ms habu or intellimouse explorer 3.0?

necrophyte · Feb 12, 2009, 09:13 PM

since my beloved ms wireless intellimouse explorer 2.0 is suffering from its age, im considering buying a new mouse. i really love this wireless intellimouse explorer 2.0, so im aiming for a new microsoft mouse.

the choice is between the "new" (wired) ms intellimouse explorer 3.0 and the ms/razer habu laser mouse. prize doesnt really matter - but the habu is noticebly more expensive - why?

what i dont like with the intellimouse explorer 3.0

is the not-so ergonomical shape, compared to the 2.0

the 2.0's fake-leather surface is really great, and the shape is ergonomically perfect - this is what i miss with the 3.0 - no gripping surface and much less ergonomically shaped.

so what are the important specifications, when comparing intellimouse explorer 3.0 with the habu?

according to the specs, the intellimouse seems more powerful: 9000fps & 25-G acceleration, 6000dpi (some other sources say only 400/450fps - how much now?), habu: 7080fps & 20-G acceleration and adjustable 400-2000dpi.
why is the habu then so much more expensive?

both are called "gamers choices" etc... i need the mouse for daily use mainly, but every now and then i also play games and when playing counter-strike (source), the decision for the "better one" becomes crucial.

so, any suggestions?

thanks

**dj_stick** · Feb 12, 2009, 09:53 PM

I had an MS mouse like the 3.0, not quite the same, but the same shape/colour - it was a little too hard to grip at times, but after a while you do get used to it

if you really like the 2.0 - see if you can find one on ebay or at a computer store, there's bound to be one around

**Mousey** · Feb 12, 2009, 10:55 PM

The Habu's more expensive because it's a proper gaming mouse from Razer, it'll track better and have a better quality sensor on it. If you enjoyed the Intellimouse 2.0 so much why don't you try get another off ebay?

I remember we used to have those Intellimouse 3.0's at school, they weren't nice for prolonged periods of use at all because they'd get really sweaty and horrible. They seemed to hurt my hand too dunno why

***craig5320*** · Feb 13, 2009, 12:02 AM

I've got a MS Explorer with BlueTrack, I have to say at first I didn't like its ergonomic design it felt awkward but i'm totally used to it now and I get a lot less ache in my hand through the day.

I'm not sure the dpi compared to those mice, but it tracks really well and to me performs much better than my MS Wireless Laser 8000.

Check it out: Explorer Mouse

GigaWatt · Feb 13, 2009, 02:04 AM

if anyone can remember the old compaq mouses... i think they were the most indestructible little buggers there were...

i dunno, i kinda like the intellimouse explorer 3.0, kinda reminds me of my genius netscroll + mouse... mine is a little more "fat" but it's a great mouse nevertheless...

i would search for ergonomically shaped mouses in google... that should return a lot of results...

*CyberpowerUK* · Feb 13, 2009, 11:39 AM

I'm using the Razer Copperhead here and it's an awesome bit of kit. A bit light, but that can be easily solved.

I've tried the Habu here and it's also a quality bit of kit, a bit more weight to it than the Razer whixh some people like.

Mike

Erroneus · Feb 13, 2009, 12:51 PM

Also consider Roccat Kone, that is one badass mouse.

pigdog · Feb 13, 2009, 01:35 PM

I'm quite supprised that nobody has touted the benefits of the superb (imho) Logitech G9

I've lifted the below from Logitech's site - but I've found it to be a true reflection of the reality.

Interchangeable grips: Use the included Wide Load and Precision grips to get a fit and feel that’s best for your playing style—or get the ID Grip and put the image you want on the palm of your G9 mouse. The satin texture and fuller shape of Wide Load add extra comfort while the DryGrip technology and compact shape of the Precision grip give you unmatched fingertip control.
3200 dpi laser engine with Full-Speed USB: Get uncompromising speed and accuracy from a high-performance Gaming-Grade laser engine—plus instant cursor response with Full-Speed USB (up to 1000 reports/second).
Game settings to go: Take your personal mouse preferences with you. The G9 saves mouse settings in onboard memory—store up to 5 profiles (including keyboard macros, dpi settings, and LED color) on the mouse and play your way—without additional software installation*—on other PCs**.

