Microsoft Sidewinder Strategic Commander

Other products by Microsoft

Product Details

• Item Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00005U21V
• Item model number: E06-00001
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 21, 2002

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Get ready for a revolution in strategy gaming. Sidewinder Strategic Commander brings your strategy game play to a new level by allowing you to move, deploy and command your forces faster and more efficiently. Its innovative map movement control lets you scroll and spin the map quickly and intuitively, and an ergonomic design puts customizable commands at your fingertips.

Product Description

Get ready for a revolution in strategy gaming. Sidewinder Strategic Commander brings your strategy game play to a new level by allowing you to move, deploy and command your forces faster and more efficiently. Its innovative map movement control lets you scroll and spin the map quickly and intuitively, and an ergonomic design puts customizable commands at your fingertips.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Enhancement for NovaLogic's Black Hawk Down!, February 23, 2004

By	Dallas Guy "QuantumRift" (Sierra Vista, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

When I learned of this device from a friend, I had two questions: "Does it work with NovaLogic's "Black Hawk Down" game and "How much does it cost?" TO answer the first question, I contacted NovaLogic and asked them if this device would work with BHD - however, they informed me that BHD was not designed for 'game controllers'. Since this device is NOT a 'game controller (joystick, gamepad, etc) I concluded it would work fine (additionally, my friend also uses his for BHD as well). So I purchased it. As to the cost? Well, that is variable depending on where you get it.

It took me a couple of minutes to install the Commander on my XP system (USB), and I was programming the buttons shortly thereafter. Note: This does *not* replace your mouse or keyboard. It is a great addition to allow you to move your character around, perform things like crouch, jump, reload, lean, roll, hop, go prone, select weapon, emote, etc all from just 6 keys. It comes pre-programmed to allow you to move it forward and sideways to replace the keyboard directional keys (it does not "roll" on the desktop, rather, the top unit 'slides' (Forward, Backwards, Left, Right) on top of the stationary base. It also has a 'twist' function, if you desire that can be programmed as well.

Since it's designed for LEFT hand use, I found it took a short time to get used to it while mousing with my right hand (I keep the mouse for the LOOK functions and scope functions). It feels solid on my desktop and is easy to use. It does not slide around due to the rubber feet.

You can 'record' and program keyboard shortcuts on the fly (with the RECORD button), or you can use the interface program to program your buttons. Each button has a function along with three "shift" functions (the shift button is beneath your thumb). All told, it will handle up to 72 keyboard (macro) commands (arrows, scroll lock, etc) so you do not have to take your hand off the controller to do in-game functions. NOTE: This is not a "CHEAT" - it just allows you to move your hand faster and not lose your concentration. (You can also program multiple keyboard combinations as well as a one-button 'macro')

All in all, it's worth the money. You can switch from 3 profiles on the fly - and you can save and load mappings as well. For instance, you can have one profile as a gunner, one for a medic, one for a sniper, etc.

As it works well with BHD, I'd expect the same to be true for "Battlefield: 1942" and other 3D combat games. It comes with profiles for about 30 other games (2D strategy games like Ages of Empires, etc).

Retail price for this is about $60 (and I could never find one locally) but you can find it online for much less (probably less than half of the MSR price - I got mine for about $21 + shipping). I've been using mine for several days and I'm very happy with it. It definitely enhances the game.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Strategic Commander, November 8, 2002

By	"dinosaurus" (Alexandria, VA United States) - See all my reviews

I've been using it for about a year now and I can't imagine playing any FPS without it. I only use one of the available 3 profiles, since 18 keys more than enough for me. I haven't had any problems with it -- except that I can't put it down.

The problem for those of us who are keyboard challenged is that -- even if you optimize your keyboard binds for movement, weapon selection and chats -- you can never find the key you want fast enough. You have to stop playing and think about which key you want. In most FPS games, today that is longer than it takes to miss the opportunity and give your opponents the score.

This is the perfect human-machine interface. After you play with it for a while, you forget its there. You are totally submerged in the action and you never have think about the machine. It does take some time to choose your configuration and learn the shift-button combos, but after that it's entirely transparent. Put your most frequently used keystrokes on the first 6 buttons. You used your thumb on one of the three thumb-shift buttons to use keys 7-18. It's easy once you get the hang of it.

If you need a new bind during the game, you just turn on the record button and select the button you want to bind. That's it. Instant config change.

If you play several games with different key assignments, the profile switch allows you to toggle the configuration at will. I find that 18 programmable buttons more than sufficient on the first position, but you can program all 72. You'd want to group the buttons for each profile carefully though, because the profile selection button is a three-position slider which you wouldn't want to change a lot.

Another thing to consider: you use your arm to control your direction in the game, which is very different if your are used to using a keyboard to strafe and change direction quickly. It's not hard, it's just different.

The only draw back I can find is that I find it very difficult to adapt when I'm playing on someone elses machine, or at the office. Shhhhhhhhh!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best Product for 3D Animation Software!, September 25, 2004

By	Juan C. Hernandez Camara "Chaac" (Mérida, Yuc. Mexico) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I use a 3D Animation software and all the important commands fit in the 60 command slots of this device. It is too bad MS is not selling it anymore. If you are a programmer or use a lot of commands, this product is for you.

And if you're thinking about using the Nostromo Device, forget it... I tried it and gave it back. It is not half as ergonomic or usefull as the Sidewinder Strategic Commander...