Microsoft SideWinder X8 BlueTrack Gaming Mouse Comments

Well fair play to microsoft

Is there a gaming mouse with good "handling"? Really?!!

"the X8 uses BlueTrack technology, which is - as experience shows - a notable improvement on optical and laser."

Is there an advantage because its BlueTrack or because its a 4,000 DPI mouse. You shouldn't confuse the two - there are perfectly good 4,000 DPI laser mice out there.

The main advantage of Blue Track seems to be the (rather pointless) advantage of working on rougher surfaces like "carpet and rough-grain wood" - because obviously millions of l33t gamers regularly use rough-grain wood and carpet gamer mouse pads...

Also having a plug-in wireless mouse is nothing new - Logitech did it with their MX1100 a while ago (although for some bizarre reason, only with the one that comes bundled with their cordless desktops).

@Jon, uhm... Logitech had a "proper" wireless gaming mouse, the G7 http://www.trustedreviews.com/peripherals/review/2005/09/24/Logitech-G7-cordless-2000dpi-Laser-Mouse/p1
The biggest problem with that one was that you had to change the battery all the time, but as it came with a pair of batteries, you could easily swap them and charge the second one in the provided charger. The MX1100 is NOT a gaming mouse.

Hey great review Hugo. I dont even need a new mouse but I've just ordered one of these puppies on the strength of that (though I will confess to digging out a few second opinions elsewhere on the net).

Looks at 50p ebay "perfect" wireless mouse with dead LED, feeling more pleased it did not cost £70!!!

Thats still a nice mouse of course.

I had a Bluetooth Mouse for my Mac that allowed you to charge via USB and keep using

How does this compare against the *KING* of mice the logitech MX Revolution?

Im a sucker for a new mouse but dont want a downgrade :)

Ok this is interesting - MicroSoft's own website has a driver download for this mouse for the Mac. Can anyone confirm if it works and all the buttons can be programmed etc?

Heh fair enough hugo, I just find it fits nicely in my hand and only needs charging once a fortnight :)

I've read on a couple of other review sites that they've had varying problems with this mouse, for instance; pointer skipping (especially on cloth mousemats), odd scrollwheel behaviour when the custom drivers are installed (sometimes), and some interference problems
http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/03/16/microsoft-sidewinder-x8-review-update/

Would definitely be beneficial to the readers if you could confirm if these are present on the one you're using :-).

Is there any way to reprogram the 3 buttons just below the mouse wheel or are they only for changing the DPI?

how much is the ms of this mouse? razer mamba got only 1ms as wireless