When we last looked at Microsoft’s revitalization of the Sidewinder peripheral line, we weren’t very impressed. Though the mouse was technologically sound, it was painfully uncomfortable to use. We weren’t alone in that assessment either; sites all over the Internet penned the Microsoft Sidewinder Mouse as a rodent. Well Microsoft has taken another crack at the gaming mouse market, and they’ve scaled things back a little bit with their latest endeavour. This latest mouse, the SideWinder X5, is as much a slight redesign as it is an extension of the existing product line into less expensive territory. They shave a few pounds off the old design, which still leaves us with one burning question. Is this new mouse still a pain to use, or does it pass muster?
Microsoft Sidewinder Redux…
The Microsoft SideWinder X5 mouse is very similar to the original Microsoft SideWinder mouse put out nearly a year ago. The button configuration is the same, and some of the features followed from the old model to this one. The big difference is that the package is much more economical. Everything is plastic, and is designed to offer a lower priced option to the full feature Microsoft SideWinder. You still get a laser sensor with sensitivity adjustable up to 2000 dpi, and you still get the same software and programmable button options. It’s just missing elite features like weights, feet of various friction levels, and a cable anchor. You can see more of the differences and how they stack up on the product home page.
So how much money will dropping these features save you? Well the MSRP of the SideWinder X5 is $59.95 USD, which is only $20 cheaper than the more feature rich SideWinder. When you start looking at the prices offered by many online retailers, the pricing gap grows even more narrow. So we’re left with the same question we posed two paragraphs ago; the answer to which would make the price and drop in features worth it. But before we can answer those questions, we should take a close look at the SideWinder X5 itself, as well as what accompanies it.
What’s in the Box?
Microsoft included a fairly simple package with the SideWinder X5. This isn’t surprising, given this mouse’s positioning as a cheaper alternative to the SideWinder. Still they have included their full software package, which allows you to customize the mouse in its entirety, as well as setup macros for your favourite games. It still has the same shortcomings as the software included with the SideWinder, but it has the features that count.
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A Closer Look at the Latest SideWinder
The button configuration on the SideWinder X5 is pretty well the same as what is found on the SideWinder. The left and right mouse button are a one piece unit, connected to the top body of the mouse. The scroll wheel has the same movement action as the more expensive SideWinder, while being plastic instead of metal. Below the scroll wheel you’ll find the fast switch DPI buttons, which have a separate DPI level associated with each of them. Finally at the top of the mouse, you’ll find the Quick Launch button, which is said to allow one-touch access to Microsoft PC Gaming features. This pretty well means that it’ll launch the Games menu in Windows Vista, and is the only button whose function cannot be changed.
In addition to the buttons found on the top of the SideWinder X5, there’s also two thumb buttons on the side. By default they are setup to go forward and back in your Explorer windows, both of the Internet and Windows variety. However they can also be programmed for any number of pre-programmed functions, as well as a few custom options. As noted earlier they are plastic instead of metal, but strangely they were much easier to reach then the metal buttons found on the SideWinder.
Notably absent is the button used to program macros on the fly, meaning you’ll need to exclusively use the included software to do so. This isn’t really much of a detriment, as the placement of the button on the SideWinder was rather poor.
Once you get to plugging in the SideWinder X5, you get to see the light show that the mouse puts on. This is similar to the lighting scheme on the prior SideWinder. The DPI switches light up based on which one you have selected, and the rear having “ground effects” of sorts.
As for the physical design of SideWinder X5, the mouse still seems to retain the same shape as the original SideWinder. As you may recollect, this was our biggest point of contention. It was this design that made for a painfully uncomfortable gaming experience. The extremely high rear on the original SideWinder placed my wrist in a precarious position, and rendered me unable to continue fragging after about an hour of use. Actually the more I look at it, the more it seems like Microsoft has moved the apex of the SideWinder forward slightly with the X5. It may just be my imagination, which is OK because now we get to test it out.
