Microsoft MAIN-35956 Sculpt Ergonomic Mouse (L6V-00001)

I've been using this mouse for about 3 years now. It is an awesome mouse. Very comfortable and ergonomic. Battery life lasts a long time. I've replaced the AA batteries maybe 5 times in 3 years. Tracking works well/smoothely, as expected. Some things I've noticed that are worth being aware of (these don't bother me much, but I imagine they could matter to some folks): * The glossy black surface will tend to collect grease from your fingers over time. It's very noticeable against the shiny black and is kind of nasty. Luckily, it also cleans off very easily (I tend to use an alcohol or clorox wipe). * The black skids on the bottom glide smoothly on the surface of my desk, but they also leave behind black residue on the desk surface over time. My desk's surface is plastic fake wood so I just wipe it off with a wipe every once in a while (takes some scrubbing). If you have a real wood desk, you may want to use a track pad instead. * The connectivity of the dongle can be bad if there is a lot of metal near the receiver. For example, I used to have a metal padlock on the k-slot right next to the USB port where the receiver dongle was plugged in, and that seemed to mess with the connection a lot. On the other hand, plugging this into the back of my monitor seems to work just fine. * On macOS the windows and back buttons do not work. They work find on Windows and Linux.

This mouse really deserves five stars, but I am struggling with giving it that rating. This mouse is super comfortable, with the vertical orientation leaving your hand in a natural position as you use it. I've never had wrist or hand problems, but still I notice the positive difference in fatigue when I use this mouse. The mouse is very accurate, and the large glide surface makes it feel like it's floating across the desk. The buttons give great tactile feedback, and the wheel scrolls easily with the steps easy to stop on and easy to scroll from. This could be the most perfect mouse I've ever used, and is such a pleasure to use I bought one for home, too. So why the five-star struggle? This mouse is tall. Very tall compared to the mice I've used over the past 30 years. So tall, in fact, that occasionally (at least it's no longer frequently like when I first received it) when I reach for the mouse, I knock it off my desk. After so many years computing, and reaching for the mouse becoming a mindless activity, I'm so used to a mouse being a certain height, I simply don't reach high enough. So, the side of my hand bangs into the mouse, sending it flying (since the non-friction surface works so well). More often than not when this happens, the bottom cover pops off and the batteries come out. Of course, they never fall next to the mouse - no, I'm crawling on my hands and knees looking under chairs and desks. When I do this at the office it's a minor annoyance, since I have carpeted floors there. At home I have hardwood, and the mouse takes a beating when it falls. So much so that the wheel no longer works. I'm going to have to replace it, but this mouse is so great that I'm going to buy another one. But if I break it again, I may need to look elsewhere, just for my wallet's sake.

Before this, I have been using the Microsoft Sculpt Comfort mouse for over two years. It has lasted well, but caused me some minor joint pain with my middle, ring, and pinky fingers with extended used. So when I needed a second mouse for a new laptop, I decided to try the Sculpt Ergonomic mouse instead. In short, I would recommend the Ergonomic mouse over Comfort mouse and might retire the Comfort mouse early in favor of a second Ergonomic mouse for my desktop. For the Comfort mouse, I prefer the slightly less stiff wheel and recognize it might be a better choice for either people who want a more traditionally shaped mouse, or people who want more mouse shortcuts (two swipe gestures and a button vs. the Ergonomic mouse's one customizable button), but the Ergonomic mouse is much more comfortable for long periods of time and feels like a more premium product. Although I've had it for less than a week so far, the Ergonomic mouse is much more comfortable. It's larger, a little heavier, and seems to have a little less resistance on my desktop (although that might be just because it's new). The base and battery cover is magnetic which is nice, but not an important difference. It also has a USB receiver instead of using bluetooth, which means I can more easily use it on different computers without the hassle of a bluetooth pairing screen, but could be a problem if you already are short on USB ports or don't want a bump sticking out of your laptop. The Comfort mouse also had occasional hiccups in connectivity (which might be due to my setup), but I haven't experienced this with the Ergonomic mouse. Overall, both are good, but a mouse should first and foremost be comfortable and reliable, and the Ergonomic Mouse is more comfortable and more reliable than the Comfort mouse in my experience.

I am a knowledge worker who regularly spends full workdays in front of the computer. And since I am also working on a part-time CS master's degree on nights and weekends, I spend even more time in front of the computer than the average person. As I scaled up my career and began spending more time in front of the computer, I started to suffer minor wrist pain due to keyboard and mouse usage. Most keyboards and mice are usable by the majority of people who do not spend inordinate time in front of the computer (e.g. if you spend less than 4 hours per day on the computer, you can probably get away with anything). But I conducted a lot of research about ergonomics and bought a few products. By far the best products have been the ones coming out of Microsoft's hardware group (amazing, I know). I don't work for Microsoft, but my theory is that a small team of ergonomic experts in the corner managed to develop some great hardware and Microsoft somehow allowed them to bring their products to market. I use the Sculpt Ergo Mouse at work and at home. I have not had wrist pain ever since switching to this mouse. I additionally use the MSFT bluetooth Sculpt keyboard which can be purchased in a set with the mouse (the mouse and keyboard are both bluetooth and can be bound to the same black thimble that you put into the computer). You need to get used to the weird ball shape, but the shape forces you to hold the mouse in a healthy way. No more of those dumb wrist pillows (those simply adapt crappy hardware to healthier standards). This mouse has ergonomics built into the design. Also, it somehow lasts for months on two AA batteries. I cannot remember how often I need to change the batteries, but it's so infrequent that it does not bother me at all.

