Try and try again must be Microsoft’s motto when it comes to gaming mouse design. First, they brought us the original Microsoft Sidewinder Gaming Mouse which had looks that killed, but ergonomics that killed your hand. Next, they came up with the Sidewinder X5 which took many of the criticisms turned them into improvements. Still not perfect, but at least it appears someone was listening. That’s why I’m optimistic, yet cautious about their latest product: The Microsoft Sidewinder X8 Wireless Gaming Mouse.
Features and Specifications
The Sidewinder X8 is an improvement in many ways over the previous iterations. However, one of the features that serious gamers may not like is the fact that this mouse is wireless. In order to sway serious gamers from their wired mice, Microsoft has incorporated two technologies that make this mouse both wireless and lag free.
The first of of these technologies is the 500 Hz USB polling speed which brings the response to near wired speeds while the second would be the proprietary 2.4GHz signalling technology that gives you up to a 30 ft range.
Precision is further enhanced through the use of Microsoft’s Bluetrack laser technology, which processes up to 13,000 frames per second and provides a max speed of 120 inches per second with acceleration of up to 75 g’s of force. In other words, it’s not only fast but also very accurate and can continue to do so over different surfaces. Sensitivity is adjustable from 250 – 4000 DPI.
One of the most unique features of the Sidewinder X8 is the fact that the unit can be charged while in use via an umbilical cable that coils neatly onto a puck-like wireless receiver. The cable magnetically docks onto the front of the mouse, providing you with power and of course, uninterrupted gameplay. The Sidewinder X8 is rated for up to 30 hrs of gameplay on a full charge and I did like the inclusion of a physical on off switch which makes it easy to conserve power while transporting the mouse back and forth to LAN parties.
The Microsoft Sidewinder X8 Bluetrack Wireless Mouse is Microsoft’s most expensive so far at a retail price of $99.95 USD.
What’s In The Box?
The Sidewinder X8 is accompanied by your usual assortment of manuals and the Microsoft Intellipoint Software CD, a rechargeable AA battery and the rather unique receiver/charging puck. The unit itself doubles as both USB charging station via an umbilical cord and wireless receiver.
With the twist of the lid, the wireless receiver/charging puck reveals two additional sets of feet for the Sidewinder X8. The least slippery ones are installed (black) while the white ones are the most slippery. In all honesty, the difference in “slickness” probably won’t be noticeable to most people. The addition of a high end mousing surface would provide a much more noticeable change in the level of friction between mouse and surface. Worst comes to worst, you can use them as backup feet for when the original ones wear out.
First Impressions
The Sidewinder X8 clearly has similarities with its siblings in the design department, and of course lefties are out in the cold on this one as it’s a right hand only product. Most notably the X8 retains the far more comfortable shape of the X5 and the aluminum scroll wheel of the original Sidewinder. Like its siblings, the X8 makes use of an LCD display to report things like DPI setting, located near your right thumb. Charging is also indicated in this display with a battery symbol. It also takes the original Sidewinder’s replaceable feet feature and the heavy use of LED lighting.
The Sidewinder X8 has a ton of buttons (twelve in this case) with up to seven of them being programmable (up from the 5 programmable on the original Sidewinder and the X5). This gives loads more flexibility for users that like to make all their buttons do other things or to fine tune DPI button settings (stock settings are 500, 1000, and 4000). All of this is accomplished using the Intellipoint software. They also tweaked the vertical side buttons to make them less likely to be pushed by accident in the heat of battle and I have to admit, it is a good tweak.
Macro programming functionality is also retained in the X8’s internal memory using the dedicated Macro button located in front of the vertical side buttons. This allows you to customize the settings right in the game without the use of the Intellipoint software, which many hardcore gamers skip installing anyway (the CD makes a great drink coaster though).
The Macro programming button is well placed and won’t be a burden in battle as it cannot be easily pushed by accident. Press it down to get it in the mood, tap the button you want to macro-ize, do your thing, then tap it again to save the macro. The X8 does retain the Quick Launch button for Microsoft PC Gaming features that no one uses.
The most unique feature of this mouse is the fact that it can go from wired to wireless quite easily. This allows you to game on whether you’re running low on juice or not. Although there is a wire running from the mouse to the PC when you put it into charge mode, it doesn’t actually turn it back into a wired mouse. It’s still running wireless even tethered for charging.
