Microsoft Explorer Mouse
Manufacturer: Microsoft Corp. Part number: 5AA-00001
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The Microsoft Explorer Mouse deserves your attention for its BlueTrack sensor technology that lets you use it on surfaces where other mice fail. Laptop owners, or anyone else who uses a nondeskbound computer, will benefit from Microsoft's innovative new technology.
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CNET editors' review
Microsoft Explorer Mouse price range: $31.99 - $73.99
- Reviewed by: Rich Brown
- Reviewed on: 12/15/2008
- Released on: 09/09/2008
The good: New BlueTrack mouse sensor works on almost any surface; well-designed rechargeable base station; included rechargeable battery; snap-in USB receiver.
The bad: No dpi toggle button; mushy scroll wheel.
The bottom line: The Microsoft Explorer Mouse deserves your attention for its BlueTrack sensor technology that lets you use it on surfaces where other mice fail. Laptop owners, or anyone else who uses a nondeskbound computer, will benefit from Microsoft's innovative new technology.
Had Microsoft introduced the Explorer Mouse two years ago, we might have shrugged. At that point, optical and laser mice were more than sufficient for desktop PC users, even gamers. Now that many people have more than one computer, at least one of which typically a laptop, a mouse with a new sensor that works on more surfaces suddenly seems relevant. For roughly $70, Microsoft's Explorer Mouse will give you that flexibility, by virtue of its proprietary BlueTrack sensor. You can find more fully-featured mice for your desktop, but none that work as well on the living room carpet.
The Explorer Mouse is one of two products released this year from Microsoft using an internally developed sensor technology called BlueTrack. Marrying the accuracy of laser mice with the wide-area projection of optical mice, BlueTrack gives you the ability to use the Explorer Mouse on the reflective and rough-textured surfaces that would give other kinds of mice trouble.
While your current desktop mouse likely works just fine, we'd also bet you use it on some kind of surface suited to the task. A mouse pad or a desk blotter will pose no trouble to current mouse technologies. The trouble comes when you use your computer in a nonstandard location, a reflective kitchen countertop, for example, or on your lap in the living room. These surfaces can give optical and laser mice difficulty.
The Explorer Mouse, on the other hand, works fine in these situations. We tried it on the polished granite sample surface Microsoft provided for us, as well as the carpet, the leg of our jeans, an aluminum surface (to simulate an industrial kitchen countertop), and, finally, on a piece of transparent glass. The Explorer Mouse worked well on all but the glass (so glass coffee tables are still out). Our comparison mouse, Logitech's MX 1100 Cordless Laser, actually handled the granite and metal fairly well, but it lost a step on carpet and completely failed both the glass test and the jeans test as well.
The Explorer Mouse comes with a few standard features we expect in our higher-end mice. It includes one rechargeable AA battery, and also comes with a recharging station that's thankfully paired down compared with those of Microsoft's older rechargeable mice. The mouse works on a wireless 2.4GHz connection, with a miniscule USB receiver that snaps into the bottom of the mouse itself for travel.
As much as it provides you with location flexibility, we can't give the Explorer Mouse the best all-around award. Its relatively standard button and scroll wheel layout is only adequate, giving you five buttons to work with between the two main buttons, the scroll wheel, and a pair of thumb-side buttons. That's likely plenty for most mouse users, but Logitech's MX 1100 remains the superior device for the most demanding desk jockies, thanks to its sculpt, its dpi toggle button, and its turbo-charged scroll-wheel design. The scroll wheel on the Explorer Mouse has no "stepped" scrolling, where you feel each increment, instead relying on a smushier, less tactile design.
Of course, all of those features only give the Logitech an edge when you have a reliable surface upon which to use it. When you don't, the Microsoft Explorer Mouse can step in almost seamlessly.
User reviews
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Very pleased.
by wjb274 on April 10, 2009
Pros: Excelent design, travel bag, works well on many surfaces
Cons: does not work very well on red surfaces
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BEST MOUSE EVER!!
by ctheis on February 25, 2009
Pros: Rechargeable with included docking station, Battery Included, Page scroller doesn't have clicking which I like. Mouse has a little weight. Nicely contoured feel. Glides nice on desktop surface
Cons: IntelliPoint
Summary: The best mouse that I have ever purchased. I've never really cared about mice, and have always used the default Dell mouse. I bought a wireless for my laptop ...
Summary: The best mouse that I have ever purchased. I've never really cared about mice, and have always used the default Dell mouse. I bought a wireless for my laptop and got spoiled. Now I upgraded my desktop mouse too. I don't install the extra software, I prefer to keep it basic, but the mouse was easily worth the $60 I (my company) paid for it.
I really like how the contour "cups" my thumb. The size of the mouse is big enough to fit my hand. Some wireless mice are too small. The weight of the mouse is substantial in the rear which makes moving it minute amounts much easier.
The wireless setup was simple. I just plugged it in and everything worked. Like I said I don't use Intellipoint.
It's worth $60. -
Comfortable and LIGHT
by manny khool on February 4, 2009
Pros: Light, works straight out of the box on Mac (no software necessary) and it's quite comfortable.
Cons: A little louder than what I'm used to (clicking) and not quite as smooth on all surfaces (prefers my desktop to a mouse pad).
Summary: I've gone through my fair share of laser mice. One of the things I find most tricky to deal with is the weight of wireless mice due to batteries....
