PCB & Mouse experts needed.

Heres my problem: I have a Microsoft Wireless Intellimouse Explorer 2.0 (pictures) w/ the coolest design and most comfortable shape I've even seen (and its wireless). Though it looks and feels great it performs like CRAP.
Heres what I want to do:
Either buy a nice wireless laser mouse and put all the internals in this mouse or somehow switch out the actual optical engines with that of a nice mouse.

I have no clue where to start, so please help; all ideas are welcomed.

+rep to anyone who comes with a good idea and/or useful tutorial.

I have the same mouse mine works great.
Do you have a crappy mouse pad? :)

Ive repaired a few, But never put them different enclosure.
Get the MX Revolutuion Similar Feel.

I've tried every kind of surface, even optical-optimized pads...

I definitely don't want to replace this because I also love the appearance.

Thanks for the fast reply.

Search Newegg for a nice Logitech that looks similar to what you want feel wise, then bust out an airbrush or some spray paint and go at it.

You might be able to get a better mouse and switch inards, but I doubt it will be easy unless you had blueprints of mice that you could compare. I guess you could mod it till it worked, but imo it would just give you a headache.

My dad has the same mouse you have but its gray, his works great. I've used it a few times and haven't really had any problems with it and I never hear him complain about his mouse acting up anymore since he got it. How old is yours? Maybe it's just dying from wear and tear?

Btw, those new Logitech mice are awesome. I've only got to play around with THIS one once, but the first thing I noticed is that I liked the way it felt. In the .8 seconds that I got to play around with it, it seemed to be one heck of a precision mouse. But damn they are expensive!

The mouse isn't really that old (less than a year) but the problem is in games. I play Day of Defeat and Halo 2 Vista which both require very fast movement and this mouse just can't do that.

By the way, how well do you think the VX Revolution would fit?

EDIT: Or what about this mouse?

It's probably the quality of the mouse, if it's crap, it's most likely going to run like crap, either that or it's worn out. I'm thinking of getting a better trackball as mine is kind of crapped out on me, either that or RMA my current one...

I'd go with Logitech, they make great mice and keyboards. Headsets are another story.

EDIT: Oh yeah, I'd go with a wired mouse, probably better response time and you don't need batteries.

Thanks, but I definitely want to stick to wireless.

Alright, depends on your setup and all that, I've always preffered wired mice, less "deaths" on the job. My dad goes through a wireless mouse every few months because they're crap, at least from what I've seen. I may get a wireless trackball because they don't make the good ones in a wired version o0.

stupid question... but have you tried new fresh batteries???? or even those high quailty rechargable ones???

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Originally Posted by r0adawg

stupid question... but have you tried new fresh batteries???? or even those high quailty rechargable ones???

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Hmmm, he MIGHT have a point here. Try those Lithium Ion ones, maybe it will make a small difference. No guarantee though.

It seems the way it works, is that the higher gaming performance mice don't have what some of the cheaper mice have. Which is that oh so perfect fit in your hand.

Well, I'll list a few good mice. Some will have the perfect fit factor and some won't. *I'll give a tiny reviews on the mice that I have used before. As you can see, I have a thing for notebook mice. lol

Logitech V200 - Notebook mouse, but it kicks ass.
Logitech G7
Logitech V450 - Again, notebook. But actually pretty comfy and works well.
Microsoft 5000
Logitech VX - Pricey, but comfy and a great performer.

Thats about it really, there are probably a few other good ones that I missed, but there just isn't a whole lot of good mice when you go wireless. Theres a whole other market once you include wired. But, I can understand the want for wireless freedom. For me, it makes all the difference. btw, it seems that the 2.4GHz wireless mice seem to all have good reviews. Such as that first one, the V200.

on a slightly off topic note... THIS mouse has two wheels! :eek:

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Originally Posted by SnowFire

on a slightly off topic note... THIS mouse has two wheels! :eek:

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actually the "wheel" on the side is just to buttons used for "document quick-flip" its like pressing alt-tab but they built it into the the side with a half wheel that doesn't spin. you can change it so it zoom's in and out for web pages if you want.


the main wheel is really cool though since it can go from free spin to clicking by pressing it down. the free spin lets the wheigt of its wheel spin really fast to go through documents faster.

i have one and paid 100 (just after its to late to return, of course) its dropped to 79.99 but ohwell i like it a lot.


as for the issue at hand i would recommend the MX revolution as a replacement and the one you found to attempt to change the guts.

