Microsoft SideWinder X8 Mouse

by Microsoft

• Play and Charge - Up to 30 hours of active gaming on a single charge, or use the play-and charge cable for non-stop action.
• BlueTrack Technology - Worldżs most advanced tracking technology for gaming with image processing of 13,000 frames per second.
• 2.4 GHz Wireless - Built for lag-free play.
• DPI Switching - Instantly switch sensitivity between high, medium, and low with one click.
• 7 Programmable Buttons - Customize 5 programmable main buttons, plus left/right tilt, to your preference.

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 8.4 x 2.8 inches ; 14.9 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B001FA1SIM
• Item model number: 3HA-00001
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (124 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 14, 2004

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

From the Manufacturer

Overview:

The Ultimate Gaming Mouse System
Grab hold of the Microsoft® SideWinder™ X8 mouse and experience gaming thrills and performance that will blow you—and your opponents—away! This addition to Microsoft’s award-winning line of SideWinder gaming products is a complete desktop gaming system that features breakthrough Microsoft BlueTrack™ Technology, 2.4 GHz wireless, USB charging while you play, an advanced design for precise handling and fast action, adjustable feet, custom tuning—and much more.

Features:

Play and Charge Up to 30 hours of active gaming on a single charge, or use the play-and charge cable for non-stop action.		BlueTrack™ Technology World’s most advanced tracking technology for gaming with image processing of 13,000 frames per second, with improved tracking on carpet, granite, and even wood surfaces.		Quick Launch Button One-touch access to Microsoft PC gaming features.
Vertical Side Buttons Top/bottom design makes locating side buttons easier and reduces inadvertent actuation risk.		Engineered for Speed Shape designed for quick, balanced, precision gaming action.		Scroll Wheel with Tilt Better feel and response with detents for precise control.

Additional Features: 2.4 GHz Wireless - Built for lag-free play. LCD Display - Quickly view DPI settings and macro-recording icons on the mouse. DPI Switching - Instantly switch sensitivity between high, medium, and low with one click. Replaceable Mouse Feet - Choice of 3 different materials for glide preference. 7 Programmable Buttons - Customize 5 programmable main buttons, plus left/right tilt, to your preference. Macro Record - Easily record macros while in game with the dedicated button. Specs: Resolution: 250–4000 dpi (BlueTrack™ Technology) Image Processing: 13000 frames per second Max Acceleration: 75 G Max Speed: 120 inches per second USB Reporting: Full-speed, 500 Hz Feet: 3 sets of different mouse feet (for glide preference) Wireless Play: Up to 30 hours System Requirements Windows Vista®/Windows XP 100 MB USB Port CD drive

	Microsoft® SideWinder™ X5 Mouse		Microsoft® SideWinder™ X6 Keyboard		Microsoft® SideWinder™ Mouse

Product Description

Microsoft SideWinder X8 Mouse - 4000 dpi - Play and Charge - 13000 FPS - Wireless

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Meet My New Great Mouse March 11, 2009

By Jeffrey Green

This mouse is the best mouse I have owned and I like it better than any Logitech mouse. There I have said it.
To start off with this matches and compliments my Microsoft Sidewinder X6 keyboard. While this mouse is not for small hands, my hand is of normal size and the mouse feels good. The mouse comes with the Intellipoint software where you can really gear the mouse up as you would like. The X8 Mouse is a gaming cordless USB drive mouse with a round disk with one end plugged into a USB slot and then it gives a cord that rolls out from the disk that you attach to the base of the mouse when you want to recharge or use it as a corded mouse. It is the best of both worlds. No more swapping or changing batteries as the mouse can recharge from this method while you use it. When the included AA rechargable battery needs to be recharged the mouse pulsates its red color to let you know that it is time to recharge. There is even an On/Off switch to conserve batteries.
I have put this round disk that contains the wire to run or recharge the mouse out of sight under the opening I have at my desk. I even tested the mouse out on different surfaces form a desk to a rug to a bed and the mouse performs very well without missing a beat. There are different feet for the mouse, but I can not tell that there is much difference in the way the mouse performs or feels, but as stated the movement is fine without changing the feet on the bottom. On the front of the X8 you have three LCDs to change your DPI on the fly. This feature works very well and there is a noticable difference so it conforms to what your needs will be whether you use it for gaming or as just use it as your mouse of choice all of the time. It has up to 4000 DPI. The mouse itself has many buttons that are well laid out. You can customize some of them to fit your needs.
Now I must say that I have stayed away from these Microsoft mice in the past due to the smooth scrolling of the wheel. I can not stand that. It would feel like you have no contol of what you scroll. Well this mouse has detents on the scroll wheel so this dislike I have for other Microsoft mice is no longer an issue with the X8. The scroll wheel is also adjustable with its speed which is a must for me.
There are so may other features that I have not even bothered with as of yet. Yes, this is a Microsoft product, but forget that. The X8 mouse not only looks good, but is comfortable and performs flawlessly with evey feature a mouse can possess. I hope the sturdy feel of the mouse holds up over time, but I am quite pleased with not only the X6 Sidewinder keyboard, but just as pleased with the X8 Sidewinder mouse. At this point I give the X8 Sidewinder Mouse the highest rating.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Decent mouse with many unique features (Update) March 21, 2009

By The Renaissance Man

I've had the Microsoft Sidewinder X8 for about a week now and so far I've been liking it. I previously used a Logitech MX518, and although it wasn't a bad mouse, it started wearing off and felt that it was time to get a new one. My top priorities for a new mouse were decent DPI, fits big hands well and relatively new with up to date technology. Through various reviews and browsing forums I concluded on getting the Microsoft Sidewinder mouse (its precursor). However, just when I was about to purchase the mouse, I heard Microsoft was coming up with an updated version next month. So I waited.

