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geekhack Community => Input Devices => Topic started by: heretyk on Tue, 27 December 2016, 13:55:12

Title: Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 issue - anyone got this mouse?
Post by: heretyk on Tue, 27 December 2016, 13:55:12
Hello again

Recently I purchased this mouse brand new from an old stock but founded strange issue about it. Using this mouse the cursor moves really slowly on different computers and OS's - much slower then other "present" mouses and what makes it worst there's no DPI switch.

I'm looking for someone who got this mouse and could confirm it's normal behaviour. I founded few posts around the internet from people complaining about same issue but I'm still not sure if it's sensor is damaged or not.
Title: Re: Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 issue - anyone got this mouse?
Post by: tp4tissue on Tue, 27 December 2016, 15:43:52
download mouse tester  from here..

http://www.overclock.net/t/1535687/mousetester-software


follow the instructions,  it should read ur CPI (dpi)..  after you move it 4inches / 10cm after u click test



It should be ~400 cpi..   if that's what it's reporting, then this is correct..


This is the same reason i keep telling people to stop buying this mice.. 400dpi is just too little for 1280 horizontal and above.



Its only advantage is the centered diagonals vs stepped diagonals on all other mice..  But this is inconsequential because games don't care..



if you're still dead intent on using this mouse,  check out my WMO modding guide in my signature..  the spring mod and switch mod works for all models.
Title: Re: Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 issue - anyone got this mouse?
Post by: daerid on Tue, 27 December 2016, 15:58:56
I have 3 x 30" monitors (2560x1600 each) and run at 400dpi. It's perfectly usable.
Title: Re: Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 issue - anyone got this mouse?
Post by: tp4tissue on Tue, 27 December 2016, 16:02:45
I have 3 x 30" monitors (2560x1600 each) and run at 400dpi. It's perfectly usable.

No it's not..


whenever you need to move that far with your hand,  ESPECIALLY when seated, there has to be some twisting of the wrist..

All twists of the wrist is bad..

You're expending extra effort and energy for no purpose..


In terms of desktop use, ideally 1600dpi is good, because it dramatically minimizes the amount your hand has to move.. thus more ergonomic..



for gaming, dpi has nothing to do with anything, because ultimately, when you input, that number gets scaled..

So even with pixel precision on a 2D plane,  you're getting rounding on the 360* axis.. so if you want to say, GAMING is ok on 400dpi,  there would be no objection to that.
Title: Re: Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 issue - anyone got this mouse?
Post by: daerid on Tue, 27 December 2016, 16:04:26
To each their own, but 1600dpi is waaaay too high for me.

I've been using 400 dpi for 20+ years. It's fine.
Title: Re: Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 issue - anyone got this mouse?
Post by: tp4tissue on Tue, 27 December 2016, 16:06:25
To each their own, but 1600dpi is waaaay too high for me.

I've been using 400 dpi for 20+ years. It's fine.

CAN you use it,  YES..

Is it ERGONOMIC, NO... 


(http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/ahaaah-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862489)
Title: Re: Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 issue - anyone got this mouse?
Post by: daerid on Tue, 27 December 2016, 16:08:16

CAN you use it,  YES..

Is it ERGONOMIC, NO... 

If that were my main priority I'd just get a trackball and screw mice altogether.

Title: Re: Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 issue - anyone got this mouse?
Post by: tp4tissue on Tue, 27 December 2016, 16:16:15

CAN you use it,  YES..

Is it ERGONOMIC, NO... 

If that were my main priority I'd just get a trackball and screw mice altogether.



OR build an Ergopwn 9000  (http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/victory-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862523)
Title: Re: Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 issue - anyone got this mouse?
Post by: heretyk on Tue, 27 December 2016, 17:12:39
It should be ~400 cpi..   if that's what it's reporting, then this is correct..


Thanks for reply. It shows ~420dpi and that makes a sens why this mouse is so slow comparing it to my 1000dpi Comfort Mouse 6000. Definitely not best investment of $20 but I will keep it for retro gaming or something.
Title: Re: Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 issue - anyone got this mouse?
Post by: daerid on Tue, 27 December 2016, 19:39:21
This makes me sad :(

The IE3.0 is still one of the best mice ever made, period. Especially if you overclock the USB to 1000hz
Title: Re: Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 issue - anyone got this mouse?
Post by: tp4tissue on Tue, 27 December 2016, 20:57:48
This makes me sad :(

The IE3.0 is still one of the best mice ever made, period. Especially if you overclock the USB to 1000hz


I'm as nostalgic as the next guy.

But as good as something is,  That doesn't change the fact that the world has left it behind.


The intellimouse is simply Not practical in use on resolutions higher than 1024x768.
Title: Re: Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 issue - anyone got this mouse?
Post by: daerid on Tue, 27 December 2016, 21:03:52
Disagreed, but then again you already knew that.

