Over the last few years I’ve gone through a couple Logitech MX Verticals. My current one does technically work, but just like the last one the cheap rubber coating has started disintegrating and is pretty nasty at this point.
Anyone have good recs for a vertical mouse that won’t start crumbling like a dry cake in my hand? I’m not picky on buttons or anything, just work with a bunch of spreadsheets at work. The vertical mouse is just much better for my wrist.
I originally tried a Kensington Pro Fit Ergo, but it didn’t last very long. When I went looking again, the MX Ergo had come out. You can adjust it between a more flat or vertical configuration, and it has worked great for me for years now (although since there is a trackball, you do have to pop it out and clean it on occasion). I have had issues with the MX Masters before I switched to vertical mice, so it doesn’t surprise me to hear that you were having issues with MX previously. It sounds like you aren’t looking specifically for vertical mice with a thumb trackball, but I would seriously consider making the switch since you’re using them for ergonomic reasons. It doesn’t take long to adjust to it, and it essentially completely removes the wrist movements you would make with a standard vertical mouse. However, last I looked, there were very few options for that configuration. If you opt to go with a vertical trackball, I would also recommend a cushioned mouse pad for additional wrist support (plus a wrist guard for the keyboard, and compression gloves if you’re dealing with any wrist pain).
I wish you luck with your search!
Switching to a trackball should be relatively easy, I imagine it’s just a more analogue version of the Steam Deck track pads
Sorta kinda.
If you’re used to the track pads, using a thumb based track pad is similar enough the habituation curve will be gentle.
Mind you, you’re still adapting to the roundness, as well as the scale.
That being said, having used the old Microsoft trackball, thumb based ones are not for me. I’ve tried that specific one as a loaner and it didn’t match what I wanted. But comparing it to the deck’s pads, there’s a closer kind of muscle memory. I think the biggest difference is the tendency of the ball to make the ends of your movement sloppy compared to the center third or so. But that is where the habituation curve is, imo, not in the general usage.
When I’m using a trackball the end of my movement is actually the most precise, ime. The way I use the trackball is to ‘launch’ it roughly in the direction that I want, and then when the cursor is close enough to the target, you ‘stop’ the trackball and precisely move it to the destination. It’s not a single movement it’s like a flick and then a halt and precise movement.