The major differences between the Sidewinder X8 and the Sidewinder are increased DPI (from 2000 to 4000), wireless, and lack of adjustable weights. I was quite surprised to not see adjustable weights but it is not something I worry about. Some gamers might question the wireless on a gaming mice due to lag but Microsoft has stated they did intensive testing and found no difference in latency between wired mouses and the Sidewinder X8.

Installation of the software was a breeze. Once that was completed, I plugged in the USB and as soon as I started using the Sidewinder X8 I noticed a significant tracking improvement over the MX518--it's much more precise and this was at 2000 DPI. The vertical side buttons are as good, if not slightly better than the horizontal ones. I've rarely used them on the MX518, but on the Sidewinder X8 I use it much more often. But they may take awhile getting used to them. The rest of the buttons work great and haven't had a problem with setting up a macro on the macro button. The LCD screen showing the battery metre and DPI is a nice touch as well.

The wireless receiver is shaped like a puck and its charger wire is wrapped around making it very easy to extend. The magnetic end on the charger wire allows it easily to snap on to the mouse. If your battery is dead (which didn't happen for awhile) you can still use the mouse as soon as it attaches. Inside the puck contains two different mouse feet pads in addition to the default ones on the mouse. I tried them all and there is a slight difference between them but opted to leave the default ones on. However, I noticed they easily attract moist and accumulate scratches. I'm afraid that this might disrupt the smooth movements although I have not noticed any so far.

One problem that has slightly annoyed me involves the grip of the mouse. My hands are on the large side and felt that the mouse would ergonomically accommodate for it. But when I put my hand on the mouse, the index finger on the left click and the middle finger on the right click, my ring finger does not fall into its groove correctly. This causes my ring finger to hit the top of the groove which isn't a good feel. The groove is very linear and the only way for my ring finger to fit nicely into the groove is to move my hand a bit back. But doing so weakens my grip . This whole problem is most likely due to my hand composition as I have not heard any complaints related to that matter. On the contrary, when holding the mouse with the index finger on left click, middle finger on the scroll wheel and the ring finger on the right click, it fits perfectly! My pinky sits flawlessly onto the groove. But is it worth the change?

Concluding:

Pros:
- Incredible tracking with 4000 DPI
- Wireless with great battery life
- Customizable buttons

Cons:
- Not the best mouse feet pads
- Not for small hands
- Questionable grip

*** UPDATE ***
It seems that this mouse has not been the greatest. The BlueTrack is supposed to track on anything, and at a hard soft surface as a desk it did jump a few times. Maybe it can be fixed with a firmware upgrade?

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars not bad, but there are better January 2, 2010

By Brian Dowrick

Amazon Verified Purchase

I got this mouse with the hope of having more control with my right hand. More buttons that I could program. It's not a bad mouse, but could use some redesigning. I actually prefer my original wireless mouse. the Logitec Logitech MediaPlay Cordless Mouse- Blue. It has two easy-to-target, programable, thumb buttons, and two not so easy to target dedicated volume control buttons. It also has next song/ last song control on the right.
The Sidewinder has two easy-to-target, programable, thumb buttons, and one difficult to target dedicated button. Most of the buttons on this mouse are already predetermined. You have Left, right, and center click, as well as scroll wheel (which is also the center button) that has left/right tilting, and two North/South thumb buttons. You also get a hard to hit thumb button (not sure what it does yet, but it's not programable), and 3 sensitivity setting buttons under your palm along with a second power button. So, in total you get 5 programable buttons (3 finger, 2 thumb). I was hoping for more.
The mouse itself is a bit bulky. I like to hold the mouse with my fingers, and do broad movements with my forearm, and fine movements by resting my palm on the table and moving my fingers around. So I like a little play between the mouse and the boney part of my palm. This has none. It's made for people who like to hold the mouse firmly in their palm.
It's also a bit heavy, and has 3 different feet you can switch out for your style of sliding around.
It's rechargeable.
The sensitivity is a bit strange as well. The left/right sensitivity is a bit less then the North/South. I find that I have to do broader motions to look left and right, but only a slight movement up, will have me looking at the ceiling. This takes some getting used to.
If I re-designed this mouse, I'd make it lighter, less bulky, move the thumb buttons back about an inch, and add 1 or 2 more thumb buttons either in a plus formation, or two over two. I'd also push the mouse theory by adding another button either on the LeftClick, or RightClick part of the mouse that was higher up (about where your second knuckle is) so you could do two different clicks with one finger.
It's not a bad mouse, but could use some reworking.