The main problem with it is the sensor and those side buttons. But the form factor is golden.
Title: Re: Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 issue - anyone got this mouse?
Post by: Bucake on Tue, 27 December 2016, 21:11:08
The IE3.0 is still one of the best mice ever made, period. Especially if you overclock the USB to 1000hz

agreed! been using it for a while again, great piece of hardware. i just wish it was in better shape, texture-wise.
the original one (2002 i think?) had such amazing texture, i hope to one day find one that's still in as-new condition ^-^

^
the side-buttons are a bit mushy, despite using 'proper switches', that's indeed a shame. the sensor is OK, i would've liked a little bit more cpi and a bit higher pcs (for FPS games)
Title: Re: Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 issue - anyone got this mouse?
Post by: daerid on Tue, 27 December 2016, 21:20:52
Yeah, with my last one (the re-issue) I opened it up and super-glued some extra padding between the switch and the button stem. Made a world of difference.

As much as I'd like to disagree with tp tho, I have to agree: the world has moved on. I don't think we'll see another incarnation of that mouse again, but at least we have a whole generation of mice inspired by it.
Title: Re: Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 issue - anyone got this mouse?
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 28 December 2016, 00:33:31
Yeah, with my last one (the re-issue) I opened it up and super-glued some extra padding between the switch and the button stem. Made a world of difference.

As much as I'd like to disagree with tp tho, I have to agree: the world has moved on. I don't think we'll see another incarnation of that mouse again, but at least we have a whole generation of mice inspired by it.

In another generation,  you're all going to be using Ergopwn 9000s..

Remember ya'll saw it here first folks..

Title: Re: Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 issue - anyone got this mouse?
Post by: happylacquer on Wed, 28 December 2016, 00:44:39
This makes me sad :(

The IE3.0 is still one of the best mice ever made, period. Especially if you overclock the USB to 1000hz

If OP hasn't done this yet there isn't much else to do.
Title: Re: Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 issue - anyone got this mouse?
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 28 December 2016, 15:30:17
This makes me sad :(

The IE3.0 is still one of the best mice ever made, period. Especially if you overclock the USB to 1000hz

If OP hasn't done this yet there isn't much else to do.


The 1000hz takes care of the polling response problem..   but it doesn't alter the behavior of low dpi being impractical on modern desktops.
Title: Re: Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 issue - anyone got this mouse?
Post by: daerid on Wed, 28 December 2016, 17:56:57
*shrug* You can always kick the mouse sensitivity up in Windows if you need to
Title: Re: Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 issue - anyone got this mouse?
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 28 December 2016, 18:02:59
*shrug* You can always kick the mouse sensitivity up in Windows if you need to

Let's say I am GETTING WORK DONE...

I need to grab an Edge in the CAD..  without pixel precision, I can easily overshoot or undershoot..

This was a major productivity problem before they had high dpi mices.


The solution back then was to make the selection reticle larger,  but that means more zooming on close edges.



So with that old WMO, I run into 2 different problems..




Or I can use a higher dpi mouse,  and everything works much more smoothly.
Title: Re: Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 issue - anyone got this mouse?
Post by: daerid on Wed, 28 December 2016, 22:18:43
Sure. It all depends on what you're doing. In that very specific scenario, yeah a higher dpi mouse would definitely be warranted (if that's what you're into).

Even still, in that scenario I'd prefer a lower dpi mouse. I personally don't have any problems with pixel-precise accuracy at 400dpi, but others might.
Title: Re: Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 issue - anyone got this mouse?
Post by: davkol on Fri, 30 December 2016, 09:59:57
I have 3 x 30" monitors (2560x1600 each) and run at 400dpi. It's perfectly usable.
With or without software acceleration?

Because requiring 50 cm to cross the desktop is something, that I'd call *doable*, but absolutely not "perfectly usable". (I'm beating a dead horse, I know.) Acceleration changes this though.
Title: Re: Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 issue - anyone got this mouse?
Post by: tp4tissue on Fri, 30 December 2016, 13:27:54
I have 3 x 30" monitors (2560x1600 each) and run at 400dpi. It's perfectly usable.
With or without software acceleration?

Because requiring 50 cm to cross the desktop is something, that I'd call *doable*, but absolutely not "perfectly usable". (I'm beating a dead horse, I know.) Acceleration changes this though.


Well, the majority of scrolling would happen on 1 or 2 monitors,  it would rarely be across all 3..

So , half that distance would be Crossable most of the time, on standard size desks


BUT WHYYYYY spend so much time swiping..  when there's no advantage to it..


There's no tangible improvement to this...  other than being a Hipster and telling other people you use an old mouse..

Hahahahahahahaha

I bet daerid wears low cut pants and uses the word warm alot when referring to his record-player stuffs.  (http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/embarrassed2-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862502)
Title: Re: Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 issue - anyone got this mouse?
Post by: daerid on Fri, 30 December 2016, 21:22:38
Come on man, I was keeping things civil and just trying to offer another viewpoint. No need to resort to that kind of thing.
Title: Re: Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 issue - anyone got this mouse?
Post by: daerid on Fri, 30 December 2016, 21:23:53
With or without software acceleration?