I also forgot to add the fact that I absolutely hate the scroll wheel on my mouse. But the MX Revolution (Though expensive) looks like a good fit and a good mouse.

OK, while Im on this topic, does any one know how to make that smooth, rubbery feeling that logitech and sometimes microsoft use?

I want to add that to a part of this mouse while im modding it...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Indybird

OK, while Im on this topic, does any one know how to make that smooth, rubbery feeling that logitech and sometimes microsoft use?

I want to add that to a part of this mouse while im modding it...

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THIS is the product you can use for the mouse. it's really cool stuff that leaves a strong but thin rubbery Batman Suit type covering after a few coats--and it shrinks to fit every curve.

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Originally Posted by Crimson Sky

THIS is the product you can use for the mouse. it's really cool stuff that leaves a strong but thin rubbery Batman Suit type covering after a few coats--and it shrinks to fit every curve.

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Is there something you Don't know? ok, now I have to get this...

I gotta get me some of that! I'd end up spraying down everything I own, including myself. lol

I wonder what it would be like to spray down an entire computer case with that stuff. :p

I used the stuff on the upper part of the Stealth mod, and its great. Here is a link to a guy who did up his mouse in black Plasti-Dip spray.

There was a casemod years ago that was entirely covered in this stuff, yellow and black--came out VERY nice. The pic is in my book.

Is it textured? I definitely want something thats completely smooth...

By the way before I spend like $80 on this mini-project, how easy do you think this'll be? On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the hardest and 1 being the easiest.

Thanks,
Indybird

You're results will vary on the smoothness, and how good you are with a spray can. The finish i got with the product was like a second skin and much smoother than that mouse. I used a hair dryer in between very light coats to achieve this. If you rush it and put coats on that are too heavy, you will get a textured surface. Masking the areas you don't want rubberized with painter's tape is also very important to getting a good finish.

it is Available in red, yellow, black, blue, white and clear.

There is currently no other consumer product available to fit your needs, if you cant use this one.

scale of 1-10 its about a 4.

Are you running Windows Vista? I know that in the early stages of vista there were major mouse issues. Have you updated drivers? Have you tried using regular windows drivers? If you are running vista, I will put money on the drivers issues.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Crimson Sky

You're results will vary on the smoothness, and how good you are with a spray can. The finish i got with the product was like a second skin and much smoother than that mouse. I used a hair dryer in between very light coats to achieve this. If you rush it and put coats on that are too heavy, you will get a textured surface. Masking the areas you don't want rubberized with painter's tape is also very important to getting a good finish.

it is Available in red, yellow, black, blue, white and clear.

There is currently no other consumer product available to fit your needs, if you cant use this one.

scale of 1-10 its about a 4.

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I don't know which topic you were talking about but I was talking about the whole replacing the mouse innards thing.

Im definitely going to check that stuff out, the problem is I might end up putting it on everything! :rolleyes:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by thrash

Are you running Windows Vista? I know that in the early stages of vista there were major mouse issues. Have you updated drivers? Have you tried using regular windows drivers? If you are running vista, I will put money on the drivers issues.

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Im pretty sure my drivers are updated, ill try the mouse on an XP computer just to make sure. Im pretty sure its the sensor though...

It could be the sensor, but most of the time it's software problems. If this mouse is in decent shape, i still bet my money on drivers :P

I would delete the drivers completely, unplug the mouse, then plug it back in. Windows will find the mouse and install default drivers. Use them and see if it helps, if it doesn't... Go for the sensor changing.

It cost nothing and hardly any time to mess with drivers :D

GL

Ok, instead of going through the insanely complicated process of transferring the insides from one to another, I decided to try and make the cool blue effect on the MX Revolution.
This is the effect I was talking about:

I've only seen it on that (Logitech MX-510) and the Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer Cobalt (My current mouse).

Does anyone know how to get that effect?

Thanks,
Indybird

With Photoshop :P

Here is "Nancy Goldens" Satin Paint effect, Two Tone. :)

Or you can Buy some Plasti-Kote satin super paint.
You could also find House of Kolor Kandys, and Pearls in a Can Here

a Collection of paint Links