Comfotable and Functional Mouse for Carpal

[rocnroll]

I realize that this may fall under the category of it all depends on what works for you, but I'm looking for suggestions, handy tips etc... I could and have spent time Googling and visiting different stores to check out different mice, but hey you guys use all kinds of hardware, I figure it's worth posting here.

I'm trying to either find a mouse with a bit more arch to fit my hand or a clever way to mod the mouse to make it more comfortable.


I have carpal tunnel (it's better than it was years ago) and I also find myself squeezing the heck out of the mouse from time to time (it's corded, so I can't toss it very far :)).
I currently use a Logitech M5 (the one button model) and I like it for performance and button use.
The only mouse that I found that has a nice arc and functionality is a wireless mouse from Logitech (brain fart at the moment).
I also have a Belkin n52te, but the thumb stick does nothing for me. I have eyed the Logitech G13 and it feels pretty good.
Finally, I use a Logitech G11 (3 sets of 18 buttons FTW).

Obviously the value of something that is comfortable and functional to me is priceless, but any tips or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[mikekim]

i always found that the logitech G5 was suited to my natrual hand position, so thats what I use

[SFbase]

I find that having my arm all the way to my elbow on the desk (my desk is in the shape of a J from ikea) helps with wrist pain. I try to have as little pressure on my wrist as possible. And if I'm at a desk where I can't have my elbow supported by the desk, I'll sit in a chair that has arm rest, and try to support my elbow on the arm rest. So with pressure off of my wrist, I find that any mouse works for me, as long as it is not too small (like the small portable ones for laptops). I myself use the Microsoft sidewinder x8 (http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/gaming/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=103). I like it 'cause the side thumb buttons are nice and big, the mouse is aesthetically pleasing, and ergonomic.

[Herc130]

Should point out I use a mouse for left click, right click and scroll wheel and never saw a use for using them for anything more then that. For comfort, I always liked the Logitech revolution. Have two of em for when one runs low on juice I can swap em out. I got this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104321

because it's pretty much the same shape as the revolution and it can charge on a USB cord while n use. In actual use, the USB cord is kinda stiff, so it does effect my use a little. So far though, never had the battery need charging while I was using and I can go for some pretty long sessions. And yah, it does track over glass table tops fine. My computer table is an all clear glass top and just to see if their BSing, I played a while with no mouse pad and it tracked perfectly on the glass. One thing I should point out is that the side thumb buttons were moved back a tiny bit from how the revolution had it....which I think makes it harder to use, however I never use those buttons myself although no doubt others may.

[aboron]

I was considering one of these:

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=086

It felt very comfortable at the store, but i'd really want one more button to make it work with my current setup (I have Alt, Ctrl, and space on my current mouse buttons, I guess i could sacrifice jump and move it)

I also like the look of some of these:

http://www.goldtouch.com/c-6-ergonomic-mice.aspx

but i'd like to put one in my hand before buying.

[Mukade]

Actualy I had mild carpal tunnel until I stopped using Logitech mice.

They may look ergonomic with their very sculpted shape, but it doesn't actually promote a relaxed hand position (at least for me). The width of the mouse between the grooves for the thumb and 3rd finger is too small, and that encourages gripping the mouse. Also they don't really arch up under the palm, instead the slow curve falls under the fingers, meaning you have to grip slightly front to back too.

Now I'm using a Razer mouse intended for FPS games, and I can see a lot of design features that you'd expect from people who use a mouse intensely for hours on end, and demand much more from a mouse.

The shape quite literally allows me to flop my hand on top of it completely relaxed, and the arch at the rear fits right into the depression of my palm, behind the base of the fingers, while the width at the front of the mouse, being greater than that of the Logitechs I have, means I don't have to squeeze between the rather unnatural combination of thumb and 3rd finger. The whole thing is covered in non-slip rubber, and combined with the lightness it needs no gripping at all to move. The only time you need to put even the slightest pressure on your fingers, is when you're clicking buttons.

Add to this the main feature of FPS mice, their sensitivity. In FPS games precision aiming is absolutely vital to winning, and while many would expect a lower sensitivity to make this easier, the reverse is actually true. With a low sensitivity, you have to move the mouse a lot further, and you're doing the aiming with your elbow and wrist, moving the mouse around a lot, which can get tiring. Also the precision isn't great, as you're not wired to be quite as accurate in those large movements, as you are moving just your fingers. That's why the sensitivity is so high on gaming mice. When you move the mouse using small finger movements, you have a lot more control of where you aim, allowing flawless headshots in factions of a second.

