Silent Mouse EX reduces mouse-related noise pollution by 22.5db, no one cares

Oh, Thanko, fine purveyor of hidden cameras and ill-advised input devices, whenever it gives us a peripheral that looks like, well, a peripheral, it feels like a big step in the right direction. And what do we have here? The Silent Mouse EX is a bit of a misnomer. After all, it isn't totally silent -- rather, the manufacturer claims that it generates 35.5db of noise when in operation. Compared to 58db of sound the "average" mouse makes (or so we've heard), that is... well, it's less. Actually, we have a hard time believing anyone cares about this sort of thing, but if you'd like to prove us wrong, you can hit that read link and put ¥3,180 (approx. $33) where your mouth is. Or better still, just use a trackpad.

[Via Akihabara]

[iDavey @ Jun 25th 2009 9:47AM]

Wow...I can't even remember the last time I've used something beyond a trackpad, LMAO

[Kamokazi @ Jun 25th 2009 9:49AM]

I hate trackpads, and many others do too, hence the plethora of laptop mice sold.

What I really noticed is that this is a 'body' copy of Logitech's VX Revolution notebook mouse.

[decapitor @ Jun 25th 2009 9:51AM]

yes that is litigiously close to the VX revolution

[NeoteriX @ Jun 25th 2009 9:55AM]

I wouldn't be surprised if the factory that pumped out Logitech VX's by day mysteriously produced "noise free mice" by night...

[Gav @ Jun 25th 2009 9:57AM]

Yep, looks just like my VX I have in my hand.

[iDavey @ Jun 25th 2009 9:58AM]

@Kamokazi

I know that...I wasn't putting it down, LOL
I was just saying...it's been so long since I've had a desktop computer...I've forgotten the feel of a mouse, lol.

I'm going to have to get me a desktop later down the road. I miss that experience.

[Eric Schneider @ Jun 26th 2009 9:27AM]

Why are you using "LMAO" and "LOL" as though they are synonyms for a period or any other allowed punctuation mark which can end a sentence?

[Ryan Karolak @ Jun 25th 2009 10:39AM]

I agree with others. I'm not a big fan of the trackpad. I very much prefer the mouse. I kind of wish some laptops would still come with tackballs. Although they're "mechanical" and require cleaning, I liked the feel and accuracy. The isopoint trackbar, like on the Outbound, wsn't too bad either... although I haven't used one of those in a very long time.

The trackpad is okay for occasional use, but I'd hate to have to use it as my primary pointing device. The same goes for the eraser-pointers.

[Vic De Zen @ Jun 25th 2009 10:42AM]

How are you wrists not suffering from carpal tunnel? My wrists feel strange after using my trackpad for too long. It's as though I'm incapable of normal movement that isn't similar to just scrolling and clicking.

More on-topic, I know a friend of mine would love if everyone around him had one of these mice. He's got the biggest pet peeve when it comes to loud mouse and keyboard clicking.

[iDavey @ Jun 25th 2009 11:11AM]

@Eric

If you'd look more closely at my post. Only one 'LOL' wasn't followed by a period. Thank you Mr. Wannabe-Grammar-Police. :wink:

@Vic

Truthfully...I don't know either, LOL. Especially the way I hang off my bed while typing on my laptop...I'm surprised I don't have some type of hand problem. But I do seriously miss my mouse. I just hate having extra stuff with my laptop.
I'll probably invest in a bluetooth mouse real soon. Or just hold off until I get me a desktop again. I miss my big screens. =[

[IK @ Jun 25th 2009 4:09PM]

It's because he learned how to read with computers instead of books.

[Shinigami @ Jun 25th 2009 5:31PM]

Don't buy that mouse. It will whisper to you! http://www.quietnoise.com/facts.htm

[JJ @ Jun 25th 2009 9:49AM]

Yeeeeess.... because my mouse is soooo noisy!!!

[Dking @ Jun 25th 2009 9:51AM]

I like mouses noise... click.... click....

[fegc @ Jun 25th 2009 9:52AM]

it's important for people recording audio in a normal room

[Ignatius @ Jun 25th 2009 10:20AM]

The echo would be more annoying than the clicks. If you're trying to professionally record audio, it shouldn't be in someone's basement/room/empty warehouse.

[aidqpo @ Jun 25th 2009 9:54AM]

Actually... its not bad at all... i mean, i have a logitech G5 and i love it, but the clicking sound sometimes gets on my nerves..! And this is something that i would improve on... and engadget... i think some peaople do care about this...

kudos!

[without1username @ Jun 25th 2009 9:54AM]

VX revolution!!

[Richard Lai @ Jun 25th 2009 3:47PM]

Yep, I thought the same: http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/mice_pointers/mice/devices/165&cl=us,en

At first I thought it was a clone of the MX 620 which I'm using, but the VX Revolution is even closer.

[10minutehobo @ Jun 25th 2009 9:54AM]

Mice are noisy when clicking, and yes there are people who care about it (or who SHOULD - roomates?)

[Aaron P. @ Jun 25th 2009 9:55AM]

In all seriousness, I just had one of our engineers approach me two days ago asking for another mouse. What was wrong with his? Well, it was too noisy when you were scrolling with the scroll wheel of course.

Maybe I should send him this link. Ha!

[JeffM @ Jun 25th 2009 10:01AM]

Newer MS mice don't have a clicking feature on their wheels these days- a bit awkward for the first couple hours but I came to like it.

