MS-Sidewinder-X8-Gaming-MouseI reviewed the Microsoft Sidewinder mouse a while ago, a mouse that I am still using. I will say this, I love that mouse. When Microsoft announced an "upgrade" to that mouse, I was naturally interested in finding out more info. The new Sidewinder X8 has one main feature that I’m happy about, its wireless. I know, many gamers don’t like to use a wireless mouse. Some say the precision just isn’t there 100% of the time. The main thing I hate about wireless mice is having to deal with batteries and charging etc. For regular PC use, on my notebook, I love not being tethered.

Other than being wireless, whats new about this mouse? Well a lot of what I liked about the original sidewinder mouse is the same. As you can see by the picture, it still pretty much looks the same and has the same overall shape/design. The Sidewinder X8 is a little bigger which is good for me (I like bigger mice). and one of the complaints I had in my review with other mice has seemed to be addressed a bit further. The thumb buttons are shaped a bit differently, what I need is for the placement to be moved closer just a tad and I don’t know if that has been done (cant tell by the pictures).

The most important upgrade on this mouse is the use of Microsoft’s new Blue Track technology. This time around there is a blue laser-ish optical eye that is suppose to be more accurate than anything that has been used before. Taken from the press release

BlueTrack Technology. The world’s most advanced tracking offers next-generation tracking technology for gaming with image processing of 13,000 frames per second, 75g maximum acceleration and 120 inches per second maximum speed.

I mentioned cordless, this is where it seems like some of that xbox experience is bleeding over. First they are using a similar cordless technology that is used with the Wireless 360 controllers, which I have never had a problem with and use full time, so why not? Next, there is a Sidewinder Mouse X8 version of the Plug n Play kit. If you aren’t familiar with this. There is a USB cable that plugs into the mouse and charges it, while allowing you to still use the mouse.

But Im very interested in trying out this new mouse.

Heres more info .