Rollermouse Free 2
- Mrinterface
- Location: The Netherlands
- Main keyboard: UHK
- Main mouse: G203
- Favorite switch: Monterey blues
- DT Pro Member: 0012
This review is from my rollermouse free 2 on an iMac with OSX
It will be a review with a few iterations : I need to get to know this thing a little bit better before my final judgement will be known.
Iteration 1 :
It came in the mail bubble wrapped. The original box had bubble wrap around it. Strange way of sending something expensive as this. But okay, the packing did its job, no damage to be found on the packing :
Upon opening the box, this was its contents :
The rollermouse, two stickers with the same markings as on the mouse, 2 small keyboard riser feet and 2 bigger keyboard riser feet.
The rod itself was safely secure with 2 orange foam cylinders. After removing those I could connect the mouse to my iMac.
Wow... This is different. The rollerbar is very very smooth. I was wondering how the end-switches would work on it, but now I know why it is only logical. I had to fumble with the DPI settings a bit in order to get a proper mouse speed. There is a cursor speed button that let's you set the speed in 5 increments. The following buttons are present : copy, paste, left click, right click, double click and of course the scroll wheel.
After installing the mac drivers, the buttons behaved differently -> the copy and paste button let's me switch from mac virtual screen to screen. Very nice. The mouse scroll wheel was set to a very very slow pace, I didn't like it at all and I could not find a way to set it properly in Mac OSX. Until I accidently pressed it and scrolled it : Presto! When pressed and scrolled it is a coarse scroller, without being pressed it's a fine one. At least they thought about it!
The wrist rest is very nice to use. I didn't use one before I got this, but now I will definitely keep using one.
The reason for the keyboard risers I still don't get : The risers are supposedly used to lever the FRONT of the keyboard in order to get a proper typing position. I am using the lowest setting on my filco TKL and am wondering what the tilt angle will bring on the longer term. The hind feet of the Filco are retracted so it has an angle opposite to what I am used to but hey, I am willing to try this for a few weeks and see what it gives.
At the moment I am using it the way I saw I would use it : with my right thumb I would steer the roller ( and keep my fingers on the home row!!!!! ) , with my left thumb I would press the buttons ( on the left side ) . The roller is clickable so either a single or double click is possible with it. You can set the click response of the rollerbar, I have it at a medium setting. I read that some people accidentally press the rollerbar on its lowest( most sensitive ) setting, but I tried this as well and it did not happen to me.
Iteration 2 :
After almost a week of use, I am sorry to say I actually developed RSI related problems.... My right wrist and right elbow started to hurt. Of course I wanted to quit the experiment/test immediately, but after some thought I decided to only remove the wrist rest since that is the only thing that really changed to my position with respect to the keyboard. I noticed that I 'float' my hands over the keyboard and my natural position is to NOT rest my palms on something. Once I do ( like with the rollermouse free 2 wristrest ) I run into problems. Well, at least it looks like this is the case. I am willing to try 1 more week, but this time without the wrist rest.
I am still using my regular apple mouse a lot. Since the rollermouse mousebar isn't really usable for dragging items on my desktop for longer distances ( I keep running into the endpoints ) I prefer using the regular mouse. Also simple tasks like selecting some larger chunks of text is hampered in this way. I also have a lot of issues with the endstops : I keep having the need to recalibrate the thing because I run into those endstops. I could enlarge the sensitivity but then my precision is seriously lowered. I guess I still need to find a way of adjusting to it.
My initial plan of using my right thumb for moving the rollermouse is still in place. It would be perfect if I could use it in that fashion. If I have to remove my whole right hand in order for me to move the mouse, I might as well keep using my regular mouse.
I also found out that the scrollwheel has a dual function. Once it is pressed, you can then use the mouse itself to go up or down. The more up/down you go the higher the scrollspeed becomes. If you press it again, this scroll mode is reset.
Iteration 3: Wait 1 week!
