Evoluent VerticalMouse 2 promotes ergonomic "handshake" positioning
posted March 1st 2005 7:45AM
For anyone who's suffered from the aches and pains associated with repetitive stress injuries, one of the hardest things to find is an ergonomic pointing device. One recent entrant with an intriguing approach is the Evoluent VerticalMouse 2, a second-generation optical mouse that is designed to be gripped by the entire hand in a vertical "handshake" position, rather than in the standard palms-down pose. The manufacturer claims the shape eliminates one of the major culprits leading to RSI: twisted forearms. While we can see how the design might be useful for gamers or others who keep their hands on their pointers for long periods of time, we worry that it could lead to more twisting among those who constantly switch from keyboard to mouse, since you'll be moving from palms-down on the keys to the handshake position on the mouse. But if you're looking for something to reduce those wrist and finger pains, and are willing to risk $60 for it, the VerticalMouse — which comes in both left and right-handed versions — could be worth a try.
Hi,
I have a hell of a pain in my mouse trigger finger. So I ask engadget, what other RSI busting mice etc are there out there?!
Go on engadget, do your stuff!
I had a (not too sensible) thought:
why go to the expense of buying/creating a handshake mouse ... why not use a normal mouse and rotate the mouse pad 90 degrees to teh vertical?
Slight drawback 1: the positioning axes are now rotated too.
Advantage : muscular fore-arms ;)
I think the 3M Egronomic Mouse is great; I think it would be more comfortable than the one pictured above and it comes in two different sizes to better fit your hand. A picture is worth a thousand words, so here is a link the 3M alternative:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00008KWWF/
#2 - Why not? Because of gravity. You would be putting additional strain on the hand in order to maintan contact between the mouse and vertical surface as well as keeping it elevated.
Paulo: There's also the Quill mouse and the Renaissance mouse. You can see them at http://www.sforh.com/pointing/mice.html
I can see that catching on with Counter-Strike enthusiasts... launching different models that feel like the AK, Galil, maverick and so on... if they could just get the recoil right... :)
I have been using the original Vertical mouse for a few years, and it is pretty comfortable (my hand never gets pain anymore), except the side of your hand drags on the desk or mousepad, which can leave it a little sore after a while. But still much better than a regular mouse.
I bought the original version about two years ago when I started to feel pain in my wrists. It has eliminated the problem completely for me.
I am using the 2nd generation of the VerticalMouse right now. It has made a noticeable improvement in my right wrist. It took about 1/2 a day to get use to it. My hand does drag a bit like Mase said but I have not had the soreness issue.
Paulo, why don't you try a USB foot switch. Here's the one that I just picked up:
http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/fs-savant-elite.htm
I'm using the dual-action foot switch. It's built super-solid. Plug it in and it just works. You can program it but I didn't bother and I'm simply using it for right and left clicks.
As for the Evoluent Mouse, I picked one up but quit using it. The driver software is the worst I've ever encountered for any mouse (for Windows XP Pro anyway). My page would scroll when I clicked the mouse and in some programs the buttons actions were not correct. Until Evoluent updates their driver (current Sept. 2004) I won't use it again.
It's not new:
http://www.quillmouse.com/
Switching from keyboard to mouse is a problem, which is why they make this:
http://www.safetype.com/
Only good typists need apply.
I have been using this mouse for about 3 weeks now. I was previously using a large contour design perfit mouse optical. The evoluent has some design flaws: first it's too vertical, it should be at a slight angle (put your hand at rest on a table to see what I mean). Also the buttons were not redesigned and having the scroll wheel under the finger and not the thumb is very ackward to use for larger hands. I've also used this mouse: http://www.techdepot.com/product.asp?productid=111310. same principle as the evoluent, but the clicker is in the write spot. Also, it should be stated the both of these mice want you to have your elbow on the table so if you have a tiny desk they might be more trouble than they are worth.
I still recommend the contour since you can get it sized to fit your hand.
Maybe it's just how i hold my mouse but...
with the normal mouse I can move it pretty much where i want with very little movement, maybe just a flick of the wrist with the mouse inside fingers (rather than palm).
This looks like it will need a lot more movement as the whole arm will have to move to move the mouse. This may be good for people with wrist troubles but I don't see any major benefit in ergonomics due to the new extra arm movement.
