Dan Ackerman,
Senior Editor
October 13, 2008
After years of ergonomically incorrect computer use, many people suffer from a tennis-elbow-like condition sometimes called "mouse arm," causing pain in the wrist and forearm. One solution is a gyroscopic mouse, held in the hand like a remote control, which is a much more natural position for the wrist.
Later on, home theater enthusiasts also discovered gyroscopic mice, and these devices have become a popular, if not exactly common, choice for controlling the functions of a Media Center PC from the living room couch.
The very latest version is the Gyration Air Mouse, a smaller $99 travel version of the company's standard Gyration Go model. Unfortunately, the Air Mouse feels flimsy and it rattles in your hand.
More satisfying, but also larger, is the standard Gyration Go. We've literally used one of these every day for several years, and found it an effective solution for wrist and arm pain.
Logitech got into the gyroscopic game with the MX air, which, while not cheap at $149, adds plenty of media-friendly features, such as playback and volume controls.
Finally, for travelers who find even the travel-friendly Gyration Air too large, there's the literally pocket-size Gyrotransport, which is essentially a small presentation mouse for controlling PowerPoint and the like, and lacks the optical mouse function found in each of the other gyroscopic products we've looked at.
| Product name | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $68.99 to $81.99 | $81.99 | $107.64 to $182.95 | Check Prices |
| CNET editors' rating |
|
|
|
|
| Average user rating | ||||
| Review date | October 10, 2008 | October 16, 2006 | July 12, 2007 | July 13, 2005 |
| The Bottom Line | Gyration's new travel version of its excellent gyroscopic mouse falls a bit short, but anyone with wrist or arm pain should seriously consider something from the company's line. | Gyroscopic mice such as the Gyration Pro Gyrotransport are an acquired taste but one that dedicated users swear by. | The gyroscopic mouse finally gets a mainstream makeover with the Logitech MX Air, aimed at Media Center users. | The comfortable Gyration Go 2.4 Cordless Air Optical mouse performs flawlessly on a desk or in the air and is ideal for use in a conference room or with a Media Center PC. |
| Similar Products | Compare more products | Compare more products | Compare more products | Compare more products |
| Features | ||||
| Battery | Info unavailable | 1 x AAA type | 1 | 1 |
| Connectivity Technology | Info unavailable | Wireless - RF | Wireless - RF | Wireless - RF |
| Product Description | Info unavailable | Gyration GO PRO 2.4GHz GYROTRANSPORT Air Mouse Presenter - Mouse | Logitech MX Air Rechargeable Cordless Air Mouse - Mouse | Gyration GO 2.4 Cordless Optical Air Mouse - Mouse |
| Wireless Receiver | Info unavailable | USB wireless receiver | USB wireless receiver | USB wireless receiver |
| Movement Detection Technology | Info unavailable | Gyroscopic | Laser | Optical / gyroscopic |
| Device Type | Info unavailable | Mouse | Mouse | Mouse |
| OS Required | Info unavailable | Apple MacOS 8.0 or later Microsoft Windows 98SE/2000/ME/XP | Microsoft Windows Vista / XP | Apple MacOS 8.0 or later Microsoft Windows 98SE/2000/ME/XP |
| Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications |
| Buying choices |
|
|
|
|
