Talk:Microsoft SideWinder

Dual Strike and Game Pad Pro missing
You're missing the Sidewinder Dual Strike, which was an attempt at an FPS specific game pad. It was fairly innovative, with a ball joint in the middle of the pad which allowed the right half to pivot to be used as a freelook equiv.

The GamePad Pro was the next version of the gamepad, it had a different dpad and triggers.

Leave Strategic Commander in Article
The Strategic commander is a Sidewinder device, and should be left in this article. I already had added it and someone though it shouldn't be here. It isn't a current device anymore, but then again alot of hardware on this site isn't either. It belongs here becuase of its affiliation with the sidewinder brand, and because it is a unique device that stands out and needs to be recognized. The Gamevoice should also be considered for addition to the Sidewinder page, though I have no information to add to it.


 * I came to Wikipedia to look for information on the Strategic Commander and also see no reason why it shouldn't be on the SideWinder page. Modul8r 22:29, 9 October 2007 (UTC)

Request Freestyle Pro Adapter Pinout
I bought a used FreeStyle Pro and do not have the USB adapter. I would be very grateful if someone would probe theirs with a DMM and put a pinout here (and send a copy to abieler AT gmx.net). Thanks in advance! 75.6.5.139 (talk) 18:45, 30 January 2008 (UTC)

Request Freestyle Pro
There isn't an entry for the FreeStyle Pro SideWinder Gamepad
 * Now there is, I added it. --Abdull 23:14, 25 August 2006 (UTC)

Re: "Spam" Link
The link at the end is not spam, it is a review for the Strategic Commander, that happens to be in German. That was stated in the article. Please read and follow links before you call them spam.

ADB versions for Macintosh?
I have a Sidewinder 3D Pro joystick with an ADB connector for Macintosh computers. Did any other products in the Sidewinder line support Macintosh computers? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 67.136.145.220 (talk) 05:33, 11 December 2006 (UTC).

What is "cooliehat"?
"Cooliehat" function is mentioned in the article, but it is not defined. Mrweatherbee 18:16, 13 April 2007 (UTC)

If I had to guess, it is the little grey knob on the joystick that can be pressed in any direction. It allows one to "look around" in the cockpit of a mech or figher. I'm surprised that this term is still used since by the shape of the knob and the spelling of the word, it refers to the broad, pointed or bowl shaped straw hats coolies (that is a derogatory term for chinese immigrants) are often depicted as having worn while performing outdoor work. Then again, given that the coolie stereotype has lost much of its currency and has been replaced by more positive stereotypes there is probably less sensitivity to the whole issue. --Carambola 02:57, 23 July 2007 (UTC)


 * Likely it's ignorance of the origin of the name. It's probably assumed to be just another made-up word and/or obscure computer term.
 * "Hat Switch" is actually the preferred term.
 * The term "Coolie" may be considered racist. A "Coolie Hat" is a conical straw hat.
 * It's also called a POV (point of view) Switch.
 * 75.33.71.134 07:43, 11 November 2007 (UTC)


 * The term came to be used for a POV switch due to the broad, conical shape similar to straw or reed hats commonly worn in many Asian countries. It's often shortened to "hat switch", especially for POV switches not conical in shape. Some joysticks with two or more POV switches use different shapes for no-look tactile feedback so the users can feel which switch they're touching. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Bizzybody (talk • contribs) 20:41, 5 May 2008 (UTC)

Strategic Commander NPOV
The Strategic Commander article is very NPOV. For example: It was not a very popular controller, most likely due to its $70 price tag. This made it an ideal companion for FPS and similar games; because you can aim weapons or look up and down with the right hand while simultaneously slewing position with the left hand, and change weapons etc. Definitely a tool for the gaming elite, but also a great gaming enhancement for those willing to invest the time and effort in gaining proficiency. 86.155.20.96 17:22, 23 August 2007 (UTC)

Software / driver links?
How about some links to places where the software an drivers may be downloaded? Microsoft has removed the downloads and almost all information for most of their discontinued hardware. (Including the Microsoft Office Keyboard.) —Preceding unsigned comment added by Bizzybody (talk • contribs) 20:43, 5 May 2008 (UTC)
 * Found Sidewinder 3.02 software on Microsoft site and added link. Still haven't found anything but game profile pack 2 there for the Strategic Commander. This site has a dead link to version 5.0.2164.1 http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/win/58834 There are FAQ and troubleshooting pages on Microsoft that mention version 4.0, but no downloads I can find. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Bizzybody (talk • contribs) 08:19, 6 May 2008 (UTC)
 * I tried to search for a Windows98 driver for the "Sidewinder Precision 2" on the net without success, it seems to be nowhere available. The Sidewinder 3.02 software is only for the earlier joysticks and doesn't work with the Precision 2, in the end I found the original driver cd, which seems the only official way to get the driver. While searching around I ran across the driver for the Sidewinder Force Feedback Wheel. There is also this thread that points to SidewinderFFB2.zip, which seems to be the driver for the Force Feedback 2. -- Grumbel (talk) 20:42, 15 June 2009 (UTC)

