Found a NIB 3M Ergonomic Mouse at $12 at one of my usual haunts, so it's mine. I like it. Unfortunately, it's the petite model, and my hand is definitely in the Grande category.
Otherwise, it's awesome because it allows arm control AND wrist control; Unlike the
Monster Gecko pistol mouse, the 3M ergo gives useful fine motor control from only wrist movements. I've been using the pistol mouse for perhaps a year. with the Gecko I need to touch/drag a pinky on the mousing surface in order to get fine motion control. Not so with the 3M. With the 3M, I can swiftly position the cursor between specific letters in a word, using ARM movement. The wrist movement is for the really close work.
At the office, I am fond of saying
"It's a mouse that lets my hand stay upright. I can pay $7 for one that looks like a gun, or $70 for one that looks like a Danish design award." Well, now I've paid $12 for one that looks like a design award.
The controls do take some getting used to.
- The thumb controls a rocker for left/right click. Fortunately there's plenty of room to rest the thumb in the ready position without actually pressing on the rocker.
- The shaft has a 3rd button, which functions as a scroll button. Press the shaft button and push the whole device up the desk to scroll up, press and pull to scroll down. I find that I really like this because it allows a fine control of speed and distance of scroll.
It's also given me a whole new outlook in teflon pads on mice. This thing glides like good sex. ON a mouse pad it's nice. On a hardwood desk, it's orgasmic. I'mma gonna get teflon pads on alla my mouses.
Perhaps the most important thing is that it relaxes my hand. Back when I first got computer glasses in my prescription, I was amazed at how much I was NOT working to see the screen any more. When I got a Kinesis Contoured keyboard, I was amazed at how much wrist and arm work I could avoid, at how FAST my chronic neck and arm pain abated. I'd pay full retail for a Kinesis if I ever have to. The 3M Ergonomic Mouse is like that, but for my hand. It's amazing how much work I'm not doing any more to control the cursor. The platform cups my hand so it doesn't drag on the surface, and keeps the palm in position no matter where it is relative to my body. I'm looking forward to having one of these around if my arthritis gets as bad as my mom's. I'll even pay $70 for one in my size.
Recommended. It's nice. It outclasses the Gecko in simple control, and the and the Evoluent vertical mouse for comfort and relaxation. I just wish it had been a large size. If you have a large and want the petite, send me PM.
