Microsoft Trackball Explorer vs Kensington Expert vs Elecom HUGE.

[knightjp]

When it comes to trackball usage, I've used the Logitech M570 and I still use one at work. I've used a Slimblade and it lasted for about 13 months before the main left click button stopped working. Currently using the Elecom HUGE and I like it. Its lasted the longest, however I feel that the top rubber part is now starting to wear away. I'm looking to changing it out, even though it still works really well. I've got a Logitech T-Cl13 on the way from ebay, but that is thumb trackball.
Looking for a finger operated trackball to replace the aging HUGE and I'm thinking of getting another one or the Kensington Expert or Microsoft Trackball Explorer.
The trackball explorer seems to be quite a popular choice even though its not being made anymore - much like the T-Cl13. Does it really better than the Expert or HUGE?

[YALE70]

Never tried the Kensington Expert, but I have both the Huge and the Microsoft Trackball Explorer (MTE).

I much prefer the MTE. I find that the Huge splays my hand out too flat while the MTE leaves my hand in more of a natural resting position. The 46mm ball strikes a good balance between speed and precision in my opinion, and the fact that it sits a little higher than the ball on the Huge makes it less prone to accidental button hits when swiping. Plus the chrome steel bearings will probably feel smoother than the infamously rough stock ruby bearings of the Huge. I even swapped the bearings in my Huge for G5 precision chrome steel bearings and I still think my MTE on stock, good conditioned bearings feels just a little smoother.

You will lose some buttons though. The MTE also doesn't have the forward and back thumb buttons, the tilting scroll wheel, or the two index finger buttons that the Huge does. Software experience is about equal between the two - program specific profiles, remapping, and whatnot. You will need to find the old Intellipoint drivers on the web. I find I have to clean the junk off the bearings at least once a session.

Some other tips:

• Try and get an X08 model MTE instead of an X05 model. Supposedly X08s were made with better plastic and they don't get brittle like X05s commonly seem to - though it could just be that X08s are generally newer.
• The paint and textured surfaces on the MTE will wear with time (if they haven't already).
• The default right click for the MTE is set above the scroll wheel so you might want to remap it the ring finger (like it is on the Huge) using the Intellipoint software.
• It has an old sensor. Be prepared to adjust the pointer speed/use mouse acceleration if you have a particularly high resolution display. To me it feels fine on Windows defaults with my 3440x1440 ultrawide, but anything higher than that, you might want something capable of higher DPI.
• The bearings might be worn - these are roughly two-decade old devices after all. Replacements I believe are 2mm, or you can actually just flip the old ones around to an unworn side. You will need to use a small drill bit to bore a hole behind them so you can push them out, but otherwise swapping them isn't too difficult.

Alternatively, look into the Ploopy Classic or the Sanwa Gravi. The Ploopy is basically a near-exact 3D printed clone of the MTE albeit with modern hardware and roller bearings. It is quite expensive though. The Gravi is much cheaper and extremely similar to the MTE, but wireless and a better sensor. Not sure on the build quality though.

[knightjp]

Thanks @YALE70 for the reply.
MTE does sound good and I think I might get one; even if it won't be my daily driver. I guess if someone is actually copying and making a direct replica of it (Ploopy), that's a testament to how good and popular it is and certainly earn it a place in anyone's collection.

[YALE70]

Awesome, I think you're really gonna like it. It's one of the few vintage trackballs that's actually still quite viable in this day and age. 

[knightjp]

Awesome, I think you're really gonna like it. It's one of the few vintage trackballs that's actually still quite viable in this day and age. 

Thanks. I got one off ebay for a good price I guess. It's on the way.

[YALE70]

I started trying to use the Huge again. Moving states, so a wireless trackball seems like a good idea for the interim without all my stuff.

God, I forgot just how much I hate the shape of this thing, and it feels scratchier and "muddier" than I remember - even with the bearing swap. Doesn't glide very well but the stiction is still low, which is good at least. I think the ball has got some blemishes on it.

