Rating: 
Summary: Something objective.
Review: I had great expectations of this mouse as a long-time gamer for whom precision and quickeness matter a lot. In general I got what I wanted. I got this mouse to replace my old IntelliMouse Explorer (it was scanning 4 times as slow), and the improvement is obvious. No matter how fast I move it, the sursor follows and it's great. I am perfectly satisfied with the mouse's technical performance. It is the design that botehrs me. The mouse is larger than your normal one and the positining of the extra buttons/mouse wheel makes you choose as you have to either have the tip of your middle finger on the mousewheel (most comfortable way to use it) or have your thumb on the extras. Also I have not yet found out why but my palm hurts after I spent 5 hours using the mouse which never happened while I was using Optical. All and all I am sure I will get used to the design but I would not recommend it. If you are determined to buy a Microsoft optical mouse I would recommend giving some concideration to IntelliMouse Optical before getting this mouse.
Rating:
Summary: Good optical mouse- some issues prevent it from 5 stars
Review: I purchased this mouse about 9 months ago on Amazon. I believe it was one of the first mouses to feature the back/forward thumb buttons for web surfing (I simply can't go back now). In all there are five buttons, more than enough for the average user. One disappointing thing was that none of the PC shooters I play lets me customize all 5 buttons. The optical "ball" is simply amazing. Reads on practically any surface and gets rid of the need for mouse pads and cleaning. There were however several problems I encountered while using this mouse. When I tried using the USB adaptor, the mouse would freeze my Windows 98 se environment within minutes of booting up. I tried everything I could to fix this but I had to revert back to using the PS2 connection. I read on a newsgroup that other people had the same problems and they returned the mouse for a replacement which fixed their problems. I haven't tried the mouse on any other system so I can't say for sure if it's the mouse's fault. This mouse is also the biggest I've ever used. I have pretty big hands (I can palm an NBA sized basketball), but this mouse gave huge hand aches for about a month. I don't think it's actually the size of the mouse but the topside curvature which forced me to cup the mouse with the palm of my hand instead of using my fingers as with most other mouses. Also, reaching over to click on the thumb buttons added to the initial discomfort. Overall, I'm happy with the mouse's optical technology but the other issues prevent me from giving 5 stars.
Rating: 
Summary: EXCELLENT!!!
Review: I also own Logitech optical mause.Difference between this two
mauses is not in electronics or even feel.Difference is how they
are moving on the same surface.Logitech is sticky.Explorer gooooo
soooooooo easy.Secret lie in four pads under mouse.Easy moving
mean here PRECISION.All other things are similar.Explorer have
two extra buttons but I thing it take some time before my hand
use to them.
Rating:
Summary: A great mouse
Review: This is a great mouse; I have used both the original and the slightly modified second version and found both to be excellent. The additional two buttons in conjunction with the Microsoft Intellimouse software provides for acceleration of many tasks, including BACK for FORWARD when browsing the web, but can also be defined for specific applications (e.g. Word).
Rating:
Summary: Liked it so much I bought it three times... but no more
Review: In short, I'm writing primarily to second Tinderbox's excellent review on all the PROs and CONs. Also, if you're currently using this mouse and like the extra buttons, I recommend installing Intellipoint 4.0 instead of the more recent Intellipoint 5.0 More on this below... quick partial summary of Tinderbox's review:
PROs:
1) good tracking
2) good ergonomic shape
3) well-placed extra buttons
CONs:
1) over time: sticky scroll-wheel
2) over time: left-click started registering multiple clicks when single-clicking
3) quick wear and now for some of my experiences... Mouse #1: corded Intellimouse Explorer
I bought the original corded Intellimouse Explorer for Win XP and loved it. It tracked well, felt good ergonomically, and I came to the point where I couldn't live without the added buttons. Personally, I mapped the small thumb button as my "back" button, and the larger thumb button for "ALT-TAB" to recall my last used window. After about a year, the mouse mysteriously died. I'm not quite sure why, but since I've become so enamored of this mouse by this point, I decided to get another Intellimouse Explorer. Mouse #2: corded Intellimouse Explorer 3.0
By this time, they no longer sold the exact version of my original mouse. Microsoft released v3.0 of the mouse. The only physical difference I noticed was that the thumb buttons were much thinner than the original Intellimouse, which originally irked me, but I quickly got used to. Within a year, the tracking started going haywire and the cursor would jump erratically. I tried to clean the contact surface, but it did no good. Trashed it and got... another one... Mouse #3: corded Intellimouse Explorer 3.0
