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Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer

Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer

List Price: $44.95
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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Intellimouse optical is better
Review: I have used both intellimouse optical and intellimouse explorer (at work), and find the former to be much more comfortable.

Both optical mice are great to use, much better over their trackball counterparts, and feature 5 buttons.

Intellimouse optical has the two extra buttons on either side of the mouse, but intellimouse explorer has both of them on one side. Also the mouse is slightly odd shaped, causing some inadvertant right clicks. (maybe its just me).

You wouldnt go wrong with either intellimouse, but i think ms intellimouse optical is better. (ASIN: B00005TQ08)

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Great technology, poor design
Review: Let's face it: these days a mouse must use optical technology, offer a scroll wheel, and be USB compatible. So why am I not a fan of this Microsoft mouse? It's poorly designed. The body is too big, too heavy, and the side buttons, instead of offering extra functionality, just get in the way.
If you're worried about RSI/CTS, you may want to think twice about getting this mouse because of its height and weight.
I found the Logitech optical scroll mouse a much better choice: it's a little cheaper, and much smaller and lighter.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Save the Packaging for your Customer Return
Review: After reading all the reviews on both this product and the wireless optical Blue (which I found to be less comfortable ergonomically), I bought both. I bought the Blue first and then this larger one because this one fit my hand more comfortably due to it's curved shape allowing the smaller fingers of the right hand to curve around. The other device is the same on both sides (no idea why MS did this).
I have not had the wild jumping some of the others have mentioned, however, I've had to return both products because of a seemingly smaller but more sinister problem.
I really desired a wireless mouse device and I'm within two feet of the receiver and use a mouse pad. Having two batteries in the device created no issue. The issues is this: even without experience the wild movements others described, these two pointing devices are simply not "exact" in their positioning. Period. Wild movements would have been easy to detect. It took me about two hours of use of these two devices to figure out something wasn't quite right and was requiring extra effort.

If you do even a moderate amount of work in Excel, PowerPoint, or lay-out softwares like Adobe or Corel, you will be very frustrated, very quickly (within hours). In Excel for example, trying to select cells and move them, was difficult. In the lay-out programs, trying to grab the sides of things and change their shape, took 3x as long. When one is used to zipping around with a corded mouse, while spending hours in front of the computer working, even slight inconsistencies can drive one nuts. Surfing the web and selecting and clicking on pages, became a chore too. I read all of the directions, tried numerous variations, and utilized several options available in the software, all to no avail. Once again, I did't have the wild experiences others have mentioned, but the "inexactness" of these two pointing devices would double or triple my daily time spent on everyday office computer use. Who needs that? These mice are supposed to make things easier. If you don't mind trading ease-of-use and mobility for a cleaner desktop, buy on . . . but save the packaging for at least two weeks.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Caution (if you read this)
Review: About a year ago I wanted to upgrade to an optical so I went to microsoft because of thier name is known for quality. I purchased 1 of their older versions of this product and It worked great for a few weeks, after that it became defective and would scramble up what it was reading through its optical sensor and sometimes randomly shuting off completly. I tried it on my other computer with the same problems so I bought another one with same results, after a few weeks it became defective. Ever since I have been a logitech mouse user. I know this is not the same model but still see other people having similar problems with this current model. I stongly advise you to be careful taking a chance with this product. If you want a really great mouse try any of the logitech mx series. They are the have the greatest optical technology out there and have great quality. If you've gotten this far, thanks for reading hope you get what you want :)

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Outstanding mouse, best overall quality and features.
Review: I have had two Intellimice over the last 5 years. I see many people complain that they become defective and require you to unplug and replug the mouse. The mouse itself has basically flawless technology. If you have problems with the mouse disconnecting, you need to have your USB controller checked out, or upgraded. It might even be an operating system issue. Could be buggy Microsoft software :), but I do have to commend Microsoft on this well made hardware accessory.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Has defect
Review: Just as one of the previous reviews, my explorer also disconnects forcing me to unplug and plug it again. I have reserched this a bit and it is a known flaw with some of the MS explorer mice in the market. Microsoft should refund the people who have this malfunctioning devices. I give it 2 starts becasue it has a great feel and accuracy but in my case it came with a fatal flaw.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Warning! Lower profile than the original model
Review: I loved my old Intellimouse dearly. I have very large hands and its high arch was great, and it functioned very well. When it finally died after two years of loyal service, I didn't hesitate to get another one. But they are not the same. They lowered the profile to the same level as their other mice, and I can sit them side by side to compare. Also, the left side buttons are much smaller. It's still an excellent mouse and I haven't seen a better one, but if you liked the old one (including the old Intellimouse Pro ball mouse, which was also very high) for the size, you should handle this new one first. On the other hand (har har), if you found the old one too high for you, you'll be happy.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Defective Product
Review: My mouse worked beautifully for the first three months of ownership. Seemingly as soon as my 90-day limited warranty expired, the mouse began to cut out intermittantly, requiring me to reconnect it to the USB port, sometimes several times, in order to get it working again. ...

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Only Average
Review: I cannot live without an optical mouse, and I got this one at work expecting it to be perfect. It isn't perfect. The tracking on it is great - it never sticks like the roller type and it moves smoothly without any jitter.

My two main gripes are 1) It is too light. It is so light that it feels cheap. 2) I don't have large hands, but just setting my hand on top of the mouse causes the right click button to click. This is very annoying when trying to browse the net or work as it usually causes some type of popup menu to appear. I'd prefer it to be heavier and to make the buttons (especially the right click button) much smaller and a little harder to click.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Nice change of pace!
Review: Microsoft has certainly eliminated the need for the standard mouse that uses the rollerball style. Tired of cleaning the mouse and trying to get your mouse to be more precise? Well I certainly was and this mouse is outstanding as it performs excellent on any surface and never needs cleaning!! Could I live without the redlight on the bottom of the mouse? Yes, so far I haven't found a use for it accept something fun to look at. The buttons on this mouse really offer some great choices for people that may have trouble using the top buttons.


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