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The side scrolling works well as long as you run Windows based applications, but as an avid gamer I thought I’d give this a go in my current favourite game, Battle Field 1942. Unfortunately the game would not respond to any input from the scroll wheel when I tried to tilt it, neither did this work in a couple of other games that I tried. So if you, like me, expected to use this function to lean out from behind walls in first person shooter games, then you will be equally as disappointed as I was.

Apart from this the mouse was very smooth in games even though it uses a wireless connection. In the past a wireless mouse was a big no no if you where a serious gamer, but this doesn’t seem to be an issue anymore. The only problem I did encounter is that the scroll wheel is very stiff to depress, and sometimes you find yourself pressing it several times. Not what you really want in the thick of battle.

Being an optical mouse the Wireless IntelliMouse Explorer can be used on pretty much any surface as long as it’s not too reflective. For those of you that have never used an optical mouse I would like to issue a word of caution. Even though an optical mouse can be used on most surfaces, they actually tend to work worse on some mouse mats. If you find your optical mouse going all over the place, try moving it to a different surface, as this usually fixes the problem.

The radio transmitter that connects to the PC is of the usual Microsoft style and features a USB connector as standard, but there is a PS/2 adapter in the box.
The transmitter has a sync button on top in case you have to change the radio frequency due to someone else using a wireless mouse in close proximity. There is another button under the mouse that syncs the mouse with the receiver.

Being a wireless mouse battery life is an issue, and this is the biggest down fall of the Wireless IntelliMouse Explorer as it doesn’t come with a charger of any type. So, unless you get your own rechargeable batteries you’ll have to spend a fair amount on batteries. The mouse is supplied with a pair of Energizer batteries and these lasted for about two months of average use.

You can even use the Wireless IntelliMouse Explorer with a Mac as long as you’re running OS X, but you might not be able to take full advantage of all the buttons like you can on a PC.

My main reservation however is the somewhat high price tag of £37.60 (the leather version costs £43.47) which is quite expensive for any rodent. But you do get a quality peripheral that won’t get tangled up with on your desk.

Verdict

The Wireless IntelliMouse Explorer is a high quality ergonomic mouse that’s comfortable to use in Windows, but I wouldn’t recommend it for gamers. The tilt wheel is a unique feature, but it could do with wider software support.

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