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Author Topic: CST L-Trac laser trackball  (Read 64754 times)

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Offline tad

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CST L-Trac laser trackball
« on: Tue, 31 March 2009, 05:57:34 »
Anyone used one of these?



http://www.clearlysuperiortech.com/highperformance.html

The specs indicate it's sturdy, but I'm interested in how well the laser sensor tracks compared to a Logitech or Kensington optical sensor. I can't stand laser mice (the tracking feels "mushy"), but I am looking for a smooth+precise trackball for gaming.
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Offline bigpook

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CST L-Trac laser trackball
« Reply #1 on: Wed, 08 April 2009, 20:26:04 »
I was just in a thread with ozar and were talking about this mouse, well the one that is opto-mechanical anyways. This laser one is more interesting now.
All of my current mice are optical, I think the G5 is laser. I don't notice a difference though.
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Offline ozar

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CST L-Trac laser trackball
« Reply #2 on: Wed, 08 April 2009, 20:31:31 »
I'm really anxious to hear if these are good mice.

It looks great, and I like the scroll wheel being behind the ball rather than encircling it, like with the Kensington Expert.  Or at least I think I do, having never tried one.  :)
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Offline bigpook

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CST L-Trac laser trackball
« Reply #3 on: Wed, 08 April 2009, 20:34:37 »
The kensington expert is a fine mouse, the scroll ring is genius. The only downside is it is plastic on plastic. I don't know why kensington didn't design a better mechanism for that.
Having said that, it works great for me.
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Offline bigpook

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CST L-Trac laser trackball
« Reply #4 on: Wed, 08 April 2009, 20:48:20 »
Quote from: tad;26246
Anyone used one of these?

Show Image


http://www.clearlysuperiortech.com/highperformance.html

The specs indicate it's sturdy, but I'm interested in how well the laser sensor tracks compared to a Logitech or Kensington optical sensor. I can't stand laser mice (the tracking feels "mushy"), but I am looking for a smooth+precise trackball for gaming.


Maybe its me, but this looks like a mouse that Darth Vader would use.
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Offline D-EJ915

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    • http://dej915.darktech.org:777/
CST L-Trac laser trackball
« Reply #5 on: Wed, 08 April 2009, 21:38:49 »
what do the 1/8" jacks do?
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Offline rdjack21

  • Posts: 1663
CST L-Trac laser trackball
« Reply #6 on: Wed, 08 April 2009, 22:33:02 »
That is one of the ones I want to try out as well. Along with a few others. But first I have to recover from a keyboard spending binge. So it will be a while before I can start getting them.

Found the specs on this one and the more I read the more I like it. Much higher resolution than the other big ball track balls. Also those 1/8" jacks are for more buttons that can be attached. But I can't find a picture of these other buttons the spec sheet talks about. Also the only ones I've been able to find for sale is the one with out the extra jacks.

Oh here is the link to the specs if you want to take a look.
http://www.clearlysuperiortech.com/highperformance.html
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Keyboards
Topre Capacitive: Realforce 87U, Realforce 86U, HHKB Pro 2, Topre MD01B0, Topre HE0100, Sun Short Type, OEM NEO CS (x2), NISSHO Electronics KB106DE
Buckling Spring: IBM Model M Space Saver (1291472), Unicomp Customizer x 2
Cherry Brown: Filco FKBN87M/EB, Compaq MX11800
Black Alps: ABS M1
Not so great boards Rare Spring over dome OKI, Sun rack keyboard
Trackballs - Trackman Wheel (3), Trackman marble (2)
Keyboards I still want to get - Happy Hacking Keyboard Pro 2 the White version, Realforce 23U number pad in black and maybe white, μTRON ergo board with Topre switches.
Previously owned - [size=0]SiiG MiniTouch (White Alps), Scorpius M10 (Blue Cherry), IBM Model M13[/size]

