CST LaserTRAC Trackball on MassDrop - $99.99 + Shipping

[clacktalk]

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/cst-lasertrac-trackball?mode=guest_open

5W costs $10 extra.

someone should run a mini-gb for billiards balls so we can turn our ltracs into maximum cuties

[Latin00032]

I thought the billiards balls don't work on the new versions.

Am I wrong?

[clacktalk]

I thought the billiards balls don't work on the new versions.

Am I wrong?

SAY IT AIN'T SO

i'd also like an answer for this

[Joey Quinn]

I thought the billiards balls don't work on the new versions.

Am I wrong?

I have the newest CST L-Trac and it works with billiard balls. By newest I mean CST2545-5W R2.

[jamster]

I've got a non-laser version. It's very comfortable to use, but I really should have got a lasered version as the mechanical one someones has problems on one axis, and requires cleaning.

[clacktalk]

I thought the billiards balls don't work on the new versions.

Am I wrong?

I thought the billiards balls don't work on the new versions.

Am I wrong?

I have the newest CST L-Trac and it works with billiard balls. By newest I mean CST2545-5W R2.

http://clearlysuperiortech.com/newpcbandlaser.html

I wonder if someone can source a bunch of 8 balls that would be ideal

[CPTBadAss]

Sweeeeeet. Thanks for posting this SmackTalk. Been looking forward to this for a while. Time to pick one up

[clacktalk]

Sweeeeeet. Thanks for posting this SmackTalk. Been looking forward to this for a while. Time to pick one up

yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee i tried group texting y'all yesterday, but as usual the **** reception in my room didn't let that happen. WE CAN BE LTRAC TWINS

[CPTBadAss]

The only complaint I have with this whole situation is that you want the 8 ball when clearly the only acceptable balls are the 4 and 12 balls .

[clacktalk]

i didn't even have to look that **** up.

typical cpt bad ass

[Joey Quinn]

I use a 5 ball that's really old and has faded to purple.

[Photekq]

If I didn't just get a NIB kidtrac for £15, I'd get on this.

[clacktalk]

confirmed to be the newer, better revision!

• Field Programmability
• Improved Precision Tracking
• The ability to change out the solid black ball for any other colored 2.25” ball (the same size as a regulation billiard ball). (Note: under standard operation any colored ball will work but the solid black ball has the best performance)

http://clearlysuperiortech.com/newpcbandlaser.html

[Latin00032]

confirmed to be the newer, better revision!

• Field Programmability
• Improved Precision Tracking
• The ability to change out the solid black ball for any other colored 2.25” ball (the same size as a regulation billiard ball). (Note: under standard operation any colored ball will work but the solid black ball has the best performance)

http://clearlysuperiortech.com/newpcbandlaser.html

Cool! I thought it didn't work with a billiard ball anymore. I'm glad to be corrected.

If I were to use another ball besides an 8 ball, would the tracking be normally bad or could I get away with another colored ball without noticing a tracking difference?

[VesperSAINT]

I see how it is... You can't go down by yourself so you post it in here so you can bring others down with you, huh?

Low blow. 

[metalliqaz]

What is different with the 5W version?

Edit: found it on trackballworld:

"Unlike the CST2545W-RC, the -5W lets users plug in external buttons for a maximum of 5 buttons. All five buttons can be customized by using CST's own Superior-X software."

[clacktalk]

I see how it is... You can't go down by yourself so you post it in here so you can bring others down with you, huh?

Low blow. 

"'come with me
and you'll be
in a world of pure imagination' - willy wonka" - clacktalk 2015

[Bromono]

I want to make the switch but I dont know how I would like it =\

dont want to waste $100

[metalliqaz]

I want to make the switch but I dont know how I would like it =\

dont want to waste $100

Yeah I'm low on free money lately, but I decided to give it a shot.  I suspect that I will never go 100% trackball, but if I decided I didn't want to use it at all, I could probably get rid of it on GH for a decent price.

[Joey Quinn]

I want to make the switch but I dont know how I would like it =\

dont want to waste $100

Yeah I'm low on free money lately, but I decided to give it a shot.  I suspect that I will never go 100% trackball, but if I decided I didn't want to use it at all, I could probably get rid of it on GH for a decent price.

You'll love it as long as you don't have small hands.

[Bromono]

I want to make the switch but I dont know how I would like it =\

dont want to waste $100

Yeah I'm low on free money lately, but I decided to give it a shot.  I suspect that I will never go 100% trackball, but if I decided I didn't want to use it at all, I could probably get rid of it on GH for a decent price.

You'll love it as long as you don't have small hands.

