MS Sidewinder X4 vs X6

Rik1254 · 3 Sep 2011 at 21:25

I prefer the look of the X4, but current prices are £35+ (I want a new unit). Ive found a X6 for £20 new local to me, so could be worth a punt.

Are these any good?
Im not exactly up to scratch with keyboard features (Ghosting?), so are there any common problems with it?
Ill be doing some mild gaming, BFBC3 would be the biggest game I would probably play, but according to that keyboard, the numpad can swap sides and when its on the left, it turns into an auto macro (can be done when on the right too).

stulid · 3 Sep 2011 at 21:29

The X4 has anti-ghosting so doesnt suffer from to many key presses at the same time.

Rik1254 · 3 Sep 2011 at 21:34

I read that, but whats the limit for ghosting? Like 4-5 buttons at the same time? or does it vary from keyboard to keyboard?

stulid · 3 Sep 2011 at 21:36

3 keys or more - http://www.microsoft.com/appliedsciences/AntiGhostingExplained.mspx

spleenharvester · 3 Sep 2011 at 22:44

I adore my X6, was at the same decision last year. Wristrest is very comfy and keys are great to type on. Only really encountered ghosting issues with Ctrl+W+R, it's a bit annoying but you adapt to it.

SheepBeast · 4 Sep 2011 at 00:31

the X6 has a higher number so must be better.... no wait.

PapaLazaru · 4 Sep 2011 at 00:33

You can get the X4, which would be my choice, for £30 delivered.

Rik1254 · 4 Sep 2011 at 14:27

Pm me the link papa, no matter where I look they're 35+. Used units can be had for like 20-25, but Id prefer a new unit.

Surveyor · 4 Sep 2011 at 15:19

Rik1254 said:
Pm me the link papa, no matter where I look they're 35+. Used units can be had for like 20-25, but Id prefer a new unit.

They can't because you haven't configured your trust account.

ukbilleh · 4 Sep 2011 at 16:10

I have an X4 and I love it. Plenty of features and a decent design however... it can feel a little flat at times and would have been nice for microsoft to add more height options for tilting the board at the back and a larger palm rest.

Rik1254 · 4 Sep 2011 at 20:03

Surveyor said:
They can't because you haven't configured your trust account.

Silly feature....would have thought it would have automatically done that when making an account

.

Done now though, I think.

yashiro · 4 Sep 2011 at 20:14

Make sure to use Intellitype 8.0 with the X4. The newer 8.2 software doesn't auto switch to 'per app' profiles correctly.

biuro74 · 4 Sep 2011 at 21:05

I've got x6. It's really good except one thing: ANTIGHOSTING. It's a real pain in some games like Race Driver GRID - it doesn't support some keys pressed @ the same time (CRSR Up + Crsr Left or Right + End AFAIR). My old M$ Digital Media 3000 was better in this matter - including "softer" click.
So I don't know how M$ guys advert this keyb as fully antighosting keybo. In other games it's good, but some combinations are simply "dead".

PaulHDietz · 4 Sep 2011 at 22:37

biuro74 said:
I've got x6. It's really good except one thing: ANTIGHOSTING. It's a real pain in some games like Race Driver GRID - it doesn't support some keys pressed @ the same time (CRSR Up + Crsr Left or Right + End AFAIR). My old M$ Digital Media 3000 was better in this matter - including "softer" click.
So I don't know how M$ guys advert this keyb as fully antighosting keybo. In other games it's good, but some combinations are simply "dead".

The X6 does not feature antighosting - you're thinking of the X4. The X6 uses a matrix that was designed to work well with the most popular games. Unfortunately, there is only so much you can do by just rearranging the matrix. Most gaming keyboards have this issue. A few expensive keyboards feature antighosting over the whole keyboard. The X4 is pretty much the only exception - an inexpensive keyboard where all combinations of keys work up to an absurd number. The X4 uses a resistive multitouch technology instead of the traditional diode-based solution. This is why it is so inexpensive compared to competitive antighosting keyboards.