Maximum PC bluetrack RSS Feed

Microsoft Sidewinder X8 Mouse -- Unboxing and Hands-on Impressions

Norman Chan — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:45:09 -0600

Look what the mail truck dragged in! After first announcing the X8 in early September (where we got our first look and photos of the mouse), Microsoft has finally shipped the latest addition to the Sidewinder gaming mouse family. The X8 adopts Microsoft’s proprietary Bluetrack technology, which empowers it with 4000 DPI tracking resolution (scalable from 500) and the ability to work on almost any surface. We tested this claim on five different surfaces, from a rough wood desk to Styrofoam board and even coarse carpet. The mouse worked fine (though understandable not perfectly smooth) on all of our test surfaces, and only failed when we tried moving it over glass.

The shipping version doesn’t differ much from the pre-production model we fondled back in September, and retained the nice grip and smart button placement that we liked from our first hands-on. The included rechargable battery was a cinch to install, and tethering the mouse to the thin magnetic cord didn’t hinder our sweeping mouse movements. The wireless receiver is built into a clunky puck-like disc that sits on your desk, which ensures that you get better reception than if the receiver was hidden on a USB key behind your PC. The X8 still feels big for some hands, but our initial impression is that this is a winner. We’ll post our full review soon, but for now, enjoy these sexy unboxing and handling photos.

Hands-on with Microsoft's SideWinder X8 Mouse (w/ BlueTrack)

Norman Chan — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:00:00 -0500

We knew Microsoft wouldn’t forget about us gamers. Yesterday, they debuted a new mouse-tracking technology in the Explorer mouse, which is targeted toward “productivity” users. We were a little skeptical of Bluetrack’s application for gaming, since the Explorer only has a 1000Dpi sensor. Well, Microsoft has assuaged all fears with the announcement of the Sidewinder X8, a BlueTrack mouse which has a sweet 4000 dpi sensor. This high-end gaming mouse is a step up from the original Sidewinder (which will remain in production), and retains features we like from the series: a Dpi adjustor (250 to 4000 dpi) with LCD indicator, vertical thumb buttons, and customizable weights (features which were omitted from the lower-end X5 model). We got some hands-on time with the X8, and was able to put it side-by-side with its non-BlueTrack siblings.

The X8 is larger than the X5, and about the same size as the original Sidewinder (which was a pretty hefty mouse). As you can see from the photos, the thumb buttons have been improved so you can hit them by just rocking your thumb up and down, as opposed to moving the entire finger to hit the circular buttons in the old model. The pre-production model we saw didn't have the same awesome blue glow as the Explorer mouse, but it did radiate a little of both red and blue, which looked cool in a dark room. The X8 is also powered by a single rechargable AA battery (rated for 30 hours of use), which can be refueled with a detachable magnetic cord which adheres to the front of the mouse. When not in use, this cord recoils back into a handy storage wheel, which also conveniently holds the extra weight and mouse base pads (for different grips, in case you're actually playing on carpet or plywood).

Other details: It runs on the same 2.4GHz wireless tech as other Microsoft mice, has tilting scroll wheel (horray!), seven total programmable buttons, and a macro record button. Overall, the X8 is definitely looks to a technological, functional, and aesthetic improvement to the Sidewinder series. We can't wait to get a final model to test in-game.

The X8 is available for pre-order now for 99.95 and will ship in February 2009 (*sigh*).

Everything You Need to Know About Microsoft's BlueTrack Mouse Technology

Norman Chan — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 13:00:00 -0500

The next-generation of Microsoft mice has arrived and – surprise! – this peripheral don’t feature any fancy lasers. The new Explorer mouse is the first that sports Microsoft’s new proprietary Bluetrack technology, something they’ve been hinting at on their website for the past few weeks. The big innovation is that a BlueTrack mouse will work on virtually any surface type, whether its granite, wood, or even carpet (glass and other reflective surfaces are this mouse’s kryptonite). We got some hands-on time with this handsome wireless mouse and were impressed by its tracking accuracy, stylish design, and mesmerizing blue glow. We also spoke with Mark Depue, the Platform Engineer Manager at Microsoft’s Hardware Group, to find out exactly how BlueTrack works.

