Review: Microsoft Wireless Intellimouse Explorer
Optical precision and wireless freedom says Kai Chandler
| Product | Wireless Intellimouse Explorer |
|---|---|
| Company | Microsoft |
| Web | www.microsoft.com |
| Price | £69.99 including VAT |
| We like | No mouse cord. No mouse ball to get dirty. |
| We don't like | Right handed use only. USB only. |
| Rating | 9/10 |
| Requirements |
There was a time when a mouse was a mouse and the Microsoft mouse was the best of the breed.
The only problem was a tendency to pick up bits of fluff and other unspeakable material from the mouse mat. This debris was deposited on the rollers within the mouse body that sense rotation of the ball. The resulting uneven movement could only be cured by removing the mouse ball and giving the rollers a thorough scrape.
Optical precision
Just over a year ago, that changed with the superb Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer with its IntelliEye optical sensor. This replaced the mouse ball with new technology to track movement. It used a tiny CMOS digital camera to take 1,500 pictures per second of the surface beneath the mouse. A digital signal processor then analyzed these pictures and translated movement of the mouse into movement of the cursor on the computer screen. The great thing about the Intellimouse Explorer is that there's nothing to clog up with dirt so it runs and runs without cleaning. Also, you can use it on just about any surface. I've been using one for over a year but still use a mouse mat as it feels smooth but in need, I can even use my Intellimouse on my trouser leg.
Wireless freedom
So how could Microsoft improve an excellent product? The answer was to remove the cord and go wireless. The new Wireless Intellimouse Explorer incorporates a receiver that plugs into the USB port and this, together with a transmitter built into the mouse, does away with the 'tail.' It certainly makes it much easier to use as there's no cord to drag around or get caught around the monitor stand. Of course, the receiver still has a cord but it can be tucked away out of sight. Indeed, the mouse can be anything up to two metres from the receiver so can easily be passed around a small group of people perhaps in a teaching situation.
Microsoft also improved the IntelliEye - it now tracks movement four times faster, that's 6,000 pictures per second.
Mean on batteries
The receiver is powered from the USB port while the mouse itself requires two AA batteries. I've been using it for over a week with rechargeable NiCd batteries and there are no signs of them running down - Microsoft claim months of use from each pair of AA batteries thanks to three clever design features. Firstly, senses when your hand is on the mouse. When your hand is removed, the mouse reverts to a sleep mode, conserving battery power. The benefit is that when you're there, the mouse is on - when you're not, it rests. Next, it also reduces the illumination level on light-coloured surfaces and finally, it drops into a low power mode when it's lifted off a surface.
As the mouse incorporates a transmitter and receiver it could theoretically be susceptible to radio interference, perhaps from other Wireless Intellimouse Explorers in range, but a button on the receiver allows you to change to the alternative channel ie. from 27.045 to 27.145MHz.
Chunky feel
The mouse has a chunky feel but is comfortable to use. A thumb scoop and finger grooves give a slightly different feel from the standard Intellimouse Explorers. As well as the standard left and right buttons and the central wheel, it incorporates an additional two buttons above the thumb. Note that it is highly optimised for the right hand and there is not a version for 'lefties.' It also requires your PC to have a spare USB port.
Bundled software
The Wireless Intellimouse Explorer works well out of the box but for best results you should also load the IntelliPoint 4.0 software from the CD supplied with the mouse. This allows you to reprogram all five buttons including the wheel. For example: the same button can mean "Cut" in Word ... and "Insert Comment" in Excel. The side buttons are set by default for easy forward and back Internet navigation but can also be customised. Intellipoint also warns you when the battery reaches a threshold level.
To sum up, this is a fine product that eliminates two disadvantages of the conventional mouse - the cable and the mouse 'ball'. Unfortunately it's very expensive at £69.99 and only suitable for right handed use. It also requires a USB port.
