Thumb trackballs kind of strain my wrist... Is that just me?
So far all the reviews & the posts on other threads that I've been reading seem to be mixed. I guess it comes down to preference and what works best for each individual. I like the what I read in the link below.
http://www.trackballmouse.org/top-10-trackball-mouse/ (http://www.trackballmouse.org/top-10-trackball-mouse/)
The only problem here is that I don't have a tech shop with display pieces of trackballs for me to try out.
You need a trackball that can be operated by both your fingers AND your thumb. Logitech Trackman FXShow Image(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/313CDNQ2TNL.jpg)
Finger operated seems to be more popular, but I'm not a fan. The wrist motion is similar to a standard mouse. This is the most comfortable mouse I've ever used: http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-TrackBall-Optical-PC-MAC/dp/B00005853X ...too bad they don't make them anymore.
As with keyboards, you need to try them out to see what you like best. Everyone is different.
The CST L-Trac does look cool. I just saw a video of someone using it. It looks OK.. but how does that compare with something like the Logitech M570?You must not have done a price comparison or you wouldn't have to ask!
I got myself a Logitech M570 today.You will learn to "fling" the ball to quickly move across the screen. At that point you move less than with a mouse, since the ball's momentum is doing the work for you.
I tried looking for the L-Trac and the Kensington Orbit, but apparently, they don't come here in Dubai. If I do need them, I would have to order online and wait about a month of delivery.
Nevertheless, I'm enjoying the Logitech. Like the reviews state, it is quite comfortable to use. I'm slow at this point and I do feel that there is a loss on speed. Probably due to the learning curve, since this is my first trackball. For the moment I'm enjoying the comfort. :)
Finger operated seems to be more popular, but I'm not a fan. The wrist motion is similar to a standard mouse.I own both a Logitech thumb and finger model and this makes sense as my hand hurts with extended use on the finger model. Thumb model--well I've been sitting at this one for 11hrs now and still no pain.
I have both types & for me the fine motor skill required by the thumb trackball is less comfortable (and I'm not as skilled at it) as the gross movement of a finger type trackball.It definitely takes some getting used to since the thumb is small and is missing a joint compared to the fingers. But that being said, once you do get used to it, you're moving and straining less.
I know how many people say that the thumb operated one is extremely comfortable. However it seems to me that it would probably put a strain on the thumb over long hours of usage. I've never used one, so anyone who is currently using it would be able to comment on that.Been using it for 11hrs now and thumb feel 100% normal and unstrained. I don't mouse a lot, but I do need it about every 20-30 seconds. I work at least 8hrs a day every day and have been for over 2 years now on my current IBM M and Logitech trackman setup with the same desk and chair, monitors, everything. I get terribly sleepy or hungry before my hands hurt--haven't figured out how to permanently solve those two problems yet. :))
I got myself a Logitech M570 today.You'll find it fairly comfortable if you're used to a traditional mouse. In fact, you may even try to move it every so often before remembering to use your thumb. It takes time to set in, so don't worry.
I tried looking for the L-Trac and the Kensington Orbit, but apparently, they don't come here in Dubai. If I do need them, I would have to order online and wait about a month of delivery.
Nevertheless, I'm enjoying the Logitech. Like the reviews state, it is quite comfortable to use. I'm slow at this point and I do feel that there is a loss on speed. Probably due to the learning curve, since this is my first trackball. For the moment I'm enjoying the comfort. :)
You will learn to "fling" the ball to quickly move across the screen. At that point you move less than with a mouse, since the ball's momentum is doing the work for you.Yes, totally awesome advice! I use this all the time. And when it doesn't fling as quickly, time to clean the ball pads and/or the ball. Flinging is awesome. I fly across a 2048x1536 screen with ease, and much less strain than a mouse.
Statistically, the kind of motion required by thumb trackballs is a tendon killer… and most fingertip trackballs don't really promote a good wrist posture. Unfortunately, I'm unaware of anything done right, but the discontinued Microsoft Trackball Explorer. In the end, it boils down to personal "durability" or consciously avoiding some habits (like resting an extended wrist).Interesting. I was just watching my thumb and hand as it was using my logitech and essentially only the two thumb joints were moving. How is that bad?
That's the issue I have with my optical Kensington. If I flick the ball too fast, the sensor can't keep up, and the cursor kinda hovers in one spot on screen. Opto-mechanical for the win! (a friend of mine has an old Kensington Turbo, and you can flick it as fast as you like.)I got myself a Logitech M570 today.You will learn to "fling" the ball to quickly move across the screen. At that point you move less than with a mouse, since the ball's momentum is doing the work for you.
