Best ERGONOMIC Mouse Pads & Keyboard Wrist Supports

[fbrdphreak]

Hey all,
I've started doing a lot more typing lately between a new job where all I do type and writing reviews for LaptopLogic.com. My hands get pretty sore, stiff, and achey a lot more lately, particularly my finger joints and wrist. I have a 3M Precision Mousing Surfance mousepad that has a decent wrist rest on it, but its kinda smushed with all the use. Can anyone recommend a good mouse pad w/a comfy wrist rest built in that is ALSO decent for gaming w/MX510? Oh, and not too expensive
Same kinda deal for the keyboard: I'm looking for a comfy yet inexpensive separate wrist wrest to put in front my keyboard.
I don't want to end up with all kinds of joint problems (Altho I'm sure I will) and I think these will help. Any suggestions or experience with this crap would be greatly appreciated

 

[corkyg]

Had the same problem a couple of years ago - too much precision mousing is very hard on the wrist.

I switched to a Wacom stylus and pad and have never looked back. It is just like holding sa pen or pencil and much more precise than a mouse.

Wacom

 

[fbrdphreak]

Thanks for the info, but I'm preferring to stock to mouse for now; trackball whenever I get tired of gaming
Anyone else?

 

[alexandernevsky]

Well as for the keyboard - I used to suffer as u describe but it all ended as soon as I got one of those ergonomic keyboards (yes the ugly one with the split keyboard and the huge hand rest). The one I have is by microsoft but i'm sure u can find others. The split keys setup is strange for the first 30 minutes but after that it really makes typing more fun than before (faster too) so if you type a lot - look into it.

Fot the mouse look at the "X trac" family - specifically one of the hard plastic mats (I think they start at around 10 bucks) - and get yourself some teflon mouse feet (hellavalot smoother and less straining) + throw in one of those Gel cushin units to complete your desired mouse set.

As a general note - try setting yur mouse "speed" setting or equivalent in Windows or your driver - at a higher value so that you never have to lifet your mouse off the mat to reposition - no matter how far you have to track across your screen.

Make sure to read some documents off the net about ergonomics and correct sitting \ head \ arms \ hands positions for prolonged computer use. It is very bad if your suffering any kind of persistant discomfort as it could lead to very very much worse conditions. You dont wanna know believe me.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Yeah, I've used ergonomic keyboards before and loved them. However, I have yet to come across a decent wireless one that doesn't include a mouse. I have an MX510 & a Logitech Cordless Media Play (my remote control), so I don't need a mouse/kybd combo. Thanks for the input tho!

 

[madthumbs]

You can use a different mouse with the logitech wireless, even using both at the same time. You can freak your friends out with it when they come over to play games.

I have wrist problems myself, I would advise against wrist wrest for mousepad. Pads have you anchor your wrist push on your tendons as they stretch and bend along bone to accomodate your hand movements. With your wrist free, you can keep it much straigher which is more ergonomic. With it elevated on the pad, your fingers extend down more which draws the tendons closer to the pad. Even if I didn't anchor my wrist, my tendons would be bothered by the pad mighty quick. It's easier to sense ergonomics when your already injured. For my hand, the shape of the MX500, 510 and 700 are all good. The mx1000 is slightly too wide to be perfect.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Yeah, I know I can use the different mouse with it; but money is important to me Thus I would prefer to purchase a keyboard only I looked around, but couldn't find a wireless ergonomic keyboard w/out a mouse :|

I might try my MX510 without the mousepad, as it has a wrist rest on it right now. What you've said makes logical sense I think as long as I follow those "ergonomic posture" rules that I should be ok
I did order this nifty looking Viewsonic wireless keyboard that looks pretty nice, I'll post a review on it when I get it