Customer Reviews

Microsoft Wireless Intellimouse Explorer with Tilt Wheel

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I purchased the Wireless Intellimouse Explorer w/ Tilt Wheel because I LOVED how the wheel scrolled. I was not thrilled with the price (I mean really - it's only a mouse!) but I spent the $50 anyway even after denying myself a new mouse for many months because this was something I just couldn't go home without.

The tilt wheel (for side to side scrolling) is nice, but not a huge selling point for me. The feel of the regular wheel scroll (up and down) was way cool though (very smooth feeling), I liked how the mouse looked, and most of all I liked that it was wireless. It is also a lighter mouse, weighing in at 5.25 oz with batteries in it, and the ergonomic design fit my smaller hand better than some of the other ergonomic mice. (Note: I had the three button version first, - Wireless Optical Mouse w/ Tilt - but returned it in favor of this five button version - Wireless Intellimouse Explorer w/ Tilt. The back and forward browser buttons on the Explorer mouse are very convenient, and the three button is scalloped for the thumb a bit differently which made it uncomfortable.)

So I bring my new mouse home and install the software, got everything hooked up very easily. (God bless USB!) I go to define my wheel button to "delete", same as I had on my plain and simple Microsoft Wheel Mouse, and WHAT'S THIS? No button definition for delete? Are you kidding me? It was just on the last version of the Microsoft mouse software! No way to define your own keystroke either! I depend on my wheel button as "delete" because I go through so much spam, so I was a bit panicked. $50 for this mouse and I can't make my second-most used button do what I want.

I spent two hours researching on the net how to define that button but alas, they have deleted the delete option. And from what I read, you can't define different keystrokes for different programs anymore either (not that I ever used that, but apparently it was an option before). All the other options are still there... you can set any button to copy, paste, enter, autoscroll and half a dozen other useless things, but you are limited to the keystrokes Microsoft has already defined and you get no more.

I kept the mouse for use on my Macintosh since strangely enough you CAN define any keystroke to any button with this mouse on a Mac, just not on a PC (thank you Mactopia! Apparently you're the only smart ones in GatesLand!), but I ended up buying the Logitech MX700 for my PC instead, so now I'm out $100 on mice and while the Logitech is nice, it was not my first choice.

I am generally quite pleased with this mouse. I'm not using the Intellipoint software that shipped with it because when I tried to install it on my notebook, it prompted me to uninstall the software for my touchpad -- that's not something I really wanted to do.

Anyway, I also own Logitech's MX700, as well as the earlier Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer. While I really like the MX700 and the earlier MS Mouse, I do feel that this one tracks better and is more comfortable.

I tend to have sweaty palms and hte metallic finish on the MX700 started to look like it was fading or somehting about 4 mths after I bought it, making the slick looking surface look all patchy... something that I didn't expect from a mouse that cost me $65!

Converesely, I've been using this MS mouse for nearly four months now and it shows no sign of wearing out.

The main problem I have is that its stated battery life is "upto six months" according to the MS site. I've managed to get only about 7 weeks out of a pair of Energizers. Granted I use the mouse about 8/9 hours a day, but 7 weeks is a loooong way off from 6 mths.

The battery life isn't at all a deal breaker for me though. the mouse works well, feels great and doesn't suffer from any of the general problems that wireless mice tend to.

Bottom line : I'd buy it again

This is worth the money. The cordless factor is excellent for use with laptops. Keep in mind, though, that the base unit has a cord, (it is not one of those ones that looks like a USB key) which may become annoying if you want to pick up your laptop and go without disconnecting your mouse. Also, since this uses 2 AA batteries, it is heavier than the average mouse. I like this, but it does take some getting used to. The backwards/forwards thumb buttons work great for surfing the web, and the scroll wheel works better than others as it is smooth, not jerky. Truthfully, the side-scrolling feature is pretty useless for most people, but if you work with large picture files and high resolution images, it is extremely helpful. All 5 buttons are easy to assign and change around. Finally, I have had absolutely no problems with the connection, though several other reviewers have complained about this. All in all, an excellent buy, especially for laptops.

I have used this mouse only for a couple of days. I had problems installing it on my notebook, it kept telling me there was a conflicting device. I soon found out it was the touchpad. It did not make sense to remove the touchpad driver? I did, then installed both drivers and it works now.

One major things with this mouse is it has reception problems. The receiver needs to be really close. I eventually decided to exchange it with the wired version(explorer 3) because the wireless does not make sense, I have to carry around an extra unit(receiver) and I need to replace batteries. Also wired version costs significantly less. I prefer robustness over fanciness.

