Evoluent – Inventor of The Vertical Mouse – VM4S Ergonomic Vertical Mouse Right Hand Small Wired USB, Sculpted for Comfort, Reduces Wrist Strain, 4 Speeds, 6 Customizable Buttons in Windows

I've had this mouse for about a year now and decided it was time I submitted a product review. After all, I've had a year to evaluate the product and determine if it really does what it claims. For this, let's look at the technical details and product description.I'll start off by saying why I purchased this mouse. I'm not knowledgeable about hand muscles, but my thumb muscle ached on my palm side. I couldn't think of any reason why it would hurt, except that I was ALWAYS on the computer...at work 40 hrs/wk, then I would come home and dork it out for hours on video games. Even when I stopped the video games and just would use a mouse 40 hours a week at work, it would make the same muscle hurt. Voicing my displeasure to my friends, I was first introduced to this mouse by a friend who uses the computer just as much as she is a graphics designer. With her recommendation and reading the reviews, it was a little easier for me to spend $90 on a mouse, in hopes that it would solve my issue. So, let's get to the good stuff! Did it work for me?Technical DetailsThe shape is thoughtfully sculpted for uncompromised comfort and easy-to-reach programmable buttons. No finger contortions are needed to operate the buttonsThis is very accurate. Nothing to expand on here.An extra wide lip along the bottom edge prevents the last finger from rubbing the desk.Yep, pinky does not stick out like I'm going to have a cup of tea to avoid rubbing the mouse pad.Pointer speed controls on the side allow convenient adjustment without even releasing your grip from the mouse. - Yep, but it does take a little getting used to.It's convenient once you know exactly where to put your fingers to change to pointer speed.Top mounted LEDs show through the chrome thumb rest to indicate selected pointer speedOooh. Ahhh. Okay, well, it's not that impressive, but nice to have.The Evoluent VerticalMouse 4 Small is for hands less than about 7 inches or 178 mm long from the tip of the middle finger to the wrist crease.Yes! Finally a mouse to fit my small hands. This mouse is perfect for me. I did measure my hand prior to ordering this mouse to ensure I didn't need the standard one.Product Description:Avoids forearm twisting for comfort and good health The patented shape supports your hand in an upright neutral posture that generally avoids forearm twisting. Many users, including medical doctors, ergonomists and physical therapists, said the Evoluent VerticalMouse provides superior comfort and even relieved their wrist pain.So this is what it comes down to, right? While I did not have wrist pain, I did have palm pain. Did it work? YES!!!! YES!!!!! and if I could type in bigger caps, YYYYYEEEESSSS!. The pain in my palm disappeared in about a week after using this mouse. It's amazing what ergonomics can do for your body. I was able to convince my job to allow my to bring this to work (we never had a permanent desk). Although I did have to tote the mouse back and forth from home, it was worth it. The pain in my palm has not come back since using this mouse. The mouse is still going strong and not having any issues. I did not have a learning curve when I began using this mouse, but I could see some people having to get used to the position of the buttons. You still swipe it side to side to move the mouse, like a regular mouse (I just thought I'd mention this because my coworkers would all ask me how do I move the mouse). I hope this conveniences people who are on the fence about buying $90 mouse that it'll be worth it if it solves your arm, wrist, palm pains. I will buy another one in the future if this one ever dies.

My Kensington Slimblade Trackball USB 2.0 for PC and Mac, K72327US has been acting up. The button that I assigned to "Back" was only intermittently working. While I hadn't been actively looking for a replacement mouse, Amazon featured an ergonomic vertical mouse from Sharkk a couple days ago.While the idea of an ergonomic mouse was intriguing, the reviews of the Sharkk were not thrilling. Eventually, I found the Evoluent, which, while higher priced, had more reassuring reviews.My Tendonitis StoryBefore getting into the details, I need to add some more back story. My right hand has tendonitis (De Quervains) that I believe was caused by the Logitech M570 Wireless Trackball. Through trial and error I wound up using the Kensington Slimblade Trackball USB 2.0 for PC and Mac, K72327US with my left hand. While I am moderately ambidextrous, I still do better with my right hand.Why I'm Glad I Found the Evoluent:► FINALLY...I can switch back to using my right hand. I've tested many mice in the past two years (read my reviews and you'll see), but they all felt uncomfortable due to my tendonitis. With the Evoluent, I knew within minutes that this is going to work.► Easy setup. Installing the drivers was easy and my new mouse was recognized right away.► A wide assortment of buttons conveniently placed. There are six buttons, and a scroll wheel. You can assign each of them to perform not only the usual functions, but also you to launch any programs of your choice. An example using the latter is my assigning of button #2 to launch the volume control.► Very nice rubberized texture for a good grip without having to apply pressure.► Dedicated button for pointer speed and eye candy indicator along with it. I have never seen this before and was amazed. Rather than going into mouse settings, you can control the speed the point using these buttons on the mouse itself. Thus, you can customize for certain applications requiring varying levels of intricate mouse movement.► A shape that, once you're use to it, allows you to work with a relaxed hand.My only gripe:► Feels warm during the summer. I've purchased this mouse during the months of the waning summer. I've noticed that the rubberized surface is a little unconformable when the temp is high in your surrounding environment. This is minor and not worth deducting a star for.At first, I was skeptical, but this did win me over within minutes. This mouse gives back to me the control I was missing when using my less dexterous left hand on the Kensington Trackball. It's fun to used and, whether you have tendentious or just want a button, more comfortable mouse, this is one to include in your wishlist.And finally, what about similar looking mice (likely copies) that are priced at 1/3 or less of the price of the Evoluent? I would say this, you can only make informed decision if you try the top of the line Evoluent and, then try the cheaper versions. In my case, I did this and because the quality of the Evoluent is so self-evident that I didn't even want to waste my time trying the others.