I need advice on a new optical/laser mouse

[zero2dash]

I'm looking to sorta replace my Intellimouse Optical at home with something new, which I will then take the Intellimouse Optical to work to use on the G5 I use every day ('cause I hate the standard Apple Optical mouse). I like the IO but I thought since there's better mice for a little more (starting around $10) maybe I'd get something new.

I was thinking about getting a Wireless Intellimouse Explorer but then I saw that they use standard batteries and don't feature a rechargeable...which I'm a little leery of. Microsoft doesn't seem to sell Intellimouse Opticals anymore (the 5 button one like I have), there's a few places you can get them but they're almost as much $$$ as wireless Explorer mice and a few of the Logitechs.

I've seen people raving for the last few years over the Logitech MX series line, and now I see they have an MX1000 out which is a laser mouse (apparently higher up than a standard optical). I'm not too much of a stickler on laser over optical, as long as it has forward/back browser buttons and wireless would be nice (but not necessary).

I hear wireless mice skip around a lot...if that's true maybe I'll stick to wired.

I guess in summary:
-Must have forward/back browser buttons (which are supported by Firefox)
-Optical is a must, laser is ok but not necessary
-Wireless would be nice, wired is ok but seems like wireless isn't much more expensive - in that case I'd go wireless
-I'd rather have rechargeable batteries if it's possible, I think this eliminates all of Microsoft's mice (unless their standard battery mice have long battery life)
-I don't play PC games all that much so anything over 5 buttons wouldn't benefit me much (not a necessity at least)

I'd spend roughly up to $60 which is what you can get the MX1000 for.

Any ideas? TIA everyone :hihi:

[verve247]

get the older logitech mx700. Love that mouse. It's got everything you are looking for and can be had for quite cheap these days.

[mcs328]

Two thumbs up for Intellimouse Opitcal. I bought it like 4 years ago + for about 35 and the price hasn't changed that much when I see it at Best Buy. I like it because my useless ring finger can click on the fwd button. I like the new wireless mice but I always feel the fwd button is a little out of reach.

I've been thinking about the MX518 or the MX 1000. I know one is not cordless tho.

[Showtime]

http://www.gotapex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87590&highlight=mx518

-j

[GraingerGuy]

From what I've seen, the MX1000 doesn't support back and fowards in Firefox. But, the MX700 does. The MX700 is wireless and doesn't skip around and I've been using the mouse for around 2 years now. I have had no complants at all and recommend it completely.

[_=DeltaForce=_]

MIcrosoft Wireless Intellimouse Explorer is a Great Mouse!

[zero2dash]

MIcrosoft Wireless Intellimouse Explorer is a Great Mouse!

How is the battery life on it? (How often do you have to replace it and what's your estimate of how many hours they last for...?)

If the batteries last a long time I might consider a bluetooth Intellimouse Explorer; Computer Geeks is selling them brand new for like $40. (Unless someone says the bluetooth ones suck; in that case I'd settle for a regular one.) :)

[DarkFury]

Honesty, since I went "Logitech"... I don't think I'll ever go back to the Microsoft Intellimouse.

If I had to buy one now... I'd buy the MX518... but I've owned the MX500 and MX510 and both work wonderfully. :D

[_=DeltaForce=_]

I have the bluetooth intellimouse for my Media Center PC and and the Wireless intellimouse for my regular pc.. Battery is around 2 month+.. I use rechargeable batteries.. Intellimouse for Bluetooth has a long range and I love its metallic blue color.

[nate el bueno]

http://www.x-tremegeek.com/templates/searchdetail.asp?T1=106+0389&dept=&search=&child=
i dont think it has the forward and backwards buttons you were looking for but it IS cool : )

[Mr Reorg]

I've been usin g the MX1000 for abouta month now, and I'm loving it. I'm not a gamer. I haven't noticed any skipping around. Fit's great in my right hand; same as my old Itellimouse optical. More buttons (programable) than MS.

[Bires]

How is the battery life on it? (How often do you have to replace it and what's your estimate of how many hours they last for...?)

I've been using my MS IEO since last September on the same set of Energizer Max's, and the battery meter still reads the bats as full.

I use my mouse/computer about 4-5 hours each day.

If you leave the mouse alone for more than 20 seconds or so, it goes into a kind of sleep mode.

It's a great mouse (part of the Wireless Desktop Elite) but not so good for gaming. I also LOVE the smooth mouse wheel, but again...not good for gaming.

[zero2dash]

I bought a Logitech MX518...the jury's still out on it though.

