Elecom's left or right-handed mouse: deadly ambidexterity

Nobody cranks out quirkier mouse designs on such a regular basis than Japan's Elecom. This 800dpi mouse packs the somewhat useful novelty of being suitable for either left or right-handed people -- flick the switch to reverse the left and right-click functions. Just remember to leave the mouse on the correct side of the keyboard to avoid any confrontation with your partner. After all, that M-EKURDR moniker is just an anagram for "murder, k?" On sale in Japan this month for ¥2,520 or about $22.

[Via Impress]

[MichaelLC @ Dec 7th 2006 10:18AM]

I've never understood "left-hand" mice. All directions always refer to L-click or R-click. Why would you reverse them?

I just put my wireless mouse on the lft side of my keyboard: viloa! left-handed mouse.

[CoolBug @ Dec 7th 2006 10:46AM]

yea & your OS allows you to define which is left & right click so wtf?

well I'm sure somewhere someone is proud of themselves

[matthew @ Dec 7th 2006 10:55AM]

"yea & your OS allows you to define which is left & right click so wtf?"

Some workstations have multiple users who happen to be differently-handed. It would be nice to quickly switch the left and right buttons in this fashion.

[Nicola @ Dec 7th 2006 11:03AM]

Nice, but like ergonomic line don't is as the Microsoft Natural Wireless Laser 6000

[Pete @ Dec 7th 2006 11:06AM]

Real left handed mouse here -> http://www.contourdesign.com/perfit-new.htm

[tony @ Dec 7th 2006 1:20PM]

people who make left-handed mice aren't lefties. I don't want my buttons switching - that's so dumb. I want a mouse that's moulded to a lefties hand, so that my hand doesn't get tired from twisting to grip a RH mouse.

It's really annoying - I hate handism!

[Leftorium @ Dec 7th 2006 1:52PM]

I HARD-WIRE all of my mice left-handed. Never have to switch the OS, don't have to deal with OS- or software-retardedness, and I get a bonus when somebody steals my mouse (at work) and goes mad trying to figure out what's happening!

MichaelLC, my index finger is the finger I want to use for the primary button, just like for righties. That's why I switch them.

CoolBug, WTF is that most OS's are /retarded/. I.e. the software switching only works when logged-in, not when at the login window. Not to mention some programs are retarded and ignore or munge the software setting. With the hardware switch, the mouse *always* works correctly.

Tony, funny thing: M$'s first "ergonomic" mouse was designed for right-handers. A subsequent study found it worked BETTER for lefties. That thing was fantastic, but lacked a scoll wheel. :-( Yeah, handedness sucks, but sometimes it works to our advantage. ;-)
http://www.jdr.com/images/products/M/MS-MOUSE-2.1A.jpg

[MichaelLC @ Dec 7th 2006 2:33PM]

Leftorium
>MichaelLC, my index finger is the finger I want to >use for the primary button, just like for righties. >That's why I switch them.

True, but I've just stop trying to Fight The right, and use my middle finger, or slide my index to the L-button.

LOL on hardwiring! I still enjoy people's faces when handing them my (wireless) mouse when they want to show me something on my PC.

[Jeff @ Dec 7th 2006 2:34PM]

I don't understand why the position of the mouse is such an issue for so many people. Have you guys tried to use it opposite of how you use it today? Do lefties also need a reverse-qwerty keyboard (poiuy)? Do their keyboards have the num pad on the left?

Just trying to understand, not hate.

[Leftorium @ Dec 7th 2006 3:20PM]

"Have you guys tried to use it opposite of how you use it today?"

Yes, of course. I can use it on either side. But it's CLOSER TO THE KEYBOARD when it's on the left. That makes things FASTER and, though I'm loathe to say it, more ergonomic. I don't have to fly completely over the number pad to get to the mouse.

"Do lefties also need a reverse-qwerty keyboard (poiuy)?"

No, because there is no advantage to doing so. Reversing the mouse buttons keeps the primary button under the primary finger. There's no analog for the keyboard.

Do their keyboards have the num pad on the left?

THANK GOD NO! They can be had, but that would be WORSE. Lefties have an *advantage* because the left hand runs the mouse, and the right hand runs the keypad. I've never understood why righties put-up with having the mouse so far out to the right past the keypad.

[Gary @ Dec 7th 2006 5:28PM]

I would give my right hand if I could be ambidextrous.

[Rick James @ Feb 8th 2007 11:24AM]

As a right-handed person who uses a left-handed mouse (I can write, navigate or enter numeric data all at the same time), this would be an ideal product if only you could find it on a US or EU website.