Microsoft Sidewinder Gaming Mouse

Reviews: Peripherals

Accessories | Gaming Devices | Keyboards / Mice | Printers

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Max Slowik
Brian
Microsoft
Feb. 11, 2009

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In Use

I've been bloodied on Razer mice, and I'm very fond of them. That said, they're only great when you're gaming, and after that, they're too strict. I must be lazy, because I fell right into the grip on the Sidewinder. It's not a palmed mouse, it's not fingered, it's right in the middle. If this were a glove, it would fit hands sized from medium to large--so, like, everybody. Again, I have to stress how multi-purpose the grip is, relaxed enough to tubesurf and taut enough to react quickly and precisely.

It's center of balance is a little high, and despite my inclinations, found that I liked it with one 10g weight for a tighter center of mass.

All the buttons are well-weighted, especially the thumb studs. You feel a click, hear it, but you won't activate them while moving the cursor. The finger buttons are stiff enough that you can rest your fingertips and not fire. This does seem to come at a price. I felt that it was easy to relax my whole arm, which, you know, is probably a good thing, except maybe while you're gaming.

The weakest part of the mouse has got to be the sensor. On an actual mousing surface, I never noticed a glitch, but on a reflective surface, even my desk, it would occasionally stop tracking, for sometimes the better part of a second.

Switching resolutions is too easy for words. In the mouse properties, you can pre-set the sensitivity for all three buttons. Mostly, I only used two, 1000 DPI for most things, including gaming. 2000 DPI came in handy while sniping.

While I was testing this mouse, a friend of mine, buried under a few hundred unedited photos, complained about how badly all the photoshopping had hurt his arm (using a Razer Diamondback). It was all the impetus I needed. For him, switching sensitivity saved hours, and the tilted posture relieved all his elbow stress. He likes a heavy mouse and found that 30g was a bit too much even, and settled on 25g. After a weekend's use, he decided to buy one--and he's no gamer.

Unfortunately, over time, the lightweight, largish design of the mouse caused things to come crashing down. The main buttons weren't designed well, and they tend to catch on their own clicking mechanisms, locked halfway through a click. Good design took a hit from the cutting corners department, and this mouse didn't age well at all. After a month or so of use, I had to stop using it. It's obviously an exception, and it's not a common problem, but I don't think I would ever trust this first Sidewinder mouse after that.

The Software

The real limit is the number of programmable buttons: only the standard 1-5 buttons are customizable; those being pretty useful normally, the macros and other functions don't have a place to go. That aside, the function list is enormous, and making macros is easy and complete.

The software just snaps into the regular mouse properties--you can install the Microsoft Mouse software even without a Sidewinder, by the way--and sums up in a couple of tabs what it takes Razer and Logitech whole applications to accomplish. This is doubly nice for the memory miser.

Frankly, other companies have a lot to gain from studying this software--it's complete without having tons of features that are useless or uninspired.

Conclusion

Microsoft's developed one of the best, well-rounded mice I've had the pleasure of clicking, up to the point where it broke. Not limited to gaming, it's features can come in handy--and even become depended upon--no matter what your cursor's driving. The controls are a intuitive, if austere, and the software behind it can be tweaked to a ridiculous point. Using it for hours isn't a problem; it's comfortable without being bulky, and if it's too light, you can add weight. The whole package is comprehensive with the cable-stop, replacement feet, and weight box.

That said, it doesn't bring anything new to the high-end mouse party. It could use a few more buttons for programming, or a shift key for combinations. It's also right-handed, so death to the lefties. And the sensor, though fast, did screw up on shiny surfaces. Oh, and the cable needs more cable in it. All of this smacks of budget construction, and yes, the particular mouse I received was flawed, but that remains and I won't heartily recommend them on that basis alone. If you decide you want to use this mouse, wait for a good price, just in case.

I might be asking too much; I want a mouse that's perfect for every situation. So far, the Microsoft Sidewinder's come the closest. I'm not pitching it just yet, but it is going into a drawer for now.

Pros

Customizable weight

Customizable everything else, really

Nice accessory kit

Good looking

Handy for general mousing, too

Cons

Button failure

Short cable

Looks not for everyone

Could use a few more buttons

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