Installation and Setup
The first thing you need to do is install the included rechargeable AA battery into the belly. The use of an off the shelf battery type makes it easy to replace if and when the time comes, which I like. Just plug it into a USB port and it will start to charge up. If you’re a fan of Battlestar, you’ll like the cylon like glow in the tail section of the mouse when it is charging (gallery on the last page has a good pic). When it needs to be charged, the tail light turns orange. Unecessary since the LCD does indicate charging as well, but cool nonetheless.
To install or not to install: That is the question! Again, most serious gamers scoff at the idea of software running in the background that dictates the behavior of their mouse. Although the tag stuck to the USB connector says install the software first, this isn’t actually necessary to make the mouse function. However, if you want to fine tune the DPI settings on the mouse or remap buttons, you will have to install it. Installation with and without software worked perfectly fine on both Windows Vista 64 and my MacBook Pro (which I have no games for).
Gaming Performance
I played a lot of Gears of War and Half Life 2 and I found the performance of the Bluetrack sensor to be as good, if not better than the wired Logitech G9 Laser that I’ve been using quite a bit. Combined with the enhanced USB polling and the 2.4GHz wireless technology, I found it difficult to notice any wireless lag, if any and I’d be hardpressed to know the difference in performance if you blindfolded me. It was as good as any wired mouse that I’ve laid my hands on. Movements were accurate and smooth and you instantly notice a difference when changing DPI settings.
One thing I particularly liked about the mouse was the new vertical placement of the side buttons. On some mice, the buttons are so well integrated into the shell that it makes it almost impossible to know which is which. Even worse is when you don’t really get the “click” feedback you need to know that you actually pushed the button right. I loved that the buttons on the X8 stood out so you knew they were there and where. I also appreciated the solid mechanical click with each push.
In order to evaluate the comfort factor in gaming, I transitioned into a few hours of Age of Conan and my favourite RTS, Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium wars. Since you spend a lot of time on top of the mouse in these games, any discomfort is noticed since you’re not moving around as much as you would in an FPS shooter. This is where I think the X8 is better suited for shooters as I did find that the hump on the back of the mouse was too tall and didn’t give me a good resting point for my hand in titles where you aren’t doing much quick movement. This is where I’d want my Logitech G9 with its lower and flatter profile.
How is the Microsoft Sidewinder X8 as a Daily Driver?
I actually have the Logitech G9 Laser as my daily driver mouse as well as my gaming mouse. It just seems to do both so well. I replaced the G9 with the Sidewinder X8 and really gave it a go for a couple days of use.
Unfortunately, where I found the discomfort with the mouse in slower going gaming with RTS and MMORPG titles, I found in regular office chores. The hump on the back just didn’t give my hand a good place to hunker down for the long haul. Again, no problems if I’m just writing a document or something, but when your hand is on the mouse surfing the web for a few hours, you really start to feel uncomfortable. I kept wanting to push the X8 down to try to squash it down a bit flatter.
The solution to this problem is actually in their regular office line of mice. Many of their office products have a flatter and more comfortable profile.
Final Thoughts and Conclusions
Microsoft has proven that does take the feedback it gets and uses it. The Microsoft Sidewinder X8 Bluetrack Gaming mouse is proof of that. They’ve managed to take all the good and bad of the original Sidewinder and the follow up X5 and combine it into this latest product. All while incorporating some new technologies like their Bluetrack sensor and their wireless technology, which works as well as any wired mouse that I’ve used. But on that note, there is still room for improvement.
In my testing, I did find the mouse superior in FPS shooter games where quick movements keep you light on the mouse. The buttons are well placed for this sort of action and I particularly enjoyed the new vertical button arrangement. The detents in the new scroll wheel were solid and the Bluetrack laser and multiple on the fly DPI settings really came in handy for quick and dirty skirmishes to precision sniper shots. It was a joy to use in this respect. Where it failed though is when you need the mouse to be comfortable for hanging out on like surfing the web or waiting for your character to mine gold.
If you’re buying a rodent strictly for your gaming rig and you’re a huge FPS fan, then this mouse might work out just great for you. It’s hard not to recommend it for that (unless you’re a sniper, or a camper). RTS, MMORPG and Office Dwellers might want to check out other options. Definitely try it out if you find yourself unable to stay away.
Pros
- Very much improved over previous products
- Wireless convenience without the wireless lag
- Great tactile response from all buttons
- A joy to use in FPS shooters and very fast and accurate
Cons
- There is no loitering on this mouse if you want to avoid discomfort (RTS, MMORPG and heavy web surfers can move along).
Overall Rating: 8.0 / 10.0
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Microsoft Sidewinder X8 Bluetrack Gaming Mouse Photo Gallery