It will be a review with a few iterations : I need to get to know this thing a little bit better before my final judgement will be known.
Iteration 1 :
It came in the mail bubble wrapped. The original box had bubble wrap around it. Strange way of sending something expensive as this. But okay, the packing did its job, no damage to be found on the packing :
Upon opening the box, this was its contents :
The rollermouse, two stickers with the same markings as on the mouse, 2 small keyboard riser feet and 2 bigger keyboard riser feet.
The rod itself was safely secure with 2 orange foam cylinders. After removing those I could connect the mouse to my iMac.
Wow... This is different. The rollerbar is very very smooth. I was wondering how the end-switches would work on it, but now I know why it is only logical. I had to fumble with the DPI settings a bit in order to get a proper mouse speed. There is a cursor speed button that let's you set the speed in 5 increments. The following buttons are present : copy, paste, left click, right click, double click and of course the scroll wheel.
After installing the mac drivers, the buttons behaved differently -> the copy and paste button let's me switch from mac virtual screen to screen. Very nice. The mouse scroll wheel was set to a very very slow pace, I didn't like it at all and I could not find a way to set it properly in Mac OSX. Until I accidently pressed it and scrolled it : Presto! When pressed and scrolled it is a coarse scroller, without being pressed it's a fine one. At least they thought about it!
The wrist rest is very nice to use. I didn't use one before I got this, but now I will definitely keep using one.
The reason for the keyboard risers I still don't get : The risers are supposedly used to lever the FRONT of the keyboard in order to get a proper typing position. I am using the lowest setting on my filco TKL and am wondering what the tilt angle will bring on the longer term. The hind feet of the Filco are retracted so it has an angle opposite to what I am used to but hey, I am willing to try this for a few weeks and see what it gives.
At the moment I am using it the way I saw I would use it : with my right thumb I would steer the roller ( and keep my fingers on the home row!!!!! ) , with my left thumb I would press the buttons ( on the left side ) . The roller is clickable so either a single or double click is possible with it. You can set the click response of the rollerbar, I have it at a medium setting. I read that some people accidentally press the rollerbar on its lowest( most sensitive ) setting, but I tried this as well and it did not happen to me.
Iteration 2 :
After almost a week of use, I am sorry to say I actually developed RSI related problems.... My right wrist and right elbow started to hurt. Of course I wanted to quit the experiment/test immediately, but after some thought I decided to only remove the wrist rest since that is the only thing that really changed to my position with respect to the keyboard. I noticed that I 'float' my hands over the keyboard and my natural position is to NOT rest my palms on something. Once I do ( like with the rollermouse free 2 wristrest ) I run into problems. Well, at least it looks like this is the case. I am willing to try 1 more week, but this time without the wrist rest.
I am still using my regular apple mouse a lot. Since the rollermouse mousebar isn't really usable for dragging items on my desktop for longer distances ( I keep running into the endpoints ) I prefer using the regular mouse. Also simple tasks like selecting some larger chunks of text is hampered in this way. I also have a lot of issues with the endstops : I keep having the need to recalibrate the thing because I run into those endstops. I could enlarge the sensitivity but then my precision is seriously lowered. I guess I still need to find a way of adjusting to it.
My initial plan of using my right thumb for moving the rollermouse is still in place. It would be perfect if I could use it in that fashion. If I have to remove my whole right hand in order for me to move the mouse, I might as well keep using my regular mouse.
I also found out that the scrollwheel has a dual function. Once it is pressed, you can then use the mouse itself to go up or down. The more up/down you go the higher the scrollspeed becomes. If you press it again, this scroll mode is reset.
Iteration 3: Wait 1 week!
- HzFaq
- Location: Windsor, UK
- Main keyboard: Phantom
- Main mouse: CST L-Trac
- Favorite switch: MX Clears
- DT Pro Member: -
I'm contemplating either one of these or a trackball, my right wrist is shot to pieces. Can't wait to hear your thoughts on it.
