Microsoft Bluetrack Explorer Mouse

Featuring thier new Bluetrack technology, the latest Explorer is a wireless productivity mouse from Microsoft. This new technological advancement allows the mouse to track more easily on surfaces that laser and optical mice struggle with (but it still wont work on mirrored or transparent surfaces of course) - which is all a non-issue for those that use a mousepad of any kind. The explorer also features a convenient charger, and while solidly constructed, the mouse is far from perfectly designed due to poorly placed back/forward buttons and the low placement of the sensor on the body of the mouse - making twisting motions almost completely ignored. The steep price of $80 also doesn't help, putting this fairly mainstream offering in a league with the top-of-the-line mice from Microsoft's competitors.

Where to Buy

Microsoft Bluetrack Explorer Mouse 3
MSRP $89.99
Release date January, 2009
Brand Microsoft
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Pros & Cons11
Reviews4
Details
Buy It3
Competitors6
Comments1
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Pros & Cons

ProSCORE
3 reviews
71
negative
mixed
positive
3 positive
0 mixed
0 negative

[i] How is the ProSCORE calculated?

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Pros:
Do you agree?
bluetrack technology makes it easy to track on most surfaces
+4agreedisagree

comes with a dock to charge batteries
+4agreedisagree

3 weeks between charges
+4agreedisagree

wireless
+3agreedisagree

comfortable to hold
+3agreedisagree

very solid build
+3agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?
costs as much as top-of-the-line gaming mice with fewer design flaws
+3agreedisagree

uses the 2.4 GHz band - can interfere and be interfered with by wireless signals
+2agreedisagree

back/forward buttons on the left cause user to lift mouse when pushed - super annoying
0agreedisagree

sensor is placed low on the mouse - twisting motions are not picked up
0agreedisagree

Mouse wheel doesn't work with Adobe Illustrator CS4 or iTunes, there may be other applications as well.
0agreedisagree


4 people added to this review by submitting or voting on pros and cons. Add your say!

Details

Features

  • Bluetrack tracking sensor - for good tracking on all surfaces (including some that optical and laser cannot track on)
  • Wireless up to 30 feet (2.4Ghz)
  • Docking station for charging (3 weeks between charges)
  • 4 way scrolling
  • 3 year warranty

Submit a link

This report was started December 11, 2008 at 12:55 pm by Yale
with the last edit occurring October 9, 2009 at 11:24 pm by Robb Lincoln
This page has been viewed 970 times, with 53 edits by 5 contributors.
See the full report history »

Buy It

Microsoft Explorer Mouse

• Microsoft Explorer Mouse

• Blue Track Explorer Mouse 5AA-00001

UPC: 882224726535

EAN: 882224726535

MPN: 5AA-00001

Competitors

Microsoft Bluetrack Explorer Mouse is ranked 4th among it's competitors.  See the top picks in Mice »

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Comments

1.  avatar fiftyeight said:

I really like this mouse, it's comfortable, with the longest lasting rechargeable battery in a mouse I have ever experienced but for some reason the mouse wheel doesn't seem to work in Illustrator CS4 or with iTunes. At least not for me. If someone could check this on their system it would be appreciated. Maybe I have a faulty mouse although the mouse wheel does work fine with other applications like Mozilla Firefox and Photoshop CS4.

Mar 21, 2009 1:06pm
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Reviews

Sort by: Most helpful  •  Newest  •  Most positive

Yale

avatar
December 11, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
60
negative
mixed
positive
6 pros
4 cons
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • bluetrack technology makes it easy to track on most surfaces
  • comes with a dock to charge batteries
  • 3 weeks between charges
  • wireless
  • comfortable to hold
  • very solid build

Cons

  • costs as much as top-of-the-line gaming mice with fewer design flaws
  • uses the 2.4 GHz band - can interfere and be interfered with by wireless signals
  • back/forward buttons on the left cause user to lift mouse when pushed - super annoying
  • sensor is placed low on the mouse - twisting motions are not picked up

Competitors

Yale prefers Logitech G9 over Microsoft Bluetrack Explorer Mouse
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

fiftyeight

avatar
March 21, 2009
ProSCORE
75
negative
mixed
positive
6 pros
2 cons
have ithave it
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • bluetrack technology makes it easy to track on most surfaces
  • comes with a dock to charge batteries
  • 3 weeks between charges
  • wireless
  • comfortable to hold
  • very solid build

Cons

  • costs as much as top-of-the-line gaming mice with fewer design flaws
  • Mouse wheel doesn't work with Adobe Illustrator CS4 or iTunes, there may be other applications as well.

Comments

"

I really like this mouse, it's comfortable, with the longest lasting rechargeable battery in a mouse I have ever experienced but for some reason the mouse wheel doesn't seem to work in Illustrator CS4 or with iTunes. At least not for me. If someone could check this on their system it would be appreciated. Maybe I have a faulty mouse although the mouse wheel does work fine with other applications like Mozilla Firefox and Photoshop CS4.

"
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

christine

avatar
July 30, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
75
negative
mixed
positive
6 pros
2 cons

Pros

  • bluetrack technology makes it easy to track on most surfaces
  • comes with a dock to charge batteries
  • 3 weeks between charges
  • wireless
  • comfortable to hold
  • very solid build

Cons

  • costs as much as top-of-the-line gaming mice with fewer design flaws
  • uses the 2.4 GHz band - can interfere and be interfered with by wireless signals

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Erik

avatar
December 12, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
3 pros
0 cons
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • bluetrack technology makes it easy to track on most surfaces
  • comes with a dock to charge batteries
  • 3 weeks between charges

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
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