Others say...

"Great All-Around Mouse That Excels At Gaming, Too"
Let me just say that I've been playing FPS (first person shooter) games since the old days of Castle Wolfenstein and I've always used regular mice to play. When I was younger, it wasn't a problem to spend hours on a game with no aches and pains, but now I can't use a normal mouse for much longer than an hour without a twinge somewhere or another in my hand. When I was looking into getting a new mouse to replace the little optical one I had been using (quite painfully, might I add), I came across this in a computer store. I tried the demo model and ordered one immediately. I was hooked!

This mouse is BIG and HEAVY when compared to most mice and, when put up against the Logitech gaming lineup, it seems to be at a disadvantage. The mouse seems less graceful and the buttons aren't as hair-trigger responsive as the Logitech lineup...however, once I started seriously using this mouse in everyday situations (net surfing, Photoshop, etc.) it really showed its excellent design. It fits comfortably in the hand and doesn't require that the fingers be constantly poised above the buttons. You can rest your fingers across the buttons and push easily when you want to click. This is CRITICAL in games for me, since holding my fingers over the buttons (as I had been doing before) was what seriously wore my finger tendons out so quickly. Being able to rest my fingers, yet respond quickly to input helped keep my game scores up while not wearing out my hand. The weights seemed gimmicky at first, but I quickly learned that extra weights really helped me keep the mouse stable and it reduced my twitching in FPS games.

The LCD IS a gimmick, no doubt, but the ability to switch 3 DPI settings on the fly is nice. In FPS games, general gameplay is good around 2000 DPI, but precision shooting (like for a sniper class in an FPS) requires MUCH less mouse movement over a broad area and more controlled movement in a smaller area. 1600DPI is perfect for this. I can instantly switch, as needed, with no delays. The side buttons are also perfect for alt fire and are easily pressed with the thumb. I haven't used the macros, so I can't comment on that feature, but even the heavy scroll wheel just feels much nicer on the fingers.

The feet might make a difference if you're not using a nice mousepad.

The best feature by far is the weighted box that stores the spare feet and weights. It holds down the cable very well. Kudos to Microsoft for getting that right!

In conclusion, I would say that if you still have the ability to poise your index and middle finger over sensitive mouse buttons for hours on end, you might find better results with another mouse. However, if you've got scars on your tendons from too much mouse use, trying this mouse out will be wonderful. The weight, button presses and ergonomics are great. The bonuses of the DPI switch, adjustable weights/feet and the cable weight box just turn this mouse into an excellent value.

5 stars. A worthy recipient of the Sidewinder name.



" waste of money"
The mouse seemed to function OK at first but not much better than the cheapo mouse I was using before this one. Now I am having a problem with the mouse pointer when I move the mouse slowly its jittery and doesn't want to move like it's fighting against me. This is very frustrating seeing how I bought this mouse with the expectation that I was getting a precision gaming mouse. The other drag is sending it back for replacement (assuming something is wrong with it) will cost as much in shipping charges to buy a new mouse....... a cheapo this time. Don't throw you money away.

"all thumbs"
The on-the-fly DPI adjustment is sweet, once you get used to it -from soldier -to tank -to gunship in BF2142 for instance -don't notice the cord, but do notice the lack of dosh I have to doll out for batteries vs. a cordless -more for my mp3 player -definitely meant for someone with gargantuan hands -but when used with a wrist gel-type support, the fingers and thumbs are in perfect position -if it only had 3 colors like my KB.....but get it anyway -weights are sweet -have it maxed so sniper shots go for the noggin as planned -not the sproingy boot unlock -d'oh!

"Great Mouse 4.5 out 5"
Ive done a lot research and trial and error with other mice, and this is the one that fit my hand and budget. I was a little skeptical at first thinking that Microsoft made a peace of crap and slapped their name on it but the mouse really performs. Prior to this I was using the Razer Diamond Back, and the right click had died on that one so I purchased the Razer (Lechnis?) and found that it was just to small and the left side buttons were to awkward to push consistently, and the right side buttons were next to impossible to use.

When I first used the Sidewinder I was instantly at home with its Ergos, it fit very well in my hand (big mitts) and the side buttons were very accesable. Being built with stainless steel components I have doubts in its ability to take a punishment. The weight system is very nice as well allowing for lots of customization in weight distribution.

I didn't give it a perfect 5 because of the mouse feet. They have 3 different types of mouse feet that claim to have different menueverability along the mouse pad surface but they all seemed very much the same with a very plastic like feel. They also seemed to collect depris easily. However if you can keep them clean the feet aren't really a problem.

"Sturdy, solid software, for big hands, a winner!"
I have pretty big hands, and the Logitech mice have always been great for me in most respects, except that I *never* used the DPI switching on the fly. I would like to remap those keys to a 'cruise up' and 'cruise down', which worked really well.

The problem is, that occasionally the mouse would 'reset' itself to a lower DPI, and I'd be mid-game trying to get it back. I'd have to go map the key to "increase sensitivity", then go back into the game and play again. It was truly annoying, and it is the single reason I won't buy another Logitech mouse.

I saw Microsoft's Sidewinder mouse and I took a chance on it -- it looked reasonable, and being the owner of several Microsoft Keyboards over the years, I don't have any problem with their hardware quality. This mouse is no exception.

The plastic may seem flimsy, but feeling the scroll wheel tells you the internals of it are reasonably well made. It has solid mouse buttons and they are comfortable for a larger hand like mine (it's not a HUGE hand, but big). The macro keys are something I rarely use because if you play competitively, you have to take out the 'cheats' in games. But all in all, it's a really great mouse.

The SOFTWARE. It's great. The scroll wheel (if you use it in applications rather than games) can increase scrolling speed the faster you scroll with the software. It's quite brilliant. The detents in the scroll make it exceptionally good for gaming, as you know if you switch weapons easily -- you feel it in the wheel. My hand has never accidentally hit the DPI switch -- not once. And if your hand does, it's a quick switch back and you can view the LCD to tell you exactly what you're sitting at as well.

All in all, if you're tired of Logitech's poor software and key remapping, you have large hands, and you want a good gaming mouse -- this is the one for you. Again, I never switch DPI on ANY mouse I've ever owned (and I've owned a lot) so if you play like that... you'll find the Sidewinder a welcome choice.

By the way, the Sidewinder X5 is not worth it -- this mouse has more features and seems better to me, so save your $30 or whatever and buy this mouse. Amazon shipping and support never fails me.