A little bit a go Tom took a look at a Ring Mouse like the one I have today for review, the one he looked at was an 800DPI version, while I have the 1200DPI version for review. It actually has the same name on the package: ‘The Lord of the Rings’, not quite sure how they get away with using that and all but that’s not my department….
It’s from our friends at USBGeek, and I came to pretty much the same conclusions he did regarding this product, even with the higher resolution… It’s not bad, but it’s not something that you’d want to be using all the time…
USB One Finger Mouse from USBGeek
Author: Kristofer Brozio
Sponsor: USBGeek
Tech Specs,Features or the Basic Info:
USB One Finger Mouse from USBGeek
USB One Finger Mouse is the new invention which designs for the notebook computer instead of traditional mouse.
The special ring design, the infrared sensitivity, the delicate appearance, will soon become the notebook user’s favorite.
Features:
-Technical design, unlike the traditional mouse.
-The mouse strap into the index finger, allow using the mouse and typing the keyboard.
-Reduces the time while using the keyboard and the mouse.
-Thumb control design, easy to control Left, Right Button and Scroll Wheel.
-Very portable, use it in the your workplace.
-Optical interferer, suits many kinds of surface, e.g. Jeans, Trousers …
-Supports USB, the weight of finger mouse is only 1/3~1/4 of the traditional optical mouse.
Specification:
-Size: 63 x 33 x 30mm
-Weight: 35g
-Cable length: 115cm
-Connectivity: USB
-Compatible System: Windows XP/2000/ME/98
-Mouse Resolution: 800dpi (1200dpi?)
-2-button mouse with scroll wheel.
Instructions:
-Use the elastic finger ring to adjust.
-Put the index finger into the elastic finger ring, and tie the ring until you may use the index finger easily and comfortably.
-Strap the finger mouse same height with the index fingertip, and you may click left, right bottom, and the scroll wheel.
-Put the middle finger next to the other side of mouse in order to fix the mouse.
Price: US$ 20.00
A Better Look at Things
:
If you paid attention to the specs on the last page, you’ll notice that the DPI was listed as 800, but the package I have here says 1200DPI… The packaging is the easy open plastic clamshell type with lots of information all over it, and again we see ‘The Lord of the Rings’ emblazoned on the front and the back, also in the specs on the pack is a mention of it being the fastest mouse in the world… That’s a bit debatable but we won’t go there right now…
The only thing inside the packaging is the mouse itself, nothing else as no drivers are required it is plug and play capable. Obviously it’s a USB connection that is used as the interface for the mouse to your computer.
The mouse itself is lightweight, with two buttons and the scroll wheel in the center. The actual ‘ring’ part of this mouse is a velcro strap that wraps around your finger to secure it.
The cable of the mouse is the braided cloth type, which I’m very fond of, it’s nice and sturdy and made to last quite a while. This type of cabling will be able to withstand being thrown into your laptop bag, and there won’t be any worries about the cable being broken. In the front or the bottom of the mouse if where you’ll find the optical sensor, on each side is what appears to be a teflon type mouse skate as well.
Installation, Testing and Comparison
Installation is easy, as I mentioned it is plug and play, it works fine in both XP and Vista and it’s supposed to work with Macs as well.
That’s the hardware installation, the real installation is attaching it to your finger and getting it to work for you. The easiest way I found to use it was by resting my finger on top of it while I was using it, it allowed more control and better accuracy. You have to attach it to your middle finger if you wish to use it this way though.
You can also attach it to your index finger as well, but I found I lacked any real control over the mouse and it made it much harder to use.
You have to position it just right if you plan to keep it attached while typing, but this is something that you just have to figure out for yourself where the correct and comfortable position is for you and the mouse.
I actually found that using the mouse not attached to your finger was the easiest way to use it, it allowed more freedom of movement and honestly having a mouse attached to your finger just isn’t comfortable at all.
Everyday use of the USB One Finger Mouse is pretty decent once you figure out how to use it, but you won’t be gaming with it at all. I found that while using it the X,Y axis where a bit different, not in the mouse itself but more in me and just not really accustomed to using it. Even after a week a straight use it was still a bit awkward to use, I thought maybe after the second week it might get better but it didn’t…
Oh well, it’s an interesting concept, but it’s not quite there yet, it might make a nice travel mouse, something that won;t be used often, but I can’t see it replacing my regular mouse anytime soon…
Summary:
Overall the USB One Finger Mouse is not a bad product, an interesting concept that might have a niche market for it, but until the bugs or kinks are worked out of it you might want to continue using your standard mouse.
It’s a nice replacement for the touchpad on your laptop, especially if you are accustomed to using a mouse, and after using it for a while you will get accustomed to it. Just like any product of this type there is a break-in period where you’ll essentially have to train yourself to use it correctly. I used it for about two weeks and when I switched back to my Logitech G5 it was a bit weird at first, but I soon remembered what to do with it.
DragonSteelMods gives the USB One Finger Mouse 3.5 out of 5 score.
Pros:
-Accurate once accustomed to using
-Interesting concept
Cons:
-Difficult to use/long break-in period
-Uncomfortable for long periods
-Hard to control
I would like to thank USBGeek for the chance to review the USB One Finger Mouse and for their continued support of DSM.
review# 320