Thinking of getting a Trackball
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- Location: Sweden
- Main keyboard: KBC Poker
- Main mouse: Mionix Naos
- Favorite switch: Cherry Red
- DT Pro Member: -
So I'm thinking of getting a trackball, but I know nothing about which trackball is good, or what is bad.
Does not matter if it is a thumb or finger trackball, So any suggestions is nice
Also are there any pros and cons to thumb vs finger trackballs?
I am also thinking of maybe integrating it into a desk, as I will design a desk from scratch I'm thinking of making it as ergonomic as possible. So a trackball that is easy to mod would be awesome!
Does not matter if it is a thumb or finger trackball, So any suggestions is nice
Also are there any pros and cons to thumb vs finger trackballs?
I am also thinking of maybe integrating it into a desk, as I will design a desk from scratch I'm thinking of making it as ergonomic as possible. So a trackball that is easy to mod would be awesome!
- Sugoi
- Location: Germany
- DT Pro Member: -
In that case I would recommend getting a CST trackball.Swede wrote: I am also thinking of maybe integrating it into a desk, as I will design a desk from scratch I'm thinking of making it as ergonomic as possible. So a trackball that is easy to mod would be awesome!
http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?5625 ... post169454
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- Location: Ugly American
- Main keyboard: As Long As It is Helvetica
- Main mouse: Mickey
- Favorite switch: Wanna Switch? Well, I Certainly Did!
- DT Pro Member: -
- RC-1140
- Location: Germany
- Main keyboard: Unicomp Terminal Emulator
- Main mouse: Razer Mamba
- Favorite switch: Buckling Spring
- DT Pro Member: -
I'm interested in trackballs too. I just remembered having used an "Logitech Trackman Vista" in my youth (I used this before I used an ordinary mouse), and liked it's ergonomics. Now I'm thinking about getting a trackball for everyday usage again. I wouldn't like to spend much money on it, as I'm always short on money and don't even know if I will like it. For gaming I will still have to use my Razer Mamba.
- guilleguillaume
- Location: Barcelona, Spain
- Main keyboard: Kmac Mini
- Main mouse: Razer Abyssus 2014
- Favorite switch: Topre
- DT Pro Member: -
I've been using the Logitech M570 since December 2010 and I think it's a fantastic input device. I didn't have to change the battery yet and I keep it always in ON mode.
The Microsoft Trackball Optical is really that good ? I mean those are being sold for 200$ news right now on Amazon
I find it good looking but I've never tried one so I can't say how good it may be.
The Microsoft Trackball Optical is really that good ? I mean those are being sold for 200$ news right now on Amazon
Spoiler:
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- Location: Germany
- Main keyboard: HHKB Pro2, CM QFS MX Green, SSK, ErgoDox (MX Blue)
- Main mouse: CST L-Trac X, Logitech MX518,
- Favorite switch: Buckling spring, MX Green
- DT Pro Member: -
I took a gamble and bought the CST L-Trac X from www.computerware.co.uk for about €160. I have never used a trackball in my life and I am extremely happy with my purchase. At first I needed to get used to the trackball being extremely sensitive, even at 800 DPI (lowest setting). But you can control it very easily by fixing it a bit with your thumb and ring finger.
Even my girlfriend, who is getting tired of me lurking on keyboard forums all the time, loves the thing.
Even my girlfriend, who is getting tired of me lurking on keyboard forums all the time, loves the thing.
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- Location: Utrecht, Netherlands
- Main keyboard: Ergo Clear MX11800, Ducky 1087XM
- Main mouse: Razer Abyssus
- Favorite switch: Ergo Clear
- DT Pro Member: -
- Contact:
Just bought that Microsoft Trackball used for 11 euros.. looked like new.
Read good things about it..
Will let you guys know if it's any good.
Read good things about it..
Will let you guys know if it's any good.
guilleguillaume wrote:I've been using the Logitech M570 since December 2010 and I think it's a fantastic input device. I didn't have to change the battery yet and I keep it always in ON mode.
The Microsoft Trackball Optical is really that good ? I mean those are being sold for 200$ news right now on Amazon
I find it good looking but I've never tried one so I can't say how good it may be.Spoiler:
- Jim66
- Location: Bristol, UK
- Main keyboard: MacBook Pro
- Favorite switch: Topre
- DT Pro Member: -
I'm still getting pretty bad neck/back pain from using a mouse so I'm going to give a trackball another go.
I've just bought a cheap Kensington expert from ebay; if I grow to like trackballs (not necessarily this model) perhaps I'll buy a CST?
I'm also going to give using it left-handed a go (I'm currently right-handed), has anyone else tried this?
I've just bought a cheap Kensington expert from ebay; if I grow to like trackballs (not necessarily this model) perhaps I'll buy a CST?
I'm also going to give using it left-handed a go (I'm currently right-handed), has anyone else tried this?