Summary: I've gone through my fair share of laser mice. One of the things I find most tricky to deal with is the weight of wireless mice due to batteries.
As this mouse only uses one AA battery, and I guess due to the materials used, it is extremely light and easy to maneuver.
I have large hands and I find this mouse quite comfortable during extended use. It's not as arched as the Logitech mice of similar prices, but it is wider which suites me just fine.
I've never used a Microsoft mouse before, and whilst it sounds louder than the Logitechs I've been accustomed to, it nevertheless feels well made and durable. Time will tell I guess.
The blue laser technology is a bit of a gimmick IMO, don't see that there would be that many people looking for a mouse that will work on carpet. But, it's a fine mouse in any case. You just wouldn't necessarily buy it just for that feature.
Haven't tried any accuracy work yet (i.e. Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.) nor have I tried gaming yet. Again, time will tell if I've made the right purchase decision. For now, I'm happy. -
No Bluetooth = Not the bet
by billydlight on January 3, 2009
Pros: I love the two technologies being combined
Cons: No bluetooth? Who wants another usb dongle? with laptops getting smaller and the number of connection types growing, there are fewer usb ports on laptops. Nobody wants to carry around a usb hub with power brick; especially the mobile worker.
Summary: cool technology but leaves one out - bluetooth. Not an ideal solution for the mobile worker.
Summary: cool technology but leaves one out - bluetooth. Not an ideal solution for the mobile worker.
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Very comfortable mouse that works on many surfaces
by thecybernerd on October 29, 2008
Pros: The mouse can be used on all types of surfaces!....It is also very comfortable to use for long periods of time. Battery life is good!
Cons: I dislike the fact that the USB dongle provided is huge in comparison to other offerings from Logitech. Besides that no other complaints
Summary: Microsoft invented the optical mouse in 1999 and then in 2003 they invented the laser mouse. This mouse is the next generation tracking technology from Microsoft....I have used it ...
Summary: Microsoft invented the optical mouse in 1999 and then in 2003 they invented the laser mouse. This mouse is the next generation tracking technology from Microsoft....I have used it on the carpet at my office while having group brainstorm sessions and it has worked a lot better than any other mouse that i have used. I have also had time to try it on my granite counter tops where it also performs well. The one thing so far that i do not like about the product is the fact the USB dongle that comes with the mouse is huge for today's standards. Overall i would definitely recommend this product to people who do a lot of mobile computing or like a nice solid comfortable mouse.
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Wrong word
by olsonan on December 30, 2008
Pros: Good review
Cons: Wrong word used
Summary: In the sentence ending, "...a recharging station that's thankfully paired down compared with those of Microsoft's older rechargeable mice," you meant "pared" not "paired".
Summary: In the sentence ending, "...a recharging station that's thankfully paired down compared with those of Microsoft's older rechargeable mice," you meant "pared" not "paired".
1 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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What about these of us who are left handed
by lifeartist2000 on January 13, 2009
Pros: I can't determine the pros because there is not a left handed version or if there is or is not it as usual not mentioned in the review
Cons: This may or may not be a great mouse how I will never have the chance to find out, because I'm left handed like around 1 in 8 people. Why is not consideration in reviews not give to the fact that this sizeable group is not cater for.
0 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Looks good.
by rlcato on December 16, 2008
Pros: Right hand.
Cons: Left hand. No info on WHITE surfaces.
Summary: I don't suppose a left handed model is in the works or can be ordered. It 'll probably cost a premium for obvious reasons. Is the silver paint like ...
Summary: I don't suppose a left handed model is in the works or can be ordered. It 'll probably cost a premium for obvious reasons. Is the silver paint like many other mice that I come across? I don't like painted mice. The acid in my fingers not only smoothes the surface but takes of the clear-coat off.
0 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Microsoft Corp.
- Part number: 5AA-00001
- Description: The Microsoft Explorer Mouse, with revolutionary Microsoft BlueTrack technology, works more places than ever before, including on granite countertops, carpet - even on a wood table or a rough, unfinished park bench.
General
- Device Type Mouse
- Wireless Receiver USB wireless receiver
- Form Factor External
- Width 3.1 in
- Depth 4.6 in
- Height 1.8 in
- Weight 5.4 oz
- Color Silver, Anthracite
Input Device
- Connectivity Technology Wireless
- Interface 2.4 GHz
- Max Operating Distance 30 ft
- Movement Detection Technology Optical
- Buttons Qty 5
- Movement Resolution 1000 dpi
- Performance 10000 fps
- Features Magnifier, Battery indicator, Scrolling wheel (4-way), Microsoft BlueTrack Technology
Expansion / Connectivity
- Interfaces 1 x USB - 4 pin USB Type A
Miscellaneous
- Microsoft Certifications Certified for Windows Vista
Power
- Type None
Battery
- Type AA type
- Technology Nickel metal hydride
- Installed Qty 1
Software / System Requirements
- OS Required Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows XP SP2, Apple MacOS X 10.2 or later
Manufacturer Warranty
- Service & Support 3 years warranty
- Service & Support Details Limited warranty - 3 years
Manufacturer info
- Microsoft Corp.
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Microsoft Corp. products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.microsoft.com/
- Address:
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052 - Phone: 425/882-8080
- Fax: (425) 706-7329
