Product: Microsoft Sidewinder X8
Manufacturer: Microsoft
MSRP: $99.95     Find Lowest Price @ PriceGrabber
Author: Bill
Date: April 14, 2009

The Microsoft Sidewinder X8 presents itself as Microsoft’s new flagship gaming mouse. Having been a Logitech user for years, I am eager to try the X8, and to see how the BlueTrack technology performs.

Specifications/Features:

• 2.4 GHz Wireless connection
• BlueTrack Technology
• World’s most advanced tracking technology for gaming with image processing of 13,000 frames per second.
• Up to 30 hours of active gaming on a single charge, or use the play-and-charge cable for non-stop use.
• Twelve Buttons – Seven are programmable
• Scroll Wheel with Tilt
• Full-speed, 500 Hz USB reporting is built for lag-free play.
• Shape designed for quick, balanced, precision gaming action.
• Vertical side button
• Quickly view DPI settings and macro-recording.
• One-touch access to Microsoft PC Gaming features.
• Instantly switch sensitivity between high, medium, and low with one click.
• Replaceable Mouse Feet
• Easily record macros while in game with the dedicated button.

Packaging:

The X8 was packaged in a traditional plastic clamshell, but held in a cardboard case that highlighted its features. I found it to be attractive and informative. Inside the package are the mouse, combination charging base and transmitter, and the requisite documentation and software.

Sidewinder X8:

The Sidewinder X8 looks futuristic, and is dominated by its silver buttons on a matte grey exterior. Three buttons are located on the spine of the mouse for changing the resolution, and are customizable within the software suite. The battery indicator is in reality an LCD display, which displays the resolution, battery status, and macro instructions.

The mouse is wireless, and will always transmit its information via RF to the USB puck. It can be tethered to the puck to charge, but will still be transmitting its information wirelessly. A recessed set of magnetic contacts holds the charging umbilical in place without impeding the movement of the mouse. I found this to be an innovative and functional approach to charging the mouse while it’s in use. The mouse uses a single NiMH AA battery, which is supplied.

It supports on-the-fly macro programming to any of the buttons by pressing the dedicated macro button. It glows red when in use, and the LCD display walks you through the process of programming a sequence of key-presses. The underbelly has similar red accents that pulse when charging, and the resolution buttons glow in a similar fashion.

Contradictorily the sensor of the mouse is a bright blue. Its intensity is blinding. After a few seconds of inactivity it begins to pulse, slowing its cycle as inactivity progresses.

The mouse glides on four pads, which are interchangeable. Three sets come with the mouse, and the inactive two are stored inside the base station. They are colored black, grey, and white, and correspond to rough, less rough, and slick feels.

Testing:

I used this mouse alongside my Logitech MX1000, which has become my main mouse. It uses a laser to detect movement, and is similarly sensitive. I found the BlueTrack sensor to be similar in performance, but more appropriate in how it handled its distance from the mousing surface. The laser will still respond when the mouse is hovering over the pad, but the X8 would only register when it was on the table. Despite going into a sleep modality, it would still respond to the first indication of motion, something remarkable for wireless mice designed to save power and maximize battery life. Much like my Logitech mice, charging the Sidewinder is easy to do, making battery life less of a concern than mice that operate on disposable batteries.

I tested the BlueTrack system alongside the MX1000 and a generic Dell optical mouse. The MX1000 tracks everything except polished and coated glasses, while the BlueTrack remained solid even on microscope glass. Other reviewers noted some skipping on whiteboard materials, but the Sidewinder X8 kept the cursor moving steadily. I hypothesize that the laser used by the MX1000 is fooled by highly-transmissive materials such as glass which prevent the sensor from reading the surface. The BlueTrack system is exceedingly luminous, and can still reflect well off of such surfaces.

The mouse software is Microsoft’s Intellipoint suite, and is available for both Mac and Windows platforms. I tested the mouse and software on my MacBook Pro in both native environments. The software allows sets of macros to be programmed and associated with different applications. These features are fully functional, but I had little use for macros beyond forward/back browser controls.

Using the mouse while it is charging is seamless, as the charging tether does not impede mouse movement in the least. I am rather fond of this method of charging, and consider it more functional than a charging dock. When charging the mouse pulses bright red, which I found to be distracting but fashionable.

In my hand the mouse was comfortable, but could have been better. Being used to the MX1000, I’ve become accustomed to a very high mouse that supports the whole of my hand and prevents my wrist from dragging. The Sidewinder X8 is too low and does not support my hand to my liking. Still, it is comfortable and very usable. South-paws will have difficulty using this device and should look towards Razor for an acceptable high-performance mouse.

I enjoyed the portability of the system as the charging tether wraps into the base station. Storing the skid-pads in the base was a smart move, and proved convenient. The USB cable is sufficiently long, but I would like to see a storage system for it. The mouse was tested on a SteelPad S&S, which represented a medium-speed surface. The black pads were too slow, and I found the white pads to be extremely fast. I settled on using the grey pads to strike a balance between the two. It proved an effective combination for general computer use.

With a flick of a button the resolution can be changed. I used a lower resolution for general computer use, and a higher (but not the highest) resolution for FPS gaming. If the fastest pads, surface, and highest resolution are used together, I found the mouse to be unusable. This was also true with the Razor and Logitech MX1000. Akin to the megapixel wars taking place among camera manufacturers, I think the resolution war in computer mice to be silly beyond a point. Such sensitivity is inhuman and alone does not warrant a higher price tag.

Conclusions:

Microsoft’s Sidewinder X8 was pleasant to use and provided a functional, high-performance, user experience. I will personally use it as a portable gaming mouse, but cannot foresee extensive desktop use because of how the mouse holds my hand. It is my personal preference as a right-handed user to use a mouse that holds and cradles my hand completely. The Sidewinder X8 is sufficiently right-handed that it can only be used comfortably by right-handed users, but is not sculpted to the point of being optimally comfortable for those users. Your mileage may vary, but in comparison to the Logitech MX1000 the Sidewinder literally falls short. As with all computer peripherals, take a trip to the local big-box store to see how it feels before you buy online.

Pros:

+ BlueTrack sensor
+ Ample controls
+ Ease of use (hardware and software)
+ Excellent range of sensitivity settings, on-the-fly changing

Cons:

- Uncomfortable for extended use, but your mileage may vary

Tags: Gaming, Microsoft, mouse, Sidewinder, wireless, X8