- Jim66
- Location: Bristol, UK
- Main keyboard: MacBook Pro
- Favorite switch: Topre
- DT Pro Member: -
Well, I've recently come to the conclusion that most of my pain is coming from my poor posture when using the mouse (the pain is over my right side; I'm right handed). When I'm tying, I'm sat back in my chair with a nice even posture, but as soon as I used the mouse, I end up reaching forward, pushing the mouse much further up the desk (closer to the monitor).
I notice that when I pull the mouse close to the keyboard (and closer to me) the back/neck pain isn't that bad that day, the problem is, I always end up sliding back town the desk and into the same uncomfortable position.
I figured that with a trackball, I wouldn't need to move the unit, I could keep it in place right next to my board. furthermore, I could place it on the left side.
Two birds, one stone; killed.
It was my understanding that poor seated posture arising from mouse location was a 'real thing'..?
I notice that when I pull the mouse close to the keyboard (and closer to me) the back/neck pain isn't that bad that day, the problem is, I always end up sliding back town the desk and into the same uncomfortable position.
I figured that with a trackball, I wouldn't need to move the unit, I could keep it in place right next to my board. furthermore, I could place it on the left side.
Two birds, one stone; killed.
It was my understanding that poor seated posture arising from mouse location was a 'real thing'..?
- daedalus
- Buckler Of Springs
- Location: Ireland
- Main keyboard: Model M SSK (home) HHKB Pro 2 (work)
- Main mouse: CST Lasertrack, Logitech MX Master
- Favorite switch: Buckling Spring, Beam Spring
- DT Pro Member: 0087
This is what I did. If you like the KEM, you'll love the CST. I preferred the scroll wheel, and the button placement on the KEM, but the CST makes up for it by having an incredibly smooth action, and not requiring you to clean it every day...Jim66 wrote:I've just bought a cheap Kensington expert from ebay; if I grow to like trackballs (not necessarily this model) perhaps I'll buy a CST?
- off
- Location: the crapper, NL, EU
- DT Pro Member: -
You could try leaning back instead of leaning in.. (when mousing)?Jim66 wrote: was my understanding that poor seated posture arising from mouse location was a 'real thing'..?
Although, that is exactly what I'm doing, and was the reason I clicked on this thread since my arm is starting to feel the awkward position it's in for hours on end. So wouldn't be 'the solution', maybe a trackball will provide relief, or at least a change for your body (always good), but you could try..
- Peter
- Location: Denmark
- Main keyboard: Steelseries 6Gv2/G80-1501HAD
- Main mouse: Mx518
- Favorite switch: Cherry Linear and Buckling Spring
- DT Pro Member: -
That seems like a damn fine trackball, congratulations !mSSM wrote:I took a gamble and bought the CST L-Trac X from http://www.computerware.co.uk for about €160. I have never used a trackball in my life and I am extremely happy with my purchase. At first I needed to get used to the trackball being extremely sensitive, even at 800 DPI (lowest setting). But you can control it very easily by fixing it a bit with your thumb and ring finger.
Even my girlfriend, who is getting tired of me lurking on keyboard forums all the time, loves the thing.
Now I just hope my wife doesn't see it before I can afford to buy her one !!
She has 2 Logitech Marble Trackballs, even uses them for gaming .
Dunno how she does that, I feel as helpless as the first time I used a mouse instead of a joystick
to control games.. But I did learn it, after discovering 'reverse mouse' .
Probably just a matter of training with it for a while ?
- fossala
- Elite +1
- Location: UK
- Main keyboard: HHKB Type-S
- Main mouse: Rollermouse Free2
- Favorite switch: Topre
- DT Pro Member: -
The older ones don't have a scroll wheel. They also have different dpi and are non selectable. Don't know about the profiles though. I can mesure my cst ltrack x 3200dpi (latest model) if you want to compare.
- Jim66
- Location: Bristol, UK
- Main keyboard: MacBook Pro
- Favorite switch: Topre
- DT Pro Member: -
I've just had a look at some of the measurements and they appear to be the same.
I think, if I was to get one, I would get this:
http://www.computerware.co.uk/lasertrac.html
It has a lower DPI and it doesn't have the option to connect the extra buttons; that's the only difference between this and the most expensive model isn't it?
I think, if I was to get one, I would get this:
http://www.computerware.co.uk/lasertrac.html
It has a lower DPI and it doesn't have the option to connect the extra buttons; that's the only difference between this and the most expensive model isn't it?
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- Location: Utrecht, Netherlands
- Main keyboard: Ergo Clear MX11800, Ducky 1087XM
- Main mouse: Razer Abyssus
- Favorite switch: Ergo Clear
- DT Pro Member: -
- Contact:
Microsoft trackball came in today and using it now.. So far so good!
Like the feel of it. The top is exactly like a mouse so your fingers are more or less in the same position.. scroll too.
Ball itself is smooth..
Thing is a lot bigger than you think by the way.. was really surprised by that!
Like the feel of it. The top is exactly like a mouse so your fingers are more or less in the same position.. scroll too.
Ball itself is smooth..
Thing is a lot bigger than you think by the way.. was really surprised by that!