Mice ergonomics

[nuabudikae]

Here is a question for you guys and gals (not sure if any gals are here actually, but out of respect...), why do Microsoft and Logitech among others NOT make a more ergonomic mouse??

What i mean by that is the natural position of the hand and the one that causes much less stress on joints is palms facing towards the body, NOT facing down with knuckles up. I would think it wouldn't be too terribly difficult to design a mouse that would allow the hand to follow its natural inkling rather than what we currently have in the industry.

Aside from it looking a bit odd, perhaps even like a flight simulator stick what would the drawback be for this ergonomic approach? I think with a small dose of clever marketing people would get over the fact that it looks a bit odd especially when they FEEL the difference on their wrists and joints.

I kick this out to you guys, what are your thoughts??

[j9k-80]

logitech had a mouse that sort of accomplished this a couple years ago. it was the assymetrical wedge one with the little thumb button right near the bottom. It was a great mouse but it wasn't optical and when they moved to lasers they didn't carry over the design. too bad.

[dvornik]

There is a couple of mice based on this idea:

http://www.evoluent.biz/http://www.evoluent.biz/

http://www.3m.com/ergonomics/ergonomicmouse.jhtmlhttp://www.3m.com/ergonomics/ergonomicmouse.jhtml

My personal favorite would be an absolute-coordinate joystick without self-centering. I'm experimenting with the idea but most of the joystick-to-mouse software is problematic.

I'm also looking forward to the release of the Ullman Mouse:
http://www.ullman.se/ullmanmouse/mouse/features.asphttp://www.ullman.se/ullmanmouse/mouse/features.asp

[nuabudikae]

thanks for the links, i'll check them out. )

[nuabudikae]

I think i will order the Evulent model. Thanks again for the link.

[dvornik]

No problem. I've ordered one too. I'll tell you how it goes. I think it may be difficult to lift it up and reposition. But I agree that manufacturers should start working in this direction.

[nuabudikae]

I agree. Yeah please let me know. Since i just dropped $65 bucks on my Logitech MX 700 (which i love but the whole erogonomics thing keeps me looking elsewhere) i hope to find the "perfect" mouse this time.

[dvornik]

Well, it is difficult to pick up in default position. In other positions (if you just grab it) you can easily pick it up but third button is hard to reach. Also, in default position the thumb doesn't provide enough resistance for clicks if you can picture what I mean. Buttons are a little harder to click than what I like, but within standard mice limits. Good idea though. Manufacturing quality is acceptable.

It would be really easy to redesign it to be easy to pick up. All they need is to move thumb rest more towards the middle and make the buttons point downward a bit. It's three finger buttons plus a hard-to press wheel and a loud thumb button. The wheel is the default middle button.

I'll keep it.

[nuabudikae]

so you'll keep it...

Worth the money? If you had it to do over again would you purchase the same mouse or search a bit more to try to find the "perfect" one?

Curious...

[dvornik]

Alternative input devices are kind of a hobby of mine. So I would buy it. But it's not perfect. I'll email them with suggestions.

See - it's optical, has 3 full-sized finger buttons plus a wheel and thumb button - if you could pick it up in default position would be great for 3d. Right now I wouldn't recommend it as a primary 3d mouse.

[nuabudikae]

I have one on order. I expect it to arrive sometime this week. I have pretty large hands so perhaps picking it up won't be a problem for me.

Also if it works well, i don't really see a need to be picking it up and lifting it. I typically run at 1600x1200 rez. for everything, even games. I would love to pick up a TFT that will run native at that but so far they are still kinda pricey.

[dvornik]

Please let me know what you think of it.

[nuabudikae]

i have had the mouse for a few days now and i have put it thru the paces. It takes a little getting used to but i have played my favorite online first person shooter for many hours non stop on seperate occasions with ZERO wrist soreness or fatigue. The only thing sore is my fingers, they seem to cramp up a little after extended playing.

My only beef with the mouse thus far is that it is kinda small. I have fairly big hands and it does feel a tad small. If they came out with a larger one i would not hesitate to pick one up. It is 50 dollars well spent in my opinion.

[nuabudikae]

oh and i also have no problem picking it up, despite its odd shape and moving it around.

[dvornik]

Interesting. I hope they stay in business and develop more products, like left-hand mouse and differently sized mice.

[jhazard]

after many years of looking for the near perfect mouse I'm still in love in my 10$ A4 tech ball mouse.
http://www.a4tech.com/a4techenglish/www-11.htm

Too bad big compnies are sacrificing the real middle button for scrollers, so the most technologicaly advanced mice as mx700 are unusable in maya. logitech mouseware driver is a shame for a company like them. (read bugs and no features)

[dvornik]

Is there a place to buy that A4 www-11? Their reseller doesn't seem to sell them anymore. Looks like a good idea.

[jhazard]

Unfortunately the one place I knew had them must have run out of them.
It was www.pcbay.net
I bouhgt 2 of these last year expecting this to happen, and they were under 10$ so it was a DEAL. But unfortunately my heart softened one day and I gave one to my friend (also working in maya). He praises the day that happened.
But if somethin happens to this mouse now I guess I'll have to retire. no way i'm goin back to some logitechHalfABillionPricedBadlyDesigned Mouse

[nuabudikae]

I'm starting to get some wrist and finger soreness with my Evoluent. I think it is because i have large hands more than anything. At this point i have ordered a special glove from some ergonomics company that is supposed to prevent the carpal tunnel type stuff from happening.

Once i have used it for a while, if anyone is interested i will post my impressions. For now back to the MX700 i think.

[dvornik]

Sure, let us know what you think of that glove.

In case you think that the mouse shape is the reason why you get wrist pain you can try something like Dyna-Form-It, it may look ugly though.

http://www.wisdomking.com/product15785c80019.html

Generally RSI is more of a lifestyle problem IMHO, it's just we don't do enough of other types of activities.