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R/E/P => Mastering Dynamics => Topic started by: Viitalahde on September 16, 2011, 12:36:02 PM

Title: A good wireless mouse?
Post by: Viitalahde on September 16, 2011, 12:36:02 PM
After I pounded in a couple of hundred of 150cm steel rods into the ground (one handed with a sledge hammer, was building a sheep fence), I think I developed a condition of lateral epicondyliti - tennis elbow.

My right arm is pretty screwed up, and it seems my current mouse is ergonomically terrible. I need a new one so I can cure the arm for good.

Any suggestions?
Title: Re: A good wireless mouse?
Post by: MatteskyK on September 16, 2011, 01:06:05 PM
I'm pretty happy with my Logitech wireless trackball.  The thumb portion does take a bit getting used to, but once you have the trackball placed where you like, it's pretty comfortable.  http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0351635
Title: Re: A good wireless mouse?
Post by: Dave-G on September 16, 2011, 03:52:39 PM
Trying to break Bill Roberts' record for ground rods?

Anyway, I hate trackballs, and having suffered from lateral epicondylitis before myself, can only envision them making it worse.

I really like the Logitech laser (MX) mouse. Ergonomic, responsive, well-featured.

BTW, my brother, who is a tennis dork, made me a very helpful video a couple of years ago, with some simple exercises and stretching routines that helped me with my elbow ... email me and I'll send it to you, if you're interested.

Handshakes and doorknobs are not your friend right now, eh?

-Dave
Title: Re: A good wireless mouse?
Post by: MatteskyK on September 16, 2011, 04:22:46 PM
Anyway, I hate trackballs, and having suffered from lateral epicondylitis before myself, can only envision them making it worse.

I really like the Logitech laser (MX) mouse. Ergonomic, responsive, well-featured.


-Dave

Being that I never had lateral epicondylitis, I would probably take Dave's advice (If I were in your shoes). 
Title: Re: A good wireless mouse?
Post by: bradsarno on September 16, 2011, 05:56:59 PM
In the Mac world, I've actually really been enjoying the new Magic Mouse with some additional gestures via 3rd party app.

It's like a mouse and trackpad in one. I was a Kensington pro track ball guy for 10 years or so, and I'm really liking this test drive of the Magic Mouse.

My wife likes the Magic Trackpad.


B


Title: Re: A good wireless mouse?
Post by: Allen Corneau on September 16, 2011, 10:04:20 PM
A few suggestions...

To take some work off your mouse-hand:
-Learn as many quick-key combo's as you can
-Get yourself an X-Keys controller (they're awesome!)

To help with the elbow:
-Get yourself a set of the Thera-Band Flexbars.
-Do your exercises!
Title: Re: A good wireless mouse?
Post by: bblackwood on September 16, 2011, 11:52:54 PM
Been there, done that (weightlifting)...

First, lose the mouse, get a trackball - awkward at first, but it helps immobilize the arm.

Second, pick up something like this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00267SFW0 (they're awesome, you won't believe how much they help)

Last: lots of anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen) and rest - it's an irritated tendon and will often take a LONG time to heal (read: months) as it's used constantly whether you realize it or not.

Be aggressive in how you treat it and you'll be fine - shortcuts will lead to this being a long term issue.
Title: Re: A good wireless mouse?
Post by: Jerry Tubb on September 17, 2011, 05:50:33 AM
Deep tissue massage.

Trackball.

Stretching or other flexibility exercise.

These keep me running.

JT
Title: Re: A good wireless mouse?
Post by: Cass Anawaty on September 17, 2011, 11:49:31 AM
Trackball here, too.  Stretching and warm up good.
Title: Re: A good wireless mouse?
Post by: aleatoric on September 17, 2011, 04:01:22 PM
Been very happy with my Apple Magic Mouse.
Title: Re: A good wireless mouse?
Post by: Thomas W. Bethel on September 18, 2011, 07:32:51 AM
Similar problem here when I had to hand excavate a six in deep - four inch wide - 8 foot long trench in solid concrete to get to my heating pipes buried in the ground. I did it with a chisel and a two pound sledge. Not fun! The contractor quoted me an astronomical price which I could not afford. I had "tennis elbow" for about a year afterwards. I too like the mice that have been suggested. I also have no problems with track balls. The new track pad from MAC looks interesting http://www.apple.com/magictrackpad/. If you want to go completely away from a mouse look at this http://naturalpoint.com/smartnav/

Best of luck!
Title: Re: A good wireless mouse?
Post by: Jerry Tubb on September 18, 2011, 05:50:25 PM
Also, jiggling a pair of tai chi balls for a few minutes a day can be very relaxing to those stressed tendons.

I've got a pair just like these, that I'm jiggling at the moment, after a few hours of strenuous yard work:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdOCDf6Hx9Q&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Cheers, JT
Title: Re: A good wireless mouse?
Post by: bradsarno on September 18, 2011, 07:51:39 PM
Good acupuncture and homeopathic remedies such as "arnica montana" and also comfrey can work miracles for such injuries.


