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geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => Topic started by: Hellmark on Thu, 29 August 2013, 11:55:37

Title: Any interest for an MS Intellimouse Optical clone
Post by: Hellmark on Thu, 29 August 2013, 11:55:37
Hey guys,

While going to grab a spare mouse to use for work, I found out that the MS Intellimouse Optical (my favorite) is no longer made. I really have always loved this mouse because it felt comfortable in my hand, had the big programmable side buttons, and was ambidextrious. I first started using these not long after they came out, but really didn't come to appreciate it fully until about 10 years ago, when I messed up my right arm in a workplace accident, and couldn't use it for about a year (and then limited afterwards). It was great having a mouse I could use just as well left handed as right. I guess most companies expect lefties to use the mouse on the right side still, but that isn't an option when one handed.

Now, I am considering trying to buy a new one off ebay, to tear apart and make silicone molds of the parts. After that, I figure see what can be done about a DIY controller board. I mean people around here make keyboards from scratch, so why not see about a mouse? Plus giving it a basis off this mouse would be good, as it seems from everyone I've talked to, and from reading online, this particular mouse is a long time favorite.
Title: Re: Any interest for an MS Intellimouse Optical clone
Post by: daerid on Thu, 29 August 2013, 13:42:39
Personally, I'd love a GH DIY mouse project.
Title: Re: Any interest for an MS Intellimouse Optical clone
Post by: Hellmark on Thu, 29 August 2013, 14:15:42
To be honest, I am surprised that there hasn't really been much in the way of that.
Title: Re: Any interest for an MS Intellimouse Optical clone
Post by: thadood on Thu, 29 August 2013, 14:57:09
I'd personally prefer a clone of the MS Trackball Explorer. I Absolutely love mine, but I know it doesn't have that much more life left in it.
Title: Re: Any interest for an MS Intellimouse Optical clone
Post by: damorgue on Thu, 29 August 2013, 14:58:44
There are people who make their own mice around here... nudge nudge, hint hint
Title: Re: Any interest for an MS Intellimouse Optical clone
Post by: domoaligato on Thu, 29 August 2013, 15:23:00
Have a look at the steelseries mice they are all intellimouse clones with imho better components.
They are also very programmable.

http://steelseries.com/us/products/mice
Title: Re: Any interest for an MS Intellimouse Optical clone
Post by: Hellmark on Thu, 29 August 2013, 16:19:02
I have looked at the steel series stuff, and it does look good, they're based more on the normal Intellimouse. The IM Optical is a bit bigger, with two fat side buttons. For my big paws, the extra height of the Optical is nice.

Damorgue, I am interested in your Rodent MkII (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=47179.0) project. I really wish I would have known about the Avago kick starter when it was going on.
Title: Re: Any interest for an MS Intellimouse Optical clone
Post by: damorgue on Thu, 29 August 2013, 23:28:41
The Avago ADNS 9800 will be available on Tindie in a few weeks as soon as they are able to get a new batch.
Title: Re: Any interest for an MS Intellimouse Optical clone
Post by: MKULTRA on Thu, 29 August 2013, 23:41:43
Have a look at the steelseries mice they are all intellimouse clones with imho better components.
They are also very programmable.

http://steelseries.com/us/products/mice
Steelseries mice do not have flawless sensors, therefor are inferior.
Title: Re: Any interest for an MS Intellimouse Optical clone
Post by: domoaligato on Fri, 30 August 2013, 00:12:26
Neither does the MS Intellimouse Optical.

edit: there is no such thing yet as a flawless sensor "yet"
Title: Re: Any interest for an MS Intellimouse Optical clone
Post by: jwaz on Fri, 30 August 2013, 00:29:37
Neither does the MS Intellimouse Optical.

edit: there is no such thing yet as a flawless sensor "yet"

How is it flawed? I wound't call the low DPI a flaw so much as a limitation.
Title: Re: Any interest for an MS Intellimouse Optical clone
Post by: Bullveyr on Fri, 30 August 2013, 02:13:17
Neither does the MS Intellimouse Optical.

edit: there is no such thing yet as a flawless sensor "yet"

How is it flawed? I wound't call the low DPI a flaw so much as a limitation.
Low perfect control speed (~1.8m/s iirc).

Title: Re: Any interest for an MS Intellimouse Optical clone
Post by: Hellmark on Fri, 30 August 2013, 11:10:55
One of the things that I was the most worried about was the scroll wheel, which wouldn't be really easy to make duplicates of. I have however found a guy online who has replacements for them. Would be an option.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/angiesonki/m.html?item=271260393978&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f286121fa&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562

I am kinda wanting to see if I can make an aluminum top. I think that would be pretty bad ass.
Title: Re: Any interest for an MS Intellimouse Optical clone
Post by: Noko on Fri, 30 August 2013, 14:59:54
Here are a couple of threads on esreality that came to mind... maybe you'll find something helpful.  The first is about switching a Deathadder sensor into a WMO body, which is a pretty desirable mod, plus there are a number of posts with links to other people's mouse mod threads in there:  http://www.esreality.com/post/2064948/deathadder-wmo-frankenmouse/ .  The second is by a guy who decided to design his own gaming mouse with community input and is getting very close to production: http://www.esreality.com/post/2173191/new-gaming-mouse-development/

Title: Re: Any interest for an MS Intellimouse Optical clone
Post by: MKULTRA on Fri, 30 August 2013, 15:04:22
Neither does the MS Intellimouse Optical.

edit: there is no such thing yet as a flawless sensor "yet"
http://www.esreality.com/index.php?a=post&id=2024663