I like the feel/shape of it, but then (like right now at work) I use my MSIO and I 'miss it'. :) I don't play FPS as much as I used to, but the adjustable sensitivity will come in handy for something else: graphic design. Nothing is more annoying than trying to do really really nitty gritty detail work in Illustrator or Photoshop and your mouse moves more pixels than you want it to. With the MX518, I don't think I'll have this problem anymore since I can lower the res and get better detail (slower movement).

The application switch button...eh I haven't used it much, I don't know if I ever will. I also sorta miss the forward button being on the right side of the mouse (ala MSIO), it makes more 'sense' to me to be that way but maybe it's just me.

I like the mouse (MX518) but I'm wondering if I should return it and buy another MSIO and keep the extra $25. I'm gonna wait a few days and see what I think. I should just ask my wife cause she plays on Pogo (ie uses the computer) more than I do nowadays. :D

[SmokeyDP]

From what I've seen, the MX1000 doesn't support back and fowards in Firefox. But, the MX700 does. The MX700 is wireless and doesn't skip around and I've been using the mouse for around 2 years now. I have had no complants at all and recommend it completely.
I have the MX1000 and it works great. The back and forward support works fine for me in Firefox. I have it plugged into the USB port. The battery level on the side is a big plug.

[DarkFury]

I like the mouse (MX518) but I'm wondering if I should return it and buy another MSIO and keep the extra $25. I'm gonna wait a few days and see what I think. I should just ask my wife cause she plays on Pogo (ie uses the computer) more than I do nowadays. :D
No point in going backwards... keep it and enjoy.

Welcome to the real world... Neo. :cool: :heh:

[Bires]

No point in going backwards... keep it and enjoy.

Welcome to the real world... Neo. :cool: :heh:

Fanboi? :spock:

[zero2dash]

No point in going backwards... keep it and enjoy.

Welcome to the real world... Neo. :cool: :heh:

Ya I asked the wifey and she said she likes it too so I'm-a-keepin'-it.
I'm using it now and almost mad at myself for thinking about taking it back. Sooooo comfy...:hihi:

A long time ago I bought a Mouseman Wheel Optical and I loved the shape of it but the scroll wheel sucked and at that time I denounced Logitech products...I think I have now un-denounced and am now a fan once again. :)

[DarkFury]

Fanboi? :spock:
Hater? :hmm:

Go check the scoreboard (http://www.gotapex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88908) :heh:

[Bires]

Hater? :hmm:

Never!

You don't hear us Honda drivers bashing domestics, even though they are apparently much better since more ppl vote for them.

Scoreboard (http://www.gotapex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88800)

And, just to rub it in...
http://members.cox.net/bires/internetpics/Dodge.jpg :heh:

Just having a little fun...

(I like both brands of mice.)

[DarkFury]

Honestly, driving a Honda isn't really much to brag about... they make dayuum good lawn mowers though. :heh:

BTW... you are right... The Ram head does draw in the "chicks". :heh: Thanks for pointin' that out. :hihi:

[Bires]

Honestly, driving a Honda isn't really much to brag about...

Ya. That's why we don't brag.

We just mumble... fuel efficient...reliable...safe under our breaths.

[TruckStuff]

How is the battery life on it? (How often do you have to replace it and what's your estimate of how many hours they last for...?)Trying to get us back on track here...

I use the MS IEO at work at least 8 hours/day. I've only replaced the batteries in it once in a year and a half. The first set lasted about a year.

Conversely, I have the MX700 at home. I've been disappointed with the bettery life of this one. I use recharagables and charge it in the base station. The NiCd batteries that came with it were ok. I swapped them out with a set of NiMH rechargeables which are a lot better. A fresh set will hold the charge for over a week. But the time which they hold a charge drops steadily as you drain/recharge/drain the batteries over and over in my experience. Now, this isn't a huge deal since they *are* rechargeable. At one point my base station wouldn't charge and I had to use standard alkaline AAs for a couple of weeks. The MX700 tore through the alkalines in <2 days at a time. :disa:

Overall I've been much happier with the battery life of my Intellimouse Explorer Optical. :thumb:

[DarkFury]

Ya. That's why we don't brag.

We just mumble... fuel efficient...reliable...safe under our breaths.
And boring... unimaginitive... blah...

:heh:

[Devhux]

My MX700 is still on its initial set of NiMH batteries (mine came with NiMH cells), and I still get a week between charges. This is from a 2-year old mouse. :)