
3 expert reviews - 0 user reviews
Follow
0
0
Want it
0
Have it
0
Had it
0
We have collected 3 reviews of the Microsoft Explorer Touch. Experts rate Microsoft Explorer Touch 6.5/10. Reviewsor.com helps you find reviews, best prices, user reviews of the Microsoft Explorer Touch and Microsoft Mouse.
Although Microsoft's original Touch Mouse didn't really impress us, we were keen to find out what the Explorer Touch Mouse had to offer. The Explorer Touch Mouse uses a BlueTrack sensor and has a large touch-sensitive panel instead of a scroll wheel. Time to take a closer look. Whatever you make of the product's design, the shiny finish seems a bit of a strange choice for a product you constantly have in your hand. After about 15 minutes' use, the Explorer Touch Mouse starts to pick up fingerprints and grime. The 11 cm body doesn't make this mouse especially comfortable to use, as your wrist ends up resting on the mouse rather than on the desk. That's a shame too, as it's heavy enough (112 g) to feel sturdy and solid. Thanks to its simple, symmetrical design, the Expolrer Touch Mouse can be used by both left- and right-handed users. However, there are no thumb buttons—something we particularly noticed when surfing the web (no 'Back' button!), as well as in certain games. The touch-sensitive scroll wheel is very practical. It can be used for notched or smooth scrolling for precision navigation or super-fast browsing. The best news is that this can be done vertically and horizontally—not something you see every day.
Earlier this year we looked at three touch sensitive portable mice from the likes of Mad Catz, SpeedLink and Microsoft. Each mouse was distinct in its own right and all three were able to track fine on my Roccat Sota pad, but I ultimately chose Microsoft's Arc Touch as my favorite because it was the most aesthetically pleasing and comfortable to use of the trio. At $45, the price seemed right as well. Microsoft has since provided us with another touch-based rodent, the Explorer Touch Mouse. Unlike the Arc Touch, the Explorer features a more traditional shape complete with a uniform glossy paint job and a simplistic layout. The ambidextrous Explorer Touch Mouse is available in black and gray as well as a limited edition dark red model. Included in the retail package are the mouse, a 2.4GHz Nano USB receiver, two AA batteries and a packet with a quick user guide and other documentation. Microsoft claims that the mouse will last for up to 18 months before needing fresh batteries. A software disc is not included as the mouse automatically downloads what you need when connected to your PC. Windows 7, Vista and XP are listed as compatible operating systems.
The Explorer Touch Mouse ($49.95 list) is the third and least expensive in Microsoft's Touch series of mice. Touch interaction with it is limited to a flat matte grey piece of plastic in the middle of the mouse that replaces the traditional scroll wheel. This innovation was first implemented on the Arc Touch Mouse ($67.95 list, 3.5 stars), and provides a simple gesture-based solution for day-to-day office users. Its design could be more ergonomically friendly, however. For a more advanced Windows-based touch solution, the Editors' Choice Touch Mouse ($79.99 list, 4.5 stars) will offer it along with more support and comfort. The top of the Explorer Touch Mouse is made of glossy black plastic, which will attract the occasional fingerprint or smudge mark. This mouse is about half the height of most, measuring slightly less than 1.5 inches at its tallest point and 0.5 inch at its shortest. The Explorer does fit the curve of my hand, though I am a woman with, uh, womanly hands. If you've ever tried to use the slim Apple Magic Mouse ($69 direct, 3.5 stars), you likely found it hard to get a handle on and not the most ergonomic mouse out there.
