Author Topic: New CST L-TracX (Read 24529 times)

yamaha200 · « **on:** Fri, 14 May 2010, 14:56:41 »

So I talked to the people at Clearly Superior Technologies about their new L-TracX that I heard about from the other thread. It sounds like they should be available in a few weeks.

Just like my CST2545-5W I have now, it should be adjustable from 800 - 3200 counts per inch with the same on the fly switching as before (for those who don't know its by holding down the middle button and right clicking). From the banner on the website it looks to have four resolutions: 800, 1600, 2400, and 3200. Its the same case, so three buttons plus the scrolling wheel all in black. It's still going to be able to use their Superior-X software to customize the buttons.

They also have plans for external buttons and wrist rests.

What do you guys think?

duhokay · « **Reply #1 on:** Sat, 15 May 2010, 01:05:57 »

Ahh interesting, so the additional buttons will be an accessory. When I spoke with Fentek they just received news of it, hopefully everything will be released at once. Definitely like the ripster edition though I am sure theirs will be a bit more subtle.

ch_123 · « **Reply #2 on:** Sat, 15 May 2010, 05:39:45 »

I want to get one of these wrist rests that they've got.

Would be nice if they stocked official CST snooker balls =)

smuvmoney · « **Reply #3 on:** Sat, 22 May 2010, 20:55:38 »

I want to see what the custom CST buttons will look like. It may make me consider a CST L-TracX.

timofonic · « **Reply #4 on:** Wed, 02 June 2010, 20:55:02 »

Nice one!

I was considering to get a Trackball. I did look at Kensington, but the hackability and higher dpi made me look better at CST ones.

I'll save money and get this L-TrackX, I hope the cost difference isn't much.

PS: I hope they overhaul their site (it looks extremelly early 90s and not proffesional but geocities-like, just like Unicomp site) and promote it strongly outside USA, this device has a quite strong selling point in the geek/nerd niche

BigBrother · « **Reply #5 on:** Wed, 02 June 2010, 20:56:10 »

what exactly is 3200 CPI in DPI ?

(check the GIF in yamaha200's post)

why not just get a nice logitech gaming mouse with weights, high, changeable DPI, ergonomic design for prolonged usage ?

timofonic · « **Reply #6 on:** Wed, 02 June 2010, 21:09:50 »

Quote from: BigBrother;189013

what exactly is 3200 CPI in DPI ? (check the GIF in yamaha200's post)

why not just get a nice logitech gaming mouse with weights, high, changeable DPI, ergonomic design for prolonged usage ?

Those are mostly for right handed people, I'm left handed.
Where's that GIF post?
Weights? What's that crap?
Ergonomic? Those designs hurt my hand all time, I have quite big hands and never get used to those "ergonomics" crap.

BigBrother · « **Reply #7 on:** Wed, 02 June 2010, 21:27:58 »

timofonic, i have sausage fingers- hot-dog-like- as well as a big hand. I find myself from time-to-time, having my fingers arched because it isn't big enough (that's what she said?) but what I find worse is track*(anything) because of how small it usually is... and how easily it can be moved vs. the just-enough resistance i get with my Logitech G5 and OCZ Behemoth Regulator Mousepad. yes, i am right-handed...

(where it says '3200 cpi')
weights are to make the mouse feel like they did when they still had balls (xD).

BigBrother · « **Reply #8 on:** Wed, 02 June 2010, 22:08:08 »

I may have been a tad too quick to make that accusation, do Tackballs use a different measurement of speed ?

timofonic · « **Reply #9 on:** Wed, 02 June 2010, 23:54:04 »

Please post that to the appropiate topics instead here...

DPI vs CPI: The real deal?
DPI/CPI for trackballs

Let's not mess the forum even more than is now. Too much people unordered and difficult to follow, it could be nice if making it more ordered and moderation more active

(I'm in IRC now, you are welcome to chat in the #geekhack channel at irc.freenode.net)

BigBrother · « **Reply #10 on:** Thu, 03 June 2010, 00:00:52 »

the only customer service i approve of: the one where i can get within arm's reach of someone to beat them senseless or until i can get what i came for. (that and WD's, ASUS, and a couple others that i have forgotten about).

there's only one CS that's been troublesome: Zalman. i needed a replacement piece for a case, got a promise that i would get one within a week's time and 2+ months later, still nothing.

