(Part 2) Top products from r/Trackballs

TL;DR found on the bottom of the WALL OF TEXT

So it all started with me finding an old T-BB13 in a relative's cellar one day. I was super excited, since not only would I get to try out a trackball, but it was also old and grimy - means I could attempt my first restoration. Sadly, I forgot to take pre pics, sorry.

I got used to the trackball in about 3 hours. It felt MUCH more comfortable than my old G700, going back to which felt weird - it was so tiny and cramped. Uncomfortable. My only gripe is that I occasionally get tremors which can affect my precision on the trackball (the old marble seems to be much looser than the ones in both the new trackballs) more than a standard mouse, and the lack of extra buttons.

And so, the old Trackman Marble Wheel fuelled my hunger. Obviously Ripster has already provided the first fuel - indicated by the (impulsively bought) FC660C. So I got both the thumb and finger operated trackballs (also love how the M570 is wireless) to try different things.

Here's the exact links I bought them from - if you want to try the trackball world first-hand(I guess the £ indicates that this is for UK)

£20.80 Trackman Marble
£21.00 M570

Pros (M570)

• Ball axis are remappable in Logitech SetPoint - you can angle the mouse in any way comfortable
  
  
• Wireless
  
  
• Apparently long battery life
  
  
• Back and Forward buttons
  
  
  Cons (M570)
  
  
• No wired port like on G700 for wired usage
  
  User Preference (M570)
  
  
• Small size - should be comfortable for people that prefer smaller size
  
  
• Thumb ball - more "traditional" mouse feel
  
  
  ---
  
  Pros (Trackman)
  
  
• Extremely comfortable.
  
  
• Surprisingly accessible buttons.
  
  
• Appears to be the quietest of the three ^^^(holy ^^^shit ^^^where ^^^did ^^^I ^^^get ^^^so ^^^many) trackballs that I have - buttons on both others are quite a bit stiffer and louder. Flicking or rolling the ball also makes the least amount of sound. (Something I never thought I'd care about in a mouse)
  
  
• Shaped in a way that I didn't need to remap the ball axis at all since this is the first mouse which I can actually hold straight.
  
  Cons (Trackman)
  
  
• WHERE IS MY RIGHT+LEFT CLICK TO MIDDLE CLICK?!
  
  
• The small buttons are a bit harder to reach with the pinky than the thumb.
  
  
• Seriously, why does two-click-scrolling work on Linux but not on Windows?!
  
  
• *more ranting about no scroll on Windows*
  
  
  User Preference (Trackman)
  
  
• Large and comfortable. I really like this point since I can stretch and spread my palm. No cramps, yay!
  
  
• Finger ball - took me a few more minutes to get used to - but I actually prefer it this way. It's actually way more comfortable for me to left click with my thumb.
  
  
  Conclusion:
  
  I fucken love trackballs.
  
  I have used both for 2 hours each to play some Skyrim and I have to say - it's glorious. The only time I had such a feeling of upgrade was when I switched from a 8600GT to a 6950Crossfire and later on when I switched from a rubber dome to mechanical.
  
  If you ever wanted to try a trackball for a long time - you should try it now. If you have used a trackball for years and can share any wise knowledge - please do.
  
  I'd love some advice on how to make scrolling viable on the Trackman (Logitech's solution works like ass in browsers, and doesn't even have any effect in N++ or applications like games)
  
  Also if anyone can recommend a guide on making a sidecar for these guys (I guess it's a bit harder than when making one for a CST) I'd love to see those. I already have a cheap rubber dome that I can salvage for the controller.
  
  Thanks for reading!
  
  TL;DR: impulse bough two new trackballs for cheaper than the current mouse that I got secondhand. Trackballs are glorious. UK! UK! UK! Cheap! Cheap! Cheap! BUT SERIOUSLY LOGITECH WHY THE FUCK IS THERE NO TWOCLICK FOR MOUSEWHEEL/SCROLL FEATURE ON WINDOWS?! Playing games is actually comfortable with trackballs. You should also become a baller. TL;DR. Recursion.
  
  
  

I'm right-handed, like most, but have been wanting to train my left hand because it seems like a waste to have an entire appendage that is clumsy and underused. So I started using a Left-Handed Elecom thumb trackball. It has helped tremendously with my dexterity and the cognitive differences from switching between right hand and left. I wanna say that if my Right hand was at 100% functionality, my left is now around 80%, and I can write legibly with it. The thing to keep in mind is that you can't really use your Left hand in the same manner as your Right, because it's coming from a different angle, and generally are pushing rather than pulling. Would definitely recommend this, and thumb trackballs in general.