I've also been using a negative tilt on my keyboard for the last few days, it does take a while to get used to but I'm finding it much more comfortable.
I've also been using a negative tilt on my keyboard for the last few days, it does take a while to get used to but I'm finding it much more comfortable.
- Mrinterface
- Location: The Netherlands
- Main keyboard: UHK
- Main mouse: G203
- Favorite switch: Monterey blues
- DT Pro Member: 0012
Yeps, takes some practice though.off wrote:
Doubleclicking on the bar is doable without actually moving the cursor (much)??
- wiredPANDA
- Location: US
- Main keyboard: Leopold FC200RT/AWN
- Main mouse: anything...
- Favorite switch: MX Brown
- DT Pro Member: -
Glad to see a review pop up for this. I've been contemplating picking one up to help with my RSI issues.
How has it been readjusting yourself for its use, opposed to a standard mouse? That was my one concern. I'm worried about my muscle memory getting in the way of using it effectively.
How has it been readjusting yourself for its use, opposed to a standard mouse? That was my one concern. I'm worried about my muscle memory getting in the way of using it effectively.
- Mrinterface
- Location: The Netherlands
- Main keyboard: UHK
- Main mouse: G203
- Favorite switch: Monterey blues
- DT Pro Member: 0012
No problem getting used to the layout/button positions. It took me a few hours, but I quickly adapted.
- Kurk
- Location: Sauce Hollondaise (=The Netherlands)
- Main keyboard: Kinesis Advantage // Filco MJ2 + HID liberation
- Main mouse: ITAC Mousetrak Professional
- DT Pro Member: 0027
He Mrinterface, I see it didn't take you long to get a rollermouse
About the keyboard risers: They could be really necessary to allow for a smooth "connection" between the roller mouse and a low profile keyboard. Moreover, I think that keyboards should have front risers so the plane of typing can be level with the desk or even slope down. Much better for your wrists.
edit: did you consider the MouseTrapper Advance (another Scandinavian mouse replacement/complement)?
http://www.mousetrapper.se
edit edit: alright, I see you did
follow the link in off's post
About the keyboard risers: They could be really necessary to allow for a smooth "connection" between the roller mouse and a low profile keyboard. Moreover, I think that keyboards should have front risers so the plane of typing can be level with the desk or even slope down. Much better for your wrists.
edit: did you consider the MouseTrapper Advance (another Scandinavian mouse replacement/complement)?
http://www.mousetrapper.se
edit edit: alright, I see you did
follow the link in off's post
Last edited by Kurk on 01 Jul 2012, 18:18, edited 1 time in total.
- wiredPANDA
- Location: US
- Main keyboard: Leopold FC200RT/AWN
- Main mouse: anything...
- Favorite switch: MX Brown
- DT Pro Member: -
Another question (and I'm not sure if you can answer it), is the rollermouse any good in a multi-monitor setup? I run dual-screens at a minimum, and I can't find any reference to its use with multi-monitors.
- Mrinterface
- Location: The Netherlands
- Main keyboard: UHK
- Main mouse: G203
- Favorite switch: Monterey blues
- DT Pro Member: 0012
Well, if you set the sensitivity high enough, it will scroll from screen to screen, just like a mouse. That's all the PC/MAC sees : a mouse.
- Input Nirvana
- Location: San Francisco bay area, California, USA
- Main keyboard: Kinesis Advantage
- Main mouse: Rollermouse Free2
- DT Pro Member: -
I love my Rollermouse Free 2. If it broke today, I'd get another one tomorrow.
Does your wistrest lay flat, or does it have a little warp and not click into the Free 2 easily?
Does your wistrest lay flat, or does it have a little warp and not click into the Free 2 easily?
- Mrinterface
- Location: The Netherlands
- Main keyboard: UHK
- Main mouse: G203
- Favorite switch: Monterey blues
- DT Pro Member: 0012
Updated OPinput nirvana wrote:I love my Rollermouse Free 2. If it broke today, I'd get another one tomorrow.
