Spire Reveals a New Ergonomic Mouse

By Niels Broekhuijsen
published

Spire has announced its new Archer ICE ergonomic mouse, which is aimed at being comfortable and reducing RSI symptoms.

Spire claims that the mouse places your fingers and palm in a more natural position than with traditional mice, and as such, it is a much healthier solution for those who use their mice more than eight hours per day. Inside the mouse we find an optical sensor; outside of it there is a 1.5 meter USB cable.

The mouse comes with the standard left and right buttons, a scroll wheel click, forward and backwards buttons, as well as a DPI switcher to switch between 1000 and 1600 DPI sensitivity.

The mouse will be available around the world before the end of the summer and will carry a US price tag of $49.95. It also comes with a two year manufacturer warranty.

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Niels Broekhuijsen
Niels Broekhuijsen

Niels Broekhuijsen is a Contributing Writer for Tom's Hardware US. He reviews cases, water cooling and pc builds.

9 Comments Comment from the forums
  • ksham
    Definitely not for left-handers. Even for right-handers, moving the mouse would be annoying. My last two fingers would be in an awkward position and moving the arm at that angle is actually more work. I guess if someone wants to work and give their arm a workout at the same time, it may work out. But for me, no thanks. There are better ways. Also, not very grippable. Looks big too.
    Reply
  • Gam3r01
    Natural? From what I can see you just rotate your wrist to the right, which would be more unnatural for someone like me (I have a ganglionic cyst in my right wrist)
    If we can get a picture of a hand on this it might make more sense...
    Reply
  • knowom
    How about making a damn modern trackball mouse if you care about ergonomics.
    Reply
  • thee_prisoner
    knowom, I agree. A trackball is not only more ergonomic but it is so much faster for general GUI operations, graphics(reason why CAD and graphic designers use them) gaming and etc.Once you go track, you don't do back.

    Happy tracking balling, the Prisoner...
    Reply
  • WithoutWeakness
    Natural? From what I can see you just rotate your wrist to the right, which would be more unnatural for someone like me (I have a ganglionic cyst in my right wrist)
    If we can get a picture of a hand on this it might make more sense...
    When you use a "standard" mouse your wrist is rotated to the left. If you stand up and let your hand drop to your side you will notice your palm faces inward toward your body, not behind you. An ergonomic or vertical mouse keeps your palm facing inward and the radius and ulna bones in your forearm remain aligned rather than twisted. This can help prevent or relieve carpal tunnel syndrome.
    Reply
  • mythostd
    I have the beginning stages of carpal tunnel and now use an Adesso ergonomic mouse. In the 2 months I have had it the pain in my wrist has gone down significantly. The main issue I have with this style of mouse is that if you aren't careful when you click on the buttons the mouse has a tendency to jump slightly to the left because that is the direction of force.
    Reply
  • Gam3r01
    13696237 said:
    Natural? From what I can see you just rotate your wrist to the right, which would be more unnatural for someone like me (I have a ganglionic cyst in my right wrist)
    If we can get a picture of a hand on this it might make more sense...
    When you use a "standard" mouse your wrist is rotated to the left. If you stand up and let your hand drop to your side you will notice your palm faces inward toward your body, not behind you. An ergonomic or vertical mouse keeps your palm facing inward and the radius and ulna bones in your forearm remain aligned rather than twisted. This can help prevent or relieve carpal tunnel syndrome.

    I agree with the natural twisting to the body, but when you look at the mouse wouldnt that require you to bend your wrist to use?
    Reply
  • Patrick Tobin
    Evoluent has been making these for years and have a left hand model too. :P
    Reply
  • t0m0tb14
    There already is a $20 version of this mouse made by Sharkk
    Reply