Because requiring 50 cm to cross the desktop is something, that I'd call *doable*, but absolutely not "perfectly usable". (I'm beating a dead horse, I know.) Acceleration changes this though.

For desktop work, with accel, definitely.

The point I'm making is that there's no absolute. It doesn't work for you, it doesn't work for tp. That's fine. However, it can work for some.
Title: Re: Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 issue - anyone got this mouse?
Post by: tp4tissue on Fri, 30 December 2016, 23:05:52
Come on man, I was keeping things civil and just trying to offer another viewpoint. No need to resort to that kind of thing.

/tongue in cheek..


/why so serious daerid.. 


/you don't really wear low cut jeans  do YOU ?


If so.. I takes it back..  hahahahahaha
Title: Re: Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 issue - anyone got this mouse?
Post by: davkol on Sat, 31 December 2016, 06:52:45
The point I'm making is that there's no absolute. It doesn't work for you, it doesn't work for tp. That's fine. However, it can work for some.
Relativist fallacy.

We're all (presumably) Homo sapiens sapiens—even with very similar genetic and cultural background.
Title: Re: Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 issue - anyone got this mouse?
Post by: tp4tissue on Sat, 31 December 2016, 08:56:47
The point I'm making is that there's no absolute. It doesn't work for you, it doesn't work for tp. That's fine. However, it can work for some.
Relativist fallacy.

We're all (presumably) Homo sapiens sapiens—even with very similar genetic and cultural background.

well, no, it's only relativist fallacy if daerid does not actually use the mouse therefore avoiding the defense,  but if he DOES use the mouse, then he's considering a subjective fact, therefore he isn't fallacious..

(http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/embarrassed3-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862502)
Title: Re: Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 issue - anyone got this mouse?
Post by: daerid on Sun, 01 January 2017, 10:09:34
/tongue in cheek..


/why so serious daerid.. 


/you don't really wear low cut jeans  do YOU ?


If so.. I takes it back..  hahahahahaha


<3

Ugh.. nah man, I'm an overweight 36 with 2 kids. I literally have no idea what kind of jeans I wear, they just fit. And when people talk about "warmth" or "vibe" in audio I just want to punch them in the jugular.

Oh, I don't currently use the IE3.0, but a G900 set to 400dpi (with accel tho). And relativist fallacy applies to objective facts. Preferred DPI/CPI is completely subjective.
Title: Re: Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 issue - anyone got this mouse?
Post by: tp4tissue on Sun, 01 January 2017, 17:54:43
/tongue in cheek..


/why so serious daerid.. 


/you don't really wear low cut jeans  do YOU ?


If so.. I takes it back..  hahahahahaha


<3

Ugh.. nah man, I'm an overweight 36 with 2 kids. I literally have no idea what kind of jeans I wear, they just fit. And when people talk about "warmth" or "vibe" in audio I just want to punch them in the jugular.

Oh, I don't currently use the IE3.0, but a G900 set to 400dpi (with accel tho). And relativist fallacy applies to objective facts. Preferred DPI/CPI is completely subjective.

One more kid for America daerid...  //almost there // patriot..
Title: Re: Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 issue - anyone got this mouse?
Post by: Bucake on Tue, 03 January 2017, 00:49:55
well, i've been using the IME3.0 for a few months now. no accel, 2 monitors at 1080p

take that tp4
Title: Re: Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 issue - anyone got this mouse?
Post by: tp4tissue on Tue, 03 January 2017, 01:45:04
well, i've been using the IME3.0 for a few months now. no accel, 2 monitors at 1080p

take that tp4

throw ur life away , awaitn' for the cursor to get across the screen...

If one's life is of so little value,   -so be it--
Title: Re: Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 issue - anyone got this mouse?
Post by: atarione on Sun, 12 February 2017, 01:25:50
I hooked my old IME 3.0 and it was totally unusable for me... I loved that mouse back when but jesus I couldn't deal with the slowness
Title: Re: Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 issue - anyone got this mouse?
Post by: tp4tissue on Sun, 12 February 2017, 07:04:35
I hooked my old IME 3.0 and it was totally unusable for me... I loved that mouse back when but jesus I couldn't deal with the slowness

the mouse works fine for games..  it CAN be argued that possibly it improves performance because of the way it crops diagonal corners.

But, for desktop.. PITA for sure.
Title: Re: Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 issue - anyone got this mouse?
Post by: Bucake on Sat, 18 February 2017, 06:07:07
throw ur life away , awaitn' for the cursor to get across the screen...

If one's life is of so little value,   -so be it--

 :))

currently using the G400 at 800cpi. hope that makes you happy tp!
Title: Re: Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 issue - anyone got this mouse?
Post by: atarione on Wed, 19 April 2017, 18:36:23
I dug my old IE 3.0 out awhile ago.. and it is unusable way to low dpi for modern resolutions ... too bad it was one on my favorite mice because it was pretty big and my hands are as well..but it is just not workable on a modern system..