There are quite a few obscure manufacturers that like to play around with mouse designs, forgetting everything about ergonomics and comfort. Weird-shaped mice take the form of funny animals, tools and cars, and just anything you could imagine. While playing with such mice could be fun, the actual usage might not prove to be that entertaining. Anyhow, I think that one should have one good mouse and the rest could go into his/her collectibles stash.

One of the latest less ergonomic, but funny mice comes in the form of a slightly flattened golf ball complete with a specially designed mouse pad that resembles a golf course. The mouse pad features a flag, a putter and a tiny ball, so now you have to slalom your way on the pad.

Goofing around with such mouse and pad won’t serve in any way if you intend to play FPS and other games requiring precision and lightning-fast response times, though the mouse is optical. This set looks like it would be more appropriate as an ornamental gadget lying around the office desk of a golf veteran. In addition to its special shape, the mouse can also light up in several colors, making for a stroboscope and keeping you awake in those lazy summer office days.

No info on price and availability. The guys over at Gizmag might know something about these aspects.

Although it’s not as big as Logitech, Kensington manufactures some of the best trackball mice on the market, and it’s known for ingenious mice designs, as well. Clearly, the trackball mice aren’t intended for gamers, but there are many laptop users that would find Kensington’s Expert Optical Mouse useful, especially in those places where you can’t really find enough room to operate a classic optical mouse.

Of course, Kensington is boasting a bit saying that this is the best trackball around, but that seems to be the truth if we take a closer look at the Expert Mouse. Designed for PCs and Macs, the new Expert Mouse integrates Kensington’s Diamond Eye optical technology for smooth, precise cursor movement.

Surrounding the ball, there’s a brand new implementation of Kensington’s award winning Scroll Ring technology that puts scrolling right at your fingertips, literally. Plus you get 4 customizable buttons around the ring, too. The guys over at Kensington even provide extended ergonomics, including a soft new wrist rest-right. The Expert also provides full USB support.

Here are some more highlights for the Expert Mouse:

• Largest ball of any of the mainstream, consumer devices
• Great momentum and virtually frictionless rotation
• Detachable wrist rest cradles your hand in comfort

Amazon has this one for about $66.24.

Most of the mice presented here are closely following the standard design issued back in the 1960’s. OK, the Zalman FPS gun-like mouse doesn’t count. Although mice makers have tried to tweak the original design in order to offer ergonomic devices, it looks like the RSI and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome still give people rough times in many cases. Evoluent thinks that their vertical mouse design could solve all these problems, plus it makes for a good wireless solution.

Evoluent Wireless Vertical Ergonomic Mouse 3 combines the convenience of a wireless mouse with the comfort of a uniquely designed ergonomic mouse to help prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI) in computer users. Unlike any other so –called ergonomic mouse you’ve seen, the Evoluent Vertical offers full support for Mac or PC users and is fully customizable to fit your individual needs.

The Evoluent Vertical was tested, evaluated, and approved by the University of California at Berkley’s team of health services (including doctors, therapists, and administrators). The mouse proved to be comfortable and easy to adapt to for new users. The patented shape of this cleverly designed ergonomic mouse supports your hand in a fully upright position, which seems like you’re actually handshaking the mouse. This position is supposed to eliminate forearm twisting which can lead to Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI).

The design integrates a lip at the bottom of the vertical mouse, preventing your pinkie finger from rubbing as it is moved. All five buttons can be easily clicked without contorting your fingers. Additionally, you can program all of them using the free downloadable driver available at the websites listed in the instructions.

The package also includes a compact receiver that plugs into your computer’s USB port and enables the Evoluent Vertical to be operated from up to 30 feet away (the pictures actually show the wired version). The design itself seems a good idea, but Evoluent sort of exaggerates with the price. Amazon has the vertical mouse for $109.

Razer presents the Destructor mouse pad, which promises up to 37% better performance for your trusty gaming mouse. But wait, Razer settles things straight from the start, as the mouse pad is optimized for ‘gaming-grade laser mice’ first and foremost. Optical mice (these should be gaming-grade as well) are prone to gain only 25% better performance, as far as Razer’s concerned

The Razer designers thought that Destructor should be an over-sized mouse pad, able to provide gamers with a large comfortable working area. However, the mouse pad is really thin at only 2.3mm, though it comes in a neat case that could actually store a laptop.

Of course, as Razer has already accustomed us with all their products, the mouse pad features some outstanding properties. Say, something like fractal textured surface technology and proprietary gunmetal coating. Spiffy! This special surface feels even smoother than wet whetstone.

If you got the skill but just needed an extra edge over the grim opposition, get one of these mouse pads for only $40.