Microsoft Sidewinder Mouse - bit-tech.net Forums

Tim S · 14th Oct 2007, 14:45

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/200...winder_mouse/1

Microsoft has suddenly moved back into the PC gaming input market by bringing the Sidewinder line back to life. Has the company learnt any new tricks in the last few years then, or is the Sidewinder more useless than a dead viper? There's only one way to find out for sure...

capnPedro · 14th Oct 2007, 14:50

It looks like something from the future, from the 80s. If you get what I mean...

Yeah, I'll keep my G5 thanks.

p3n · 14th Oct 2007, 15:05

Glad I spent a little more on the g9!

plagio · 14th Oct 2007, 15:07

gaming mice are wired, period.
If you don't agree with the lag issue you will agree that you can't risk to have your wireless mouse batteries uncharged before a clan war.

Yeah, I'll keep my copperhead thanks.

Bluephoenix · 14th Oct 2007, 15:21

the G5 is actually cheaper now

the going price is $55, $10 less than the sidewinder

jezmck · 14th Oct 2007, 15:24

ugly, gimmicky. for the noob gamers imo.

Quote:

...I made the most of it by taking DPI, macros ...

should that be 'talking'?

Bionic-Blob · 14th Oct 2007, 15:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by plagio

gaming mice are wired, period.
If you don't agree with the lag issue you will agree that you can't risk to have your wireless mouse batteries uncharged before a clan war.

Yeah, I'll keep my copperhead thanks.

depends what games you play, and whether it's competitive or not.

Kipman725 · 14th Oct 2007, 15:41

I am by no means pro but even I notice input lag on most wireless mice, I also notice the differance between mouse acceleration off in windows and mouse acceleration rearly off (via registry hack). So far the best mouse I have used for twitch gaming is the razer diamondback but it's not the most comfortable beast.

Naberius · 14th Oct 2007, 16:12

I think that looks rubbish, much rather have a deathadder.

tuteja1986 · 14th Oct 2007, 16:40

death adder , logitech MX518

still my fav mouse.

Lemur 6 · 14th Oct 2007, 17:15

blatant logitech G9 bite-off

DougEdey · 14th Oct 2007, 17:24

Under all the pictures it says "Click the enlarge" shouldn't this be "Click to enlarge"

D3s3rt_F0x · 14th Oct 2007, 17:40

Fact is the lowly and often forgotten Microsoft Intelli mouse v3.0 is still the best gaming and general mouse by far, so good microsoft even brought it back after they said we aint doing it no more and last one I had lasted me 3 years with alot of useage.

Oh yeah wired mice f t w

Spaceraver · 14th Oct 2007, 18:14

Wired all the way. From input to output. If only the G5 had buttons that were more customizable. And games could support them.

Cupboard · 14th Oct 2007, 18:38

Does it have a clicky scroll wheel? Smooth ones suck for gaming. I have a wireless notebook mouse 6000 with a smooth scroll wheel, and even ignoring from the fact it only scrolls up most of the time, and the rubber tread on it is coming off, it is really annoying whizzing past the gun/tab/whatever that you want.
Also, what is the difference between a G5 and an MX518? they look the same to me.
EDIT: great to have articles over the weekend BTW, it gives me something to read

Ghys · 14th Oct 2007, 19:08

Joe,

I always enjoy reading all your articles because of the way you can use humor and reach every gamer possible. In this article however, I did not appreciate the part where you just laugh at those who think there is a difference between a wired mouse and a wireless one. Your opinion is fine, but the way you said it and the way you qualify the wireless-haters as being 'wannabe-progamers' is kinda lame in my opinion.

I personally have never been able to play with a wireless mouse because of the lag, and I honestly can't wait for the day I will find one that doesn't have this problem. I agree, wires suck... but they are necessary at the moment

If you want my opinion, just know that talking against half of your readers by telling them they are just wrong might not be the best way to keep them interested in your articles. I know it annoyed me enough to come here and post this instead of keep reading the article. (I'll read the rest because I am curious about this mouse)

stoff3r · 14th Oct 2007, 19:15

I read up to the part where you said 99.9 % of people would not notice mouselag. We are talking about gamers here... in a game you are "one" with your inputs (except maybee in EA-titles), any milisecond counts, so i did not read through the test. And it looks horrible:P

CardJoe · 14th Oct 2007, 19:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghys

Joe,

I always enjoy reading all your articles because of the way you can use humor and reach every gamer possible. In this article however, I did not appreciate the part where you just laugh at those who think there is a difference between a wired mouse and a wireless one. Your opinion is fine, but the way you said it and the way you qualify the wireless-haters as being 'wannabe-progamers' is kinda lame in my opinion.