I am a firm believer in an ergonomic keyboard and mouse---specifically the ones made by Microsoft. Like many people these days, I spend far too much time sitting at a computer desk. A few years ago, I started to get sharp pains in my wrist...and I am fairly young so I knew this was a very bad sign. To circumvent carpal tunnel problems later in life, I became a little obsessed with testing out anything that might alleviate the pain. I tried a variety of options like raised gel pads in front the mouse and keyboard, raised keyboards, different chair and desk heights, a mouse with a trackball, etc. Sometimes they brought a little comfort but nothing really solved the trick completely. Well, that is nothing until I tried out Microsoft! The ergonomic keyboard and mouse took away the pains better than I had expected (I don't have them anymore). A few weeks later, I bought another set for my office and threw out my father's stuff for a replacement at his house and office, too. My mouse of choice was the Microsoft Natural Wireless Laser Mouse 6000 until my second one went downhill. I was not willing to pay $220 for a replacement (what the heck?!). Instead, I took a risk on the Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Mouse (L6V-00001) . I am quite happy with its out of the box performance. It took me all of about 15-30 seconds to get it running. WHY A RISK? FEAR #1: Review quality. Most of the reviews are from people on Vine. I like the idea of Vine (wouldn't mind being on it myself!) but I wasn't sure if the company was trying to drum up reviews by sending out freebies. RESPONSE: The reviews are legit and detailed. I don't think they're exaggerations. FEAR #2: Size. Some reviewers touched on the different sizes of the mice. I was perfectly happy with my other model and didn't want an upgrade to send my good luck into a tailspin. RESPONSE: This mouse actually feels smaller in my hand. For people not used to the siderest (like on the Natural Wireless Laser Mouse 6000), I see how the size could feel awkward or terribly large. Actually, I wish it was slightly larger to fill out my hand a little more. Oh well! FEAR #3: The new laser. I am enchanted by Logitech's darkfield technology and enjoy its products. I wanted to get such a mouse for my desktop (already have one for travel with my laptop and it is awesome) but I was fearful of not having a tried-and-true ergonomic mouse. Microsoft's laser claimed it wouldn't work on glass tables when I looked around. My desk is glass but has a tinted shade. RESPONSE: Indeed, it does not work well on the glass. There is a jittery movement. No getting rid of my mousepad for now. Nothing changed here. I'd take away 1/2 a star if I could but this was my own risky decision so I can't fault the mouse all the way. FEAR #4: New buttons on the side. I love my zoom and back buttons on the other mouse. RESPONSE: Eh, I think I'll adjust. I am still not completely used to it even after a month of heavy usage. The back button is located a little too far toward the front of the mouse given how I used my old Microsoft ergonomic mouse (maybe it wasn't perfect for use but it was comfortable). The Windows button is kinda weird, too. I miss my old zoom button because I sometimes work with graphics where zooming in fast is pretty nice. The scroll wheel seems a little more "clicky" but has less friction than my other mouse. This mouse loses points for getting rid of my zoom. I bet I could reprogram the Windows button but that takes a few seconds of effort and I don't want to be constantly reminded of the Windows logo (I do use Unix and Mac systems sometimes). I'm docking a star without hesitation because of the poor placement of the back button and the useless Windows button. FEAR #5: Ease of movement. The other mouse I have glides fairly well as I move back and forth. I've gotten used to a lack of friction. RESPONSE: This mouse is actually a little better in its movement. Out of the box, it felt slightly lighter (indeed the product page says 10.4 ounces vs 1 lb but it's nothing to write home about). I don't care about whether these ergonomic mice are a lot heavier than most mice because I use them for desktop computers---not travel---and I don't plan to pick it up much. If you have a laptop, this may not be the ideal mouse to be lugging around! Sitting next to the older Microsoft ergonomic mouse, the new one reminds me of a smaller yet cool oval rock you might find in a mountain stream while the older one looks like something out of Area 51. This sculpt mouse has a sleeker and lower profile. OVERALL I'm happy. I still like the fit and buttons a little better with its predecessor but the new design is cool and equally as useful. I can get rid of the wireless receiver now. The USB one does stick out a little farther than other competitors' products but I put it in the back of my computer. Would I choose this mouse or the older 6000? Probably the 6000 for comfort but this one for looks. Usability (in its glide and basic clicking) seems slightly better with this one. We'll see how the battery power holds up... *** UPDATE after 2 months: Still works fine and without any complaints. I tossed the v6000. I have gotten a little more used to the new button on the side for clicking "back". Seems like I hold it a little higher and that gives me a better grip as well as an ability to touch the button. I continue to believe the Windows button is rather worthless. I'd rather have something cool (like a transparent window or a glowing light) rather than that button. Scrolling is great with this mouse (both by moving the mouse and with the scroll wheel). I'm happy. When the v6000 goes dead in my office, I'll upgrade to another one or see if Microsoft has another innovation on the market. I don't see a point in trying out other companies any more. No, I'm not getting paid or endorsed by them...I like good products and don't mind raving about them when they improve my life :-) UPDATE after 5 months: Review holds. A solid product. I believe I have replaced the batteries only once and I usually spend a few hours on my CPU on a daily basis. One thing that has impressed me has been the range of movement of the mouse to the scroll icon on the screen (not sure about a range distance from the CPU ). On the older model, I would have to pick it up and move it some to go back and forth across my widescreen dual monitors. This one can almost always go back and forth and, when I do have to pick it up, it's not as heavy to move around.

