Final Thoughts and Conclusion
Well this ended on a much more upbeat note then the last Microsoft peripheral review I wrote. The SideWinder X5 is mostly able to repent the sins of its father. The mouse is actually comfortable to use, and it doesn’t feel at all chintzy. It has all the features that many gamers need, including fully programmable buttons, a solid scroll wheel, and on the fly DPI switching. The added software is familiar and easy to use, and covers most of the bases for adjustment and customization. This allows the mouse to perform at it’s best in the titles that require accurate tracking and easy customization.
Although the X5 is redemption, I still would like to see Microsoft release a version of the SideWinder that has the shape and design of the X5 with the features of the original SideWinder. This is not the X5’s fault and I can hardly slight it for that.
In the end the Microsoft SideWinder X5 is an example of a product being improved based on overwhelming feedback. It shows Microsoft is definitely trying to make strides in the gaming peripherals market. Will they be successful? That’s beyond the scope of this review. Still it’s a symptom of what we see here. To get to the point, Microsoft has fixed problems with a somewhat flawed design and put out a great product at the same time. That definitely earns them a recommendation from us.
Pros
- Smooth accurate movement
- Fully customizable feel and functionality
- Adjustable DPI that’s quick to access
- Comfortable to use
Cons
- Needs features of original SideWinder
- Software still shares problems with old SideWinder
Overall Rating: 8.5/10.0
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