| Retailer | Information | Prices | |
|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500 - Gmf-00094 - Black | $14.49 | See it |
![]() |
Microsoft Explorer Touch Mouse - Storm Gray | $19.41 | See it |
![]() |
Microsoft Explorer Touch Mouse - Black "new" In Retail | $23.8 | See it |
![]() |
Microsoft Explorer Touch Mouse - Sangria Red - Retail | $23.99 | See it |
![]() |
Sealed Microsoft U5k-00001 Wireless Explorer Touch Mouse Usb Pc Mac Coal Black | $24.57 | See it |
![]() |
Microsoft Explorer Touch Mouse - Storm Gray (U5K-00002) U5K-00002 | $24.79 | See it |
![]() |
Microsoft Explorer Touch Mouse U5k-00001 - Black | $24.99 | See it |
![]() |
Microsoft Explorer Touch Wireless Touch Scrolling Mouse W/ 3 Year Warranty | $25.95 | See it |
![]() |
Microsoft Explorer Touch Mouse - Storm Gray | $25.99 | See it |
![]() |
Microsoft Explorer Touch Mouse - Coal Black | $26.99 | See it |
![]() |
Microsoft Explorer Touch Mouse - Sangria Red - Retail Package Great Deal | $28.8 | See it |
![]() |
Microsoft Explorer Touch Mouse Limited Edition Sangria Red U5k-00003 | $28.99 | See it |
![]() |
Microsoft Explorer Touch Mouse - Coal Black | $29.34 | See it |
![]() |
Microsoft Explorer Touch Mouse Coal Black 1490 1447 | $29.99 | See it |
![]() |
Microsoft Explorer Touch Mouse - Coal Black | $31.71 | See it |
![]() |
Mouse: Microsoft Explorer Touch Mouse: Red (U5K-00003) | $32.39 | See it |
![]() |
Microsoft Explorer Touch Mouse - Storm Gray | $32.94 | See it |
![]() |
Microsoft Explorer BlueTrack Wireless Mouse, USB, Tilt Wheel, Black | $32.95 | See it |
![]() |
Microsoft Explorer Bluetrack Wireless Mouse, Usb, Tilt Wheel, Black U5k-00001 | $32.95 | See it |
![]() |
Microsoft Explorer Touch Mouse 5-button Limited Edition Red Sealed Box | $34.95 | See it |
![]() |
Microsoft Explorer Touch Mouse - Black | $34.99 | See it |
![]() |
Genuine Microsoft U5k-00001 Explorer Touch Mouse - Black- Flick Touch | $35.95 | See it |
![]() |
Microsoft Explorer Touch Mouse - White | $37.24 | See it |
![]() |
Microsoft Explorer Touch Mouse - Dahlia Pink | $37.49 | See it |
![]() |
Microsoft Explorer Touch Mouse - White | $37.86 | See it |
![]() |
Mouse: Microsoft Explorer Touch Mouse: Gray (U5K-00002) | $38.28 | See it |
![]() |
Microsoft Explorer Bluetrack Wireless Mouse, Usb, Tilt Wheel, Gray U5k-00002 | $38.95 | See it |
![]() |
Microsoft Explorer BlueTrack Wireless Mouse, USB, Tilt Wheel, Gray | $38.95 | See it |
![]() |
Microsoft U5K-00002 Wireless Explorer Touch Mouse - Plug-and-Go Nano Transceiver, 2.4 GHz, BlueTrack Technology, 1000 PPI, Five Customizable Buttons, Gray | $39.99 | See it |
![]() |
Microsoft U5K-00001 Wireless Explorer Touch Mouse - Plug-and-Go Nano Transceiver, 2.4 GHz, BlueTrack Technology, 1000 PPI, Five Customizable Buttons, Black | $39.99 | See it |
![]() |
Microsoft Explorer Touch Mouse - Black U5k-00001 | $40.24 | See it |
![]() |
Microsoft U5k-00033 Microsoft Explorer Touch Mouse | $41.94 | See it |
![]() |
Microsoft Explorer Touch Mouse - Mouse - Optical - 5 Button(s) - Wirel U5k-00002 | $42.99 | See it |
![]() |
Microsoft Explorer Touch Mouse - Mouse - Optical - 5 Button(s) - Wirel U5k-00001 | $42.99 | See it |
![]() |
Microsoft Explorer Touch Mouse (Storm Gray) | $49.95 | See it |
![]() |
Microsoft Explorer Touch Mouse (Black) | $49.95 | See it |
![]() |
Microsoft Corporation Microsoft Explorer Touch Mouse - Black (U5K-00001) | $49.99 | See it |
![]() |
Microsoft - U5k-00001 Explorer Touch Mouse Black | $54.75 | See it |
![]() |
Microsoft U5k-00001-explorer Touch Mouse Black - Kit | $60.23 | See it |
![]() |
Microsoft U5k-00001-explorer Touch Mouse Black - Kit | $65.7 | See it |
![]() |
Microsoft U5k-00002-explorer Touch Mouse Gray - Kit | $66.49 | See it |