Rajagra · « **Reply #11 on:** Thu, 03 June 2010, 06:03:02 »

Quote from: BigBrother;189013

what exactly is 3200 CPI in DPI ? (check the GIF in yamaha200's post)

3200 CPI = 3200 DPI.

CPI=counts per inch=number of changes in detected signal state per inch of movement.

DPI=dots per inch=number of dots that can be discretely sensed per inch.

Guess what? They are the same thing. No need to get worked up over which is the right terminology, they are both accurate and meaningful.

LPI=lines per inch=number of individual lines that can be sensed per inch=half the number of DPI since you are counting black lines on white background (or vice versa.) Photography term.

PPI=[strike]points[/strike] pixels* per inch=number of image pixels that a printer can print per inch. Much lower than the printer's DPI because you need many ink dots in a dithering pattern to create desired image colours from the limited number of ink colours.

Edit> (*) Better not confuse it with points used in font design (point=1/72"), so I'll stick with pixels.

ricercar · « **Reply #12 on:** Fri, 04 June 2010, 12:25:49 »

Quote from: BigBrother;189085

the only customer service i approve of: ... WD's, ASUS

WTF? Western Digital and ASUS in the same sentence about customer service? What have you been smoking? I've gotten ZERO satisfaction from an ASUS customer service call in 7 years trying.

kishy · « **Reply #13 on:** Fri, 04 June 2010, 12:28:04 »

Quote from: ricercar;189574

WTF? Western Digital and ASUS in the same sentence about customer service? What have you been smoking? I've gotten ZERO satisfaction from an ASUS customer service call in 7 years trying.

I haven't tried, but friends with ASUS laptops have.

Assorted failures, this that or the other...send in on the warranty exchange, ASUS loses laptop (never fails!), customer service apologizes excessively and sends a newer model.

ricercar · « **Reply #14 on:** Fri, 04 June 2010, 13:48:34 »

At least they got the newer model. My experience ASUS = Black hole, from which not even information can escape.

Rajagra · « **Reply #15 on:** Fri, 04 June 2010, 15:46:57 »

This post is recursive.

smuvmoney · « **Reply #16 on:** Tue, 15 June 2010, 11:41:10 »

Any update on the release of the L-TracX? It has been a few weeks since the OP.

glo · « **Reply #17 on:** Tue, 15 June 2010, 12:19:49 »

Quote from: smuvmoney;193300

Any update on the release of the L-TracX? It has been a few weeks since the OP.

I asked Robert Rolling from CST's sales department for news.

He says they hope for L-TracX to be ready within a week or two. He also mentioned that pre orders are already available.

ricercar · « **Reply #18 on:** Tue, 15 June 2010, 12:48:03 »

Quote from: Rajagra;189672

This post is recursive.

Recursive post is recursive. Bravo!

ch_123 · « **Reply #19 on:** Tue, 15 June 2010, 13:13:37 »

I emailed CST about a fix for the Windows 7 issue and was told that they would send a new one once they fixed the issue. Maybe it will be the TrackX I'll be getting...

ch_123 · « **Reply #20 on:** Tue, 15 June 2010, 13:24:18 »

I think it's a USB controller issue. I might try using my trackball with my laptop for a week, I bet it will work fine...

glo · « **Reply #21 on:** Tue, 15 June 2010, 13:28:52 »

ripster, you sure seem to have a picture-reply for every occasion.

ch_123 · « **Reply #22 on:** Tue, 15 June 2010, 16:02:13 »

Quote from: Julle;193411

They're still working on it? No wonder I haven't received my replacement unit yet...

Yeah, but I'm convinced that this TrackX model is the new version... it seems unlikely to me that they would want/need to make the two high end models.

ch_123 · « **Reply #23 on:** Tue, 15 June 2010, 16:20:40 »

I dunno. Unlike ripping off Logitech for free G5s, I'd feel bad about screwing a small company like CST.

ch_123 · « **Reply #24 on:** Tue, 15 June 2010, 16:35:34 »

Quote from: Julle;193427

I don't. For a premium price I'd expect a fully functional device. Something that works whenever it feels like doing so is something you'd complain about even if the product was cheap and mass-produced. Then again I'd like to point out that I was promised the kind of device that I already have, not the L-tracX.

