 |
Printed On: | May 13, 2008, 10:41 pm |
| Category: | Peripherals | |
| Type: | Reviews | |
| Posted By: | yantronic | |
| Date Posted: | December 17, 2007, 7:55 am |
 |
Capture The Rat
This review originated from Bliondi, our resident terror in the forums.
Microsoft is expanding their line of gaming peripherals, and breathing new life into the range with a new-kid-in-town: the Microsoft SideWinder Mouse. The SideWinder range consists of joysticks, gamepads and other HID designed for gamers, stretching near a decade of history.
Star of the day.
The author uses a few other HIDs frequently.
Today, we get to look at this latest offering in the SideWinder range that promises to inject some vitality into the jaded trademark. Today's wired rodent comes equipped with a built-in LCD screen that is used to display the DPI settings used, as well as macro-recording icons. This makes it the world’s first commercial mouse equipped with an LCD. (Here is the non-commercial one for the adventurous.) Other features include a 2000DPI laser sensor, 3-button on-the-fly DPI switching, and 5 programmable buttons out of the 10 on the mouse.
Battleware!
Full Battle Order.
The SideWinder package comes with no less than 4 weights, 1 of which is 5 grams and the remaining 3 are all 10 grams each. Also, the SideWinder comes with extra swappable feet. Teflon, Teflon-mix and non-teflon, it's all in the pack. Different feet will give rise to different styles of glide and hence affects the feel of the mouse. The SideWinder definitely has an edge over its competitors when it comes to customization. All the battleware comes in a relatively heavy and sturdy box, which doubles as a cable manager/anchor thanks to the cable exit provided on the box.
Tickle Me Elmo.
|
A Close Look
Ergonomics
Quite a handful.
The SideWinder is a mouse intended for the right-handed , as indicated by the thumb operated buttons and directional curves. Right handers with larger hands will probably like the SideWinder for it’s massive size. The SideWinder is designed for those who like to rest their palm on the mouse body for a very satisfying grip. Users with smaller hands are not excluded from enjoying the SideWinder, rather, it just takes a bit more time for such users to adjust themselves. The build quality is amazing, with metal running from the scroll wheel to the large thumb buttons. It feels very very sturdy and solid. For some reason that you'd like a heavier mouse, pop in the weights. It's built like a brick, and a top notch one to boot.
Precision and DPI
200 to 2000 DPI, take your pick. The programmable DPI buttons allows you to preset DPI settings to your liking. Gamers can set a certain DPI for normal and close range gun fights, and another preset for sniping. Photographers and content editors can also benefit from the pixel-precise control. The report rate of the SideWinder is 500Hz, which is on par with other gaming mice available on the market at the moment.
Although the SideWinder sports a 2000 DPI sensor which falls short of the G9’s 3200 DPI and Lachesis’ 4000 DPI, the fact is that 2000 DPI already exceeds requirements of daily work and gaming for all but a few situations. To scale beyond 2000 DPI is gaining entry into control problems. However, mice control is subjective, and I personally use 800 DPI for most tasks.
Software and Macros
The IntelliPoint software by Microsoft allows users a handy interface for customizing the SideWinder.
Conveniently located at the side is a macro-record button.
Microsoft has also added a macro feature to the SideWinder, making it even more feature rich. You can even record and execute macros with time delay like you would on a Logitech G15 keyboard.
The SideWinder has it’s own dedicated macro recording button, which makes in-game macro recording possible.
|
Just Fondling, or Really Fond?
Conclusion
The Microsoft SideWinder is like no mouse that we have ever come across. Built-in LCD, metal scroll wheels and buttons, dedicated macro button, interchangeable mouse feet packed into an outlandish design. Technically, it is very much amongst the most advanced mice available to consumers at this point.
My only personal gripe about the SideWinder is its size. It’s huge, especially when I’m used to using smaller mice. It took me more than a day to get used to the oversized rodent, although when I eventually settled down with it. Eventually, the SideWinder was comfortable for my medium sized hands.
The SideWinder is going for an MSRP of US$79.95, which is well priced for such an advanced mouse, albeit a rather large one.
This review is contributed by Bliondi, our resident terror in the forums.
|