Offline yamaha200

  • Posts: 13
I own one!
« Reply #7 on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 11:12:49 »
Well I'm glad I stumbled on to this thread. I have been using a CST2545W, which is like the one pictured here but with no external jacks. I use it for everything, internet, photoshop, gaming, etc. I've used every type of mouse from the MX Revolution to the G5. This trackball is very smooth compared to other trackballs. When playing games like Far Cry 2 and Battlefield Heros (I'm beta testing), this trackball makes aiming at moving targets easier. It has selectable Resolution between 400, 800, and 1600 just by holding the middle button and clicking the right button. I have my computer hooked up to my 37in HDTV @ 1080 Resolution and it only takes about 35 degree of movement to have the pointer move from one side of the screen to the other. If you are looking for the best trackball get this one. It is worth the money.

http://www.clearlysuperiortech.com/index.html

Yamaha200
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Offline yamaha200

  • Posts: 13
Cst2545saw
« Reply #8 on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 11:15:07 »
Quote from: D-EJ915;84361
what do the 1/8" jacks do?


The jacks you see their are for the people that what to add two extra buttons on the trackball for a total of five, I believe.

Yamaha200
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Offline ozar

  • Posts: 763
CST L-Trac laser trackball
« Reply #9 on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 11:16:42 »
Quote from: yamaha200;85404
Well I'm glad I stumbled on to this thread.

I'm glad you did, too... welcome to the forums and thanks for the information regarding the trackball!  :cool:
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Offline bigpook

  • Posts: 3036
CST L-Trac laser trackball
« Reply #10 on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 11:26:38 »
Quote from: yamaha200;85404
Well I'm glad I stumbled on to this thread. I have been using a CST2545W, which is like the one pictured here but with no external jacks. I use it for everything, internet, photoshop, gaming, etc. I've used every type of mouse from the MX Revolution to the G5. This trackball is very smooth compared to other trackballs. When playing games like Far Cry 2 and Battlefield Heros (I'm beta testing), this trackball makes aiming at moving targets easier. It has selectable Resolution between 400, 800, and 1600 just by holding the middle button and clicking the right button. I have my computer hooked up to my 37in HDTV @ 1080 Resolution and it only takes about 35 degree of movement to have the pointer move from one side of the screen to the other. If you are looking for the best trackball get this one. It is worth the money.

http://www.clearlysuperiortech.com/index.html

Yamaha200



Hey thats great. I ordered the same one but with laser and should have it by Friday. Have you used the Kensington Expert? If so, how does it  compare?

And yes, welcome to geekhack!
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Offline yamaha200

  • Posts: 13
CST L-Trac laser trackball
« Reply #11 on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 13:25:28 »
Quote from: bigpook;85409
Hey thats great. I ordered the same one but with laser and should have it by Friday. Have you used the Kensington Expert? If so, how does it  compare?

And yes, welcome to geekhack!


In my opinion, the CST trackball is better. To me, it rolls and tracks with less effort and more precise then any other.


Yamaha200
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Offline bigpook

  • Posts: 3036
CST L-Trac laser trackball
« Reply #12 on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 13:37:36 »
Quote from: yamaha200;85441
In my opinion, the CST trackball is better. To me, it rolls and tracks with less effort and more precise then any other.


Yamaha200


Thats pretty high praise : )
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Offline rdjack21

  • Posts: 1663
CST L-Trac laser trackball
« Reply #13 on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 13:40:16 »
Howdy Welcome to Geekhack. I'm actually glad to hear from someone that has it. Now I just need to save a little so I can get one. I'm currently using the Trackman wheel and wanting to try out other trackballs and was planning on using this as the starting point for looking at other trackballs.
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Keyboards
Topre Capacitive: Realforce 87U, Realforce 86U, HHKB Pro 2, Topre MD01B0, Topre HE0100, Sun Short Type, OEM NEO CS (x2), NISSHO Electronics KB106DE
Buckling Spring: IBM Model M Space Saver (1291472), Unicomp Customizer x 2
Cherry Brown: Filco FKBN87M/EB, Compaq MX11800
Black Alps: ABS M1
Not so great boards Rare Spring over dome OKI, Sun rack keyboard
Trackballs - Trackman Wheel (3), Trackman marble (2)
Keyboards I still want to get - Happy Hacking Keyboard Pro 2 the White version, Realforce 23U number pad in black and maybe white, μTRON ergo board with Topre switches.
Previously owned - [size=0]SiiG MiniTouch (White Alps), Scorpius M10 (Blue Cherry), IBM Model M13[/size]

Offline bigpook

  • Posts: 3036
CST L-Trac laser trackball
« Reply #14 on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 14:13:49 »
Quote from: ripster;85456
Oh man.  I'm tempted to get one and I don't even LIKE trackballs.  Actually I was going to get (for my wife) a USB CH DT225 but they sell OEM only (I tried) and over $200 at TrackballWorld isn't appealing.