MicroGear™ Precision Scroll Wheel: Use Logitech’s exclusive MicroGear™ scrolling technology for precise, click-to-click scrolling—perfect for quick weapon selection. Or switch modes for frictionless, hyper-fast scrolling.
Adjustable sensitivity: Shift from pixel-precise targeting to lightning-fast maneuvers without pausing the action. The G9 gives you instant access to multiple sensitivity levels between 200 and 3200 dpi, without driver installation.
Weight tuning system: Prefer a heavier or lighter mouse? Use the weight cartridge and up to 28 grams of metal weights to customize your G9 for just the right feel.
Polytetrafluoroethylene feet: Super-slick feet glide effortlessly across almost any surface.

Me again (Pigdog), I have never used a better mouse either for work or games.

Google the reviews - pretty much 5 out 5 stars across the board.

Hope that helps

Cheers
The Dog

Erroneus · Feb 13, 2009, 02:02 PM

Make sure to try out the G9 before using it. I didn't like the form and i know quite a few who doesn't like it's form either.

pigdog · Feb 13, 2009, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erroneus

Make sure to try out the G9 before using it. I didn't like the form and i know quite a few who doesn't like it's form either.

Agree absolutely. In fact, I didn't like it all to much at first. It was totally different from my previous mouse (which coincidentally was a Intellimouse).

Obviously I am now a bit of a fan boy I suppose, so yeah, make sure you get your hands on one first, and try both of the different grips. I hated one, but the other one rocks. Anyhow, good luck with it.

Cheers
The Dog

*ASUS UK* · Feb 13, 2009, 03:42 PM

Personally, I wasn't a fan of the Habu in my experiences. The tracking was a little bit slack and suffered from "twitching".

For a general use perspective the Intellimouse has always been a winner...though if you're looking for something more gaming orientated I'd definitely consider something from Steelseries.

I bought an Ikari Laser mouse recently and never looked back.

necrophyte · Feb 13, 2009, 08:26 PM

thank you for your advices!

im just a bit confused with the specifications of those 2 mice, therefore i asked about your opinions. the logitech G9 is definitely too gamer-oriented and too big

i think im gonna look somewhere for the intellimouse 3.0 and habu where i can test them. intellimouse 2.0 would be best, but since im going around frequently (main pc is a laptop), the already quite big mouse and then also the receiver simply take too much space.

since im already very satisfied with the gaming performance of the intellimouse 2.0, although wireless, which many say limits the data transfer, ill stick with one of those two microsoft's mice and decide when having tested them.

nicnik · Feb 13, 2009, 09:09 PM

The intellimouse is better. At what prices are you looking to get them both for? What budget u have to spend?

necrophyte · Feb 22, 2009, 08:41 PM

just wanted to say that i took the habu. i tried both - the grip is almost the same as the one of intellimouse explorer 3.0 - but the custom settings and and the pros of having an internal mouse firmware just prevailed.

the possibility of setting the sensitivity high and dpi low and vice-versa are just amazing. right now im using it @ 1600dpi and a mid-low sensitivity (500hz polling) and its simply great for playing counter-strike for example. such an obvious difference to the wireless intellimouse explorer 2.0, and that was my one and only favorite since 2004... (since that one was wireless setting the usb port to >125hz didnt have any effect)

the only thing im missing is the scroll wheel acceleration, which the intellimouse explorer has available and adjustable - any ideas? im still playing around with the normal acceleration for general use in windows, since theres a 1-10 scale for the acceleration level, and i didnt manage to get it to the same feeling as with the intellimouse yet, but thats just a matter of time and its not so important either.

so in general, im very satisfied with the habu, and all the little problems im experiencing now are certainly because of just not being used to the mouse perfectly yet, but that'll change soon

thanks again for your advices!

procupine14 · Feb 23, 2009, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GigaWatt

if anyone can remember the old compaq mouses... i think they were the most indestructible little buggers there were...

YES!!!!!!

