Features & Specifications
The SideWinder X5 Mouse has a maximum resolution of 2000 DPI and can process 7080 frames per second. Maximum acceleration for the mouse is 20 G and the maximum speed it can process is 45 inches per second. The left and right main mouse buttons are rated for 10 million clicks.

The mouse has five programmable buttons and supports macro recording. A quick launch button makes accessing games on a Vista computer easy. The mouse also features a quick turn button that allows you to spin your character in game with the click of a single button. Side buttons are used on the SideWinder X5 Mouse, but they are round stacked buttons rather than the typical long side buttons seen on most gaming mice.

To use the mouse does require the Microsoft software be installed. Sensitivity can be adjusted between 400, 800, and 2000 dpi and using the software, you can create custom DPI settings for the buttons. Macros can be bound to the programmable buttons using the software included with the mouse. The Macro function is easy to use and very long macros of well over 100 keys can be made. Once the macro is designed, you choose from the software menu what button you want to bind the macro to.

In Use
Microsoft used a very angular design for the mouse that looks uncomfortable at a glance. In use, the design is very comfortable and the buttons are well placed. The two stacked side buttons are easy to reach and are out of the way so no accidental activations will occur.

Three buttons under the scroll wheel allow the gamer to choose between three different sensitivity settings. I like the one touch button arrangement for the sensitivity; it makes it very easy to know what setting you are using. Other mice that use one button for all settings are difficult to use at times.

The quick turn button turns the player character in a circle on screen and is somewhat helpful if you are playing a FPS. At times during heated battles, it can be hard to tell where fire is coming from and with the press of a button you can rotate to find the enemy.

The maximum sensitivity of the SideWinder X5 Mouse is only 2000 DPI. That setting may be enough for many gamers, but those accustomed to using gaming mice form Razer or Logitech with up to 4000 DPI will notice an immediate difference in how much hand movement is required to turn the character.