The first joystick I ever bought was a Msft Sidewinder. Some hands on time with their new mouse, the first ever to carry this brand, was very positive: it's worthy of the marquee and a is a well engineered pointer, even if it does look like a Darth Vader's Imperial interrogation droid-ette. Or a hydrofoil. First off, a button can be assigned to have your character spin 180-degrees to about-face the punk firing over your shoulder. Then, interchangeable weights can add up to 30 grams of heft under the mouse's center of gravity, and swappable pads offer 3 levels of glide. I've got a gallery of press shots and hands on, if you care to read on.
(There are, I think 6 buttons total.) There's even an LCD that displays the currently selected DPI (up to 2000). The case those weights come in double as a cable organizer, keeping the cord out of your way during play. $80 in October. [Microsoft]













Comments
The side looks like one of those foot measuring things at shoe stores.
@TheDoomer: +1 comment. Awesome.
"spin 180 degrees"
why?... what if the bad guy is at 179.4 degrees? does it have a button to do that?
Not bad MS, not bad, maybe logitech will start sweating.
I like the thumb buttons, looks like they can be easily pressed.
Looks slick. The LCD is superfluous. If they release a wireless model, I hope MS lose the screen.
2000dpi is nice. Form factor is OK, too. The price, of course, is ridiculous.
nothing will beat a ball and serial connection.
@cello: Who are you trying to convince?
I'm using an Apple puck because I love the little thing...
Look at the sharp edges on that hideous.... mouse contraption. This is Microsoft's Razor.
@TheDoomer: Brannock device
I like how the lighting makes it look as though it is being flung across the desk by rocket boosters...
I found a partial review of this mouse that goes into more detail about the features and stuff... pretty good read. [hardware.gotfrag.com]
I think I'd still stick with a Logitech G5 (the new one), which seems to do pretty much everything this does while offering more buttons and a more ergonomic shape (that I've enjoyed since the MX500/700).
Darth Vader designed, maybe. Scorpius from FarScape designed, defintely... It even has the bit that comes out of his head it just needs to rotate.
Is this another Razer/MS joint venture?
I like the idea of customizeable weights for a little more "heft" to my mousing, but this might be a ridiculous was of time. A Nostromo unit might offer more functionality... and I second losing the shitty LCD - if you don't already know what DPI your at, maybe you shouldn't be buying this thing.
Sidewinder, "You have failed me at BF2 for the last time."
*G A C K*
My mouse has been slowly dying for the past year or so, but I'm loathe to replace it. Any other I've tried out has either not fit well in my hand, or feels like I'm going to break the damned thing (big hands). It's a Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer and just feels perfect. Of course, they've redesigned it and now it's crap, so I'm holding onto my old one as long as I can.
@xenothaulus: at first i thought you said "my MOM has been slowly dying..." im glad i reread that. if you really want a nice comfortable mouse i highly recommend the logitech G5. I think you can get the older model for $30 or so?
" I hope MS lose the screen."
They could always use an epaper type deal to make it so that it doesn't eat up battery.
Meh... I'll keep my Logitech G7. Although a similar 180-spin option in their SetPoint software would be nice.
Ack. The 180-degree button makes me glad I'm gaming more on consoles than PC these days. I hate going online knowing I'm potentially going up against folks who've paid for toys to give them an edge.
i just want to know when MS (or someone) is going to make an updated version of the thumb trackball ([www.microsoft.com])
i have been using these since DOOM ][ and i have tried playing games with a G5 and other gaming mice, and I just cant do it.
@xenothaulus: I have big hands as well. While I use a Puck at work (it's too old to be stolen, and works great on almost any crappy mousepad), I have a Razer mouse at home. It has a relatively long body that helps with big hands.
@pilott: I've been using a Trackman Wheel from Logitech for years on my Linux machines. I believe it's the longest lived mouse I have ever used. The best part? If it ever breaks down, they're still available at a somewhat costly $50.
MS has traditionally put out some nice mice. This one doesn't look so hot though. I'm not just talking about the visual either.
I'm pretty obsessive about mice and have a large collection of just about every Razer/Logitech model to prove it.
1.) Weight options should follow the G5. The wide 9 slot cartridge allows for adjusting weight as well as balance in increments as small as .3g using a combination of 2.5g and 1.7g pucks. Balance is important if you *ever* pick the mouse up, which most everyone does whether you realize it or not.
2.) The flat edged scroll-whell does not look comfortable and would force hand posture.
3.) The concave main buttons are good, but a bit angular and the material looks questionable.
4.) I still haven't seen a good set of thumb buttons on any mouse.
@xenothaulus: I second the G5 recommendation. At first use, It will feel lopsided coming from an explorer but overall I think it's the best thing available right now and it's very cheap.
@pilott: I like trackballs as well. I actually bought several Trackman wheels just in case Logitech decides to drop them.
I'd like to see a the trackman redone with a G era "soft touch" finish and a slightly adjusted profile (the arch is just a hair too flat, imo).
instead of weights inside that slot thing maybe we could store other stuff, like sweets and snacks, so during gameplay, we'd never ever have to let go of the mouse ever again :o
@LexTalionis: look out mums and dads, Timmy's found a new place to store his stash.
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