geekhack Community > Input Devices

Microsoft Trackball Explorer vs Kensington Expert vs Elecom HUGE.

<< < (2/3) > >>

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:

--- Quote from: knightjp on Thu, 13 March 2025, 03:18:59 ---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.

--- End quote ---

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.


--- Quote from: knightjp on Sun, 16 March 2025, 01:14:06 ---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

--- End quote ---

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.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

[*] Previous page