Oh no, I mean in relation to people who don't have the problem claiming that they do. I personally have no issue claiming a working trackball to replace the one that does not work reliably.

duhokay · « **Reply #25 on:** Fri, 02 July 2010, 22:19:32 »

I just received the new TracX, 3200dpi is fantastic on 3x30" setup, especially now that Nvidia has finally released their surround drivers. The scroll feels a bit looser than the last one I had but that may just be in my head. As of now there has been no connectivity problems, look forward to see the accessories they will be releasing.

duhokay · « **Reply #26 on:** Fri, 02 July 2010, 22:31:53 »

Only really use it gaming....got it from your lady at Fentek. Returned my last one that had no additional switches, been waiting for a while, happy to see it today.

glo · « **Reply #27 on:** Mon, 05 July 2010, 09:51:24 »

Is L-TracX only available at Fentek? Do they ship it internationally?
I really want one : (

ch_123 · « **Reply #28 on:** Mon, 05 July 2010, 10:23:30 »

Have any of the proposed accessories been introduced yet?

duhokay · « **Reply #29 on:** Mon, 05 July 2010, 17:30:58 »

None that I have seen, just put my 11 ball in, need to find something better...

MsKeyboard · « **Reply #30 on:** Tue, 06 July 2010, 11:55:54 »

Hope everyone had a great 4th, no loss of hair or fingers this year!

According to CST, wrist rest should be available sometime this month, with the extra switches sometime in August, but they have been busy cranking out the trackballs, so times may lag some. Will post pictures as soon as we have some product on the shelf...........Later

ch_123 · « **Reply #31 on:** Wed, 07 July 2010, 07:28:18 »

I'm particularly interested in the wrist rest. I don't suppose you have any pics or info on it?

microsoft windows · « **Reply #32 on:** Wed, 07 July 2010, 10:47:24 »

You know how much money you'd save if you made your own wrist rest?

ch_123 · « **Reply #33 on:** Wed, 07 July 2010, 10:54:13 »

Who knows, in the time I could be making my own wrist rest, I could be making money. Then the question arises of whether the wrist rest is cheap enough relative to the amount of money I would otherwise make...

I never liked economics.

And I never said I was going to buy one, merely that I was interested in it.

microsoft windows · « **Reply #34 on:** Wed, 07 July 2010, 10:55:41 »

To make a good wrist rest, just take some squishy foam packaging and cut it into the right shape.

EverythingIBM · « **Reply #35 on:** Wed, 07 July 2010, 15:47:39 »

Quote from: microsoft windows;200300

To make a good wrist rest, just take some squishy foam packaging and cut it into the right shape.

I prefer a gel wrist pad... packing foam would just suck. But I normally don't use any. Just for my model M because the case is so big.

niplfsh · « **Reply #36 on:** Thu, 08 July 2010, 11:06:25 »

Hey guys, this thread got me to signup on this forum. I'm looking to replace my aging MX518 and I'm thinking of switching to a trackball. My main question is, does 1600 CPI on the L-trac "feel" like 1600 CPI on a mouse? In other words, can you whip the pointer across the screen with the same tiny motion? Sorry if that's a stupid question, but I'm truly a noob when it comes to trackballs.

I ask because I run a dual-screen setup at 4096x1152, so I don't want to be struggling with movement. I run my MX518 at full speed and it does pretty well. I game some, mainly turn-based strategy games with the occasional shooter (TF2 mostly).

The mod-ability of the L-trac really appeals to me, but I want to be as sure as possible that it will work for me.

Is the 3200CPI on the LtracX worth it? I have a feeling that might be too fast.

niplfsh · « **Reply #37 on:** Thu, 08 July 2010, 11:53:16 »

Eh... it's a bit more than $10 difference. Buy.com has the original for $108 with free shipping.

ch_123 · « **Reply #38 on:** Thu, 08 July 2010, 12:11:16 »

I usually run mine between 400-800 DPI on my 1600x1200 screen. I'd say 1,600 would cover even the largest screen.

Trackballs and FPS games are an odd mix, and YMMV big time. RTS games are obviously not an problem because they don't require the same frantic mousing.