In WoW my mouse lets me turn a full 360 degrees in just over 2" of sideways movement, so most of the time it's hardly moving at all, and I hardly ever have to pick it up to be able to turn far enough, especially when it's on one of the huge low friction Razer mouse mats.

The mouse mat is made to match the feet on the bottom of the mouse, to minimise friction as much as possible, and is big enough that the mouse can sit on one edge, while my elbow is just off the other edge.

The only problem with this kind of mouse is getting used to the change in sensitivity, it feels wierd at first, and takes a couple of weeks of use to get the hang of controlling something that is so light and twitchy, but once you've got past it moving your mouse around is a lot less strain. The sensitivity also comes in handy when you've got a massive desktop space to cover, from having several high resolution monitors. 6" to cross 3840 pixels for me (and it's funny watching other people try and control your mouse when they're used to having to pick one up repeatedly to cross the whole desktop).

[rocnroll]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions so far. Mukade made stop and think about the mice I use. Logitech at home for gaming and a MS at work (cause that is what came with our PCs). I'm going to have to go to Best Buy and check the feel out for the Razer. Since I've used Logitech so long, that may be part of my problem (plus I'm a computer geek at work, home err everywhere :)).

Thanks!

[Targ]

If you have carpal tunnel it is best to just give up the mice. It is the constant squeezing pressure you apply to grip the mouse that will give you problems. So switch to a Track ball, and not one with a tiny little marble for a ball. Find a track ball with a ball 2" in diameter or more.

The track ball that we use at work for anyone with carpal tunnel issues is a Expert Mouse from Kensington (http://us.kensington.com/html/2200.html).

Multiboxing Everquest2 gave me Carpal tunnel. The PCB layout guy at work has carpal tunnel and recommended I switched to a track ball. I started using a track ball and don't have any more problems.
Well I should say I don't have any more problems with my hand, I still have lots of other problems.

Sorry the Expert Mouse only has 4 buttons and a scroll ring. But it will make your hand stop hurting. :)

[rocnroll]

If you have carpal tunnel it is best to just give up the mice. It is the constant squeezing pressure you apply to grip the mouse that will give you problems. So switch to a Track ball, and not one with a tiny little marble for a ball. Find a track ball with a ball 2" in diameter or more.

The track ball that we use at work for anyone with carpal tunnel issues is a Expert Mouse from Kensington (http://us.kensington.com/html/2200.html).

Multiboxing Everquest2 gave me Carpal tunnel. The PCB layout guy at work has carpal tunnel and recommended I switched to a track ball. I started using a track ball and don't have any more problems.
Well I should say I don't have any more problems with my hand, I still have lots of other problems.

Sorry the Expert Mouse only has 4 buttons and a scroll ring. But it will make your hand stop hurting. :)

I've never seen that model, I've tried the two Logitech Trackman, but had problems with movement (probably wasn't patient enough to learn to move). I'm trying the Rzer Death Adder, but man is it sensitive. I've realized just how much I squeeze the mouse now days, so this has potential.

Thanks.

[Bollwerk]

I used to have lots of pain with "regular" type mice. Then I found this and have never gone back:
http://evoluent.com/
I love them so much that I have 3 of them - left handed, right handed and wireless

They look wierd, but they are SO much more comfortable for long gaming / computer use.
They aren't the cheapest, but they are VERY much worth it, IMHO.

[Targ]

I've never seen that model, I've tried the two Logitech Trackman, but had problems with movement (probably wasn't patient enough to learn to move). I'm trying the Rzer Death Adder, but man is it sensitive. I've realized just how much I squeeze the mouse now days, so this has potential.

Thanks.

The ball on the Logitech Trackman is just too small, I had one and I agree is is very hard to move well.
The Kensington Trackball has a much bigger ball, I think about 2X the size of the Logitech. It takes a little pratice to get useing it. But once you do you don't want to go back to a mouse. I really do love it and it made a huge change in my hand. I was at the point my hand was hurting all the time, I thought I was going to have to stop playing. I have trackball both at work and home, now I don't have any hand pain, while playing 6+ hours a day.

This is what the HR people at my company make us change to if we tell them we are having Carpal tunnel issues.