Review: Logitech’s Lift vertical mouse helps management RSI
Logitech’s newest ergonomic gadget could assist handle or forestall accidents that have an effect on one in 50 staff.
Logitech
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OHSA) claims Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) strikes a whole lot of hundreds of employees annually— one in each 50 employees have developed a long-term situation and I’ve grappled with it for years.
That’s why, after I discovered of Logitech’s new vertical LIFT mouse, I needed to attempt it out. I’ve used it for 2 weeks and, anecdotally a minimum of, am glad to say it has helped scale back discomfort.
What is Logitech’s new Lift mouse?
The Lift Vertical Ergonomic Mouse (that is its full title) is a wi-fi mouse designed for all-day use. It is the most recent addition to the corporate’s Ergo Series of mice and keyboards, which have been ergonomically designed to enhance posture and assist relieve discomfort.
Logitech
Logitech’s Lift Vertical Ergonomic Mouse
The wi-fi mouse is obtainable in each left- and right-handed configurations, however is designed for smaller palms than the corporate’s present MX Vertical or MX Ergo mice.
The Lift is about 20% smaller than these. It is 2.8-in. excessive, 2.7-in. broad and 4.2-in. lengthy and weighs 4.4 ounces. You’ll discover a rubberized grip geared up with thumb relaxation, a silent scroll wheel, 4 configurable buttons (together with the scroll wheel, which acts as a button when pressed), and two mouse buttons. The entire factor is pleasingly comfy to make use of.
The mouse isn’t rechargeable, which looks like a missed alternative — although maybe not a serious flaw given it’ll work for as much as two years utilizing a single AA battery, and you need to use rechargeable batteries in case you like. Two years is what I name nice battery life in a mouse.
Let it Flow
The firm has additionally constructed its personal Universal Control software program, which it calls Logitech Flow. This allows you to use the mouse throughout as much as three gadgets from completely different working programs, sliding between the gadgets by pushing to the sting of the display. It additionally allows you to transfer information between your gadgets.
This shouldn’t be an both/or scenario — Mac and iPad customers will likely be happy to be taught that the mouse additionally works with Apple’s Universal Control, which suggests you possibly can management three Apple gadgets from one mouse.
It continues to curiosity me that Logitech works to maintain in keeping with Apple in relation to peripherals, although each firms are among the many oldest names in tech.
Ergonomics and RSI
Some should still recall that Apple’s spherical “puck” mouse was maybe the worst ergonomic mouse ever made; thankfully there has all the time been a wealthy business in various mice.
There must be. Millions endure from circumstances brought on by poor posture and repetitive motion, and an astonishing 6.7% of US employees will likely be recognized with certainly one of these circumstances of their lifetime.
Many specialists advise pc customers to frequently rotate between completely different mice reasonably than utilizing the identical mouse/mouse design, as doing so helps mitigate harm over time by altering the posture of your hand and arm. That’s an method I’ve adopted for a decade and it does assist.
The subsequent step is to make use of ergonomic mouse designs. These work as a result of they forestall you from twisting your arm in an unnatural manner for an prolonged interval, which is what most of us do when utilizing a traditional mouse (or touchpad). Ergonomic controllers used along side a very good chair, a desk on the proper top and good posture can assist handle or alleviate the event of such circumstances.
The subsequent stage after that is to utilize a vertical mouse, as doing so allows you to use your pc in a much more comfy and pure place. Combined, ergonomics and vertical design ought to assist you maintain your hand in a impartial (or pure) place, which reduces the stress and pressure of pc use.
What Lift gives
Lift is comfy to carry in a small or medium hand and has a slight 57-degree angle to make use of which helps you keep that critically necessary pure forearm posture when you find yourself utilizing it. To see why this works, simply pop your arm on the desk sideways on and shift it round till you discover probably the most comfy place. You’ll most likely discover your arm leans in in the direction of your physique barely, which is what the mouse goals that can assist you do.
Because the mouse is designed to assist your arm lean at this pure angle, you keep away from placing it below the type of pressure that feeds into issues like RSI or Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. It will not fully forestall this, nevertheless it helps.
Logitech informed me that the corporate’s ergonomic design lab put the gadget via an intensive growth course of wherein hundreds of designs have been thought-about earlier than arriving on the Lift.
Two weeks with a mouse
While it took me a short while to get used to utilizing a vertical mouse with my (nonetheless good) M1 Mac Mini, I’m glad I persevered. I have to typically resort to ache killers to deal with the discomfort my RSI causes and have grow to be delicate to methods of working that make a distinction.
In use, I’ve discovered the thumb relaxation way more comfy than when utilizing a traditional mouse, and the mushy rubber grip nestles comfortably in my hand. My private expertise is that the brand new Logitech mouse has made a major distinction and has vastly lowered discomfort.
I’d counsel anybody who suffers from this situation — or desires to make sure they don’t develop it — ought to add certainly one of these gadgets to the gathering of mice they rotate between.
What concerning the software program?
The Logitech software program is rising on me. It allows you to create completely different shortcuts for the 4 on-device buttons. I take advantage of two for Expose and Mission Control gestures, which is beneficial to me as a heavy Spaces consumer.
The energy instrument right here is that you may assign completely different app-relevant shortcuts for various functions, together with Word, Safari and extra.
I’ve discovered it’s not all the time value enabling customized shortcuts for any however your most steadily used functions. This is as a result of, just like the ill-fated Touch Bar, remembering the shortcuts you’ve gotten assigned turns into a burden and you find yourself not utilizing them.
However, in case you make frequent use of 1 or two key functions, this characteristic ought to prevent time and assist you entry steadily used controls utilizing one click on.
What about sustainability?
We know {hardware} producers of every kind should pivot to extra sustainable enterprise fashions if we’re to have any hope of assembly 2030 climate-change targets. Logitech acknowledges this, and whereas not on the identical scale as Apple, is working to fabricate merchandise with larger portions of recycled supplies. Lift makes use of as much as 70% recycled plastics. It can also be licensed carbon impartial on power of Logitech’s investments in renewable forests and group carbon discount schemes.
Must or miss?
Any enterprise assigning computing tools to workers ought to actually take into account ergonomic enter gadgets as a viable choice to assist forestall growth of work-related accidents resembling Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or RSI. The prices related to such industries are estimated at between $15 billion and $20 billion annually, in accordance to OSHA.
For my very own distinctive scenario, the Lift Vertical Ergonomic Mouse is a particular should. I’ve seen a major discount in muscle discomfort since I’ve been utilizing it, and for that purpose alone would advocate it. I additionally advocate it to anybody who desires to keep away from growing such a situation within the first place.
Availability and value
The mouse is obtainable now from Logitech and chosen retailers in each left and right-hand fashions (be certain that to pick the suitable one) for $69.99 in rose, off-white, and graphite. It works with Windows, Macs, Android, iPadOS, Linux, and Chrome programs, which suggests you need to use it along with your Mac, iPad, PC, and Chromebook.
Your hand and arm will thanks for utilizing it.
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