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Testing and Use
To test the Microsoft SideWinder X5, I hooked it up to my standard test rig and went to work. I actually didn’t start into gaming right away, choosing to perform some rather redundant desktop tasks that would test the comfort of this mouse over an extended period. Basically this consisted of moving some files off my HTPC and burning them to disc, something I’ve been needing to do for a while.
I was actually surprised, as the SideWinder X5 was both accurate in its tracking and comfortable to use. I still prefer the design of Logitech’s mice, which place the high point or apex of the mouse much closer to centre. This makes my hand fit over and cup the mouse in a much more personally comfortable fashion. That being said, that’s a personal preference. Someone who likes the shape of Microsoft mice will find the SideWinder X5 to be in line with those mice, and will not bend your wrist in a fashion that would make Gumby scream.
With desktop use out of the way, it was time to spin up some games and see how quickly the SideWinder performs in an all out fragfest. Using Team Fortress 2 – still currently my favourite 3D shooter – I went through playing a few classes to see how the X5 handled different play styles.
The Scout was where the accurate tracking of the 2000 dpi laser sensor came in handy. With such a fast moving character, you want to accurately control how he moves and not experience any lag. The SideWinder X5 excelled in this. Switching to the sniper required a different feature of the X5, the on-the-fly dpi adjustment. While scoped with my rifle, it was handy to have a low dpi so I can track targets much more accurately. Should a fire-fight erupt in my much more immediate vicinity, I could switch to a higher dpi for faster movement and GTFO. The Heavy, which I play the most, benefitted from the programmable buttons. I set each one to select one of his weapons, which is handy when you need to quickly move from the minigun to the shotgun for quick combat, or to your melee weapon to simply humiliate your opponent. All throughout, I found that I could keep playing without having to take a break from pain in my wrist and or forearm.
It’s The Little Things That Count
With such a drastic change in comfort, I had to figure out why. I think the image above best illustrates why the SideWinder X5 is, unlike the SideWinder. Meaning that it is actually usable for more than an hour at a time. My original musings about the high point of the mouse being further forward has actually turned out to be true. This would explain why my wrist position on the X5 is much better. Another contributing factor is that Microsoft shaved 2mm off the top of the mouse, improving hand position even further.
As for the physical feeling of the X5, I have to say it’s not quite as bad as the original SideWinder, which I likened to holding a chunk of cold hard clay. This mouse feels slightly more solid, and looks a lot better if I do say so. This is even more entertaining when one considers that the X5 is cheaper than the SideWinder. As I said in my review of the SideWinder, that mouse will appeal to a certain group of users. For the rest of, us the X5 is a good power user choice. On that note, I think it’s time to wrap this review up.
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Final Thoughts and Conclusion
Well this ended on a much more upbeat note then the last Microsoft peripheral review I wrote. The SideWinder X5 is mostly able to repent the sins of its father. The mouse is actually comfortable to use, and it doesn’t feel at all chintzy. It has all the features that many gamers need, including fully programmable buttons, a solid scroll wheel, and on the fly DPI switching. The added software is familiar and easy to use, and covers most of the bases for adjustment and customization. This allows the mouse to perform at it’s best in the titles that require accurate tracking and easy customization.
Although the X5 is redemption, I still would like to see Microsoft release a version of the SideWinder that has the shape and design of the X5 with the features of the original SideWinder. This is not the X5’s fault and I can hardly slight it for that.
In the end the Microsoft SideWinder X5 is an example of a product being improved based on overwhelming feedback. It shows Microsoft is definitely trying to make strides in the gaming peripherals market. Will they be successful? That’s beyond the scope of this review. Still it’s a symptom of what we see here. To get to the point, Microsoft has fixed problems with a somewhat flawed design and put out a great product at the same time. That definitely earns them a recommendation from us.
Pros
- Smooth accurate movement
- Fully customizable feel and functionality
- Adjustable DPI that’s quick to access
- Comfortable to use
Cons
- Needs features of original SideWinder
- Software still shares problems with old SideWinder
Overall Rating: 8.5/10.0
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Microsoft SideWinder X5 Mouse Photo Gallery
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