Lugulake Vertical Ergonomic Optical “Stress-Relieving” Mouse
Pros: Remarkably low price ($9.99). On-screen “tracking” is smooth and precise. Left/right buttons are easy-to-click and not unduly noisy. Smooth scroll wheel works well and operates familiarly (unlike the competing “3M” model that I’ll compare below).
Cons: As with a traditional, non-ergonomic mouse (but unlike the competing 3M model), there’s no built-in “palm rest.” Hence the edge of your palm and pinkie can loosely drag across the tabletop.
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UPDATE (AS OF 10/02/2014):
Feel free to disregard my above and below praise of this product . This product stopped functioning about a week ago; in other words, it only worked a few months before failing. Too bad, because it had become my most regularly used mouse.
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A couple of months ago my normally negligible carpal-tunnel-syndrome symptoms flared up rather worrisomely in my wrists and fingers. Hence – in addition to becoming increasingly acquainted with Dragon NaturallySpeaking voice-recognition software – I began seeking not only an “ideal” ergonomic keyboard but also the “perfect” ergonomic mouse. That quest led to my ending up with an assortment of three ergo keyboards and (so far) three ergo mice. I don’t regret this, for it’s nice to occasionally switch between this or that mouse (or keyboard) and thereby enjoy a bit of variety. [Fortunately, in more recent weeks my carpal-tunnel symptoms have once again largely subsided to their usual, longstanding “negligible” or “unnoticeable” level.]
The primary objective of any respectably designed ergonomic mouse is to prevent the “pronation” of the forearm/wrist (as occurs when using a traditional mouse). You can do your own googling on the “health” implications of such pronation; for present purposes, suffice it to say that it’s more healthful to grip a PC mouse as you would when conventionally shaking hands with another person.
I ordered the subject of this review, the Lugulake Vertical Ergonomic Mouse, via Amazon.com for $9.99. [Since this was a “fulfilled-by-Amazon” order, “Prime” shipping was free.] At that price point, this product basically constitutes the most affordable “vertical” ergo mouse available. [Note that this model isn’t available in a left-hand version. (I myself am right-handed.) Moreover, it’s only available as a “wired” USB, not a wireless, mouse. By contrast, the other two competing products that I’ll compare below are wireless.]
But is it worth the money? I think so. During the past month I’ve alternately used this mouse and the following two competing products: the 3M Wireless Ergonomic Mouse [in the so-called “Small” size, which correctly fits my “large” – but not “extra-large”– adult-male hand]; and the fairly ergonomic Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Mouse [included in my “Sculpt Ergonomic Desktop” keyboard/number-pad/mouse bundle]. Considering that the “Sculpt” mouse is configured such that it isn’t as nearly “vertical” as either the “3M” or “Lugulake” alternative (which suggests that that Microsoft mouse only partially prevents pronation), I’m inclined to rank it in third place (behind those other two ergo mice, neither of which is necessarily the “best” ergo/vertical-mouse product available). Frankly, though, I’m still not sure whether the “3M” mouse or this “Lugulake” mouse should be ranked in first place, for both entail not only advantages but also disadvantages.
Whereas the 3M mouse lets me rest the right edge of my palm upon the integrated “base” of the mouse, this Lugulake mouse incorporates no such “palm/finger-rest,” which means the right edge of my palm – and the right edge of my pinkie – freely drag across the surface of my desk’s keyboard tray. [Of course, that’s likewise the case with your typical “traditional” mouse.] Arguably, this is a point in favor of the 3M mouse; however, the the latter’s half-inch-tall “palm rest” causes your forearm to be elevated marginally higher than is the case with this Lugulake mouse. That extra degree of forearm elevation might not be as ergonomically beneficial.
Moreover, unlike this Lugulake mouse’s more conventionally configured, separate “left” and “right” buttons, the 3M mouse’s left-button and right-button functions are activated via a single, concave, “rocking” button that you operate with your thumb tip instead of your fingers.
Also, whereas the 3M mouse’s joystick-like (but actually non-pivoting) handle incorporates a second, auxiliary left-side button that your “curled” middle finger must squeeze (toggle) in order to activate/deactivate the upward/downward “scrolling” function, this Lugulake mouse implements a more conventionally positioned wheel that your largely “extended” middle finger can familiarly manipulate. Arguably, this is a point in favor of this Lugulake mouse; the majority of users – habituated to traditional mice – will likely find it easier to adapt to the latter approach for scrolling.
Furthermore, I find it slightly easier to manipulate – and precisely position – the on-screen cursor via this Lugulake mouse than with the 3M mouse. Doubtless many users will deem this no small point in favor of the Lugulake product over the 3M alternative.
Whereas this Lugulake mouse costs just 10 dollars, the competing 3M mouse normally costs 60 [but I got mine as a “Like New” used specimen for only 30 bucks via “Amazon Warehouse”]. Accordingly, if you’d like to try a “vertical” ergonomic mouse, you could hardly go wrong with this eminently affordable Lugulake model.
During any fairly lengthy session of PC use, I myself tend to switch intermittently between this Lugulake and the 3M alternative. That provides the thumb and fingers (not to mention the wrist) a further measure of beneficial, “multi-positional” variety.
Given the low price point of this made-in-China product, I can easily tolerate the lack of any separate “user manual” inside the product box. However, that box itself includes enough printed text to suffice – despite the text having been composed by someone whose “non-native” grasp of English amuses me [here’s a sample to prove my point]:
“RELIEVE YOUR STRESS. This mouse is a proactive one that avoids the annoying sweat of the fingers, the tension and pressure of certain parts of the arm and hand that are typical of a reduces work shifts in an office or factory, and it’s also suitable or game addicts and the other technology freaks.”