Computer mice

[gizmo]

My cordless mouse stopped scrolling.

I shopped for a new mouse and bought a cheap vertical mouse that came with a mouse pad with wrist rest. ($20)

I like the feel of it, I used to occasionally get some soreness in my wrist so I thought it might be a good idea.

It is a store brand but appears identical to the Anker cordless vertical mouse which is sold everywhere. Identical looking mice with other brand names are everywhere too.

It took a day to get the hang of it but generally I like it. However...

After a couple of days using it, I have pain in my elbow, on the outer edge, feels like tennis elbow. I can't think of anything else I might have done to strain that part of my arm. I have repaired a front load washer yesterday/today, but not done anything memorably strenuous as part of that.

I have an office chair with armrests, I rest my arms on the armrests so mouse movement is done with my wrist/hand/fingers, how-to videos online suggest using the arm to move the mouse and try to limit wrist movement. To do that I'd have to remove the armrest - it is removable. It gets in the way if I am not resting my arm on it. Whaddya think?

Does anyone here have experience with a vertical mouse? Did it cause any arm/elbow pain? did it alleviate any wrist pain? Any preferred models?

I am a cheapskate so if you recommend a $150 mouse, don't bother, it isn't going to happen.

I am thinking of a Kensington Pro fit vertical mouse (no trackball), anyone used one? (link below)

 

or maybe this one: https://www.nomorepainergonomics.com.au/products/delux-vertical-ergonomic-mouse-m618

 

I have never used a trackball but I don't like the idea. Could be talked into one though...

 

BTW I have fixed the old cordless mouse, but now I would like to get a more ergonomic mouse IF they live up to the claims...

https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop...o-fit-vertical-wireless-mouse-black-ke75501ww

 

[donprohel]

Trackballs

The main advantage with trackballs is that you do not have to move your hand on the table, and hence there is no strain on your arm.

I know that a trackball looks weird, but the effect on the arm and hand is in my opinion remarkable, because the muscles do not have to "work".

I am using this model from Logi, and the angle makes it really comfortable to use. Whether it is worth the price, is to discuss... For me it is, but that's just me

https://www.logitech.com/en-us/products/mice/mx-ergo-wireless-trackball-mouse.html?crid=7

 

[gizmo]

Just found that one on Officeworks website. Silly thing is, I  searched "trackball" on their website a couple of days ago and got 0 matches...

It is $148 in Australia.

https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop...h-mx-ergo-wireless-trackball-mouse-inlogmxerg

 

[foraloysius]

I have used several trackball mice, they made things worse. There were two solutions for me that worked best.

1. Use a mouse with your other hand. I am right handed, but when I use a mouse, I only use it with my left hand now. Apparently left handed mousing (?) causes less problems than right handed.

2. I bought a very cheap mouse with a cord. It was much easier to use than anything else because it's lighter than something with a battery. Another option would be a trackpad with a pen.

 

[vacerator]

Well, I don't

want mice in my computer (joke), but my wireless trackball mouse kept acting up. The left (back) button was clicking twice. I sprayed canned air in it, and it didn't help. I don't have tv tuner cleaner spray. I looked online and found a tutorial on taking it apart and cleaning an re-aligning the contacts. What? No.
So I connected my old wired trackball and all is fine.

 

[rp2813]

I've been using a trackball for the past 15 years or so without any issues.

 

I think the ergonomics of a given situation are a key concern with any type of mouse, but I've had less than ideal configurations with my desk arrangements and I believe the trackball has helped avoid developing any problems.

 

[mattl]

Trackball is my preferred mouse.  I've got 4 computers scattered around the house.  I use the track pad on my laptop and various mouse types at the others.  My main computer has a Logitec trackball hard wired and it's my favorite, been using it for 15+ years. Using my thumb for most tasks is quick and easy, but there was a bit of a learning curve. Never had any discomfort using the trackball.  I thought about adding a trackball mouse to the others but for some reason last I looked the $ went up quite a bit so it never happened.

 

[mrboilwash]

Chris, if you think you might develop tennis elbow don`t take it lightly.
An ice pack several times a day for as long as you can bear it can keep inflammation in check without the side effects of NSAIDs.
Using the mouse with the other hand for a while is also an excellent idea.
Had a bad tennis elbow myself recently slowly recovering by now. Not sure if it was the cheap new mouse to blame for or if I just worked out too hard. Point is I didn`t take it seriously at the beginning so the treatment including physiotherapy was unnecessarily long.

 

[gizmo]

I am thinking of a trackball now...maybe? I will try a couple in store.

Interesting that it was no good for Louis, good for others. It shows how individual this can be.

I have removed the arms from my office chair and re-adjusted the chair with more rearward tilt on the base, as I was slipping forward in the chair. It is much more comfortable, IDK why I didn't do it ages ago.

Maybe the best thing is to have a selection of pointing devices (mouse, trackball) and alternate them.

I will try using the old mouse in my left hand. The new "ergonomic" mouse is right hand only.

I am actually strongly left handed but I have always used the mouse in right hand. It allows me to keep pen and paper at my left hand.

 

 

[gizmo]

LH mouse

I read recently that one suggestion for mouse arm soreness was to use a small keyboard with no numeric keypad. The idea was to have the mouse more in line with your arm and shoulder, not offset to the right. Left hand mousing would achieve the same with a standard keyboard. thanks for the idea, Louis.