Microsoft Wireless Intellimouse Explorer

from WinCustomize Forums
I got that mouse for my birthday. But I remember reading somebody (I think it was David) complaining that the red light under the mouse doesn't turn itself off, therefore greatly reducing battery life.
I never shut down my computer, anybody knows how often I should be expecting to change my batteries?
So far I love the mouse, but I just dread having to change the batteries too often.
2,250 views 3 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It depends on the surface it's on. I've found that with optical mice, if they're on a surface with a small repetitive, they tend to jitter a bit, even when they're not moving. This would indeed produce that effect. The trick is to make sure that you have either a suitable desktop or mouse pad to put them on. In my opinion, the advantages offered by going wireless with your peripherals are outweighed by the potential for frustration caused by being battery operated. It's very nice to have a wireless mouse, but when the batteries go on the blink, and you don't have a replacement set, I can imagine that the mouse would engage in one final flight to glory through the nearest open window.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The new MS wireless mouse has the ability to turn itself off to conserve the batteries. My Logitech doesn't and stays on even if it's parked in a cardboard box on a cement slab under a ten ton weight. It never goes off. I need to change the batteries in it once a month. I'm getting rid of it - also because it jitters on almost any surface. It's extremely imprecise and jumps a pixel to forty pixels or completely off the screen at the worst moments. I love the wireless idea but the optical part is not done very well in the Logitech.

From the reviews it sounds like the MS has corrected most of the problems. They claim a much higher lpi resolution and say it handles a wider variety of surfaces. I hope so.

Let me know how it works for you paxx, I'd be curious to see if it's stable and precise enough to draw with. Though I won't be buying one... can't afford all those batteries...
Fences - Organize your desktop icons today!
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hi Paxx and David,
interesting to hear you have had problems with optical mice. I think they are more problems than they are worth. Mine kept jumping too. I use a Wacom tablet now to draw with and I fine them brillient. Very precise when using the graphic pen especially. I know they are more expensive, well they are in the UK anyway but the extra cost is worth it.
i have the older version but the new range i think it is called Intusos or something like that is supposed to be even more responsive.

You must be rich leaving your puter on all the time Paxx. I could not afford the bill over in england