Placed an order for a wireless Gravi and I'll report back if it's any good. Maybe even write a review about it here.

[knightjp]

I have heard a number of people talk about how scratchy, etc., the HUGE is and that the bearings absolutely need to be changed. I've not faced any of those issues. It did feel a bit scratchy at the beginning, especially in the scroll wheel and myself coming off a Kensington Slimblade. However, soon it became more and more smooth. I've noticed that most of the reviews are for the wireless one. Mine is an older wired model. Maybe there is a difference the bearings that were used.

All in all, I do like the HUGE, but I would like to move on and experience other trackballs as well.

[YALE70]

I have heard a number of people talk about how scratchy, etc., the HUGE is and that the bearings absolutely need to be changed. I've not faced any of those issues. It did feel a bit scratchy at the beginning, especially in the scroll wheel and myself coming off a Kensington Slimblade. However, soon it became more and more smooth. I've noticed that most of the reviews are for the wireless one. Mine is an older wired model. Maybe there is a difference the bearings that were used.

All in all, I do like the HUGE, but I would like to move on and experience other trackballs as well.

Interesting. I think the quality of (double entendres incoming) balls from Elecom might have something to do with the issues as well. IIRC, I tried cramming the ball from a Logitech Marble FX into the Huge and it felt smoother than the stock ball. Maybe a difference in surface finishing? Though it could just be my FX ball is in generally better condition than the ball out of my Huge. Either way, judging by the number of complaints I've seen about stiction with Elecom trackballs in general, they certainly have a consistency problem somewhere.

Also, the Gravi just showed up today. I can't test or compare it with my MTE since all my stuff just got boxed up by the movers but, oh man - it immediately fits so right in the hand. The shape is like ninety percent identical feeling to the MTE and the ball is just as smooth, if not smoother feeling. It's about the same size and rides on ceramic bearings from the looks of it. Scroll wheel feels about the same. Biggest difference is the buttons; they feel less spongey and easier to press than on the MTE. We'll see how it holds up long term in actual use but just off first impressions, this feels like it could be the perfect MTE substitute.

[knightjp]

That Sanwa looks good. There is a similar MTE clone called Nulea. https://www.amazon.ae/Nulea-Rechargeable-Rollerball-Adjustable-Compatible/dp/B0CF4KF8RN/ref=sr_1_51?crid=NHFJ7XWJTRWA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.GsGby8P2Go99Lj2Uq8fbWAr0Jz5-RhN4AGpD7KFshXU2MEIDX2pz-zoJeoyC5fvCyh1lqr2Z6GfGNVDgwHnLYBMOUJdZ1PlUMsCbc_Y2ipAwbJGZ95QJVMxLwdolfbdgHr_HKZFo140BYe2-laVwh2JemZAT_mIq5eMdU-o7uVUnvWptPfbD53MB5kgnW9jjDopltmxLFw1W9K1LdRkkVAc5Ir52X5Lrjw0Atm3cocijR5m3og-go4HjWelE43KstxG4dtPYeyKFIGZ0SfLy5aPzdX8MiZexZBtUFdbUuuttnJRZRuVE_s-Fk9vKIcwi2v2IyrdjuI3BPQSdBWR2qwPHIFZCW3Mld99ELgYySLFwm-GtZEtiwo9AEwnVtOvmRSs4Dkmlc56kP9TPSWJoePu_RfIUAZ40uezu6InwiS1V1-jG8_iyu-hD4FlHRS2Y.xTWDeBGbqIwa4M8ERTLZRXgj_dRRHFQLU8LqG6M_ivI&dib_tag=se&keywords=trackball%2Bsanwa&qid=1742104782&sprefix=trackball%2Bsanwa%2Caps%2C284&sr=8-51&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.b4f74a7b-9d54-420b-9003-7e54957e6f89&th=1

[YALE70]

Now that I've started using the Sanwa, I do actually have a few gripes about it now. Firstly, Sanwa decided to keep the same default layout as the MTE, so right click is on the thumb cluster instead of your ring finger. That's like... the one thing they absolutely didn't need to mimic from the MTE. Second, the default sensitivity levels seem way too high (1000, 1600, and 2400). I prefer something in the range of 600-800. Of course, none of those issues are likely permanent as you can just reconfigure the trackball with the customization software - as long as you're on Windows.

