Microsoft Explorer Mouse with BlueTrack

Back in September, I wrote about Microsoft's new BlueTrack sensor being placed into a trio of new mice. One of the first new mice to use the BlueTrack sensor is the Microsoft Explorer Mouse. Today I am going to have a quick hands on with the Explorer Mouse and see how it compares to my Logitech G9 laser mouse for tracking ability on a variety of surfaces. Like all of our Quick Takes, this isn't meant as a full review, but gives our initial impressions.

The first thing I noticed about the Explorer Mouse is how tall it was compared to the G9 I am used to working with. Computer users that normally use a standard mouse rather than lower profile gaming mice many not notice as much of a difference. If you like to control your mouse with your fingertips, the thickness of the Explorer Mouse makes that hard to do.

Microsoft set a couple items along for testing of tracking on different surfaces including a square chunk of granite and a chunk of marble, both with glossy surfaces. Tracking is what I wanted to test the most since that is the main claim of improvement for the BlueTrack technology.

The Explorer Mouse tracked very well on every surface I could think of using including my desktop, a mouse pad, books, clothing, carpet, upholstery, and skin. The shiny marble and granite chunks proved to be no challenge to the Explorer Mouse either. I even tried the mouse on my notoriously dusty desk and it tracked without issue. The only surface that the mouse would not work on was a mirror, as expected. I was satisfied with the Explorer's tracking—it lived up to Microsoft's claims—but how would it compare directly against the G9?

I used the G9 on all the same surfaces for all of the same tasks that I tried to accomplish with the Microsoft Explorer Mouse and after all the testing I could find no difference in the tracking ability of the BlueTrack mouse compared to my standard laser Logitech G9. The G9 worked on every surface that the Explorer did with the same degree of accuracy and precision.

Interestingly, Microsoft has sort of copied one of my favorite parts of the G9 (and other high-end Logitech rodents), the scroll wheel. Logitech was the first to offer the fantastic dual mode scroll wheel that can roll freely to make navigating long pages easier or be changed to click mode like a normal mouse. Microsoft gave the Explorer Mouse a very similar scroll wheel in looks and feel. The Explorer doesn't have dual scroll modes and the mode it has isn't freewheel, but it does allow you to flick the wheel to navigate longer pages with less effort (and in complete silence).

The two left side buttons are placed well and are easy to reach when needed but out of the way enough so you don't hit them accidentally. Lefties may have an issue with the Explorer Mouse; it's designed for right hand use. Power comes from an included AA rechargeable battery. I am glad to see the battery is a removable AA, in a pinch you can toss a normal throw away battery in for emergency power should you forget to charge.

Overall, I really see nothing in the Microsoft Explorer Mouse with BlueTrack that you can't find in many other standard laser mice. Microsoft's offering works very well, it's just not any better than what was already on the market in my testing. Oh, and the rear logo doesn't glow like in the images.