Home > Consumer Reviews > Microsoft Wireless Intellimouse Explorer with Tilt Wheel

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.