Elecom's PRUMIE mice combat the dreaded "accidental side scroll"

We've got to hand it to peripherals manufacturer Elecom for thinking outside the box and trying to solve a perceived problem with its new PRUMIE lineup of mice -- unfortunately, in our opinion, they addressed the wrong problem. All three PRUMIE models come with the increasingly-standard multi-direction scroll wheel -- meaning that it scrolls both up and down as well as side-to-side -- and in order to combat the dreaded issue of mis-scrolling, the mice come with a "tilt guard" to prevent accidental left and right clicks. Now we can't speak for everyone, but we never really find ourselves side scrolling when we're trying to navigate a page vertically; instead, our biggest problem -- which isn't much of a problem at all, really -- is pushing the wheel too hard and triggering a downwards "scroll click." So if Elecom could do something about this occasional nuisance, we'd be sold, but we certainly wouldn't pick up a PRUMIE for the sole reason of thwarting an "issue" that we never encounter. Still, if accidental side-scrolling just happens to be the bane of your existence, you can grab the M-P1UP2R series (available in six colors) for 3,000 Yen ($26), the M-P2UP2R (three colors, adds thumb buttons) for 3,600 Yen ($31), or the M-P3UP2R (three colors, adds thumb buttons and a "high accuracy laser sensor system") for just 4,800 Yen ($41).

[Via Slash Gear]

[Eli @ Dec 3rd 2006 12:51AM]

Actually, neither of those are ironic. Anyway, OS X prevents Engadget's problem with scroll wheels with a simple solution, on 3rd party mice: if you're scrolling to the left or right, a middle click does nothing. Also, why would somebody buy a mouse just for this dumb "scroll guard"?

[spil @ Dec 3rd 2006 12:28AM]

How ironic, the very mouse that a company made to sell might not be getting money from a potential customer: Evan Blass.

[spil @ Dec 3rd 2006 10:26AM]

Yes, it's a joke. Good job at spotting out what isn't really ironic.

[aschmack @ Dec 3rd 2006 1:06PM]

Instead of this $30 mouse, buy a $700+ computer!

[Mad_Max_01 @ Dec 3rd 2006 12:52AM]

I have a Logitech VX Revolution and instead the click wheel doesn't click down. It just 'free scrolls,' if you want to go fast, or it can be put into a mode where it clicks when it scrolls. This solves the problem that you were talking about.

[Michael @ Dec 3rd 2006 1:12AM]

Why do companies still make corded mice? Everythign should be cordless by now. Even keyboards. I've had a cordless keyboard now for over 5 years and would never go back.

[Nathan M @ Dec 3rd 2006 1:37AM]

Because you actually get better responce with corded mice. Gamers who can actually tell the difference will tell you that you get better performance from a corded mouse.

[Nathan M @ Dec 3rd 2006 1:38AM]

er, response*

[Wile E @ Dec 3rd 2006 4:20AM]

Very true Nathan, but products like the G7 Cordless from Logitech are closing the gap fast. I switched from a G5 to a G7, and although there was a difference, it wasn't enough to give up the convenience of cordless. My gaming hasn't suffered in the slightest.

[Mat @ Dec 3rd 2006 4:36AM]

It moves the pointer. Who cares?

- indy

[Patrick @ Dec 3rd 2006 4:39AM]

I used a MX518 until I saw the new MX Revolution. I always had problems with wireless mice on high resolution screens, the lag just gets perceptively worse the higher res you go.

However the Logitech MX/VX series (I'm assuming they use the same wireless standard) don't have this problem. I don't notice any difference between the corded MX518 and these new cordless mice. Lots more functionality too.

[Paul @ Dec 3rd 2006 5:32AM]

not a bad lookin mouse for $26

btw corded periferals4life

[Kol @ Dec 3rd 2006 7:04AM]

This is acctually really nice for me. I work alot on 3d programs where 3 botton mice are our lifeblood, and ahveing it sidescroll can really screw up workflow.

[Hugh Jass @ Dec 3rd 2006 2:32PM]

Not to mention how annoying it is when your mouse battery dies. Now if someone would invent a wireless mouse charged via induction from its own mouse pad, then I'd really be sold.

[Tim Servo @ Dec 3rd 2006 11:35PM]

RE: charging a mouse via inductive mousepad...
Might be a neat idea, except that it might make any jewelery on your 'mousing hand' run a little warm. Might play havoc with your wristwatch's brain too.

[Aaron @ Dec 3rd 2006 5:20PM]

I completely forgot about the scroll click thing... thanks a lot Engadget!

Speaking of batts I got my Logitech mouse last Christmas and have only changed my batteries twice and both times I was given fair warning. Also with gaming I have used some wireless mice with lag but the Logitech one has nothing that I can tell, even in the most heated Quake III death match.

[Dave Pevsner @ Dec 3rd 2006 7:43PM]

my wireless mouse is annoying.

i'd get the elecom if those side buttons can be made to do whatever you want, but not just in windows. that's my biggest problem with my MX600, even bigger than battery troubles which i HATE, the custom buttons don't do squat in linux, and i can't even use the mouse in BSD.

but 41 dollars for a laser mouse with sidescrolling and customisable side buttons, and 31 for the same thing with a less gamer-friendly optical sensor, amazing deals.

[jessew @ Dec 3rd 2006 9:42PM]

what's wrong with this mouse by elecom?
http://images.jr.com/productimages/ECOWTUM01SV.PNG?CELL=380,380&QLT=67&FTR=3&BGCOLOR=FFFFFF&CVT=jpeg
seems like a better solution to me....