14 votes

Vertical mice anyone? They really help my wrist pain.

A really long time ago I was introduced to the Evoluent Vertical Mouse. Even though I was only in my early twenties I already had wrist issues and I thought this thing was god send. It was clunky but totally worth it.

These days there are a ton of vertical mice available. Is anyone else into these? I am looking to get a new one now that I'm on the mouse/keyboard a lot again. Do you have a preferred model?

note: If you have wrist issues and are curious, I highly recommend trying one out. One caveat is that the cheap one I got off of amazon recently is a bit too small for a decent sized guy like myself. Filling out your palm seems really important for maximum relief.

22 comments

  1. [2]
    ThiccPad
    Link
    There was a discussion on trackball a while back. Trackballs are quite useful if you got RSI: https://tildes.net/~games/eyk/does_anyone_use_a_trackball_mouse

    There was a discussion on trackball a while back. Trackballs are quite useful if you got RSI: https://tildes.net/~games/eyk/does_anyone_use_a_trackball_mouse

    6 votes
    1. Neverland
      Link Parent
      Yeah, thanks for the link. I do remember that conversation. I could never get accurate enough with the pointer on a trackball. Though I know others seem to do just fine.

      Yeah, thanks for the link. I do remember that conversation. I could never get accurate enough with the pointer on a trackball. Though I know others seem to do just fine.

      1 vote
  2. [7]
    Kremor
    Link
    A few weeks ago I started to feel pain and mild numbness in my right hand after using the mouse, the numbness could last for several days. So I bought a vertical mouse and the pain went away...

    A few weeks ago I started to feel pain and mild numbness in my right hand after using the mouse, the numbness could last for several days. So I bought a vertical mouse and the pain went away almost intermediately, really recommend it.

    For the curious I bought this one. All the bad reviews seem to be from people that have hands too big or too small.

    5 votes
    1. [6]
      Neverland
      (edited )
      Link Parent
      I have two mice on my desk right now, one for each machine. When I go back to the non-vertical mouse the pain returns after just a few minutes. I'm going to try this software which should give me...

      I have two mice on my desk right now, one for each machine. When I go back to the non-vertical mouse the pain returns after just a few minutes. I'm going to try this software which should give me cross-machine mousing. Hope it works across Win 10 and Ubuntu 19.04.

      edit: clarity

      2 votes
      1. [5]
        tomf
        Link Parent
        oh man, Barrier looks great. I've got pro licenses for both versions of Synergy -- but it seems like their development / company is in shambles. The software itself is really amazing. I've never...

        oh man, Barrier looks great. I've got pro licenses for both versions of Synergy -- but it seems like their development / company is in shambles.

        The software itself is really amazing. I've never been able to disable clipboard sharing, but you can at least set a limit for it. I prefer having a double-tap to change screens, since there are some goofy glitches if you're using photoshop or any other tool-based application that activates a selector.

        All in all, the conept for the software is excellent. The execution for v1 is pretty good, but I don't have a lot of faith in the company. This fork is welcome news.

        1 vote
        1. [4]
          Neverland
          (edited )
          Link Parent
          Barrier is indeed great! I just installed and it works flawlessly[0]. I can now mouse right off of one machine to another. I didn't even have to compile it anywhere. On Ubuntu I just used Software...

          Barrier is indeed great! I just installed and it works flawlessly[0]. I can now mouse right off of one machine to another.

          I didn't even have to compile it anywhere. On Ubuntu I just used Software Center, and on Windows I used the binaries here.

          Here is a dummys-style simple guide regarding use and setup.

          One note, on the server side, make sure that you use the clients' exact hostname as the name in the server config.

          What a great example of FOSS.

          edit: oh, and @tomf, I found clipboardSharing = true in the conf file.