I agree that some, especially cheaper, mice have outrageous loud click-wheels which can be irritating in a sea of cubicles.

[Ghen @ Jun 25th 2009 10:04AM]

The logitech mx revolution (I think is the name) is one mouse with a free-wheeling scroll for him ;)

[G @ Jun 25th 2009 9:55AM]

OMG this is what i have been waiting for all these years, mouse noise makes me crazy! It's really hard to concentrate with all that clicking going on! Now my mouse problems are finally over!

[Jay Voorhees @ Jun 25th 2009 9:56AM]

What noise are they reducing? the sound of the scroll wheel? The clicking? Either way 30 bucks isnt that bad for a mouse if its that noticeable it might be an alright investment. I on the other hand, will be investing in a silent keyboard so the bossman cant tell that im not woking and just posting things on engadget.

[Tim @ Jun 25th 2009 10:37AM]

But normal mice and keyboards are designed so they they make a click on purpose - it's part of the feedback loop so that the user knows they've done something. When using devices that don't feed back there is a feeling of disconnection between man and machine (cite: early touch screen phones that didn't vibrate or make a noise when touched). Taking this away is not a good thing and goes against years of HCI research.

[Leindurstit @ Jun 25th 2009 9:57AM]

Holy crap, I never realized just how obnoxiously loud my MS Bluetooth Laser Mouse 8000 is until I read this post.

[thecolor @ Jun 25th 2009 9:58AM]

It's the crazy @$$ clicking that bugs me. I want tactillity but without the clicks and taps on my devices. Know what I mean? :)

[matt @ Jun 25th 2009 10:54AM]

yep my solution:
take your mouse apart, bend the lil wire that creates that click, not too far as this will stop it working. replace

maybe I should submit it to HaD

[yokel @ Jun 25th 2009 10:00AM]

There are some pretty damn loud mice but I think most of them are very tolerable.

[Rick @ Jun 25th 2009 10:02AM]

I just turn the volume down on mine.

[joe23521 @ Jun 25th 2009 10:56AM]

Mine'll mute itself if you hit the "LLRLCCRRLRC" combo while holding the "Alt" ("Option" on Mac) key.

[Dan @ Jun 25th 2009 10:04AM]

Hey now, don't make fun. There are a lot of offices where it's so quiet that the clicky clicky of the scroll wheel and the mouse clicking can drive people crazy - especially if it's somebody that does all that constantly. You know, somebody that's playing a twitch computer game, or constantly scrolling through documents. Or there are no cube or office walls anymore, and you all have to play nice together in a big pit.

I can see the need. Not for me, but there are others that could use that.

Isn't it like, never refuse a mint when offered one? Hey Jimmy, check out this new quiet mouse.

[Kyle @ Jun 25th 2009 10:10AM]

i was unaware mice made alot of noise....SO i got my logitech v470 put it up against my ear and notice it hums when its on. Screw this, now its gonna piss me off cause i know its there lol

[joe23521 @ Jun 25th 2009 10:59AM]

I believe a seashell will also hum when put up against one's ear.

[tony @ Jun 25th 2009 10:11AM]

mouse cursors should follow pupil in the eye!

[joe23521 @ Jun 25th 2009 11:01AM]

What if your coworker doesn't want to have an ugly black arrow on the front of her blouse all the time?

[DER GORF @ Jun 25th 2009 10:16AM]

So, it's a stealth mouse then...

[andy @ Jun 25th 2009 10:22AM]

not too fond of this blogger's writing style

[joe23521 @ Jun 25th 2009 11:02AM]

That's nothing but, well, your opinion.

[franktinsley @ Jun 25th 2009 10:24AM]

An excellent example of a solution in desperate search of a problem.

[bartoron @ Jun 25th 2009 10:27AM]

I never really notice mice noise, but maybe I'm just so used to it that I don't care.

[Robert Harrold @ Jun 25th 2009 10:31AM]

I wouldn't mind a mouse that didn't make noise. I don't know if I would go out and buy it if it wasn't a logitech though.

[Smaj DeBoue @ Jun 27th 2009 1:09PM]

Just like the bus - I wish my cubicle neighbour would use it (or, you know, take a three month holiday). Click click click is all I hear all day. But dang if I'm going to change over. What is this, Communism?

[Magallanes @ Jun 25th 2009 5:57PM]

At least is click click and not fap fap.

[venk @ Jun 25th 2009 10:41AM]

so my mouse is louder than a super speed case/CPU fan? Strange, never noticed.

[DarkLight @ Jun 26th 2009 3:41AM]

Yes it is.

You can easily hear a mouse click over even the most extreme (non-watercooled) cases with huge fans at maximum voltage.

[Benson @ Jun 26th 2009 11:40PM]

You'd notice it a lot more if your mouse clicked at times you weren't thinking/doing "click". Or if it wasn't your mouse; if someone else at a desk altogether too close to yours clicked incessantly in weird rhythms when you are trying to think.

I'm thinking I should buy one of these as a gift, and put glue on the plug, so even if he decides he doesn't like it, he has to use it. >:-)

[Stephen @ Jun 25th 2009 10:46AM]

Over/Under on the number of people who put their mice up to their ears?

24.5

[joushouhaigara @ Jun 25th 2009 10:55AM]

I see libraries buying these in bulk.