Does your wistrest lay flat, or does it have a little warp and not click into the Free 2 easily?
The wristrest lays flat and clicks easily into place. Why? Do you have an earlier version?
I'm thinking of sending this thing via a try before you buy ( sinklist ) thread together with the mousetrapper. I'm wondering how many people would be interested in participating....
-
- Location: France
- DT Pro Member: -
I'm interested in the rollermouse !Mrinterface wrote:Updated OPinput nirvana wrote:I love my Rollermouse Free 2. If it broke today, I'd get another one tomorrow.
Does your wistrest lay flat, or does it have a little warp and not click into the Free 2 easily?
The wristrest lays flat and clicks easily into place. Why? Do you have an earlier version?
I'm thinking of sending this thing via a try before you buy ( sinklist ) thread together with the mousetrapper. I'm wondering how many people would be interested in participating....
- Input Nirvana
- Location: San Francisco bay area, California, USA
- Main keyboard: Kinesis Advantage
- Main mouse: Rollermouse Free2
- DT Pro Member: -
Yo! When/who did you get the Mousetrapper from? I've wanted to try the Mousetrapper for a couple years. I used it ONE time about 5 years ago for a minute
Someone on GH was selling a Mousetrapper but Iost contact with GH down.
Someone on GH was selling a Mousetrapper but Iost contact with GH down.
- Mrinterface
- Location: The Netherlands
- Main keyboard: UHK
- Main mouse: G203
- Favorite switch: Monterey blues
- DT Pro Member: 0012
Ah, yes, I got it from a GH seller a couple of weeks ago( Madcar ). Probably the same one you lost contact with.input nirvana wrote:Yo! When/who did you get the Mousetrapper from? I've wanted to try the Mousetrapper for a couple years. I used it ONE time about 5 years ago for a minute
Someone on GH was selling a Mousetrapper but Iost contact with GH down.
I might be selling it again, since I only purchased it for review.
- Input Nirvana
- Location: San Francisco bay area, California, USA
- Main keyboard: Kinesis Advantage
- Main mouse: Rollermouse Free2
- DT Pro Member: -
Review it!!!! Compared to the Rollermouse Free 2 of course! Then possibly put me on the list of purchasers if you think it's comparable.
- Mrinterface
- Location: The Netherlands
- Main keyboard: UHK
- Main mouse: G203
- Favorite switch: Monterey blues
- DT Pro Member: 0012
http://deskthority.net/news-reviews-f4/ ... t2986.htmlinput nirvana wrote:Review it!!!!
- Half-Saint
- Location: Slovenia, Europe
- Main keyboard: Raptor Gaming K1
- Main mouse: Logitech G5 Mk.2
- Favorite switch: Cherry MX Blue
- DT Pro Member: 0058
I still don't understand how this thing replaces the mouse? How do you move the cursor around the screen? All I see are buttons and a wheel?
- Mrinterface
- Location: The Netherlands
- Main keyboard: UHK
- Main mouse: G203
- Favorite switch: Monterey blues
- DT Pro Member: 0012
Soon I'll have my review finished and you get to see how the mouse works on video. See the wheel as a mouse wheel that also scrolls(moves) from left to right, maybe that helps envisioning itHalf-Saint wrote:I still don't understand how this thing replaces the mouse? How do you move the cursor around the screen? All I see are buttons and a wheel?
- kbdfr
- The Tiproman
- Location: Berlin, Germany
- Main keyboard: Tipro MID-QM-128A + two Tipro matrix modules
- Main mouse: Contour Rollermouse Pro
- Favorite switch: Cherry black
- DT Pro Member: 0010
Here is a video in German (not very much to see, but some good explanations):Half-Saint wrote:I still don't understand how this thing replaces the mouse? How do you move the cursor around the screen? All I see are buttons and a wheel?
and this is another video where one can actually see how the mat moves:
I just wish RollermMouse and Mousetrapper would need less room in front of the keyboard.