However, within about a year and half, I experienced the exact symptoms mentioned in the Tinderbox review: sticky-like feeling on the mouse-wheel, additional random clicks registering on the left-click button. The latter problem rendered the mouse virtually unusable. As silly as this sounds, I was almost considering getting the same mouse again, just because I liked the feel and features, however, Intellimouse Explorer 3.0 are no longer readily available, since they have been replaced by the newer Intellimouse Explorer 4.0 (with Tilt-wheel). I tried v4.0 out at a store and could not stand it. Personally, I didn't like the fact the mouse-wheel moved left-to-right. But on top of that, Microsoft removed the "clicks" on the mouse-wheel, which just doesn't feel right to me. The thumb buttons are also placed a bit higher on the 4.0 mouse which lessens my comfort factor. All in all, the old Intellimouse Explorers were nice when they worked, but (at least for me) they seem to wear out a bit too frequently. I'm currently looking into the Logitech MX 510. As for the INTELLIPOINT software:
If you do own or plan to own this mouse, I HIGHLY suggest tracking down a copy of the Intellipoint 4.0 software instead of using the most recent version 5.0 PROs of Intellipoint 4.0:
1) had a larger set of preset options in the pull-down menus for each button function
2) allowed you to input your own keystrokes CONs of Intellipoint 5.0:
1) reduced the number of preset options, adding a few new ones, but removing a LOT of old ones
2) no more custom keystroke mapping to buttons. For example, I could no longer map my buttons to ALT-TAB or "recall window" with Intellipoint 5.0 This mouse is somewhat old by the time of this writing, but hopefully this info will be of some use to someone.
Rating:
Summary: Basically 4.5 stars, but I can't give them 5 now can I.
Review: The mouse is excellent. I've owned it for about a year and a half and I don't think I'm going to replace it any time soon--although the tilt wheel is an interesting idea. (However, the tilt wheel version seems to have it's own problems based on some reviews--thumb buttons moved back to an awkward position for no reason, and middle button click not working most of the time--goes off to either side, scrolling left/right instead of doing a given action.) Again I will say this mouse is excellent--it has a practically flawless optical sensor that only causes trouble on very uneven surfaces--such as a ruffled bed sheet. I mainly use it for my desktop, but connecting to my laptop is cake. I have a decent knowledge about hardware and software, and installing programs is no big for me--but this is easily alleviated if you're using Windows XP Home or Pro Edition. You can simply plug the mouse in and you will be able to use it in about 10 seconds, along with the middle mouse button, and two thumb buttons. Setting up the more advanced features of the mouse takes a few minutes though, and usually requires the use of the software CD (outdated now) or software from Microsoft's website. It normally works well in FPS and other computer games, but occasionally you won't be able to set the thumb buttons or the middle button--which I obviously have to knock off points for, my old mouse's middle button was always fully compatible. I've barely cleaned the thing--and it's remained in perfect working condition. The sensor never gives me trouble and the buttons still work like brand-new. Especially the scroll and middle mouse button that some people have complained about. The clicks you feel in the scroll wheel are what make this mouse really great in my opinion. Some mouse wheels scroll too easily, or some scroll without any feel to them--this one is perfect and has good resistance to it. The middle mouse button works like it should, with about the same resistance as the two main mouse buttons, and the same quick response. Using it in games (it should work for practically all programmable games) is a breeze. The ergonomics are great, and the only thing that could really improve is perhaps the height of the mouse. While I love the feel of the hump, it may be too tall. It's slightly large for me, and could be really small for someone less than 5'9" or so with "average-sized" hands. Also, the hump/bump could have been placed further back on the mouse, so it would rest right underneath your knuckles--whereas most of the time my fingers are split in half by the horizontal line where the two mouse buttons end, with a mix between the lower part of my fingers on the hump and my palm slightly touching the back of the mouse, along with the bottom of my hand resting on the given surface. The mouse looks great, feels pretty good, and is slightly cheaper now if you can still find it--I don't have any significant problems with it--great in Windows ME (when I started using it) and XP.
Rating: 
Summary: Built in obsolescence?
Review: I too bought an original explorer mouse and liked it. After about a year it died.
I've had the Explorer 3.0 for about a year, and it has started exhibiting the "double click" problem, which, as has been said elsewhere, renders the mouse almost unusable. I liked the design and usability, but I need to find a more reliable manufacturer...