I personally have never been able to play with a wireless mouse because of the lag, and I honestly can't wait for the day I will find one that doesn't have this problem. I agree, wires suck... but they are necessary at the moment

If you want my opinion, just know that talking against half of your readers by telling them they are just wrong might not be the best way to keep them interested in your articles. I know it annoyed me enough to come here and post this instead of keep reading the article. (I'll read the rest because I am curious about this mouse)

Hey Ghys,

Sorry you felt that way about this article and I hope it won't put you off reading bit-tech in the future. I realise what I said could have easily come across as being a bit grumpy but, although this is an issue I feel is true for most 12-year CS hakzors, I didn't mean to offend or piss anyone off. At the end of the day, the review is just my thoughts on the issue and I thought my writing would come across as good naturedly and humour-fully as it was intended to. As I said, just my opinions and not intended to upset anyone.

As always, if you have any more thoughts then feel free to email me because I always like to hear feedback!

Joe

Ghys · 14th Oct 2007, 20:15

Don't worry, I won't stop reading because of this. I have not been on bit-tech (mostly the website) for the past 6 years for nothing

eternum · 14th Oct 2007, 20:32

As far as gaming mice go, I'm not a huge fan of much dps adjustment. Not because it isn't useful, but because I have little need for it - it took me so long to switch from a trackball to a laser mouse (lack of desk space and trackballs are stationary), that I am quite used to a generally lower dps. The thing that got me on this mouse that will most certainly make me take it for a test drive and maybe buy it is the vertically spaced thumb buttons. I'm shocked that it took this long for anyone to realize that it's more comfortable. I suppose I should be thankful that I developed my thumb dexterity with my trackball for those buttons on my copperhead. (and those are better placed than most IMO). As far as responsiveness with wired vs. cordless, I've never noticed a ton of difference (heck, I'm used to low dps), but I DID notice a ton of difference with my copperhead compared to other laser mice - with the 'always on' laser. Most mice that power down the laser have that uncomfortable lag as you begin to move it (even the trackball did). I don't know what kind of difference in power consumption this would make, but I imagine it wouldn't be as battery friendly. Maybe this is the root of the lag they mention? Or maybe I haven't used enough gaming mice to know whether or not this kind of feature has become ubiquitous yet.

14th Oct 2007, 14:45	#1
Tim S Pewlius Caesar bit-tech Staff Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Ascot, Berks Posts: 18,021	Microsoft Sidewinder Mouse http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/200...winder_mouse/1 Microsoft has suddenly moved back into the PC gaming input market by bringing the Sidewinder line back to life. Has the company learnt any new tricks in the last few years then, or is the Sidewinder more useless than a dead viper? There's only one way to find out for sure... __________________ Tim on Twitter \| Tim's Blog \| Tim's Flickr The bit-tech Blog \| bit-tech on Twitter \| Join the bit-tech & Custom PC folding team (#35947)

14th Oct 2007, 14:50	#2
capnPedro Deaf forever to the battle's din Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: North-East England Posts: 2,988	It looks like something from the future, from the 80s. If you get what I mean... Yeah, I'll keep my G5 thanks. __________________ ASUS M4A785TD-M Evo \| AMD Phenom II x4 955 BE \| D-Tek FuZion 4GB Corsair XMMS3-10666 \| Corsair TX650 Point Of View 8800GTX \| EK FC-8800

14th Oct 2007, 15:41	#8
Kipman725 When did I get a custom title!?! Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: UK Posts: 1,753	I am by no means pro but even I notice input lag on most wireless mice, I also notice the differance between mouse acceleration off in windows and mouse acceleration rearly off (via registry hack). So far the best mouse I have used for twitch gaming is the razer diamondback but it's not the most comfortable beast. __________________ Sn45g game server mod My Electronics Site Hardware: 3400+ Sempr0n, 1GB RAM, 1.28TB local storage, x1950pro,Razer Viper,M$ comfort curve 2000,L70S + 17", Fujitsu 17" CRT Audio: HD-650's, PE congress amp, Sound Blaster AWE64, Soundblaster 24bit

14th Oct 2007, 17:24	#12
DougEdey I pwn all your storage Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Southampton Posts: 13,933	Under all the pictures it says "Click the enlarge" shouldn't this be "Click to enlarge" __________________ Burnout: Paradise Stats!XBL: DougEdey Bindi PSN ID: DougEdey Twitter

14th Oct 2007, 17:40	#13
D3s3rt_F0x Hypermodder Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Near Middlesbrough Posts: 681	Fact is the lowly and often forgotten Microsoft Intelli mouse v3.0 is still the best gaming and general mouse by far, so good microsoft even brought it back after they said we aint doing it no more and last one I had lasted me 3 years with alot of useage. Oh yeah wired mice f t w __________________ "We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too." - JFK

14th Oct 2007, 15:05	#3
p3n Hypermodder Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 737	Glad I spent a little more on the g9!

14th Oct 2007, 15:07	#4
plagio Multimodder Join Date: May 2004 Location: Rome, Italy Posts: 141	gaming mice are wired, period. If you don't agree with the lag issue you will agree that you can't risk to have your wireless mouse batteries uncharged before a clan war. Yeah, I'll keep my copperhead thanks.

14th Oct 2007, 15:21	#5
Bluephoenix Spoon? What spoon? Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Daytona Beach, FL Posts: 936	the G5 is actually cheaper now the going price is $55, $10 less than the sidewinder

14th Oct 2007, 16:12	#9
Naberius Multimodder Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Posts: 193	I think that looks rubbish, much rather have a deathadder.