Keyboard.
I spotted one at Best Buy today. Was under the Sidewinder name, has a removable keypad that can be placed on both sides of the keyboard, and supports macro inputs. Seems to go under the name of Sidewinder X6. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 96.231.55.180 (talk) 03:53, 18 October 2008 (UTC)

Joystick
There was a Microsoft "Sidewinder joystick" that came out at aroudn the same time as the 3D pro. It required manual calibration etc. I owned one. Im trying to find more info online to prove it. but i hope someone can collaborate? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 207.112.112.124 (talk) 18:43, 6 December 2008 (UTC)


 * Yes, it was simply called the "Microsoft SideWinder" (PN:96679) it may have pre-dated the 3D pro as it was a basic 2 button analog stick with a rotary throttle control on the base and used the 15 pin connector. Two trim rollers in front and to the right of the stick were used for manual alignment. I still own it and have a picture but am not 'autoconfirmed' yet so unable to post it here. This is the best/only pic I can find on the web of the same stick (http://di1.shopping.com/images1/pi/55/b0/8a/20298039-177x150-0-0.jpg) hope this helps. Gatecrasher101 (talk) 12:51, 9 January 2009 (UTC)


 * Is that the same one as Microsoft Sidewinder PN:91551 http://imgur.com/9nV5V.gif  ?

Optical sensor in 3D Pro
Article makes impression, that Precision was the first of the line with optical sensor: "This is also one of the first joysticks to use light sensors instead of potentiometers so it required no calibration, and thus had no electronical moving parts."

Having teared my 3D pro apart, I can attest that the 3D pro already had the optical setup.

Optical sensor in Precision 2
Article makes impression, that Precision 2 has also optical sensor: "Precision 2 design was a further refinement of the previous Precision Pro" '''"Precision Pro ... is also one of the first joysticks to use light sensors instead of potentiometers" '''

I had Force Feedback joystick, and it really had optical matrix with LED above it, even for throttle. But I disassembled today my Precision 2, and it has several rotating resistors for X,Y and throttle (I also suppose that for rudder too). I guess article should make emphases on such difference. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 77.125.146.9 (talk) 13:48, 27 August 2011 (UTC)

External links modified
Hello fellow Wikipedians,

I have just added archive links to 1 one external link on Microsoft SideWinder. Please take a moment to review my edit. If necessary, add after the link to keep me from modifying it. Alternatively, you can add to keep me off the page altogether. I made the following changes:
 * Added archive https://web.archive.org/20050208045344/http://support.microsoft.com:80/?kbid=320554 to http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=320554

When you have finished reviewing my changes, please set the checked parameter below to true to let others know.

Cheers. —cyberbot II  Talk to my owner :Online 20:45, 17 October 2015 (UTC)

External links modified (January 2018)
Hello fellow Wikipedians,

I have just modified 3 external links on Microsoft SideWinder. Please take a moment to review my edit. If you have any questions, or need the bot to ignore the links, or the page altogether, please visit this simple FaQ for additional information. I made the following changes:
 * Corrected formatting/usage for http://office.microsoft.com/assistance/2002/articles/oAboutSpeechMicrophones.aspx
 * Added archive https://web.archive.org/web/20051024031600/http://archive.gamespy.com/hardware/october02/pcsticks/index2.shtml to http://archive.gamespy.com/hardware/october02/pcsticks/index2.shtml
 * Added archive https://web.archive.org/web/20051224030036/http://archive.gamespy.com/hardware/november02/pcwheels/index2.shtml to http://archive.gamespy.com/hardware/november02/pcwheels/index2.shtml

When you have finished reviewing my changes, you may follow the instructions on the template below to fix any issues with the URLs.

Cheers.— InternetArchiveBot  (Report bug) 11:19, 29 January 2018 (UTC)

No longer offered in US?
The (currently: 2021/11/05) last statement in the "Second Generation" section about gaming mice or keyboards seems to no longer be true.

I see 26 at the following URL (although some are out of stock probably due in no small part to the pandemic's supply chain snarls): https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/collections/PCGamingKeyboardsAndMice?icid=PCGamingAccCat_QuickLink2_KeyboardsMice//

Should that last statement and link simply be removed? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2602:AE:15A6:6200:49B8:D307:42:964B (talk) 19:41, 5 November 2021 (UTC)