          [0]: The only thing that's missing is additional mouse button support: https://github.com/debauchee/barrier/pull/242

          1 vote
          1. [3]
            tomf
            Link Parent
            does disabling the keyboard actually work? With proper synergy (both their failed v2 and v1) it always copies over regardless of the setting... and I hate it, until I have to paste a URL or...

            does disabling the keyboard actually work? With proper synergy (both their failed v2 and v1) it always copies over regardless of the setting... and I hate it, until I have to paste a URL or something. The worst part about it is that it's not consistent.

            I stumbled upon network KVMs one night when looking for a physical KVM. I'm so amazed with how well they work. I couldn't imagine life without it.

            Anyway, thanks for the head's up re: Barrier -- and welcome to the nKVM club!

            1 vote
            1. [2]
              Neverland
              Link Parent
              Disabling the shared clipboard does work for me. I just saved to a config file on the server, manually edited the .sgc file to include clipboardSharing = false, then I restarted and it does indeed...

              does disabling the keyboard actually work?

              Disabling the shared clipboard does work for me.

              I just saved to a config file on the server, manually edited the .sgc file to include clipboardSharing = false, then I restarted and it does indeed stop sharing the clipboard.

              BTW, in my grandparent all of the "how to" stuff was meant at other less informed folks such as myself, I assumed you knew what was up in general :) And yeah, nKVM is awesome, I had no idea.

              1 vote
              1. tomf
                Link Parent
                I might switch over. In some sort of twisted reverse Murphy's Law, disabling clipboard sharing has magically started working. haha. I swear this is some sort of sick, twisted simulation.

                I might switch over. In some sort of twisted reverse Murphy's Law, disabling clipboard sharing has magically started working. haha. I swear this is some sort of sick, twisted simulation.

                1 vote
  3. Staross
    Link
    I've got an Evoluent too, I really like it. I have a normal mouse at work though. To be honest I think it's mainly FPS games that were fucking my wrist, vertical mouse or not. I'm thinking about...

    I've got an Evoluent too, I really like it. I have a normal mouse at work though. To be honest I think it's mainly FPS games that were fucking my wrist, vertical mouse or not.

    I'm thinking about buying the new model, the plastic starts to get really messed up one mine, it's not the best material to be honest.

    2 votes
  4. nic
    Link
    I've had success with the rollermouse for about ten years now.

    I've had success with the rollermouse for about ten years now.

    2 votes
  5. kfwyre
    Link
    I use this one (the same one @moocow1452 linked) and like it. I don't need my mouse to do anything fancy--just point and click--and this succeeds at that. Like you, I have large hands, so I would...

    I use this one (the same one @moocow1452 linked) and like it. I don't need my mouse to do anything fancy--just point and click--and this succeeds at that.

    Like you, I have large hands, so I would prefer it to be bigger. When I palm the body of the mouse, my fingers go past the ends of the buttons, but by scooting them back just a bit, it's decently comfortable. I have actually been eyeing the Evoluent as a replacement, but I can't justify the cost.

    2 votes
  6. acdw
    (edited )
    Link
    I'm really glad to have seen this -- my right wrist/hand has been hurting lately and I think it's related to mouse usage. I'll have to try one of these out! UPDATE: just bought one, am trying it...

    I'm really glad to have seen this -- my right wrist/hand has been hurting lately and I think it's related to mouse usage. I'll have to try one of these out!

    UPDATE: just bought one, am trying it now. Got a Carpal Tunnel diagnosis, so we'll see if it helps.

    2 votes
  7. [5]
    moocow1452
    Link
    Tried a vertical mouse, seemed to be more of a strain to use it long term, tbh. Maybe I was doing it wrong.

    Tried a vertical mouse, seemed to be more of a strain to use it long term, tbh. Maybe I was doing it wrong.

    1 vote
    1. [4]
      Neverland
      Link Parent
      Interesting, do you recall the model at all?

      Interesting, do you recall the model at all?

      1 vote
      1. [3]
        moocow1452
        Link Parent
        https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FPAVUHC
        2 votes
        1. [2]
          lepigpen
          Link Parent
          I am using this one currently. Right wrist has been broken twice. It helps me quite a bit but your entire set up needs to be ergonomic and comfortable. You can't be hover clawing the mouse over...