More details:

The Explorer runs on 2.4GHz wireless technolgoy, which has a range of 30 feet. It comes with a charging station, and is powered by one recharage AA battery (which provides three weeks of use). The transceiver snaps into the mouse to offer extra portability as well. You'll be able to buy the mouse in November for an estimated retail price of $99.99.

Hit the next page for our technical interview

Q&A with Mark DePue, Platform Engineering Manager, Hardware Group

Q: Can you summarize the feature highlights of the BlueTrack technology?
A: Microsoft Corp.’s new BlueTrack Technology — the world’s most advanced tracking technology — allows consumers to take their mouse anywhere and work with confidence on virtually any surface. It combines the width and power of optical technology with the precision of laser tracking to allow consumers to mouse on virtually any surface, from a granite kitchen countertop to the living room carpet.

Q: What led to the development of BlueTrack? How long as it been in the works?
A: As one of the inventors of BlueTrack, I have to say that it was my wife who inspired me to make this technology a reality. As both a business professional and new mom to our son, I was watching her drag her notebook and mouse all over the house – trying to get work done while following our crawling boy around. From the carpet in his room, to the granite counters in our kitchen, to even the back deck – she was always complaining that her mouse couldn’t perform. I knew we could do better!

We have been working on the technology for the past 18 months.

Q: How does it work? Why are BlueTrack mice able to work on any surface?
A: Microsoft BlueTrack Technology performs well due to several factors:

Microsoft-Designed CMOS Chip
The Explorer Mouse and Explorer Mini Mouse use a proprietary, Microsoft-designed complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) chip with advanced algorithms and pixel architecture for more precise tracking. It is Microsoft’s fourth-generation application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) using CMOS technology.

Blue Specular Optics
Microsoft’s proprietary high-angle imaging optics generate more exact surface images — even of shiny surfaces such as granite and marble — instead of blurry, out-of-focus images, as can be produced by many of the leading laser mice. And blue light helps create high-resolution, high-contrast images for better navigation.

Four Times as Wide, More Diffuse Beam for Better Imaging and Tracking
The wider beam enables illumination of a larger surface area and allows more light to return to the sensor. This helps for tracking on irregular surfaces such as carpet, where smaller laser beams often get lost between the individual fibers. The BlueTrack Technology light source is optimized to provide illumination at the tracking surface that is more uniform than current laser or optical mice. This illumination is accomplished by using a new optical element, never before used in a mouse. The light source is encapsulated in a diffusing optic that smoothes out hot spots within the illumination profile. While the concept of diffused lighting is well known, the application of diffused light sources to mice is a Microsoft proprietary technology.

Incoherent Blue Light
Laser mice use coherent light that’s easily disrupted by dust and dirt, leading to poor tracking. The Explorer Mouse and Explorer Mini Mouse’s incoherent blue light doesn’t have the extreme sensitivity to dust, so the signal quality is maintained. This means your mouse will provide excellent performance even in a less than clean environment — you’ll get great precision performance in a dusty workshop or outdoors just as you do on an ideal clean surface.

Q: What’s so special about the CMOS navigation chip in BlueTrack mice?
A: Unlike many mouse manufacturers who buy their chips off the shelf, Microsoft actually created this chip at our lab in Fort Collins, CO. By creating our own proprietary chip, we’re able to tweak it for our purposes, exactly how we want it. A lot of what goes into BlueTrack is part of a “secret sauce” of sorts that I can’t share publicly.

Q: Why is a Blue LED light better than a red one or a laser? How does its DPI compare to other mice technologies?
A: Blue light allows the sensor to capture a high-contrast image of the surface. For example, the blue light beneficially interacts with fluorescent dyes in some surfaces to increase the amount of reflected light relative to an infrared laser beam. The physics is similar to that of the “blue light” used in crime-scene TV shows to examine surfaces for police investigations.

Explorer Mouse and Explorer Mini Mouse perform at 1000 dpi, which we find is the ideal speed for productivity mice.

Q: Will all Microsoft mice eventually use BlueTrack technology?
A: We can’t comment on our specific plans, but we hope to continue bringing BlueTrack Technology to more of our products down the road.

Q: Will BlueTrack stay a proprietary Microsoft technology, or will it be licensed for other mice manufacturers?
A: At this time BlueTrack Technology is available exclusively in Microsoft mice, but we’re always looking at the needs of consumers and may offer licensing opportunities in the future.