14th Oct 2007, 16:40	#10
tuteja1986 Minimodder Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Sydney Posts: 48	death adder , logitech MX518 still my fav mouse.

14th Oct 2007, 17:15	#11
Lemur 6 Multimodder Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 121	blatant logitech G9 bite-off

14th Oct 2007, 18:14	#14
Spaceraver Weekend Junkie Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kolding, Denmark Posts: 1,307	Wired all the way. From input to output. If only the G5 had buttons that were more customizable. And games could support them. __________________ "Faith: not wanting to know what is true." - Friedrich Nietzsche. "Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful." - Seneca Last thing I remember, I was drinking this glowing green sht out of a test tube and dancing like a bstard.

14th Oct 2007, 18:38	#15
Cupboard I'm not a modder. Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Bury St Edmunds/Durham Uni Posts: 1,848	Does it have a clicky scroll wheel? Smooth ones suck for gaming. I have a wireless notebook mouse 6000 with a smooth scroll wheel, and even ignoring from the fact it only scrolls up most of the time, and the rubber tread on it is coming off, it is really annoying whizzing past the gun/tab/whatever that you want. Also, what is the difference between a G5 and an MX518? they look the same to me. EDIT: great to have articles over the weekend BTW, it gives me something to read __________________ i7 920, 8800GTS 512, 6GB Corsair all in an Intel DX58SO; 3*320GB RAID5; CM Stacker Samsung Q45.

14th Oct 2007, 19:08	#16
Ghys DUHHHH Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 2,610	Joe, I always enjoy reading all your articles because of the way you can use humor and reach every gamer possible. In this article however, I did not appreciate the part where you just laugh at those who think there is a difference between a wired mouse and a wireless one. Your opinion is fine, but the way you said it and the way you qualify the wireless-haters as being 'wannabe-progamers' is kinda lame in my opinion. I personally have never been able to play with a wireless mouse because of the lag, and I honestly can't wait for the day I will find one that doesn't have this problem. I agree, wires suck... but they are necessary at the moment If you want my opinion, just know that talking against half of your readers by telling them they are just wrong might not be the best way to keep them interested in your articles. I know it annoyed me enough to come here and post this instead of keep reading the article. (I'll read the rest because I am curious about this mouse) __________________ Phenom X3 720 Black Edition @ 3.4Ghz - Asus M3N72-D SLI - 4GB PC6400 - MSI GTX260 216 - RAID0 37gb Raptors - 2x 500GB - Corsair TX850 - Samsung 2233RZ 120hz cheesecake - Windows 7 Ultimate 64Bits Kids ! The Samsung 2233RZ is the solution to all your problems in life ! That is, of course, if your biggest concern is not sucking at FPS games

14th Oct 2007, 19:15	#17
stoff3r Multimodder Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 87	I read up to the part where you said 99.9 % of people would not notice mouselag. We are talking about gamers here... in a game you are "one" with your inputs (except maybee in EA-titles), any milisecond counts, so i did not read through the test. And it looks horrible:P

14th Oct 2007, 20:15	#19
Ghys DUHHHH Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 2,610	Don't worry, I won't stop reading because of this. I have not been on bit-tech (mostly the website) for the past 6 years for nothing __________________ Phenom X3 720 Black Edition @ 3.4Ghz - Asus M3N72-D SLI - 4GB PC6400 - MSI GTX260 216 - RAID0 37gb Raptors - 2x 500GB - Corsair TX850 - Samsung 2233RZ 120hz cheesecake - Windows 7 Ultimate 64Bits Kids ! The Samsung 2233RZ is the solution to all your problems in life ! That is, of course, if your biggest concern is not sucking at FPS games

14th Oct 2007, 20:32	#20
eternum blam shotgun fanhole Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 57	As far as gaming mice go, I'm not a huge fan of much dps adjustment. Not because it isn't useful, but because I have little need for it - it took me so long to switch from a trackball to a laser mouse (lack of desk space and trackballs are stationary), that I am quite used to a generally lower dps. The thing that got me on this mouse that will most certainly make me take it for a test drive and maybe buy it is the vertically spaced thumb buttons. I'm shocked that it took this long for anyone to realize that it's more comfortable. I suppose I should be thankful that I developed my thumb dexterity with my trackball for those buttons on my copperhead. (and those are better placed than most IMO). As far as responsiveness with wired vs. cordless, I've never noticed a ton of difference (heck, I'm used to low dps), but I DID notice a ton of difference with my copperhead compared to other laser mice - with the 'always on' laser. Most mice that power down the laser have that uncomfortable lag as you begin to move it (even the trackball did). I don't know what kind of difference in power consumption this would make, but I imagine it wouldn't be as battery friendly. Maybe this is the root of the lag they mention? Or maybe I haven't used enough gaming mice to know whether or not this kind of feature has become ubiquitous yet. __________________ Project: Hyponome - E6700, 680i SLI, 4gb ReaperX pc-8000, 2x 8800 Ultras OC, Raptorx 150gb, 250gb raid 1 array, and a whole lotta sexy.