Customer Reviews

Microsoft Bluetooth Wireless Intellimouse Explorer

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

I bought this mouse to use with my new Macintosh PowerBook 17" with built-in BlueTooth. The mouse does not officially list Mac as a supported platform (go figure) but it works great. Just put in the batteries, press the button on the bottom of the mouse and go through the mouse set-up on OS X (requires 10.2.5 or later, I think.) After that, it's a great mouse. Takes a moment to wake up sometimes if you haven't used it in a while, but not a problem. The one problem is that the mouse is sold only with a BlueTooth USB adapter (and a really complicated one) which I don't need. This must bring the price up. ...Moreover I was thinking of getting the BT keyboard, but I'd end up with another adapter I don't need.

I bought the Wireless IntelliMouse Explorer for Bluetooth, and I am disappointed. I consider it to have some major flaws:
1- It should have an on/off switch to take it in my bag without finishing the batteries.
2- I expected that a "mouse for Bluetooth" or "Bluetooth mouse" should work with standard Bluetooth transceivers, but the Microsoft IntelliMouse for Bluetooth, only works with the Microsoft transceiver included with the mouse.
3- The Microsoft "Bluetooth Transceiver" should be a full function Bluetooth Transceiver, but the one included with the mouse and its Windows XP update "does not yet support Personal Area Network (PAN) features, such as personal digital assistant (PDA) synchronization" (taken from the Read Me file). That means you will not be able to synchronize with your Palm device, as you can with other BT Transceivers.

If you are already using BT you will be better off with the Logitech MX700 or any other mouse.

Some interesting points covered in the Read Me file for the Microsoft Wireless IntelliMouse Explorer for Bluetooth, that you should know before you buy it:

1.1 [YOU MUST] Remove any existing Bluetooth transceiver device and its software before running Setup
1.2 Previously installed pointing device programs MUST be removed before running Setup
1.4 Disabling the PS/2 port in the BIOS program may result in an installation error
1.8 Using multiple Bluetooth transceivers not supported
1.10 Mouse may not respond immediately if it is in low-power mode
1.14 Reassigned button commands may not work as expected for certain programs or games

After reading the earlier reviews at this website, we decided to experiment with this mouse. Our installation was with an IBM ThinkPad T40P, a laptop that has an integral Bluetooth radio. We were interested in using this mouse *without* the Microsoft-provided USB-attached transceiver.

Initial experimentation with the T40P and the Windows XP Bluetooth attachment wizard produced a good result. We had to trial several speed settings before being satisfied. The optical sensor performance is not as good as Microsoft's tethered Intellimouse products. It is fussier about the surface quality.

We were interested in trying the Intellipoint (4.9) software. It offers a variety of additional customizations that will be helpful to some users. But sadly, this is where it all goes wrong with the ThinkPad T40P. The software installs fine but is incompatible with IBM's UltraNav drivers and removes them upon installation.

The IntelliMouse software is wonderful, but the IBM ThinkPad UltraNav drivers that control the builtin pointing-stick and touch-pad devices are replaced by Microsoft's own generic--far less robust--versions.

While the hardware still functions, forget about using the keyboard without having the cursor jump randomly to another part of the screen during routine typing. You'll think (and eventually scream at the PC in horror), "what the heck is going on here?" UltraNav obviously includes critical and specifically tuned debounce performance that was overlooked in Microsoft's replacement drivers.

The ideal solution would be to have the peaceful coexistance UltraNav for the IBM hardware and Intellipoint 4.9 for the Bluetooth mouse, but alas that combination is not easily achieved.

As for the question of whether the Bluetooth Intellimouse works without Microsoft's transceiver on the ThinkPad T40P, the answer is "yes." If the Intellipoint software is going to back out your PC's hardware-specific device drivers, you probably shouldn't install it, and you'll just have to do without it.

After reading the earlier reviews at this website, we decided to experiment with this mouse. Our installation was with an IBM ThinkPad T40P, a laptop that has an integral BlueTooth radio. We were interested in using this mouse *without* the Microsoft-provided USB-attached transceiver.

Initial experimentation with the T40P and the Windows XP BlueTooth attachment Wizard produced a good result. We had to trial several speed settings before being satisfied. The optical sensor performance is not as good as Microsoft's tethered Intellimouse products. It is fussier about the surface quality.

We were interested in trying the IntelliMouse (4.9) software. It offers a variety of additional customizations that will be helpful to some users. But sadly, this is where it all goes wrong with the Thinkpad T40P. The software is incompatible with IBM's UltraNav drivers and removes them upon installation.

The IntelliMouse software is wonderful, but the installation program insists on removing the UltraNav drivers that control the builtin pointing-stick and touch-pad devices and replaces them with Microsoft's own--far less robust--versions. While the hardware still functions, forget about typing more than a line or two without having the cursor jump to another part of the screen. You'll think (and eventually shout in horror), "what the heck is going on here?"

So for those of you with the question of whether the Bluetooth Intellimouse works without Microsoft's transceiver, the answer is "yes." If the software is going to back out your PC's hardware-specific device drivers, don't install it.

The mouse feels extremely comfortable in your
hand and works great.

