight, glide feet & dpi) and the hard ridges make it really easy to hold on to.
Function over form if you ask me.
i agree with you.
the sidewinder mice always feel amazing to use and feel very sturdy.
Will be waiting for ths one to go through the review ringer. I have had my wireless G7 for a couple years now and would love something new. I am die hard wireless for gaming. Before the G7 I had an MX700 and loved just being able to plop it on he charger. The hot swap batteries for the G7 are nice, but only last about 8 hours of hard gaming/mousing. What I really want is a wireless version of the G9. Come on Logitech, fight back to this wireless unjustice!
This mouse looks right at home playing Fallout.
I've used briefly the older version of this mouse. (with the red light glow underneath)
I dont know if it was the lack of time I was able to spend with it, but I was not impressed by the feel. Not the materials and placement of buttons mind you, but how it settled in my hand. Perhaps that is just because you need to re-train your hand position for the G9.
And why do they keep coming out with wireless devices that use COMMON GHz ranges!!! I had to buy a new cordless phone because my router and it shared a frequency. The mouse may lose connectivity when you receive a phone call with the handset in the same room as you. Assuming you have a 2.4GHz handset.
Geeks don't get "calls"
I have the previous version and can say as a large handed person, it's the most comfortable mouse I've found. If anyone knows of a larger or comparably sized mouse please speak up.
I haven't had the chance to play games with a mouse like this but it looks pretty legit. I'm sure it does help in FPS games but $99 is a bit steep for a mouse. I guess if you are a serious gamer you will fork over the extra cash to have an edge on the competition.
wonder if this is better than the warcraft mouse
I already preorder this at buy.com when they were on sale for 40% off in the preordering. But they charged shipping and ended up being 70 dollars. I finally going to get a new mouse. My old logitech mx700 mouse1 button is broken so some times in fps I cant even shoot. Great to see that a feb release from microsoft means the end of feb.
This is all I have to say to this announcement.......
http://www.razerzone.com/p-198-razer-mamba-wireless-laser-gaming-mouse.aspx
Me too.
Right handed only....sorry Charlie..........pass
I have some decent hands on what's under my belt.
actually I really wonder how players play with such high DPI...
(or use it as a selling point)
currently using IE3.0 and the 400DPI on 1080P screen is more then enough...
(default mouse speed in window, you know that if you are a gamer right?)
of course the other feature sound great but does it worth $100?
you decide.
Hmm, as a gamer, I don't want VIRTUALLY no lag. I want NO lag.
Simple. :)
Man that thing is hideous, doesn't even compare to my Roccat Kone, which has more features and looks nice.
I have used this mouse and I thought it was awesome. Having that little play and charge mode is pretty sweet and I totally miss it now that I am using a logitech mx. It also allows you to wind the cord up into the 'hub' so that when you're not charging you can have the wire out of the way. Can't recommend this mouse enough in my opinion.
i want it-harrrrrd!,i will whore myself to get this ,