          I am using this one currently. Right wrist has been broken twice. It helps me quite a bit but your entire set up needs to be ergonomic and comfortable. You can't be hover clawing the mouse over your desk. You want to have a natural rested arm and let your hand fall on the mouse naturally.

          The problem, of course, is if you're all over the place on a spread sheet or playing a video game this rested state isn't conducive to speed and accuracy. But that's life in general, sacrifice comfort for speed and performance.

          My suggestion, if you can't use a vertical mouse, is to find a nice tall mouse with a high inner side as an in-between. As long as you aren't using a perfectly symmetrical flat mouse that forces you to twist your arm from the elbow to the wrist.

          1 vote
          1. moocow1452
            Link Parent
            What I'm currently using is a normal mouse in my offhand, and an ergonomic keyboard with a built-in trackpad. It's better in that my hand doesn't feel like it's going to fall off, but it's not...

            What I'm currently using is a normal mouse in my offhand, and an ergonomic keyboard with a built-in trackpad. It's better in that my hand doesn't feel like it's going to fall off, but it's not fantastic. Starting to think that constantly messing around with my phone isn't helping things either.

            I'm working at a call center, so speed is kind of a priority, and I can't drop a lot on a mouse.

            1 vote
  8. [2]
    moocow1452
    Link
    Question, I'm trying the vertical mouse again, would it be better to use some sort of arm or wrist grip, or just to use it naked? Seems like a wrist rest just makes it work against itself and...

    Question, I'm trying the vertical mouse again, would it be better to use some sort of arm or wrist grip, or just to use it naked? Seems like a wrist rest just makes it work against itself and ideally it would all be level, but I can't find confirmation on that.

    1 vote
    1. Neverland
      (edited )
      Link Parent
      I cannot answer this question authoritatively at all... and this is your health, so maybe ignore what I am saying here... My only thoughts are that if the wrap helps prevent the arm-twisting...

      I cannot answer this question authoritatively at all... and this is your health, so maybe ignore what I am saying here... My only thoughts are that if the wrap helps prevent the arm-twisting ergonomic issues outlined here, then the wrap should be unnecessary with the vertical mouse.

      However, my additional gut feeling is that if you have been wrapped for a while, then there might be some crossover time involved?

  9. Neverland
    (edited )
    Link
    Related issue: bicycle handlebars. Since this Topic was already bumped by my last comment, I would just like to add that the issue which the vertical mouse solves, arm bone twisting, is also an...

    Related issue: bicycle handlebars. Since this Topic was already bumped by my last comment, I would just like to add that the issue which the vertical mouse solves, arm bone twisting, is also an issue that happens on bicycle handlebars. On the bike you also twist your forearms 90 degrees, which is unnatural. The Cane Creek Ergo Bar End is a life-saver for me. I cannot use a bike for real without these barends. I can explain more on the very important fitting issues here if anyone is interested. It involves making a grip trim so that you can reach the end of your brake with at least one finger.

    Note: Please ignore the photo in that Cane Creak link, it shows the bar end, but you should not have a 90 degree kink in your wrist when using this.. your arm and wrist should always be in-line. Even without this bar end, a big improvement is to rotate your brakes down in-line with your forearm. It blows my mind that this is not a standard bike fitting thing.

    1 vote
  10. Litmus2336
    (edited )
    Link
    I love my vertical mouse, I had pretty bad wrist pain before it. I have this one for home:...

    I love my vertical mouse, I had pretty bad wrist pain before it. I have this one for home: https://www.amazon.com/PABREY-Vertical-Ergonomic-Adjustable-Sensitivity/dp/B07H9CNWNC/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=Vertical+mouse+wired&qid=1562885206&s=gateway&sr=8-8
    because I prefer wired, and this one at works: https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Wireless-Vertical-Ergonomic-Optical/dp/B00BIFNTMC/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_147_t_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=Y5JM1165Y9RGZ8NCEVY2

    There's tons of knock offs, all made in the same factory. They do the job quite well.

    1 vote