Good choice with the Razer. I like their product line quite a lot and it will be a much better quality mouse in the long run IMO

In addition to some earlier comments about the G9 I really hated the design. Didn't do much for me and quite frankly was uncomfortable for prolonged use. I love my G5 (used to be G7 till it died two weeks ago

) much better design thats easy on the hand

Feb 12, 2009, 09:13 PM	#1
necrophyte HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: 1130 Vienna, Austria & Zagreb, Croatia Posts: 131 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	ms habu or intellimouse explorer 3.0? since my beloved ms wireless intellimouse explorer 2.0 is suffering from its age, im considering buying a new mouse. i really love this wireless intellimouse explorer 2.0, so im aiming for a new microsoft mouse. the choice is between the "new" (wired) ms intellimouse explorer 3.0 and the ms/razer habu laser mouse. prize doesnt really matter - but the habu is noticebly more expensive - why? what i dont like with the intellimouse explorer 3.0 is the not-so ergonomical shape, compared to the 2.0 the 2.0's fake-leather surface is really great, and the shape is ergonomically perfect - this is what i miss with the 3.0 - no gripping surface and much less ergonomically shaped. so what are the important specifications, when comparing intellimouse explorer 3.0 with the habu? according to the specs, the intellimouse seems more powerful: 9000fps & 25-G acceleration, 6000dpi (some other sources say only 400/450fps - how much now?), habu: 7080fps & 20-G acceleration and adjustable 400-2000dpi. why is the habu then so much more expensive? both are called "gamers choices" etc... i need the mouse for daily use mainly, but every now and then i also play games and when playing counter-strike (source), the decision for the "better one" becomes crucial. so, any suggestions? thanks Last edited by necrophyte; Feb 12, 2009 at 09:35 PM.

Feb 12, 2009, 10:55 PM	#3
Mousey Synth's Long Lost Bro Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Web Design Hell Posts: 7,189 Rep Power: 245 System Specs	Re: ms habu or intellimouse explorer 3.0? The Habu's more expensive because it's a proper gaming mouse from Razer, it'll track better and have a better quality sensor on it. If you enjoyed the Intellimouse 2.0 so much why don't you try get another off ebay? I remember we used to have those Intellimouse 3.0's at school, they weren't nice for prolonged periods of use at all because they'd get really sweaty and horrible. They seemed to hurt my hand too dunno why __________________

Feb 13, 2009, 12:02 AM	#4
*craig5320* HH Administrator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 8,568 Rep Power: 445 System Specs	Re: ms habu or intellimouse explorer 3.0? I've got a MS Explorer with BlueTrack, I have to say at first I didn't like its ergonomic design it felt awkward but i'm totally used to it now and I get a lot less ache in my hand through the day. I'm not sure the dpi compared to those mice, but it tracks really well and to me performs much better than my MS Wireless Laser 8000. Check it out: Explorer Mouse __________________ HardwareHeaven on Facebook

Feb 13, 2009, 02:04 AM	#5
GigaWatt Now In Color :D Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Macedonia, Skopje Posts: 2,116 Rep Power: 81 System Specs	Re: ms habu or intellimouse explorer 3.0? if anyone can remember the old compaq mouses... i think they were the most indestructible little buggers there were... i dunno, i kinda like the intellimouse explorer 3.0, kinda reminds me of my genius netscroll + mouse... mine is a little more "fat" but it's a great mouse nevertheless... i would search for ergonomically shaped mouses in google... that should return a lot of results... __________________ It's not schisophrenia... it's just a voice in my head...

Feb 13, 2009, 11:39 AM	#6
CyberpowerUK DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The Toon Posts: 81 Rep Power: 25 System Specs	Re: ms habu or intellimouse explorer 3.0? I'm using the Razer Copperhead here and it's an awesome bit of kit. A bit light, but that can be easily solved. I've tried the Habu here and it's also a quality bit of kit, a bit more weight to it than the Razer whixh some people like. Mike

Feb 13, 2009, 12:51 PM	#7
Erroneus Get off my lawn! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Denmark Posts: 13,417 Rep Power: 119 System Specs	Re: ms habu or intellimouse explorer 3.0? Also consider Roccat Kone, that is one badass mouse. __________________