The CH DT225 I have is built like a tank but this one sounds smoother.  I get approx 2 revolutions off of a flick of the finger.  A bit more than the Kensington expert.

Yamaha.  Do you know how the innards work?  I wonder if it's on rollers like a CH and if the laser is picking off it's signal off the actual ball or a wheel attached to the roller?  Does the scroll thing grind like the Kensington or is it smooth?

If you're comfortable popping one open and can take pics that would be appreciated (you can upload with "manage attachments" button).

- Ripster


wow. wo would have thunk it? : 0
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Offline itlnstln

  • Posts: 13094
CST L-Trac laser trackball
« Reply #15 on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 14:18:31 »
GeekHack will make you do things would have never done otherwise. Hell, I don't even use ergo 'boards anymore. I don't date girls or have a life, either, but those might be unrelated.*
 
 
 
 
*And 100% false ;)
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Offline yamaha200

  • Posts: 13
CST L-Trac laser trackball
« Reply #16 on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 14:26:38 »
Quote from: ripster;85456
Oh man.  I'm tempted to get one and I don't even LIKE trackballs.  Actually I was going to get (for my wife) a USB CH DT225 but they sell OEM only (I tried) and over $200 at TrackballWorld isn't appealing.

The CH DT225 I have is built like a tank but this one sounds smoother.  I get approx 2 revolutions off of a flick of the finger.  A bit more than the Kensington expert.

Yamaha.  Do you know how the innards work?  I wonder if it's on rollers like a CH and if the laser is picking off it's signal off the actual ball or a wheel attached to the roller?  Does the scroll thing grind like the Kensington or is it smooth?

If you're comfortable popping one open and can take pics that would be appreciated (you can upload with "manage attachments" button).

- Ripster


Well I don't have a camera right now to take a picture but the inside has 3 stainless steel rollers which holds the ball at the right distance and angle to the laser. The laser reads the movement off the actual ball movement. The scrolling wheel is Mechanical Optical and rollers smooth with no clicks or grinding.

I saw on either is thread or the other one about people saying the rollers will get "gunky" but CST says that the rollers on this one doesn't pick up stuff like other trackballs. They say just to spin the ball rapidly for a little bit to get the stuff off. This trackball would hardly get dirty because of how little the ball makes contact with the rollers and how much room is below the ball.

Yamaha200
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Offline itlnstln

  • Posts: 13094
CST L-Trac laser trackball
« Reply #17 on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 14:28:51 »
Damn, I am not a big trackball fan, but I might even have to try one of these for myself.
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Offline FKSSR

  • Posts: 847
CST L-Trac laser trackball
« Reply #18 on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 14:29:38 »
haha.  itlnstln, I was just about to post the same thing...
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Offline rdjack21

  • Posts: 1663
CST L-Trac laser trackball
« Reply #19 on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 15:01:30 »
All bow to our new Trackball over lords....
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Keyboards
Topre Capacitive: Realforce 87U, Realforce 86U, HHKB Pro 2, Topre MD01B0, Topre HE0100, Sun Short Type, OEM NEO CS (x2), NISSHO Electronics KB106DE
Buckling Spring: IBM Model M Space Saver (1291472), Unicomp Customizer x 2
Cherry Brown: Filco FKBN87M/EB, Compaq MX11800
Black Alps: ABS M1
Not so great boards Rare Spring over dome OKI, Sun rack keyboard
Trackballs - Trackman Wheel (3), Trackman marble (2)
Keyboards I still want to get - Happy Hacking Keyboard Pro 2 the White version, Realforce 23U number pad in black and maybe white, μTRON ergo board with Topre switches.
Previously owned - [size=0]SiiG MiniTouch (White Alps), Scorpius M10 (Blue Cherry), IBM Model M13[/size]

Offline FKSSR

  • Posts: 847
CST L-Trac laser trackball
« Reply #20 on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 16:24:18 »
Did anyone order the opto-mechanical, or is everyone going for the purely optical?
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Offline bigpook

  • Posts: 3036
CST L-Trac laser trackball
« Reply #21 on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 16:50:07 »
Quote from: FKSSR;85545
Did anyone order the opto-mechanical, or is everyone going for the purely optical?