I have wide hands; not necessarily long. I'm sure it would be strange at first, but after a month it would be transparent to me. I Would probably still use a normal mouse to game with. Dunno if $100 is worth just having a mouse to browse reddit, imgur and GeekHack with lol.

[metalliqaz]

I'm a bit over 6'1" and my hands are proportional.

Mostly I'm worried about the angle.  I have a handshake grip mouse and i would prefer the trackball assembly to be tilted 45 degrees or so.

[Bromono]

I'm a bit over 6'1" and my hands are proportional.

Mostly I'm worried about the angle.  I have a handshake grip mouse and i would prefer the trackball assembly to be tilted 45 degrees or so.

See you want ergonomics.. Admittedly, I am just doing it for the cool factor that you can put a billiard ball in it :/

[Joey Quinn]

I love the billiard ball in mine but they are a way less smooth than the ball it comes with. Someone should make custom billiard balls that are heavier and smoother than the stock one.

[nathanrosspowell]

This will be my first trackball. Thanks for dragging me alone.

I'm a bit over 6'1" and my hands are proportional.

Mostly I'm worried about the angle.  I have a handshake grip mouse and i would prefer the trackball assembly to be tilted 45 degrees or so.

I'm thinking about the same thing. I wonder how hard it would be to 3D print a tented base. If the center of gravity isn't too high a simple wedge should work.

[AKmalamute]

i would prefer the trackball assembly to be tilted 45 degrees or so.

I would want it to be thumb operated.

Geez that's an ugly trackball. I was forced to use a kensington trackball for a few months until the company bought a Logitech for me. Pure evil; my wrist hurt every day when I had that thing.

[CPTBadAss]

You'll love it as long as you don't have small hands.

I have small hands and this trackball fits me fine. I was a little hesitant on it because I'm picking about my input devices (read mice and mice like things). But I was lucky enough to try out jwaz's CST and Halverson's kidtrac. They both fit my hands fine and I actually find the little scroll barrel is placed nicely on the CST.

Mostly I'm worried about the angle.  I have a handshake grip mouse and i would prefer the trackball assembly to be tilted 45 degrees or so.

Cut a binder down. Sit the trackball on that?

[Elrick]

I love the billiard ball in mine but they are a way less smooth than the ball it comes with. Someone should make custom billiard balls that are heavier and smoother than the stock one.

Billiard balls have a slight texture that enables it to move effortlessly on the pool table hence anyone can hit the ball without it spinning or being deflected due to an ultra smooth surface.  Most professionals even rough up their balls for added traction, especially when they do extreme trick shots across the table surface  .

[metalliqaz]

Mostly I'm worried about the angle.  I have a handshake grip mouse and i would prefer the trackball assembly to be tilted 45 degrees or so.

Cut a binder down. Sit the trackball on that?

Yeah, I'm thinking something like that, but more solid.  I'm hoping to find something rubber so I can count on it not to move around.

[Joey Quinn]

You'll love it as long as you don't have small hands.

I have small hands and this trackball fits me fine. I was a little hesitant on it because I'm picking about my input devices (read mice and mice like things). But I was lucky enough to try out jwaz's CST and Halverson's kidtrac. They both fit my hands fine and I actually find the little scroll barrel is placed nicely on the CST.

Huh, I just assumed that you'd have to move you hand to reach everything. I have fairly large hands so I can just rest on the ball and reach the scroll wheel and middle click.

Thanks Elrick, we need to figure out if a GH ball would be possible.

[metalliqaz]

confirmed to be the newer, better revision!

• Field Programmability
• Improved Precision Tracking
• The ability to change out the solid black ball for any other colored 2.25” ball (the same size as a regulation billiard ball). (Note: under standard operation any colored ball will work but the solid black ball has the best performance)

http://clearlysuperiortech.com/newpcbandlaser.html

How did you confirm that these are the 'R2' version?

[dante]

confirmed to be the newer, better revision!

• Field Programmability
• Improved Precision Tracking
• The ability to change out the solid black ball for any other colored 2.25� ball (the same size as a regulation billiard ball). (Note: under standard operation any colored ball will work but the solid black ball has the best performance)

http://clearlysuperiortech.com/newpcbandlaser.html

How did you confirm that these are the 'R2' version?

Mass Drop said so.

[Joey Quinn]

confirmed to be the newer, better revision!

• Field Programmability
• Improved Precision Tracking
• The ability to change out the solid black ball for any other colored 2.25” ball (the same size as a regulation billiard ball). (Note: under standard operation any colored ball will work but the solid black ball has the best performance)

http://clearlysuperiortech.com/newpcbandlaser.html

How did you confirm that these are the 'R2' version?