I tried looking for the L-Trac and the Kensington Orbit, but apparently, they don't come here in Dubai. If I do need them, I would have to order online and wait about a month of delivery.
Nevertheless, I'm enjoying the Logitech. Like the reviews state, it is quite comfortable to use. I'm slow at this point and I do feel that there is a loss on speed. Probably due to the learning curve, since this is my first trackball. For the moment I'm enjoying the comfort. :)
That's the issue I have with my optical Kensington. If I flick the ball too fast, the sensor can't keep up, and the cursor kinda hovers in one spot on screen. Opto-mechanical for the win! (a friend of mine has an old Kensington Turbo, and you can flick it as fast as you like.)Interesting. The Logitech I have is optical too I believe. I guess it's a vastly different design because I've never had that happen.
I agree with the earlier statement, wireless is pointless unless you use it with a laptop (same with keyboards), since they don't get pushed around the desk.
I'm not sure if anyone here watches the youtube show Tec syndicate. I remembered seeing an episode where they build a system linux for Eric S Raymond. I just watched it again and I'm not one to choose something just because someone famous uses it. But Eric was using a Logitech thumb operated trackball. I just thought that it was interesting to note.
I agree entirely with your comment about the angle. It's critical that it be right. That was my major concern when I mounted mine between my split keyboard. I really liked the angle I set my Expert Mouse on an earlier keyboard tray.
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The one thing that I didn't anticipate when centering the ball on later keyboards is the benefit of being able to use alternate hands or both hands at the same time to reduce fatigue, especially during extended CAD sessions.
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I agree entirely with your comment about the angle. It's critical that it be right. That was my major concern when I mounted mine between my split keyboard. I really liked the angle I set my Expert Mouse on an earlier keyboard tray.
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The one thing that I didn't anticipate when centering the ball on later keyboards is the benefit of being able to use alternate hands or both hands at the same time to reduce fatigue, especially during extended CAD sessions.
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Whoa, what is the one at the bottom? Is that an adapted Ergodox?
Confirmed, that was me using a Logitech T-CH11, the original Logitech optical trackball with three buttons. In my opinion the best pointing device ever, and a great improvement over its successors.
So I'm assuming that you prefer the thumb operated trackballs over the finger operated ones. What is your take on the Logitech M570?
Switches tend to die. I've already replaced the two under the primary two buttons. The rest (back/forward and wheel) is unfortunately more problematic.
But the site calls the M570 as the best selling trackball at the moment.Because it's Logitech, i.e., available locally in every ****hole, and it's less intimidating than a finger-operated trackball at first look for the general public.
With Logitech's M570 continued success, I find myself wondering why they are so few thumb-operated trackballs models available. The people of Elecom know, I guess it all comes down to the ergonomics of the M570.I'm not an expert when it comes to ergonomics, but seeing ESR use the thumb operated trackball and trying out the M570 for myself, I can say that it is pretty good. Doesn't get editor's choice on http://www.trackballmouse.org/ (http://www.trackballmouse.org/), but that is mostly down to the fact that the person who does the reviews prefers the finger operated ones. :p
I once used an M570, until last year when I became so frustrated by having to clean it all the time.
One caveat: Using a trackball does not allow you to position / resize as accurate as a mouse.I'm not sure about that. There are those who say that using a trackball is far more accurate than a mouse. Especially in the fields of 3D rendering and stuff. I for one have had no such issues. I suppose everyone is different. What is best for you isn't necessarily the best for someone else.
Initially I used the finger tips but more and more I am using the intermediate (middle) phalanx to move the ball around and use my pinky/ring finger and thumb to move the scroll ring. (Also tried a thumb operated trackball but that quickly resulted in sore swollen joints at the base of the thumb).Have you tried the Kensington SlimBlade?
I wish there was something available in better quality than this Kensington and have the impression that over the years the quality has gone downhill.
Had a Logitech M570, it was fine for two or three months, very comfortable, but the ball was small, required cleaning often and least but not last, my thumb's wrist tendons started to hurt. After that i bought a vertical mouse, and it was again fine for a while, until the pain appeared in a slightly different place. My conclusion: if you suffer for RSI, change your input method from time to time.You see if I had to buy a trackball- I hate them honestly- bit i don't like the m570 cause it makes me want to move it around... when it has no sensor.