Since I have bluetooth integrated in my laptop, I
bypassed the supplied USB dongle, so NOTHING hangs off mycomputer. Truly wireless which is fantastic
for a machine with which to travel.

I've been using NiMH with the mouse with no problems. When I receive a warning about low battery power, I just swap them out for a charged pair.

These directions from an anonymous web user made
the installation a snap:
"1. Install the MS software from the CD.
2. Reboot when directed.
3. When directed to connect the MS transciever via the USB connection - Don't. Cancel and remove the CD.
4. Open the laptop's Bluetooth Module and let it discover the mouse.
5. Open the Mouse control panel and change it to your heart's content.
6. Works flawlessly"

I have the iMac and iBook running OSX Panther and this mouse worked with both right out of the box after going through the simple bluetooth pairing routine on the Mac. This is more a testament to the ease of use of the Apple OS than the mouse, but what matters most is that it works even though the technical specs make no mention of Apple OSX support. Both my computers have bluetooth built in so I didn't have to deal with the external bluetooth thingy that came with the mouse.

The only downside is that without Apple OSX drivers some of the buttons don't work. The right and left buttons and the scroll wheel all work fine, but without the OSX drivers the seondary clickers are dead. This is no big deal in my view. And I suspect that OSX drivers will eventually be released.

I'm giving up on this mouse, 'cause it eats batteries, and the manufacturer specs warn against using recharables. I've used it for about 6 months, and battery changing has gotten too tedious. After about 10 days, it starts to loose the bluetooth connection.

Ergonomics were okay, though if you are using it with a laptop, you might want something smaller.

Simply adding a power switch, so one could turn it off at the end of the day, would have a been a great feature.

if you are thinking of purchasing this mouse, wait until microsoft comes out with the next generation of this model. the nuances and little bugs probably will be cleared by the time they make a new one. this being the first one, it seems like it was rushed. it's an alright mouse, but here are my problems:

1. the one that annoyed me the most was the fact that the mouse was uneven. the upper-left and bottom-right mice feet seemed to be thicker than the other two, so i spent a couple hours or so sanding those two down to make the mouse level. $80 mouse and i'm sanding its feet down so it's level for christ's sake? hmm..

2. i pretty much waited until the batteries went out the first time after about 1 and a half weeks of use. then the batteries went out, so i put some new ones in, and all hell broke loose. the thing would not connect at all, and after reinstalling bluetooth over and over again i gave up. then i reformatted my computer. then reinstalled, and it worked. the batteries are once again low, and if i have to reformat my hard drive again just to get this thing to work, it's going in the trash along with eighty dollars.

3. if you are into gaming - do not get a wireless mouse. the precision is something to be desired, but this is true for any wireless. get a a mouse with a cord if you are a gamer. right now i'm using 2 mice. one old optical cord mouse for gaming, and this bluetooth microsoft for browsing and other miscellaneous computer usage.

all in all i would say do not get this mouse. wait til the next generation comes out. i really like the ergonomics of the mouse, the feel is great, i like the placing of the buttons, and they all work fine. the color is also beautiful. but i'm assuming when the next generation comes out it will have an on/off switch to save batteries at night (the darn thing is on even when the computer is off, eating away at battery life.) also i'm sure the problem with the BT getting confused when you put new batteries in will be fixed.

Do not get this mouse! Wait until the next generation comes out! there are too many bugs to make it worth the money.

I bought this mouse because I just got a new HP nc8000 laptop that has built-in Bluetooth. I read all the reviews here - both good and bad - and figured I'd give it a try.

Yes, it does work with my built in BlueTooth and it is pretty easy to set up. Note, I did NOT install any of the software that comes with the mouse and (of course) I am NOT using the Bluetooth tranceiver that comes with it either.

There were two tricks that you have to do only once:

1) Press the "Connect Channel" button on the bottom of the mouse right after you choose "Connect" off the contect menu in My Bluetooth Places.

2) When "pairing" the mouse, don't chose a key, just leave it blank.

Once I learned this, I was up and running with no further problems.

Unlike all other Microsoft mice, MS Bluetooth is not recommended to the technologically challenged. I found it a real hassle to set up, because the included setup wizard continuously failed to recognize or connect to the mouse device, and the driver/utility program "Intellipoint" 4.9 kept crashing literally every five minutes. (I should mention that I used my IBM T40p laptop, so your experience might differ entirely.) I ended up connecting it through the control panel's wireless link setup, and uninstalling Unintellipoint 4.9 entirely.

Even if you are a hardware wizard, you'll have issues with the fact that this mouse does not work with your existing Bluetooth transceiver (you'll have to disable it and use the one provided in the mouse package), and that there is no way to keep the mouse device asleep when you carry it around it your briefcase (so keep a steady stock of 2 AA's).

If you get over these flaws, however, you'll soon get used to the convenient wireless feature (something that you'll never want to let go), the responsiveness of the mouse (there is no lag between the device- and cursor-movement), and the way the device fits comfortably in your palm (provided you are right-handed). The mouse device looks quite handsome and high-techy, which should appeal to your inner geek. The included Bluetooth transceiver port (one port device, one desktop adapter, and one laptop adaptor) works well and looks good; if you do not have a Bluetooth port yet, it should be a great plus.

Conclusion: Recommended with both great enthusiasm and grave reservation.