I went with the optical one.
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Offline yamaha200

  • Posts: 13
CST L-Trac laser trackball
« Reply #22 on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 17:28:52 »
Quote from: FKSSR;85545
Did anyone order the opto-mechanical, or is everyone going for the purely optical?


The opto-mech are good but spend a little more and get the laser.

Preference > price

Yamaha200
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Offline bigpook

  • Posts: 3036
CST L-Trac laser trackball
« Reply #23 on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 17:36:59 »
Quote from: yamaha200;85554
The opto-mech are good but spend a little more and get the laser.

Preference > price

Yamaha200


So you think the laser is better then the opto-mech?
I don't really know either way myself.
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Offline bigpook

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CST L-Trac laser trackball
« Reply #24 on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 18:00:39 »
For whatever reason the opt-mechanical looks interesting to me and from what you guys are saying here, will last forever(?) If it is like the picture above then at least to me, it looks like a pretty decent design.
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Offline FKSSR

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CST L-Trac laser trackball
« Reply #25 on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 18:09:20 »
Yeah, but I would think that an all laser design would be more accurate, if done right.  I could be wrong, though, as we all know our preferences for mechanical input devices.
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Offline rdjack21

  • Posts: 1663
CST L-Trac laser trackball
« Reply #26 on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 21:36:09 »
The problem with the opt-mechanical devices is the resolution of the opt-mechanical wheel. I read a spec sheet or web site that had the specs but I can't find it right now. All of the opt-mechanical trackballs had a resolution of 300-600 ticks per revolution of the ball. But the laser based devices had resolutions measured in DPI of ball travel.

I have had both types and I like the laser based ones much better. You don't have to spin the ball as much and when you need it you can get extremely fine control.
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Keyboards
Topre Capacitive: Realforce 87U, Realforce 86U, HHKB Pro 2, Topre MD01B0, Topre HE0100, Sun Short Type, OEM NEO CS (x2), NISSHO Electronics KB106DE
Buckling Spring: IBM Model M Space Saver (1291472), Unicomp Customizer x 2
Cherry Brown: Filco FKBN87M/EB, Compaq MX11800
Black Alps: ABS M1
Not so great boards Rare Spring over dome OKI, Sun rack keyboard
Trackballs - Trackman Wheel (3), Trackman marble (2)
Keyboards I still want to get - Happy Hacking Keyboard Pro 2 the White version, Realforce 23U number pad in black and maybe white, μTRON ergo board with Topre switches.
Previously owned - [size=0]SiiG MiniTouch (White Alps), Scorpius M10 (Blue Cherry), IBM Model M13[/size]

Offline FKSSR

  • Posts: 847
CST L-Trac laser trackball
« Reply #27 on: Wed, 15 April 2009, 07:35:27 »
Quote from: ripster;85629
FKSSR, it looks like a laser escaped your trackball and punctured something.

What's with the blood on the keyboard?  Sick, dude...


It's the perfect combination of Metal and keyboards. >:)



I think the all laser is the route to go here with that DPI info.  Thanks for that, rdjack21!
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Offline tad

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 31
CST L-Trac laser trackball
« Reply #28 on: Wed, 15 April 2009, 23:30:44 »
Here are some nice pics showing the guts of the opto-mechanical version:

http://www.clearlysuperiortech.com/ltraccleaning.html
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Offline tad

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 31
CST L-Trac laser trackball
« Reply #29 on: Thu, 16 April 2009, 03:11:51 »
Heh, watch out for that "novelty 8-ball". Would make an "interesting" trackball experience, for sure.
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