Anyone who knows me knows I am a huge fan of a vertical mouse. Such a simple change can have a great positive impact on upper forearm and wrist discomfort, with minimal negative impact on productivity, once you find the right one for your hand and tasks.
With that in mind, I have spent the last month testing the Logitech Lift vertical mouse. I chose this mouse as it is the smaller “cousin” of the hugely popular Logitech MX Vertical mouse. While this is a favourite of many DSE users, I have found it to be too large for my hand and was excited to try this smaller version.
Design:
The Logitech Lift Vertical Mouse boasts a sleek and modern design that immediately catches the eye. It comes in Graphite, White and Rose colours. For the environmentally conscious, the Graphite is the most environmentally friendly, with 70% post consumer recycled plastic.
The 57o orientation aligns with the natural handshake position, minimizing the pronation of the forearm and promoting a more relaxed and comfortable grip.
It has the conventional left click, right click buttons and scroll wheel on the outer side, with a small button under the scroll wheel that can be programmed but out of the box it is set to lower cursor speed. On the inside, there are two programmable thumb operated buttons that are set to page forward and back, great for browsing. On the underside, is the device switching button, battery compartment, USB dongle compartment and power button.
Precision and Responsiveness:
The Logitech Lift Vertical Mouse doesn’t compromise on performance. With a high-precision sensor, users can navigate with accuracy and fluidity. The responsive buttons and scroll wheel contribute to a seamless user experience, making it suitable for tasks that require precision, such as graphic design or detailed spreadsheet work.
Connectivity:
The Lift Vertical Mouse offers two options for wireless connectivity, Bluetooth or via wireless RF dongle. The absence of a cable not only contributes to a clutter-free workspace but also allows users greater flexibility in their mouse placement, promoting a dynamic and ergonomic setup.
Via Bluetooth, the mouse can be paired with three devices simultaneously, with easy movement between devices possible with the button on the underside.
Software Customization:
Logitech’s Option + software allows for greater customisation of the mouse and its functions. You can change the DPI speed from 400 – 4000 DPI, set up custom profiles and programme the buttons based on getting the best out of it for the tasks you do. As a general DSE user, who spends my DSE time on email, reporting and spreadsheets I was happy with the out of the box settings of the mouse and I did not have to dabble with the settings much, but it is a great option to have.
Battery Life:
The Logitech Lift is powered by a single AA battery and is not rechargeable. After three weeks of use, the battery is still reading 100%. Logitech reports that a single AA battery can last 2 years.
Discomfort:
One complaint that can arise from users of the vertical mouse, is that they experience a contact pain on the ulnar, or baby finger, side of the wrist. This is usually caused by resting this part of the wrist on the table when operating the mouse. I have experienced it previously with other, larger vertical mouse devices but it has not been an issue for me with this model.
Conclusion:
If you have been toying with the idea of trying a vertical mouse, either to reduce discomfort or out of curiosity, this is a great option that won’t break the bank, at €79.95 in most retailers.