Sanwa didn't even bother making Mac or Linux versions of the customization software, and that's just a huge ball buster because it means those users are stuck with the insipid default layout and sensitivity. I brought my Mac Pro with me to the hotel I'm staying at and I spent the better part of the evening looking for remapping software that would work with this thing (so far, LinearMouse has been the best, and it's free). Still, it feels great, but I'll probably like using it more on my Windows machine.

There is a similar MTE clone called Nulea. https://www.amazon.ae/Nulea-Rechargeable-Rollerball-Adjustable-Compatible/dp/B0CF4KF8RN/ref=sr_1_51?crid=NHFJ7XWJTRWA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.GsGby8P2Go99Lj2Uq8fbWAr0Jz5-RhN4AGpD7KFshXU2MEIDX2pz-zoJeoyC5fvCyh1lqr2Z6GfGNVDgwHnLYBMOUJdZ1PlUMsCbc_Y2ipAwbJGZ95QJVMxLwdolfbdgHr_HKZFo140BYe2-laVwh2JemZAT_mIq5eMdU-o7uVUnvWptPfbD53MB5kgnW9jjDopltmxLFw1W9K1LdRkkVAc5Ir52X5Lrjw0Atm3cocijR5m3og-go4HjWelE43KstxG4dtPYeyKFIGZ0SfLy5aPzdX8MiZexZBtUFdbUuuttnJRZRuVE_s-Fk9vKIcwi2v2IyrdjuI3BPQSdBWR2qwPHIFZCW3Mld99ELgYySLFwm-GtZEtiwo9AEwnVtOvmRSs4Dkmlc56kP9TPSWJoePu_RfIUAZ40uezu6InwiS1V1-jG8_iyu-hD4FlHRS2Y.xTWDeBGbqIwa4M8ERTLZRXgj_dRRHFQLU8LqG6M_ivI&dib_tag=se&keywords=trackball%2Bsanwa&qid=1742104782&sprefix=trackball%2Bsanwa%2Caps%2C284&sr=8-51&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.b4f74a7b-9d54-420b-9003-7e54957e6f89&th=1

I've seen those. Shape looks almost identical - like they could almost be from the same underlying manufacturer. The Nulea trackballs seem like they have a few features the Sanwa doesn't like USB-C , rechargeable battery, and RGB on some models. No customization software for any OS from the looks of it either, so that's probably the main tradeoff. Only other reason I wasn't driven to pick one of those up was the lack of a pinkie button like the MTE, but I guess that probably isn't a huge deal breaker for most.

Actually, I think they might work better than the Sanwa for Mac and Linux users since they have the "correct" default layout and a greater range of DPI settings. I'd hope the physical quality and feel is at least on par though.

[knightjp]

Now that I've started using the Sanwa, I do actually have a few gripes about it now. Firstly, Sanwa decided to keep the same default layout as the MTE, so right click is on the thumb cluster instead of your ring finger.

I didn't know that was the standard layout for the MTE. Makes me wonder why do users hold it in such high regard then?
Being in Dubai, trackballs are not common, unlike gaming mice. So most people over here don't even have a clue. The only trackballs I've seen in tech shops are Logitech M570 and Trackman marble FX. My knowledge only comes from watching reviews on Youtube and posts on here.

[YALE70]

It's the shape and lasting compatibility with modern systems. The layout is easily reconfigurable with the software otherwise.

I still don't get why Microsoft went with that mapping. AFAIK Logitech had been using the right click on ring finger on their fingertip trackballs long before the MTE. In my opinion that feels way more natural - closer to a traditional mouse with right click under the middle finger.