MS Intellimouse battery life

[zagood]

I got the MS Wireless Intellimouse Explorer 2.0 back at CompUsa when they had a sale for $9.99. Have actually had pretty good experiences with it's accuracy and tracking, and it's really comfortable. Also love the side buttons.

The problem is, I've had it for about 4 months and received my third "Battery Low" message. Three sets of batteries in 4 months? Ridiculous.

I didn't have any AAs handy, so I thought I'd just switch the two batteries with each other. Battery level now? Good.

Looks like my mouse is just burning through one battery at a time. My wife has the same mouse that came in a bundle with a keyboard and she hasn't had any similar problems, but made this post in case some other people do.

I'll be calling MS Hardware Replacement and see what they have to say. Will come back with an update.

UPDATE: Well, no luck with MS Hardware Replacement. These mice have been discontinued so they don't have any replacements in stock, in any color. They did offer to refund my money if I had the receipt, but since I only paid $10 for the mouse it didn't seem worth it to me. Bummer.

Oh, if anyone needs the number, it took me a while to search for it in the forum so I'll save you the time.

1-800-360-7561

-z

 

[JimPhelpsMI]

Hi, The two batts are no doubt running in Series so one should not be able to run down before the other unless one was used or bad. Probably you had "Dirty" contacts and removing them cleaned the contacts a bit. Next time try taking them out and puting them back in the same position. You should be using Alkaline batts for best life. Could also try some of the rechargables. Some are up to 2.4 MAH about 4 times the capacity of Alks. Your mouse may not like them as they run a good bit below Alkaline voltages so you may get the low batt warning earlier than Alks. If it doesn't shut down on the warning you can just ignore it with the rechargables. I quit using mine for the same reasons.
Hope this helps a bit, Jim

 

[Nick5324]

I have this mouse, one set of batts lasts me 4-6 months, with everyday use. To bad MS Hardware Replacement wasn't more helpful, usually they are willing to send you the most similar product they have on hand.

 

[zagood]

Thanks for the idea Jim, i'll tear apart a case to isolate that one noisy fan but I'm clueless with things like mice.

Yeah Nick, I was pretty disappointed with Hardware Replacement. I've got a feeling they had a lot of problems with these mice and the next step up is around $50 so they're not willing to take the loss on them.

I may just call in to have my old Intellimouse (wired) replaced, maybe a different CSR will give me some different options.

-z

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

-z, you'll freak when you see the cost but use ProGold on all battery contacts.
Google it and/or PM me.

When used, the batteries will last much longer in caller ID boxes, digi cams, cell phones,
flash lights of all types and USB/1394 cables have no interuption of contact.

The above has been my experiance. Batteries fight resistance with power and this will
shorten service life.
I bought a tiny bottle, about the size of a nail polish container, it is used very sparingly.
Works great on cards and all PSU connections.


...Galvanized

 

[nweaver]

Originally posted by: GalvanizedYankee
-z, you'll freak when you see the cost but use ProGold on all battery contacts.
Google it and/or PM me.

When used, the batteries will last much longer in caller ID boxes, digi cams, cell phones,
flash lights of all types and USB/1394 cables have no interuption of contact.

The above has been my experiance. Batteries fight resistance with power and this will
shorten service life.
I bought a tiny bottle, about the size of a nail polish container, it is used very sparingly.
Works great on cards and all PSU connections.


...Galvanized

did the compusa salesmen also get you a "gold plated" "high speed" printer/USB cable?


if the contacts were ALL gold, or fully GOLD PLATED, but you are still flowing through the same material. The battery may hit the gold with lower resistance, but then it still hits whatever is under the gold to transfer to the next point. I have a hard time believing this will "increase battery life"

but, as with all my posts, that is imho

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Originally posted by: nweaver

Originally posted by: GalvanizedYankee
-z, you'll freak when you see the cost but use ProGold on all battery contacts.
Google it and/or PM me.

When used, the batteries will last much longer in caller ID boxes, digi cams, cell phones,
flash lights of all types and USB/1394 cables have no interuption of contact.

The above has been my experiance. Batteries fight resistance with power and this will
shorten service life.
I bought a tiny bottle, about the size of a nail polish container, it is used very sparingly.
Works great on cards and all PSU connections.


...Galvanized

did the compusa salesmen also get you a "gold plated" "high speed" printer/USB cable?


if the contacts were ALL gold, or fully GOLD PLATED, but you are still flowing through the same material. The battery may hit the gold with lower resistance, but then it still hits whatever is under the gold to transfer to the next point. I have a hard time believing this will "increase battery life"

but, as with all my posts, that is imho

http://www.caig.com/ Read their forums, that is imho It can be had cheaper, if you
know where to look and I don't mean Radio Shack.

Plz search my posts before accusing me of falling for anything like a CrapUSA salesperson
would offer the unsuspecting.


...Galvanized