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https://www.amazon.com/M-XT4DRBK-Wireless-Trackball-Left-Handed-buttons/dp/B016QCPRBM/ref=olp_product_details?_encoding=UTF8&me=

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Thank you for your very thorough response, BlahmanTT! This really helped a lot and I think I will purchase the Elecom Huge on Amazon later today to give it a try. I should note I also use Linux, so the re-mapping you mention definitely caught my attention - don't suppose you have details to help me avoid headaches with this later? With that said though, I am still trying to visualize how exactly you re-mapped the EM's buttons. It sounds like you did experience some "stretching" issues to be able to use the LMB and RMB, hence re-bindings. I play games where I use the LMB and RMB a lot quickly back-to-back, so any more clarity you can offer around this topic, would really help me. Like, are you operating LMB --and-- RMB with your thumb? I should note, with the trackman marble mouse I use, I'm using thumb for LMB, ring-finger for RMB, and my index+middle fingers to move the trackball, so I'm already a two-finger ball operator (although, I frequently lift either my index finger or middle finger completely off the ball for certain movements. And, for non-gaming [or gaming with no RMB needs], I use my index-through-ring fingers to operate the ball.).

​

I included links to both products in question, to aide discussion for visualizing. I see the buttons on the Elecom Huge are actually labelled on Amazon, so perhaps you specify which you've bound to what function, to make the mouse ergonomic for you? And if, had you left the default button bindings alone, if you felt it still would have been ergonomic/enjoyable to use?

Thanks for the detailed response. I really miss the Rollermouse Red I had at a previous job, but they're both really expensive and I just can't see using them for gaming.

Someone saying they picked a Logitech product for the software though is a first. Usually Logitech hardware is pretty first rate, but then the software is as bad as the hardware is good. I was intrigued by the idea of being able to transfer files using the Logitech hardware. I don't have two computers right now, but at some point I will probably get a laptop. You happen to know how that works? Is it just a BT file transfer that will take a few days to transfer anything larger than a Word document, or how exactly does that work?

So far leaning towards the Logitech, primarily because where I live is lousy with Best Buys and I can walk into any one of them and pick up the mouse. Plus, they have a strong presence in the US, which Elecom does not, in the event I have an issue. Also looks like there are a few minor ergo related design features of the MX Ergo which would be nice to have long-term. I just really wish it didn't have a built-in battery.

It depends on your hand. I bought two different kinds

This one

https://www.amazon.com/Handstands-55510-Beaded-Ergonomic-Cushion/dp/B001CWI0XY/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=handstands&qid=1550930572&s=gateway&sr=8-3

And this one

https://www.amazon.de/wristee-Handauflage-Handgelenkauflage-Handballenauflage-ergonomisch/dp/B00795LVMK/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1550930629&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=wristee

The first one gives more height than i need so i am not using it all.

The second one levels my wrist completely. Its ergonomic heaven for my case at least. If your hand is small i recommend the second one. It isn't gel type but it has like beans inside i think buckwheat which feels better for my wrist. Its a try and error process until you find the one with the best results

I was just browsing Amazon and came across this thumb trackball. I assume it's pretty new, never seen it before.

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Looks a bit like an M570 but not exactly the same. Not sure if it's a rebranded item or an original Amazon design. If Amazon decide to do a finger trackball it'll be interesting.

​

It's listed as out of stock at the moment on the UK site. Price is £28.49

Link to Amazon uk

Unfortunately logitech doesn't make anything good anymore, so I recommend going back to when they did make something good. The corded version of the M570 isn't made anymore, but you can get it on amazon for about $65 used (ignore the $300 for a NIB one) and they often go on ebay or second hand store for less. I've been using the same one for at least 8 years and it's still going strong.

I was surprised how good the Amazon reviews were.

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-TrackMan-Remote-Pointing-Device/dp/B00000JDG8

Sometimes I think Amazon 3rd party sellers write shill reviews. Especially for the collectable stuff.

Don't have one, but Perixx's PeriMICE-717 looked like a fairly comfortable design; German company so I'd hope quality to be reasonable, though the reviews seem rather mixed.

I was a big fan of the MS Trackball explorer https://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-D68-00007-Trackball-Explorer/dp/B00005853Z

I recently bought both the Kensington Expert and the Elecom fingerball variant.

The elecom is indeed quite small. Nonetheless it is perfectly usable.

I still like to use the Kensington Expert for its larger trackball (I am so curious about the SlimBlade but I can't spend the money when I have two functional trackballs already). But the Elecom feels very smooth and more responsive for gaming.

You might not like the CST depending on your style. The CST uses rollers as bearings, which makes things smoother and more consistant, but it limits movements of the ball, e.g. you can't twist the ball. I twist the ball all the time when I move it, so CST is definitely not for me.

Some guy here earlier had the same problem, though I believe he had the deft pro. His solution was to use a PTFE/Teflon lubricant on the bearings, last time I checked with him he said he's used it for a week or two and it worked quite well. Here's the one he used

Interesting concept.

First thing that comes to mind is that at that angle, not much is holding in the actual ball.

Assuming you're gonna thumbball it with something already existing, my first guess would be to work around the mx570

If you want a straight drop in like in your render, turns out you can order this trackball part from China. You'd have to wire and program for it yourself though.

