Qtronix Libra 90 Net - mini review
Posted: 28 Jun 2015, 22:52
Dear all,
This is not a full review by any stretch, I've not had this device for long enough to warrant that, however I am, three days in, falling in love.
Three main reasons for this.
1. Tracking
2. Build quality
3. Price
This device is new OLD stock, I got it from eBay UK for £5.80, including postage. It came fully boxed and sealed, with a floppy disk with the driver and an instruction manual.
I plugged it into my iMac 27 and off it went. The Belkin dual PS/2 adapter worked a treat, although it likes to be plugged into the computer and not a hub, I have no idea why.
With a few clicks of KARABINER, I had it set up to my liking and its now my firm IBM SSK companion.
The device comes with a wrist sliding wrist rest and fixed cable. Its not heavy but with its high quality rubber feet, it does not move around on my desk at all. It feels well made and robust. The trackball is heavy and highly polished, like many others I'm sure. So far I've only cleaned it once, more of a polish than a clean. The rollers are metal and the clip ring is easy to remove for cleaning purposes.
This is my first trackball and so far, I am very happy with its performance. As many know, I am not a gamer but a writer. Trackballs are great for scanning long documents, and although there is not scroll lock as sure, I've set the middle button to be a scroll button, and I hope in the next few days, to obtain a private.xml file to allow a scroll lock feature. More anon.
I've used for many years an Evoluent vertical mouse on my main machine, and its great, but now after six years of use, is showing its age. The tracking is still spot on but when I'm in the midsts of work, with many source books open (READ MESSY DESK), having a trackball, (something that is stationary) just seemed like a better way forward.
This is a 400DPI device and three buttons with tactile feedback, and for for my use it seems fine. I have two monitors, one 30 inch and one 27 inch, and the response is fast. I'd actually prefer it to be a tad faster but System Prefs is maxed out, but perhaps there is a little add on app that will allow fine tuning. I'll have a to take a look in the future.
Whilst I am a brand-whore and would like a CH Products trackball, for the time being, this Qtronix is working nicely and if anyone else wishes to try a vintage product, they are available for little money on eBay. I'd recommend you take the risk and try it for yourself. I should add that this product is now made by / distributed by a company called iOne. They sell a USB version in black, but I only ventured down this route due to the insignificant cost outlay, including the new Belkin adapter, also new OLD stock purchased from another seller on eBay, I spent just over £10. Where I live, that is the price of two artisan coffees and a pastry!
I hope this is useful to others wishing to try a trackball.
With best wishes,
SY
London
Article not proofed to please accept my apologies for typos -
This is not a full review by any stretch, I've not had this device for long enough to warrant that, however I am, three days in, falling in love.
Three main reasons for this.
1. Tracking
2. Build quality
3. Price
This device is new OLD stock, I got it from eBay UK for £5.80, including postage. It came fully boxed and sealed, with a floppy disk with the driver and an instruction manual.
I plugged it into my iMac 27 and off it went. The Belkin dual PS/2 adapter worked a treat, although it likes to be plugged into the computer and not a hub, I have no idea why.
With a few clicks of KARABINER, I had it set up to my liking and its now my firm IBM SSK companion.
The device comes with a wrist sliding wrist rest and fixed cable. Its not heavy but with its high quality rubber feet, it does not move around on my desk at all. It feels well made and robust. The trackball is heavy and highly polished, like many others I'm sure. So far I've only cleaned it once, more of a polish than a clean. The rollers are metal and the clip ring is easy to remove for cleaning purposes.
This is my first trackball and so far, I am very happy with its performance. As many know, I am not a gamer but a writer. Trackballs are great for scanning long documents, and although there is not scroll lock as sure, I've set the middle button to be a scroll button, and I hope in the next few days, to obtain a private.xml file to allow a scroll lock feature. More anon.
I've used for many years an Evoluent vertical mouse on my main machine, and its great, but now after six years of use, is showing its age. The tracking is still spot on but when I'm in the midsts of work, with many source books open (READ MESSY DESK), having a trackball, (something that is stationary) just seemed like a better way forward.
This is a 400DPI device and three buttons with tactile feedback, and for for my use it seems fine. I have two monitors, one 30 inch and one 27 inch, and the response is fast. I'd actually prefer it to be a tad faster but System Prefs is maxed out, but perhaps there is a little add on app that will allow fine tuning. I'll have a to take a look in the future.
Whilst I am a brand-whore and would like a CH Products trackball, for the time being, this Qtronix is working nicely and if anyone else wishes to try a vintage product, they are available for little money on eBay. I'd recommend you take the risk and try it for yourself. I should add that this product is now made by / distributed by a company called iOne. They sell a USB version in black, but I only ventured down this route due to the insignificant cost outlay, including the new Belkin adapter, also new OLD stock purchased from another seller on eBay, I spent just over £10. Where I live, that is the price of two artisan coffees and a pastry!
I hope this is useful to others wishing to try a trackball.
With best wishes,
SY
London
Article not proofed to please accept my apologies for typos -
