The Wacom MobileStudio Pro and SpaceMouse Enterprise are both outstanding viable options as well. They have a steep learning curve. not so much in their hardware functionality but due to all the "features" they have. I personally find just 10 assignable buttons like a top grade mouse more to my liking personally. Unless I needed to see my screen, and outside of photo editing I am not sure why the SpaceMouse is a better "deal" IMO. It is more accurate, precise and has more of the "features" coders could assign. The Wacom tablets are really for photo editing. The spacemouse mostly for CAD drawings but works nicely for coders as well.
I simply prefer what I have. Assuming one is going into It with a strong mastery of such devices. Something such as the one(I was just using) id vastly superior to a mainstream device like the MX Ergo or 518. YMMV, but I find thumb to be the ultimate answer to RSI. Others strongly disagree. so be it. I do not curl my thumb. I leave it fully elongated and just roll in the center. Once I had managed the settings, my own post here had become of no use to me. This, is me and I am a hard core Geek to the bone. for the masses, I agree=mouse. Keep in mind, that my device has a street price of about $350USD in Tokyo as well. so, it too is not a "normal" track/thumb ball either. I am just pointing out that it is a niche market product in fact more along the lines other two just mentioned.Being much more precise than the consumer models is what is key to me. It will take a lot of registry tuning on a PC, which obviously is not for the meek or unversed.
Now, I just got slapped in the face with why I am doing this in the first place! I just killed the $$$$$$ machine that the new Elecom was connected to! Went across the hall to a machine with cherry blues and a G5 rodent. running win10Pro. Instant RSI! After 15 minutes in agony1 sucks. Plus the keyboard compared to a Topre, no thank you! I did learn two interesting things however! The elecom I have here is much more precise than a mouse. second, I am having keys fail to register on cherry blues. so it is not something wrong with my Topre after all. It is indeed my very lite touch typing style.
Anyways, the point is useless. I have what works best for me. there is no reason to second guess it as I am not gaming with it. I do not need to find a higher performance "edge" on competitors in this case. It suits it's need absolutely fine for me 100%. Interesting to see what others select but I think we have a pretty good sample size of that already. mouse it indeed best for most people. 14 hours a day coding for 30+ years requires ergonomics at some point. embody chairs, Sit/stand desks, Track balls of course
, wrist rests, VESA mounts with full articulation and the list goes on. Other co-workers say my office is "eerie" I am the CEO, so that works out well at least!
I am not risking my health at my age. Ergonomic/office injuries are in fact often serious injuries. This is not simply put, a joking matter. I would not be one to take such lightly at any age. Although safety of all manner has been of great concern to me since I was about 8 years old! I was one of the first people ever in the 50's to wear Ear plugs at a "musical". Before they even had concerts. Plus then the SPL was 1/12 what it is today at a rock concert! I know that last part is OT. I am pointing out that ergonomics plays a large role in my life and is not simply relegated to the workplace for me. It never has been in my case. The thumb ball I was just using checks every box 100% for me, albeit with extensive registry modifications to windows 10 pro. As luck would have it I needed to us a mouse a few hours tonight and instant pain. Not only are they not as accurate for me, they are "dangerous". YMMV. Obviously, since most people are going to end up using a mouse.
As for my Elecom "JDM" thumb Ball I am now 100% satisfied with the proper registry settings to suit my needs. whatever may become of this thread is what it is. I do not check here often. so please take that into consideration if you happen to PM me or whatever. I do apologize in retrospect that I started this apparently for no reason pertaining to myself, although I think it was at least of interest to others. A Trackball is not intuitive like a mouse. you cannot simply pick it up and go. there is a learning curve. in today's age of "want it now" perhaps that is just another reason mice still reign supreme. I figured what the outcome would be. however All that matters to me is me. I settled the issue for myself, simply put by obtaining the finest Thumb ball currently made. It did the job for me. As of now, hand completely dead 1/2 hour on rodent. OH, Please do not PM me if you expect a response, I do not come here often. after I have seen the results of this, perhaps I will check in next year.....thank you!