I think it depends on the game played and on the type of trackball used. For fast paced shooters, like quake 3, i've got great results with my thumb operated trackball, but i'm not a pro player by any sort of imagination. And you need practice till you get adjusted to the feel. But i think this only works when you can press the main buttons and still be able to spin the ball, otherwise it won't work in FPS games, only top down RPGs and RTS. The M570 is perfect for this, but your thumb will hurt in time (at least from my experience).There are those who are skeptical about using a trackball for gaming.
I have a M570. Bought it to try out thumb trackballs as I had never owned such a unit up until then... It's nice for casual use but any sort of precision is needed and it's god awful and frustrating. impossible to use with right hand too obviously, at least properly.Been using the M570 for a long time now and I like a lot. I have seen many reviews on youtube where the guys say that they loved it so much they bought another one.
I've had the same Logitech Trackman for longer than I can remember. Even lacking a scroll mechanism, that trackball is perfect for me. I've got hundreds of hours in various FPSes with it and I just always have been able to do things I can't with mice with a trackball. It definitely works too, because I devastated at Overwatch (went back to CS:GO though where I am just okay)
I play Street Fighter 5 more than any FPS though...
I have a M570. Bought it to try out thumb trackballs as I had never owned such a unit up until then... It's nice for casual use but any sort of precision is needed and it's god awful and frustrating. impossible to use with right hand too obviously, at least properly.Been using the M570 for a long time now and I like a lot. I have seen many reviews on youtube where the guys say that they loved it so much they bought another one.
I've had the same Logitech Trackman for longer than I can remember. Even lacking a scroll mechanism, that trackball is perfect for me. I've got hundreds of hours in various FPSes with it and I just always have been able to do things I can't with mice with a trackball. It definitely works too, because I devastated at Overwatch (went back to CS:GO though where I am just okay)
I play Street Fighter 5 more than any FPS though...
However I am looking at getting myself a finger operated Kensington. I am looking at the Expert or the Slimblade. Wondering which one of them is the better one.
I use a Logitech M570 at work and I just ordered a Kensington Expert for home use.
I use a Logitech M570 at work and I just ordered a Kensington Expert for home use.
Which of the two types do you prefer?
Kensington came in.
I still enjoy my thumb ball fork work and travel but I am LOVING this Kensington. I really enjoy the programming of it most of all.
Kensington came in.
I still enjoy my thumb ball fork work and travel but I am LOVING this Kensington. I really enjoy the programming of it most of all.
What are your initial impressions of using the Kensington as compared with the M570?
I can not raise any more because I use the drwbar, free height is 50mm.
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The picture will be reversed?
Might want to take a look at this new trackball mouse from Logi[tech].
As for the M570, I have one. it's not horrible, but I have little use for scroll wheels and (being a Linux user) want my third button back. Also, the top curve of the shell is different from and in my opinion inferior to the T-CH11 - it's like the designed it for someone with a child-sized right hand.
The RF circuitry is weak; signal can be blocked by the mass of an adult human.
I've heard M570s tend to die quickly, but not had mine long enough to refute the claim.
Thumb ball users, how's cursor stability on a thumb ball during energetic spam-clicking while simultaneously moving the ball (or at least not lifting your finger off of it)?
Thumb trackballs kind of strain my wrist... Is that just me?No, I haven’t found one that doesn’t make my thumb ache after a while. It’s too bad, too, since the buttons seem to have better placement with those. Well, for my hands, anyway.
Thumb trackballs kind of strain my wrist... Is that just me?No, I haven’t found one that doesn’t make my thumb ache after a while. It’s too bad, too, since the buttons seem to have better placement with those. Well, for my hands, anyway.
No, I haven’t found one that doesn’t make my thumb ache after a while. It’s too bad, too, since the buttons seem to have better placement with those. Well, for my hands, anyway.
I've been using a version of the M570 since long before it was called a 570. Probably 1995 or so when it was just a 3 button trackball, then I had to buy a new one when they invented the scroll wheel, and then others as I got more computers. I absolutely love it and always have, I usually have the sensitivity set pretty high so the amount of movement required by my thumb is pretty minimal. At this point I don't think I could ever go back to anything else.Do you remember the model number of this Logitech? I'm curious if it's the same one I tried during that era.
It has always treated me well and I've never had one break. I remember how "revolutionary" it was to have a laser reading the ball back then and not having to clean the physical rollers on the mouse. I also remember it being expensive....something like $80 back in 1995.