Also after you get the ball look on the bottom and R2 should be stamped to the right of the model number.

[Bromono]

Do you must have a black ball for the trackball? Or does t have to be solid color even? What about translucent balls? Pretty sure that would mess with the laser

[sethk_]

Do you must have a black ball for the trackball? Or does t have to be solid color even? What about translucent balls? Pretty sure that would mess with the laser

Black tracks the best, and you can use anything, but it works best with a black ball.

[Bromono]

I ask because I wanted to throw one of these bad boys in it XD

http://www.diriginal.com/eightballcustombilliardset-purple.aspx

Gotta match my purple ****

[metalliqaz]

$92 for 16 spare trackballs?  I dunno about that.

[Bromono]

$92 for 16 spare trackballs?  I dunno about that.

Yeah I know I wouldn't buy all those for me. I would scout eBay for a single. I may just pick up a older trackball mouse in eBay aswell and play around with it

[sethk_]

$92 for 16 spare trackballs?  I dunno about that.

Yeah I know I wouldn't buy all those for me. I would scout eBay for a single. I may just pick up a older trackball mouse in eBay aswell and play around with it

Although, if we divide that by 16 people, that is only 6$ each

[Joey Quinn]

$92 for 16 spare trackballs?  I dunno about that.

Yeah I know I wouldn't buy all those for me. I would scout eBay for a single. I may just pick up a older trackball mouse in eBay aswell and play around with it

Although, if we divide that by 16 people, that is only 6$ each

I'd pitch in for that.

[sethk_]

I just looked, and the website does sell them individually, but for like 12.50, and if we chose a mix and match for 16, it is the same price, so we could get any combination here: http://www.diriginal.com/custombilliardballs.aspx?page=1 (there is a 2nd page)

[ghostjuggernaut]

I hate having to ask, but why should I want to buy a trackball? I've never used one, and just don't see the desire. Is it ergonomics, or are they just really nice to use?

[Joey Quinn]

I just looked, and the website does sell them individually, but for like 12.50, and if we chose a mix and match for 16, it is the same price, so we could get any combination here: http://www.diriginal.com/custombilliardballs.aspx?page=1 (there is a 2nd page)

Ok, I'll run this, anyone who wants one PM me which color you want. For now I'll only do a max of 16 balls. It'll be $6.50 + shipping from me to you. If there is enough interest I'll get exact shipping prices. I'd prefer to keep this CONUS.

[Joey Quinn]

A few people have PM'd me without a color choice, if you would like to buy a ball please include the color you'd like in your PM. Colors can be found here http://www.diriginal.com/custombilliardballs.aspx?page=1.

[platypus]

I really dislike the scroll wheel placement on the Ltrac

[metalliqaz]

I really dislike the scroll wheel placement on the Ltrac

My real beef is the middle mouse button.  I need it to open my tabs!

[clacktalk]

I hate having to ask, but why should I want to buy a trackball? I've never used one, and just don't see the desire. Is it ergonomics, or are they just really nice to use?

this is actually my leap of faith into the trackball world. i've been curious as to how ergonomic it'd be or how better it would handle text editing or PS compared to a mouse. there's a lot of conflicting opinions regarding how good a product the ltrac is, but i did narrow down my choices to the CST ltrac and the kensington slimblade.

the slimblade was on sale recently for <$70, but what made me wait for the ltrac was the difference in max DPI. The DPI on the slimblade should be fine for most people, but I like my mouse sensitivity really high. also, the majority opinion from the people i've personally asked favored the l-trac, and it seemed more popular online as well.

Besides that, some people have said that the slimblade felt cheap and requires cleaning more often.

I really dislike the scroll wheel placement on the Ltrac

My real beef is the middle mouse button.  I need it to open my tabs!

are you not satisfied with the middle mouse button's placement?

[metalliqaz]

I've never used it, but it looks inaccessible

[Joey Quinn]

I'm PMing everyone who was interested in buying a billiard ball. I looked into actual shipping cost + supplies + ball cost and in the end it's around $10.60 and that's if we get 16 orders. Of course the price goes down if we can get 32 orders but I think thats more than we can pull off. I'll post an IC later this week to gauge if GH has enough L-Trac fans to justify a GB.

[FullTwisting]

After hemming and hawing over this since the drop opened, I finally joined in.  I went for the 5W version.  Now I'm thinking about how to add two more buttons...

I think I'll get in on the billiard ball group buy, once I've decided on a color.  Very kind of you to organize that Mr. Quinn!  Anyone have any personal experiences with an R2 version and colored billiard balls?