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geekhack Community => Input Devices => Topic started by: ins0m on Fri, 17 December 2010, 22:45:40

Title: Does anyone here use trackball mice?
Post by: ins0m on Fri, 17 December 2010, 22:45:40

I haven't been on this part of the forum really. I just bought a trackball mouse today. It's a little hard to get used to. I'm having a hard time keeping the cursor still when I click down with my thumb. Does this usually get better? or do I have to completely take off my middle fingers off the ball to click down correctly.

Title: Does anyone here use trackball mice?
Post by: EverythingIBM on Fri, 17 December 2010, 22:48:08

I do:
(http://www.usimperio.com/recycled/product_images/ibm/ibm_trackpoint.jpg)

It's very nice. Love the rubber buttons.

Title: Does anyone here use trackball mice?
Post by: sadbox on Sat, 18 December 2010, 09:41:03

If it's your first time it will take a bit of getting used to it. I know with mine it would constantly click and drag instead of just clicking when I first used it =)

Title: Does anyone here use trackball mice?
Post by: theferenc on Sun, 19 December 2010, 09:21:10

I just recently picked up a CST L-TracX, and for the first few days, I had the click/drag issue blue mentioned.

But really, you do get used to it. It also depends on the trackball though. The CST has HUGE buttons, so it's easy to hit them regardless of where your fingers are on the ball.

Since you said hitting with your thumb, I assume you have a "fingers" trackball, rather than a thumb model. Good choice!

Title: Does anyone here use trackball mice?
Post by: turbocharged on Sun, 19 December 2010, 09:56:07

I use this when tuning my car on the street. My only laptop with a RS232 port has a broken trackpad and conventional mice don't work to well in the car. I don't have to worry about the clicking down on the trackball though...it is for cursor movement only...has the conventional left and right click buttons for clicking purposes.

(http://wirelesstrackballmouse.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/logitech-trackball-mouse.jpg?w=300&h=300)

Title: Does anyone here use trackball mice?
Post by: iMav on Sun, 19 December 2010, 10:05:27

I enjoy these:

(http://geekhack.org/~lherzog/blog-images/logitechtrackmanmarble.jpg)(http://geekhack.org/~lherzog/blog-images/logitechtrackmanmarblewheel.jpg)

But not these:

(http://geekhack.org/~lherzog/blog-images/logitechtrackman.jpg)

I also enjoy these:

Title: Does anyone here use trackball mice?
Post by: urlwolf on Sun, 19 December 2010, 10:10:41

I just bought the cheap kensington with the scrollwheel. Liking it so far. If only it had a 'back' button...

Title: Does anyone here use trackball mice?
Post by: microsoft windows on Sun, 19 December 2010, 13:59:50

I use the trackball built into my laptop, along with the one in my M5-2, the one in my Compaq MX1800, and a few others.

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=14165&stc=1&d=1292788660)
(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=14166&stc=1&d=1292788673)
(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=14167&stc=1&d=1292788686)
(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=14168&stc=1&d=1292788727)

Title: Does anyone here use trackball mice?
Post by: RoboKrikit on Sun, 19 December 2010, 14:50:20

Quote from: iMav;265700

I enjoy these:

Show Image

(http://geekhack.org/~lherzog/blog-images/logitechtrackmanmarble.jpg)

Show Image

(http://geekhack.org/~lherzog/blog-images/logitechtrackmanmarblewheel.jpg)

But not these:

Show Image

(http://geekhack.org/~lherzog/blog-images/logitechtrackman.jpg)

I felt the same way when I got the newer gray version.  Was it the ball?  It seemed a lot rougher and kinda grinded compared to the old model, for me.

I wonder if the one that just came out recently feels better.

Title: Does anyone here use trackball mice?
Post by: iMav on Sun, 19 December 2010, 14:54:37

Quote from: RoboKrikit;265814

I felt the same way when I got the newer gray version.  Was it the ball?  It seemed a lot rougher and kinda grinded compared to the old model, for me.

I wonder if the one that just came out recently feels better.

It's the buttons.  I like to right click with my ring finger.  Having a "spot" for the three fingers is what I like.

Title: Does anyone here use trackball mice?
Post by: bigpook on Sun, 19 December 2010, 15:15:48

I use the kensington slimblade. The kensington orbit is pretty good too.

Title: Does anyone here use trackball mice?
Post by: Earth Worm Jim on Sun, 19 December 2010, 15:46:57

Logitech marble for me.

Title: Does anyone here use trackball mice?
Post by: Daniel Beaver on Sun, 19 December 2010, 18:45:41

Yes, they take awhile. I'm using my Kesington Expert Mouse for a bit to see if I can still get used to it. Any new input device will feel strange the first few days you use it.

Title: Does anyone here use trackball mice?
Post by: aegrotatio on Sun, 19 December 2010, 21:49:24

The trick with trackballs, if this sort of thing bothers you, really is to click the button with your fingers off the ball.

One thing I really dislike about regular mice is that it's nearly impossible to actuate the switch without moving the mouse.  When trying to draw things with a mouse is a huge annoyance.  With a trackball I just remove my fingers from the ball and click the button.

Naturally it needs to be a trackball with a fairly good base, which all of today's desktop models are.  The hand-held and laptop models from years ago are not good for this.

For click-drag I never really have a problem.  I use Kensington Expert Mouse 64325 and Logitech Trackman Marble every day.  If it bothers you, the software that comes with both models have a click-drag feature that let you click-drag without holding the button down but I haven't felt the need to use it.  I use both trackballs with the operating system's built-in mouse drivers with no problems at all.

Title: Does anyone here use trackball mice?
Post by: microsoft windows on Mon, 20 December 2010, 15:25:51

I know a lot of trackballs from IBM have that sort of "click-lock" feature. It's very useful for playing Solitaire when you drag cards around.

Title: Does anyone here use trackball mice?
Post by: EverythingIBM on Mon, 20 December 2010, 15:29:57

Quote from: microsoft windows;266354

I know a lot of trackballs from IBM have that sort of "click-lock" feature. It's very useful for playing Solitaire when you drag cards around.

Yes, click and hold for both right and left buttons, as well as regular buttons.

This eliminates the need for playing around with software.