The extra buttons on the left side is not very friendly. Side scrolling would be a plus with working spreadsheets etc...

This is the most comfortable mouse I have ever used. The minute I felt the smooth scroll, I was sold on it. I've been using the Intellimouse Optical corded mouse for quite a while, and I liked its five buttons. The buttons have been greatly reduced in size and moved on the cordless version, but after a day or so I liked the new button positions even better. Also, the tilt left-right scroll is convenient when you need it. The cordless is a terrific improvement over the older version, and the cursor is absolutely precise with this mouse--great for detailed graphics and also for games.

Before buying the wireless mouse, I had a regular Intellimouse Explorer. I loved the way it fit my hand and operated, but the cord would be a nuisance so I decided to try the wireless model. It is even better! The tilt wheel allows scrolling vertically & horizontally. The mouse fits comfortably in my hand and the software allows a lot of convenient customization. It's a great mouse, I would recommend it to anyone.

I've been using this mouse for a couple of weeks, and though I was initially reluctant to spend money on a Microsoft hardware product, I've been very impressed. The wireless link (it's RF, not infrared, so it doesn't require line-of-sight to the receiver) is flawless, the optical system works well on just about any surface except glass, the wheel is very smooth and the tilt feature and two side thumb buttons are convenient and speed up up navigation. It's a pretty large mouse, which is good because I have pretty large hands, and the rubberized sidesare good for gripping.

They claim the battery life is excellent. I haven't had it long enough to confirm or deny this, but the software has a battery indicator and mine's still reading full.

My only complaint is that the "wheel button" (pressing down on the wheel instead of rotating it) is set by default to switch active application (like hitting Alt-Tab once) which is weird, since I use Mozilla and I'm used to using the wheel button for open-link-in-new-window. Setting it to "AutoScroll" in the MS Mouse software changes it back to the default functionality.

Also, I wonder, have mouse manufacturers forgotten about left-handed people completely? Used to be that mice were symmetrical, and you could put it to the left of the keyboard, reverse the left and right buttons and use it left-handed. This mouse, like most new models out there, is designed for the right hand and does not come in a left-handed version. I'm trying this with my left hand, just to see what it's like, and it's not good - completely the wrong shape and the thumb buttons are useless. Lefties, I feel for you, your minority status makes ergonomics harder and it's not really offset by the increased likelihood that baseball teams will want you in their bullpens. I know I wouldn't want to be mousing lefty even with a normal mouse so you probably don't enjoy doing it righty. Try the more basic Microsoft "Wireless Optical Mouse" which is symmetrical, has the tilt wheel but doesn't have the thumb buttons, and you can use the software to reverse the left and right buttons.

I just received this in the mail after ordering it off amazon and as soon as I put my hand on it I could tell it was worth the somewhat elevated price- it has a strong, sturdy feel but is also not too heavy, even with the battery in- it doesnt feel "cheap" like my old, basic logitech mouse had (granted, it had no bells or whistles).

Left handers beware- this seems to be more for right handed folks despite being billed for both. The ergonomics are great and its very comfortable. I like the side buttons for going forward and backwards in the web browser and while I havent had the opportunity to really check out the "tilt wheel" function for sideways scrolling, it seems like an intuitive idea and so far so good. Also, by pressing down on the scroll wheel you can move from applications.

The one thing that takes some getting used to is the lack of a "click" when you use the scroll wheel. Its very smooth but some folks, particularly gamers, may find this to be a negative if they rely on the "click" to gauge movement. For me, its no problem at all as I do mostly web browsing and work in software applications like Word, Excel etc. and I actually like how smooth the wheel feels.

I can't comment on battery life as its brand new.

Overall, a great product and I would def. recommend it.

The wheel is so easy to move when I tilt it.
The optical beam doesn't turn off after computer shut down.

i bought this mouse and was impressed. other reviews claimed that logitech was a better manufacturer but i tried all of the logitechs and none felt as good as the intellimouse. the usual complaints of bad install didnt hit me and setup took less that 5 minutes. i have had the same batteries for a month and the provided battery sensor is still reading full batteries. the mouse's ergonomics are excelent but my 6 year old sister complains of it being too big. i am 6foot tall with fairly large hands and i think it is almost small but is still very comfortable. wonderful features and easy software make this mouse a great pick and for the amazon price it is well worth it.

p.s. sorry about grammar, the caps keys dont work and the keyboard is the next thing to go