*strokes razer diamondback chameleon* :)
I am with Evoluent, the maker of the Evoluent VerticalMouse. The 3M and Quill require the entire arm to move since they have built-in wrist pads that prevent the hand from contacting the table. The arm is not good for fine movements.
In contrast, the Evoluent VerticalMouse can be controlled with finger movements alone. The 1200 dpi true optical resolution sensor makes the pointer fly across the screen with very little mouse movement.
The button arrangement is purposely the same as an ordinary mouse to eliminate retraining. The scroll wheel is positioned for the index finger, just like the vast majority of ordinary mice.
It's true that the driver may not work perfectly in every system, but no software does.
As for the ergonomic benefits, the actual results speak for themselves. See the User Comments on our web site www.evoluent.com
Jack,
I'm not sure anyone believes in PR anymore, but I understand if you feel it necessary to forward people to the website. However folks should know that the two emails I sent to evoluent were basically a short rehash of whats above. After the second email you asked if they could add my "comment" could be added to the site. Thinking you would add the whole comment, i agreed. Silly Me.
Begin forwarded message:
From: jacklo@evoluent.com
Date: February 11, 2005 1:19:05 PM EST
To: Christopher Cowan
Subject: Re: Recieved Mouse --- Only 1 Complaint
Hi,
Thanks for the great feedback!
You probably have a large hand. Your suggestion will be considered for the next product.
Can we quote your comment with your name on our web site? Your email address will not be used.
Jack Lo
Evoluent LLC
maker of the VerticalMouse
www.evoluent.com
----- Original Message -----
From: Christopher Cowan
To: comments@evoluent.com
Sent: Friday, February 11, 2005 7:41 AM
Subject: Recieved Mouse --- Only 1 Complaint
the scroll wheel is in the wrong place.
it should be around where the thumb button is.
it's too ackward to reach currently.
otherwise: dream!
thanks.
-----------
Here's what was posted on the site at http://www.evoluent.com/user_reviews.htm
"dream!"
Christopher Cowan
Nice Job John.
Regarding the post about arm movements vs. finger movements for controlling the mouse: everything I read about ergonomics and reducing RSI says you should use large muscle movements as much as possible and reduce finger movements...that excessive tiny movements cause soft tissue damage and RSI. So I wouldn't think discouraging arm movement and resting your elbow (!) would be selling points of an ergonomic product...
Large selection of Keyboard Trays,Goldtouch keyboards,Humanscale,WorkRite
Our company uses http://www.ergodirect.com/product_info.php/products_id/13618 and we have been very pleased with the kind of relief the developers have had till now. Earlier, with normal mouse, we have had a lot of wrist pain complaints but the consultants at http://www.ergodirect.com advised us after looking at the actual use we do and we have been happy since.
Thanks.
I am with www.ErgoDirect.com and I am very familiar with all types of ergonomic mice since we sell them all.
I happened to have the same problem myself. I started to feel pain in my right hand finger and right wrist. I tried all the so called "Ergonomic Mice".
Vertical mice such as Evoluent vertical mouse 2, 3M or Quill mouse definitely help a lot. But what really helped me was that I installed an ergonomic adjustable keyboard tray with 2 mouse platforms, one for each hand. Then I installed 2 mice (one PS2 and one USB) and I started to use my left and right hand at the same time.
I always thought I am definitely a right handed person and I could never do anything with my left hand.
At the beginning I was not so good with the left hand so I used my left hand only when I had time and easily switched to right hand when I was in rush and had to do things fast.
Having both mice available at the same time helped a lot.
I started to use my left hand around 5% to 10% of the time and gradually increased the use of the left mouse.
Sure enough after a few days I was as good with my left hand as I was with my right hand.
I started to use my left mouse more and more and took the load completely off my right finger in a month. I gave my right finger a good few months rest and got rid of the pain completely.
Then I started to balance the use of mouse between my right hand and left hand.
Today I use my left mouse around 70% of the time and use my right mouse around 30% of the time.
Distribute the clicking load between both hands. That is the best solution.
I would be happy to provide answer to any question about the different possibilities and best combinations of Keyboard trays, ergonomic keyboards and vertical mice.
Nick Moshiri
customerservice@ergodirect.com
I think your web site is one of the best around.
Great work.
Scott
This is a cool -
http://www.ergoclick.com
Being suffered from trigger finger with mice, track balls I used with PCs, I was able to work now again with ERGOCLICK.
Cool staff!