ErgoClick, the two-fisted mouse
By Marc Perton 
posted August 29th 2005 6:40PM
posted August 29th 2005 6:40PM
We've seen a lot of alternative pointing devices, but we don't think we've seen one like the Ergo Click before. Instead of a single-handed mouse, the ErgoClick splits pointing and clicking between the two hands. The idea is that, while one palm slides around to move the pointer, the other palm handles the clicking, minimizing hand and finger movement and lowering the risk of repetitive stress injuries. While this might be a good idea for someone who only uses a mouse, we can't help but think that for average users who constantly switch between keyboard and mouse, this will only make things worse, as they now have to take both hands off the keyboard to get anything done with the pointer.
I wouldn't buy it.
I should think the easier solution would be to have your mouse buttons somewhere convenient on your keyboard.
bad idea
What about GAMING?
Erm...'keep your hands at 10 and 2 o'clock' ?
GAMING oPPORTUNITY!?!?!?!?!?!?!
Also, this sounds super sweet since i use Flash, Photoshop and 3ds max a whole lot! :D
Yeah, so you can now get RSI in BOTH hands from using a mouse. What a load of rubbish. Imagine the dexterity required and the thought that has to go into remembering to click with your off-hand. Very unnatural. I wouldn't buy it.
I've been using two wireless mice concurrently for a while and find it very useful. Especially when the mice have programmable buttons. Most people that know how to type would remove their hand from the mouse and use both hands to type so it shouldn't make a difference. Of course it all depend on user preference.
Picture of my setup.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v161/webhermit/desktop-v3.jpg
I've always thought using one mouse is so last century...
lame setup... MacSucks
I'm still waiting for the floor pedal shift key, then life can get really annoying.
JT Mill: haha that would be great. Someone make a USB-pipe-organ-input-device please!
Sounds like a classic case of a patent without a real use.
#8, There is nothing wrong with a mac you ignorant kid.
Besides, I have a PC the other corner of my desk - EE 840 w/ XP64.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v161/webhermit/pc-v3.jpg
Anyways, try using two input devices on both hands and you might feel differently about it. Sure its no good for FPS games where keyboard/mouse is king, but in some cases such as CAD and Photoshop, I find it very convenient. I think its the way to go in the future...
eh, only one is used for moving, the other is for clicking, so this would be no advantage in CAD etc, really it would just confuse me, move with one mouse and click with the other, i dunno, i never realized my hand was under any stress clicking and moving the same mouse...
#13 the beauty of wireless is can I put the mouse either on the left or right hand. With the Logitech MX900, it feels comfortable on my left hand, again a user preference, but I don't see how the molding should only be for right hand.
I'm a southpaw but I've used right handed mouse ever since I can remember. Using left handed is just natural to me.
I think lefties should learn how to use a mouse with their right hand like samurai's. There is no such thing as a left handed samurai mind you :P
Sure there are left handed samurai's. Just no one alive to tell the tale after seeing them. ;p
HEY now you can get carpel tunnel in both hands even faster!!!.
Hey, Bo, is that an OQO you've got there in the first pic? If so, how are you diggin' it?
worst. idea. ever.
I can't wack-off with this thing!
20: Thats a t-mobile sidekick.
carpal tunnel is bs. It's TMS. Like chronic limb, shoulder, neck or back pain. Two mice ain't gonna cure sh*t. Only John Sarno's book can.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0446675156/
read the 88 reviews
5 years from now someone will have the bright idea to put the buttons on the same device that one points with, thus allowing one hand use and taking up less space on the desk. i think i will patent it now!! o wait... i've seen a lot of people using this kind of method on notebook computers. they will use the touchpad with one hand and click with the other.
imho, it will need more space in my computer desk 8(
Using two mice to control one pointer is useless, but using two mice to control two pointers will be very useful, especially for gaming and multi-tasks.
How about putting an handle in driver side and an accelerator and a brake in passenger side, lowering "the risk of repetitive stress injuries" for the driver?
Hi, a lot of comments nice, always better as being unnoticed with a brand new product.
The ErgoClick, is very convient to work with, you don't need to use it all the time, it gives you the change to switch.This is what it is for prevent rsi, in special the repetitive movement you make by clicking and double clicking.Believe me if you have pain in your hands, or hardly can click because of an illness, it is a very nice tool to have on your desk and functional.