Feb 13, 2009, 01:35 PM	#8
pigdog HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 471 Rep Power: 57 System Specs	Re: ms habu or intellimouse explorer 3.0? I'm quite supprised that nobody has touted the benefits of the superb (imho) Logitech G9 I've lifted the below from Logitech's site - but I've found it to be a true reflection of the reality. Interchangeable grips: Use the included Wide Load and Precision grips to get a fit and feel that’s best for your playing style—or get the ID Grip and put the image you want on the palm of your G9 mouse. The satin texture and fuller shape of Wide Load add extra comfort while the DryGrip technology and compact shape of the Precision grip give you unmatched fingertip control. 3200 dpi laser engine with Full-Speed USB: Get uncompromising speed and accuracy from a high-performance Gaming-Grade laser engine—plus instant cursor response with Full-Speed USB (up to 1000 reports/second). Game settings to go: Take your personal mouse preferences with you. The G9 saves mouse settings in onboard memory—store up to 5 profiles (including keyboard macros, dpi settings, and LED color) on the mouse and play your way—without additional software installation—on other PCs. MicroGear™ Precision Scroll Wheel: Use Logitech’s exclusive MicroGear™ scrolling technology for precise, click-to-click scrolling—perfect for quick weapon selection. Or switch modes for frictionless, hyper-fast scrolling. Adjustable sensitivity: Shift from pixel-precise targeting to lightning-fast maneuvers without pausing the action. The G9 gives you instant access to multiple sensitivity levels between 200 and 3200 dpi, without driver installation. Weight tuning system: Prefer a heavier or lighter mouse? Use the weight cartridge and up to 28 grams of metal weights to customize your G9 for just the right feel. Polytetrafluoroethylene feet*: Super-slick feet glide effortlessly across almost any surface. Me again (Pigdog), I have never used a better mouse either for work or games. Google the reviews - pretty much 5 out 5 stars across the board. Hope that helps Cheers The Dog __________________

Feb 13, 2009, 02:02 PM	#9
Erroneus Get off my lawn! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Denmark Posts: 13,417 Rep Power: 119 System Specs	Re: ms habu or intellimouse explorer 3.0? Make sure to try out the G9 before using it. I didn't like the form and i know quite a few who doesn't like it's form either. __________________

Feb 13, 2009, 03:42 PM	#11
ASUS UK ASUS Staff Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: UK Posts: 27 Rep Power: 31 System Specs	Re: ms habu or intellimouse explorer 3.0? Personally, I wasn't a fan of the Habu in my experiences. The tracking was a little bit slack and suffered from "twitching". For a general use perspective the Intellimouse has always been a winner...though if you're looking for something more gaming orientated I'd definitely consider something from Steelseries. I bought an Ikari Laser mouse recently and never looked back.

Feb 13, 2009, 08:26 PM	Thread Starter #12
necrophyte HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: 1130 Vienna, Austria & Zagreb, Croatia Posts: 131 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: ms habu or intellimouse explorer 3.0? thank you for your advices! im just a bit confused with the specifications of those 2 mice, therefore i asked about your opinions. the logitech G9 is definitely too gamer-oriented and too big i think im gonna look somewhere for the intellimouse 3.0 and habu where i can test them. intellimouse 2.0 would be best, but since im going around frequently (main pc is a laptop), the already quite big mouse and then also the receiver simply take too much space. since im already very satisfied with the gaming performance of the intellimouse 2.0, although wireless, which many say limits the data transfer, ill stick with one of those two microsoft's mice and decide when having tested them.

Feb 13, 2009, 09:09 PM	#13
nicnik In the Land of Snow Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 569 Rep Power: 46 System Specs	Re: ms habu or intellimouse explorer 3.0? The intellimouse is better. At what prices are you looking to get them both for? What budget u have to spend? __________________ Follow Me on Twitter Battlefield 3 \| youtube \| TwitchTV

Feb 22, 2009, 08:41 PM	Thread Starter #14
necrophyte HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: 1130 Vienna, Austria & Zagreb, Croatia Posts: 131 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: ms habu or intellimouse explorer 3.0? just wanted to say that i took the habu. i tried both - the grip is almost the same as the one of intellimouse explorer 3.0 - but the custom settings and and the pros of having an internal mouse firmware just prevailed. the possibility of setting the sensitivity high and dpi low and vice-versa are just amazing. right now im using it @ 1600dpi and a mid-low sensitivity (500hz polling) and its simply great for playing counter-strike for example. such an obvious difference to the wireless intellimouse explorer 2.0, and that was my one and only favorite since 2004... (since that one was wireless setting the usb port to >125hz didnt have any effect) the only thing im missing is the scroll wheel acceleration, which the intellimouse explorer has available and adjustable - any ideas? im still playing around with the normal acceleration for general use in windows, since theres a 1-10 scale for the acceleration level, and i didnt manage to get it to the same feeling as with the intellimouse yet, but thats just a matter of time and its not so important either. so in general, im very satisfied with the habu, and all the little problems im experiencing now are certainly because of just not being used to the mouse perfectly yet, but that'll change soon thanks again for your advices!