Rajagra · « **Reply #39 on:** Thu, 08 July 2010, 13:01:26 »

My Logitech Marble seems to run at 800 DPI when I adjust the speed to be smooth and pixel-accurate. It's OK for dual 1920x1200 screens. I do have to flick the ball to go between screens, so I'd like something better like the L-Trac. I don't think I need better DPI, but the larger ball alone would avoid the need to flick. The L-Trac covers it on both fronts.

ch_123 · « **Reply #40 on:** Thu, 08 July 2010, 14:01:26 »

Quote from: ripster;189070

Wikipedia Mouse entry

Too bad Kensington does not publish their DPI/CPI numbers.
Too bad Kensington does not publish their DPI/CPI numbers.
Too bad Kensington does not publish their DPI/CPI numbers.

Somebody ask Kensington their specs. They are such a customer oriented company they may ship MouseWorks for Win7 THREE AND A HALF YEARS AFTER VISTA WAS INTRODUCED!

As you can tell I'm not a big fan of Kensington's customer service.

I think someone came up with a figure of 800DPI from somewhere or other. Not sure where though...

MsKeyboard · « **Reply #41 on:** Thu, 08 July 2010, 14:53:30 »

Quote from: ripster;200745

Fentek has this image up for the new 3200Dpi version.

What's up with the extra port? And why on the left side?

Show Image

That is not the L-tracX, but the switch adaptable model. The ports are on the side because they are typically used for adaptive products or switches mounted to things like chairs, beds, wheel chairs, head rests, etc... When you plug a switch into one of those ports it disables the primary button on the mouse and functions off of the new switch, where ever that may be mounted.

Clear as mud, huh?

The L-tracX is the one in the middle, but with higher resolutions.

Hope that helps......Later

MsKeyboard · « **Reply #42 on:** Thu, 08 July 2010, 17:00:51 »

Mouse L-TracX programmable 2 jack scroll USB black, kind of difficult with over 550 products

glo · « **Reply #43 on:** Mon, 19 July 2010, 10:42:26 »

Trying to get used to the L-TracX I received today. I must admit it's the first time I try a track ball and I still can't figure out which way of holding it works best.
How do you guys handle it? Use thumb to click any button? Use the palm or the fingers to move the ball?
Will gladly hear your habits.

Morning Song · « **Reply #44 on:** Mon, 19 July 2010, 10:53:24 »

I don't have that specific trackball, but i use my trackball, usually with my index, middle and ring fingers on the ball, the thumb and pinky on two of the buttons. but for "wide" rolls, i use my whole hand on the ball.

ironman31 · « **Reply #45 on:** Mon, 19 July 2010, 11:22:09 »

I have that trackball. I use my thumb to click the left button in the lower left corner, while my index, middle, and sometime my ring finger, move the ball. The ring finger is used for the right button in the upper right corner

ch_123 · « **Reply #46 on:** Mon, 19 July 2010, 15:25:12 »

I usually move my hand forward to use the middle button and scroller. That's my main gripe about the design compared with the KEM - you can't comfortable use all the features of the trackball from the one hand position.

microsoft windows · « **Reply #47 on:** Mon, 19 July 2010, 16:45:49 »

For scrolling I never even use a middle button or scroll wheel. I just use the arrow keys, Home/End, and PgUp/PgDn. It's a lot faster that way once you get used to it. And it's easy when you don't have a wheel mouse.

chongyixiong · « **Reply #48 on:** Tue, 10 August 2010, 05:26:59 »

So where are the wrist rests and extra switches?

Anyway I'm planning to get myself a trackball and I really like the Darth Vader of all trackballs.

Only feasible difference between the newer L-TracX and the older L-Trac would be that it is adjustable to 2400/3200dpi?

I also read from another thread that CST were sending out newer PCBs to older models?

So if I am guessing this correctly, if I bought the L-Trac Trackball w/2 extra jacks, 400 to 1600 CPI - Black MLTRACP2JSUB @ US$155, it's essentially the same as the other one, but without the higher CPI?

MsKeyboard · « **Reply #49 on:** Tue, 10 August 2010, 11:49:08 »

I haven't checked on the extra's for the L-Trac products lately, will fire off an email and see what is happening with them, but I know that they were hoping to start releasing the wrist rest this month and the switches in the next month or so, will let you know what I find out.

Also, the only difference between the X and the older model is DPI, nothing else functional. Also, you should not have to worry about an older PCB unless you gather one off of ebay or something...........Later

News:

Author Topic: New CST L-TracX (Read 24529 times)