Brad


Title: Re: A good wireless mouse?
Post by: Jerry Tubb on September 18, 2011, 08:36:26 PM
We went through a phase of dipping our hands and wrists in hot wax as well, feels really good.

Yeah I'm also a geek for this alternative stuff.  JT
Title: Re: A good wireless mouse?
Post by: Cass Anawaty on September 18, 2011, 09:21:46 PM
We went through a phase of dipping our hands and wrists in hot wax as well, feels really good.
I wouldn't try that with the "Tai Chi" balls......
Title: Re: A good wireless mouse?
Post by: Jerry Tubb on September 18, 2011, 11:00:35 PM
I wouldn't try that with the "Tai Chi" balls......

Hahaha! I was waiting on some wise acre to drop the other shoe...

Cheers, JT
Title: Re: A good wireless mouse?
Post by: bradsarno on September 20, 2011, 10:29:29 AM
The Apple Magic Mouse with this 3rd party app is pretty amazing:

http://www.boastr.de/

It's called "A Better Touch Tool", and allows for a ton of custom commands specific to any app you choose. I've created all kinds of quick commands, rewind to marker, record, close window, scroll, zoom, etc. all without ever lifting my hand off the mouse. 1, 2, and 3 fingered gestures, like three fingers down and tap the left finger, or 3 fingers swipe upward, etc. Extremely customizable. This Better Touch Tool app also works on the Magic Track Pad.

And to use this mouse on a PC, here's some info. There may be better options now.

http://uneasysilence.com/archive/2009/11/14588/




Brad
Title: Re: A good wireless mouse?
Post by: Viitalahde on September 20, 2011, 02:35:36 PM
Huge thanks for all the suggestions, guys!

My condition is not terrible - it's now better than it used to be about two months ago, but it can also go downhill very quickly.

I'm putting my hillbilly clothes on tomorrow and heading for the city. I'll try to test some trackballs on how they feel like, and I'll also try to track down one of those arm bands/supports.

It's been a few years since I've last been to a gym. I've kept my muscles in an OK condition by doing some manual labor, but I've anyway felt like starting again now that there's some more peace in life. I'd imagine I need to start pretty easy with this hand.

BTW, my brother, who is a tennis dork, made me a very helpful video a couple of years ago, with some simple exercises and stretching routines that helped me with my elbow ... email me and I'll send it to you, if you're interested.

Handshakes and doorknobs are not your friend right now, eh?

Cool, I'll email you. The pain comes and goes, and can come in surprising situations. A few days ago I was using an battery drill, and was in hell for the evening. Today I climbed up on the roof an squeezed some sealant in.. No huge pain there.
Title: Re: A good wireless mouse?
Post by: fuse on October 08, 2011, 08:10:54 PM
There isn't a single solution since nobody is the same. Choice of a mouse or trackball differs per person. Just try out things that you think may work and go from there. In addition it also may be about the chair and height of table and monitor as well. Its probably even more personal as your analog chain is.  ;)

Maybe in a few years monitors with touchable surface and simulated resistance will be standard and the mouse will be come a rare commodity.
Title: Re: A good wireless mouse?
Post by: Jerry Tubb on October 09, 2011, 06:39:01 PM
Maybe in a few years monitors with touchable surface and simulated resistance will be standard and the mouse will be come a rare commodity.

A large iPad type touch screen surface would be interesting.

JT
Title: Re: A good wireless mouse?
Post by: Gold on October 10, 2011, 01:08:40 PM
I use one of these. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823166009

I've always found laptop style touchpads easier on my hand and wrist.
Title: Re: A good wireless mouse?
Post by: Viitalahde on October 19, 2011, 03:48:35 AM
OK, an update: I bought a trackball, and it's definately better for my arm. I'm gonna keep it.

I didn't even think of it, but Paul gave me a great idea of a laptop style touchpad. I've always liked touchpads, and I'm gonna order a new keyboard. That way I'll have two choices - and the trackball has been great in that I can take it with me and use from everywhere. Sometimes I go and sit on the client seats for leveling the tracks.
Title: Re: A good wireless mouse?
Post by: PBM on October 19, 2011, 04:46:57 AM
OK, an update: I bought a trackball, and it's definately better for my arm. I'm gonna keep it.

I didn't even think of it, but Paul gave me a great idea of a laptop style touchpad. I've always liked touchpads, and I'm gonna order a new keyboard. That way I'll have two choices - and the trackball has been great in that I can take it with me and use from everywhere. Sometimes I go and sit on the client seats for leveling the tracks.

I love my trackball, but it has a leash. Where did you find a wireless one?

EDIT: It's o.k - over lunch my 10 year-old daughter brought her i-Pad into my office and showed me this amazing thing called `Google'; it enables you to `search' the `World Wide Web' and find items you are looking for in the `web pages' of `on-line vendors'.  Whatever will they think of next eh?


Cheers,

Eric