Rating:
Summary: Solid
Review: The mouse is excellent. I've owned it for about a year and a half and I don't think I'm going to replace it any time soon--although the tilt wheel is an interesting idea. (However, the tilt wheel version seems to have it's own problems based on some reviews--thumb buttons moved back to an awkward position for no reason, and middle button click not working most of the time--goes off to either side, scrolling left/right instead of doing a given action.) Again I will say this mouse is excellent--it has a practically flawless optical sensor that only causes trouble on very uneven surfaces--such as a ruffled bed sheet. I mainly use it for my desktop, but connecting to my laptop is cake. I have a decent knowledge about hardware and software, and installing programs is no big for me--but this is easily alleviated if you're using Windows XP Home or Pro Edition. You can simply plug the mouse in and you will be able to use it in about 10 seconds, along with the middle mouse button, and two thumb buttons. Setting up the more advanced features of the mouse takes a few minutes though, and usually requires the use of the software CD (outdated now) or software from Microsoft's website. It normally works well in FPS and other computer games, but occasionally you won't be able to set the thumb buttons or the middle button--which I obviously have to knock off points for, my old mouse's middle button was always fully compatible. I've barely cleaned the thing--and it's remained in perfect working condition. The sensor never gives me trouble and the buttons still work like brand-new. Especially the scroll and middle mouse button that some people have complained about. The clicks you feel in the scroll wheel are what make this mouse really great in my opinion. Some mouse wheels scroll too easily, or some scroll without any feel to them--this one is perfect and has good resistance to it. The middle mouse button works like it should, with about the same resistance as the two main mouse buttons, and the same quick response. Using it in games (it should work for practically all programmable games) is a breeze. The ergonomics are great, and the only thing that could really improve is perhaps the height of the mouse. While I love the feel of the hump, it may be too tall. It's slightly large for me, and could be really small for someone less than 5'9" or so with "average-sized" hands. Also, the hump/bump could have been placed further back on the mouse, so it would rest right underneath your knuckles--whereas most of the time my fingers are split in half by the horizontal line where the two mouse buttons end, with a mix between the lower part of my fingers on the hump and my palm slightly touching the back of the mouse, along with the bottom of my hand resting on the given surface. The mouse looks great, feels pretty good, and is slightly cheaper now if you can still find it--I don't have any significant problems with it--great in Windows ME (when I started using it) and XP.
Rating:
Summary: Same problem as Tinderbox in spotlight review
Review: It worked really well and I was totally satisfied with this mouse until several months ago. (which means, after two years of usage)
The problem slowly came up to the surface.
Single click was started to be recognized as a double click.
I'm kind of getting sense on how much pressure on the left mouse button determines single click or double click.
If I press the button very lightly, it register as single click.
If I press little bit harder, it takes it as double click.
In scroll button case, they are reverted.
Press scroll button hard makes single click and lighter makes double click.
Now, I'm sick of it (since numerous times a day, I launch wrong application because of that double click problem), and considering buying logitech MX300
Rating:
Summary: Perfect for 18 months then multiple problems.
Review: I bought my corded Intellimouse Explorer 3.0 for use on a PC with Windows ME. For the first 18 months it worked great then all of a sudden began having multiple problems. PROS:
1) Excellent tracking resolution, never lets the cursor skip or jump. Can make tiny moves smoothly. The bottom of the mouse moves smoothly and I've never had to clean the surface contacts.
2) Comfortable ergonomic shape. My hand doesn't get tired after a day of mousing.
3) The extra buttons are well placed and easy to program to do whatever I need them to do (wish there were even more buttons!). CONS:
1) The scroll wheel was never easy to roll, but after about a year it became nearly impossible to use. Hard to roll, as if it was stuck or dirty. It wasn't dirty on the outside, but I couldn't open the mouse to see if it needed cleaning on the inside. I have to press down so hard to get the wheel to turn now that the wheel button engages instead. The scroll wheel is supposed to move freely with little resistance, instead now its almost useless.
2) Recently the left-click button started registering a double-click every other time I single-click. This is some sort of mechanical problem, since it happens no matter what I set the sensitivity to, and at any rate I'm not clicking any differently than I ever have. This is a major annoyance and renders the mouse basically useless.
3) A $50 dollar mouse (at the time of purchase) should last longer than 18 months. I use it mostly for typical office work. Although I do gaming with it as well, I do not consciously abuse my equipment. Perhaps the gaming causes extra stress on a mouse, but I've never had cheap $20 mice go kaput with the same kind of use. All in all, though this mouse has nice features, I couldn't recommend this model, although more recent versions may have been improved. I have to replace this one now, and although I have nothing against Microsoft in general and usually look at Microsoft products first, I will be trying a Logitech mouse next (for the first time).
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