Microsoft Comfort Optical Mouse 3000

Buggy, dreadfully BAD mouse driver software that crashes repeatedly

Strengths: Physical size and shape of mouse is mainly OK. When the mouse works properly, it has smooth and accurate motion.

Weakness: 100MB install (for a MOUSE driver?) installs bug ridden software that crashes repeatedly. Placement of left button poor for my hand. Tilt wheel difficult to use. Button of tilt wheel difficult to use

After reading many reviews, I finally decided to buy this mouse, instead of the more expensive new breed of laser mice. This was supposed to be almost as good, but half the price. I didn't mind the huge install for the mouse driver software. Among one of the reviews I read for this mouse online, one person wrote of the buggy software. However, his review was months old, and I (foolishly), just...
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After reading many reviews, I finally decided to buy this mouse, instead of the more expensive new breed of laser mice. This was supposed to be almost as good, but half the price.

I didn't mind the huge install for the mouse driver software. Among one of the reviews I read for this mouse online, one person wrote of the buggy software. However, his review was months old, and I (foolishly), just assumed that it had certainly been fixed by now.

I was wrong.

(I am using the CURRENT driver software, as of 2/17/06, as checked for with Microsoft Updates. My software driver is current.)

I have had this mouse just 2 days, but have already experienced the following serious problems:

1. Mouse software did not load properly once upon boot-up, the mouse was completely dead (not even showing the red LED light underneath), and I had to wait for the computer to boot-up, then had to use the power switch to reboot the computer.

2. This mouse software let's you designate different functions to the programable buttons for different programs. Went to change the button designations for one of the programs I use (which I had done successfully before), but while it showed the changes, the mouse reverted to the default settings.

3. I deleted the program listing from the mouse software's menu that it wasn't recognizing, and re-added the program to the mouse software menu, but, again, while it showed the changes, the mouse itself used the default settings.

4. Rebooted the computer, figuring that the mouse driver software had crashed again. Went in, and the program I had added to it's list, had completely disappeared. (Oh, boy, this would be fun if you had gone to all the trouble of putting in several dozen games and other programs in the mouse programs menu, and designated all those buttons, to have to do this over and over again when they disappeared!) Re-added the program to the mouse software's menu, for the THIRD time, designated the buttons, and it's working now (don't know for how long!).

The problems I am experiencing are similar to the one reviewer I mentioned above. Microsoft's putting out unbelievably buggy software like this is bad enough in the first place, but having the same buggy software months later, is completely unacceptable.

Other problems with this mouse:

1. The far left 3rd button is placed badly for my hand. Perhaps someone with larger hands would have better luck, but it's not good for me.

2. The tilt wheel, while in theory a good idea (lets you scroll not only up and down, but left to right), doesn't work very well. You have to press sideways on the scroll wheel to move left and right. Unfortunately, the scroll wheel is just too small to easily do this. The scroll wheel would have to be much larger for this to work well. Also, you have to press way too hard sideways with your finger. (Because, I suppose, Microsoft is worried that people scrolling might move it sideways accidentally.) Not suited for game play.

3. The scroll wheel also acts as the 4th button. You press down on the scroll wheel to click the button. Again, sounds OK in theory. In actual practice, the button is VERY stiff (Again, I suppose to prevent you from accidentally clicking it while you are scrolling), and difficult to click. While usable, it's best to use this programmable button for stuff you don't use that often. NOT really suitable for most game play.

4. The mouse gliders are tiny, and this mouse drags much more than I expected it to (and I was using a $3 generic mouse before this!).

5. VERY picky about the surface that it is placed on. I did read this in another review online (a different review from the one I mentioned above.) I was still surprised by this, expecting it to be more forgiving, but that is really not the case. You may have to try several surfaces/mousepads, before you find one that it likes well enough.

Neutral:

1. The scroll wheel has no indents, but scrolls continuously. I find this better for some things, but worse for others. Most of the reviewers I read on this "feature", hated it. I suppose I guess it's what you're used to.

Good features:

1. WHEN this mouse is working properly, the screen action is smooth, and accurate. There is no jerkiness in the motion.

2. Can have the "enhance pointer precision" option checked, while having it at maximum speed. I couldn't do this with previous mice, as it made the mouse just too durn slow for me. (Many reviewers complained, actually, that the mouse was very difficult to use at the fastest setting, but I LIKE my mouse fast. It's MUCH easier on my hand and wrist, as I don't have to move the mouse as far. If it's too fast for you, just set it slower.)

3. Pretty decent fit to the hand. The two main buttons, and the left button, click nicely and easily.

If the software worked, this would be an OK mouse. Until Microsoft gets off their duff, and fixes the hideous software problems, stay away.

By karlkrist - Feb 17, 2006

Best mouse for the money

Strengths: comfort, smooth wheel, magnification,

Weakness: none

Of all the mice I have used for a corded mouse this is buy far the best. Everyone I show it to buys one. All of the features are great. It fits your hand the best.

By Dano; - Aug 2, 2007

nice high definition optical desktop mouse for both hands

Strengths: tracking resolution, smooth scrolling

Weakness: only one programmable button, tilt not working well

High definition is better than regular optical mouses, but not as good as laser sensor. Smooth scrolling wheel for quiet environment. Tilting wheel does not work as well as expected. This mouse can be used for left handed people.

By khuang - Jun 12, 2006

Microsoft Comfort Optical Mouse 3000

Testseek.com has collected 6 expert reviews for Microsoft Comfort Optical Mouse 3000 and the average expert rating is 87 of 100. The average score reflects the expert community’s view on this product. Click below and use Testseek.com to see all ratings, product awards and conclusions.
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By testseek.com - Oct 22, 2008