It is the second mouse of that type I've purchased. I do not remember how long the previous one lasted (about one year and a half - two years?) and then stopped working (the blue light at the bottom oh the mouse blinked like crazy). Unfortunately after my previous MS ergonomic mouse I can not use others any more - they do not feel comfortable enough for my palm or wrist. I tried everything that was on shelves in Staples even these for $99.99 (just put my palm on one after another without purchasing). I am not fan of any brand and I had some Logitech mouses in the past and one Chinese no-name ergonomic mouse purchased here on Amazon. In between my MS ergonomic mouses I used another MS mouse I've used long before and I start feeling some inconvenience in my wrist, but I got used to it. When my new mouse arrived I even felt some mixed senses as if I do not like it any more, but in one week of using this new mouse I noticed I do not feel inconvenience in my wrist (with all mouses I use the same mouse pad with wrist cushion). My palm is not big. I am 5'4"t all, for my husband of 6' tall this mouse is small. I am not a gamer, so I can not tell about is it good or bad mouse for gaming. I do not use this blue Window button, rarely use Back button - I think this button is more convenient on MS Mobil mouse 4000 (this one I used between ergonomic mouses). For me this is good ergonomic mouse.

The L6V-00001 has never failed me regardless which computer I use it with--desktops or laptops, and any operating system. I purchased this as a replacement for a far more expensive mouse being used with a 2013 Imac, and found, happily, the Microsoft mouse to work flawlessly. I pop the dongle into PC and Mac USB ports whenever I want to transfer the mouse functionality, and without any hiccup, the mouse just works. I also like the magnetic battery door. Over the years I've despised changing mouse batteries mainly because the doors have nearly all been so difficult to pry open. But this Microsoft mouse's battery door remains firmly shut until you turn the mouse over and tug on the smoothly indented lip to open the door. It's almost a pleasure to open and watch the door reseal securely once the lid is let go. Moreover, the mouse tracks remarkably smoothly and accurately on all non-translucent surfaces I've tried to date. My only complaints are: 1)the plastic housing is ugly--and in less than a year has already become badly worn; 2)the mouse is rather small even in my medium-sized hands, which means the arch of my hand doesn't fit comfortably on the mouse, so my hand becomes tired after using the mouse for 60 minutes or so--an oddity in an "ergonomic" mouse; 3)the button to turn the mouse off (and therefore conserve battery power) is so smoothly integrated with the mouse's underside that in low light it's hard to find to turn the mouse off; I wish the mouse instead switched itself off after a certain time remaining idle; 4)the dongle is quite large (about a centimeter sticks out of the USB port when connected). None of these issues is very important to me, as the mouse works so very, very well, and I use it mainly as a desktop (so stationary) mouse. Considering the small fortune I've spent on computer mouses over the years, I'd be happy to replace most our other computer mouses with the Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Mouse in the future. UPDATE APRIL 2018 The dongle for this mouse literally fell apart (the plastic housing cracked open, exposing the bare circuitry underneath) while I was on a research assignment at a foreign university. I thought I could get a replacement on coming back to the States, but I've learned from Microsoft that the dongles are all specific to the particular mouse they're sold with. The Microsoft parts operator told me that if the dongle breaks there's no way to get a repalcement even under warranty. I'm stunned. Now I have an otherwise perfectly good mouse with a broken dongle permanently stuck in my MBP's USB dock. I'd have to use pliers to remove the dongle, hoping not to damage my USB port, and then my only option would be to toss this large piece of plastic (the mouse) into yet another landfill. What an environmentally irresponsible, not to mention consumer economics UNfriendly, policy! Given my experience now, just four years later (I STILL have a 2004 black Macbook that works flawlessly; I don't want electronic devices I have to replace every few years), I'm downgrading my original 4-star review to 1-stars. Wasteful-wasteful-wasteful manufacturing and engineering.

I bought it twice in Two years buy the USB dongle broke both times when it was left plugged in the laptop. Unfortunately I won't be buying it again. The dongle size is bigger than usual USB stick, so I recommend buying mouse with smaller USB dingle size that doesn't stick out. The usage was good and got rid of the wrist pain.