As far as I know, there's none.

I only know of 2 wireless finger operated trackballs that are still in production:

1. Kensington Orbit Mobile. You might give it a try, from the photos it seems a little less comfortable to use, but easier to carry around. And it has normal scrolling.
   
   
2. Sanwa MA-WTB40BK - this shape is more in line with Kensington Expert than Logitechs and doesn't seem very mobile.
   
   Or maybe someone else here knows of something that I don't ;)

Thats the same price as amazon :)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-Trackball-Cordless-Non-UK-Model/dp/B0043A1F4S

I've only used finger controlled ones myself, because i don't like the idea of just using my thumb, and I'm not a gamer. I started out with the kensington orbit optical, and I recently upgraded to the kensington slimblade. I've been extremely happy with both.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DE83RSC

I’ve seen this at my place of work. It does the job surprisingly well.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D8RDV1L/ref=cm_sw_r_fm_apa_i_c5JUCbEXF4066

Keep in mind, I can only say they helped some. I think it's still possible to do better.

Thanks, I was thinking more of this when I saw it.

http://www.amazon.com/3Dconnexion-3DX-700028-SpaceNavigator-3D-Mouse/dp/B000LB7G00/ref=pd_sim_e_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=0B4A8GDDT392M39WP1Z4

Just to give you a heads up, consider a pointing stick. Also known as a nipple mouse, it looks like a little rubber nipple you put a finger on. It requires barely any movement (And I mean absolutely tiny amounts of movement, most people would not even be able to tell your finger or thumb was moving) and is quite accurate.

Thinkpads are famous for having one in the middle of their keyboards. Indeed, Lenovo do standalone keyboards with them for desktop PC's as well. Here is an Amazon UK link to one, it is what appears to be a tiny red button in the middle of the keyboard.

There are also medical devices that you can get that work in the exact same way, but probably a lot pricier.

Web navigation? You'll need to minimize representative repetitive, unnecessary motion.

You could switch to using more of the keyboard for everything. You'll spread the load over 10 fingers.

Warning possible sales pitch: https://youtu.be/AKGXZ1ReU54

Try vim: http://www.openvim.com/ https://youtu.be/NzD2UdQl5Gc

Try: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/vimium/dbepggeogbaibhgnhhndojpepiihcmeb


Autohotkey for windows stuff.

A thing like this: https://www.amazon.com/Razer-Nostromo-PC-Gaming-Keypad/dp/B004AM5RB6

Few years ago I was doing a lot of CAD with a mouse and keyboard. I switched to a game pad, I even moved mouse clicking to my left hand with a game pad.

There's always the expert and slimblade. Both well liked. No scroll wheel though, but they have a scroll ring.


If you use Rhino a lot, have you considered looking at a 3D mouse? I have one of these and it's absolutely portable.

Nice caps. I have seen plenty of beige-colored trackballs when I was browsing for one but they are all vintage things on ebay with no scroll option. I'm not sure if you could mod them..

The silver orbit is not discontinued on Amazon, but beware that it doesn't have a scroll ring, although I'm sure there's a ball-scroll mod in guides somewhere.

And you can always opt for the silver Expert.

The silver Logitech Trackman Wheel is a pretty bulletproof unit. They can be had right now starting around $40 on ebay. I got lucky with mine, I found it at a small computer shop in town that carries older used stuff for a whopping $15. I've been using it at work for a few years with no faults (and remember, I bought it used). I also own an M570 and the ergonomics are nearly identical.

It helps to drop a link to the device you're reviewing: https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-G5W-Wireless-Trackball-Mouse/dp/B07G28NF3L

Or perhaps one of these, or Razer's other similar controllers?

https://www.amazon.com/Razer-Nostromo-PC-Gaming-Keypad/dp/B004AM5RB6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1503973586&sr=8-2&keywords=razer+nostromo

25pcs 2.5mm Si3N4 Silicon Nitride Ceramic Bearing Balls G5 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D8RDV1L/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_TNCRDbXRC6FQ6

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07R5S7TBD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Elecom makes left-handed version.

https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Trackball-Left-Handed-buttons-M-XT4DRBK/dp/B016QCPRBM

You might consider a trackpoint or trackpad.

The trackpoint in particular requires very little movement from the fingers.

DuPont Teflon Non-Stick Dry-Film Lubricant Squeeze Bottle, 4 Oz. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BCVXUR6/

The Sanwa MA-WTB40 also has a (awkwardly placed) scroll wheel.

quite literally:
http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-D68-00007-Trackball-Explorer/dp/B00005853Z

TL;DC: It's $599, $120 USED

The basic logitech trackman marble can be a good start. It's low cost and well built. It's only downside is the lack of scrollwheel.

https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Trackman-Marble-Four-Button-Programmable/dp/B001F42MKG

Saveing anyone else who has no idea cst l-trac is the trouble:

http://www.amazon.com/L-trac-Laser-Trackball-scroll-Ergoguys/dp/B002SQKHBG