Contour Design’s Contour Mouse
by admin on Feb.12, 2010, under News & reviews
The Contour Design mouse isn’t very pretty. In fact, it’s odd-looking and oversized. Sure, I got the typical comments from *other* users who spied the mouse on my desk. “Ooh, what is it?,” said one brilliant observer. “Are you sure it’s big enough?,” asked one male user. “It feels weird,” exclaimed my 12-year-old daughter.
I have news for them. It’s bigger, it’s better and best of all, my wrist doesn’t hurt anymore! I have no intent to go back to a regular mouse, either! Contour Design’s Contour Mouse defines ergonomics in the workplace and at home.
Available in five different sizes from extra small to extra large (for right handers and lefties), everyone from Baby Bear to Shaquille O’Neal would feel comfy using the three-button Contour Design mouse with its tilted palm, elevated wrist, and thumb support. It’s the sculpted elevated buttons that allow your hands to remain open with fingers extended for ready mouse action.
Unlike a traditional mouse, the Contour Mouse is designed for your open hand. By mousing this way, it’s supposed to reduce the wear and tear, strain and injury to your hands and wrists. I was a little skeptical at first because it felt very different than the regular mouse that I was accustomed to on my Power Mac. In this case, different is good.
As you can guess, I log a ton of hours on the computer writing about technology and reviewing software. Although not officially diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, the factors leading to Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI) were present. I was really interested to put the Contour Design mouse to the test.
The pain in my right wrist and tingling (up to my elbow) disappeared after about a week of regularly using the Contour Design mouse. Of course, your mileage may vary and although this mouse is ergonomic, in no way does it promise to erase RSI or Carpel Tunnel Syndrome.
Once you tweak with your mouse and go ergonomic, it’s probably a good idea to take a look around at your office furniture, whether you compute from your home or your workplace. This may include adusting your chair to the right height, keeping the computer monitor 18-30 inches away from your eyes with the top of the monitor at eye level and rearranging the stuff on your desk (including your Dilbert doll and beanie babies) to minimize reaching. Beware of the old saying: old habits die hard. It IS a tough adjustment and you may have to try a bunch of combinations with your system and furniture to make it work for you. Frequent breaks off the computer help, although I know it’s easy to say and a difficult thing to practice.
Available for Mac and PC platforms, the right way to pick the best size mouse for your hand is by measuring your hand from the first crease of your wrist…Contour Design’s instructions are easy to understand. I ordered a Medium size and would suggest that if there’s any doubt about your hand measurement, you select the larger size.
A simple installation disk (on floppy disk), together with programmable buttoms which let you set the keys for double click, drag lock, auto space, zoom an other handy functions. The buttons can, of course, be set to perform tasks in different operations.
The PC version has a suggested retail price of $79.95 for right hand large, medium and small; prices for other PC versions vary. The Macintosh version is specially priced at $39.95 direct from Contour Designs.