Sorry for my english, i am dutch.
If you really want to have more info about the Ergoclick just sent me an email: info@pen-plus.nl
regards,
Gus
Nice comments!
But ony Bo really USES this IDEA!!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v161/webhermit/desktop-v3.…
"I've always thought using one mouse is so last century..."
AND HE IS RIGHT!
All other tell about thing that they NEVER TESTED!?
Let's I will tell about F-1 bolid that I never drove! (oh, too fat wheels... too small space for sitting: therefore bad item!)
About space:
If space is important - do not use keyboard at all. It also take space. :-)
(I am a piano player: I use BOTH hands!
But somebody will tell me of cause - to use only one is more convinient - with other hand you will eat your gamburger when you play. ;-)
(it is my commenet that need to remove both hands from keyboard, but not only one: But Try to use ergoclick in CAD, Photoshop etc or to open/close all these Windows! - with ergoclick I speed my job in 3-5 times)
Lets try Ergoclick - order yours for small money from info@pen-plus.nl
RSI in two hands...
People! when you work with PALMS - you DO NOT OBTAIN RSI! If you work with FINGERS - you have A CHANCE to have RSI, "trigger finger" etc.
Please explore what is RSI to undestand it...
With ergoclick you will use only RELAXED PALMS!
So, Bo, you are right as well as me.
HERE IS OUR FUTURE FOR INPUTS.
I bought ERGOCLICK from http://www.ergoclick.com and will buy other couple. IT WORKS!
For others - have a nice job clicking/double-clicking with your index with 10 000 timers per day.
(if your finger has been "designed" as "perpetoum mobile")
Wow anybody else feel really bad for talking trash after Gus' post?
KINESIS and NATURALPOINT in USA sell ERGOCLICKS!
http://www.kinesis.com
http://www.naturalpoint.com
Happy clicking!
I found many reviews here from people who did not use
ergoclicks.
Here is the review from professionals who used and tested:
http://www.usernomics.com/news/2005/02/ergoclick-mouse-hands-on-review.html
Hope it will help.
I use one from Kinesis, and I love it.
After trying many types of input devices, using both hands for mouse input is the one thing that has allowed me to continue the amount of point and click commands I input. Going back and forth between a two hand input device and the keyboard is easy. Lessening some of the work on my mouse hand by using two hands really helped.
Here is another two handed input device that could be used along side or as an alternative to a computer mouse: http://www.pyxlpoint.com
To stop discussion good or not, convinent or not
please see "WHY ERGOCLICK?" - Article of E X P E R T - Professor Earl Owen (yes, famous Professor Owen, who fulfilled first sucessful hands' transplantations) - see at http://www.ergoclick.com/
There aro so many people for whom ERGOCLICK is becomming a miracle, saving their hands.
Here is the reply from one of the first Ergoclick customers in Australia (received on 22/9/2005)
====================
Dear Professor,
Thank you for sending me the ergo click, The package arrived with the ergo click unit and works very well
with my existing mouse in tandem.
From the outset noticed an improvement with pain in the extensor muscle, to the point where after two weeks
of use the pain has almost completely gone.
(with the aid of myofascial acupuncture, kinesiology and physio therapy).
I can know work throughout the day without my forearms aching at the end of the day.
I have found that the rocking action is very comfortable once you get used to it,
and by now I am operating the ergo-click pad as quickly as before.
I have altered the way I operate my CAD system to suit the button assignments on the ergo click.
My prime area of discomfort was tennis elbow, which due to extensive index finger clicking, was unable to recover.
I have made considerable progress in recovery from this injury after switching to the ergo click.
I tried an [.....] mouse and my arms ached like you wouldn’t believe, the ergo click is much more comfortable.
I feel that the current model is just the beginning.
I have referred your website to a doctor who I know has patients who I know could benefit from this.
I would be happy to endorse the product as you have helped me so much.
From a comfort perspective for people involved with CAD work I give it the thumbs up.
...
I have spoken with an occupational therapist, and she tells me that mining companies are starting
to see a lot of overuse Injuries, especially with CAD drafters.
Look forward to hearing from you soon.
Regards L. B.
Senior Mechanical Designer
Australia
===================
see at http://www.ergoclick.com where to buy and try