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geekhack Community => Input Devices => Topic started by: bytemeavaj on Fri, 18 March 2011, 05:35:04

Title: Trackball?
Post by: bytemeavaj on Fri, 18 March 2011, 05:35:04

Hi there, I've never used a trackball before and I was thinking about picking one up in the $40-$50 range (more if justifiable). I just want the best bang for the buck.

I see that there are scroll balls near the thumb, and near the index finger. Which one is more comfortable? I would think the index finger would be more comfortable to use, right?

Any suggestions appreciated, thank you!

Title: Trackball?
Post by: bigpook on Fri, 18 March 2011, 06:25:30

Have you used trackballs before?

for the price range you are looking at there is the kensington orbit
amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Kensington-K72337US-Orbit-Trackball-Scroll/dp/B002OOWB3O/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1300447367&sr=8-2)

I have one of these and use it at work. Its a real nice two button mouse with scroll ring.
The ball is high in the socket too. Which I like, but YMMV.

At home I use the kensington slimblade, it is pretty awesome for me : ) Four buttons and twist the ball scrolling.

Title: Trackball?
Post by: bytemeavaj on Fri, 18 March 2011, 15:05:02

Thanks for the suggestion. I am considering that, along with this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104407&cm_re=trackball-_-26-104-407-_-Product

I don't really know which one will be more comfortable.

I've never used a trackball before, and was wondering if are more comfortable to use than mice. I've never had issues with using a mouse but I want to try something new.

Title: Trackball?
Post by: bigpook on Fri, 18 March 2011, 18:21:07

I had one of the earlier versions and used it for years. I ended up using trackballs that could be used with either hand. I am a righty but mouse on the left.
Trackballs aren't for everybody though and if you are into gaming you may prefer a standard mouse.
Depends on what you are looking for.

Title: Trackball?
Post by: mr_a500 on Sat, 19 March 2011, 08:14:10

Quote from: bytemeavaj;313810

Hi there, I've never used a trackball before and I was thinking about picking one up in the $40-$50 range (more if justifiable). I just want the best bang for the buck.

I see that there are scroll balls near the thumb, and near the index finger. Which one is more comfortable? I would think the index finger would be more comfortable to use, right?

Any suggestions appreciated, thank you!

I'd definitely go for a large ball trackball. I never could understand those thumb trackballs. They look very painful - constantly using your thumb with no option to change fingers. With the large trackballs, you can switch fingers and relax your hand.

Unfortunately, the good large trackballs are way over your $40-$50 range. You can still get a cheap IBM L40 (currently on eBay (http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-TRACK-POINT-L40-TRACK-BALL-AND-MOUSE-ONE-NEW-/350447251562?pt=Mice&hash=item519848b06a) - and seller seems to have a bunch). It's not a large ball trackball, but it's certainly better than a thumb ball - and a cheap way to find out if you like trackballs. (and if you don't, it'll convert to a mouse!)

If you don't have a PS/2 port, you'll need a USB adapter.

Title: Trackball?
Post by: ironman31 on Sat, 19 March 2011, 10:11:40

I vote on getting the logitech. Just got one yesterday and I really think I am going to like it better than my CST trackball (which is about 3 times the price). Though, I have relatively small hands, and maybe that's why the logitech is so comfortable compared to the giant CST. I'll post some quick pictures of my hands on both.
(http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/8974/img20110319111437.jpg)
(http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/8501/img20110319111453.jpg)
(http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/7215/img20110319112201.jpg)

Quote from: mr_a500;314310

I'd definitely go for a large ball trackball. I never could understand those thumb trackballs. They look very painful - constantly using your thumb with no option to change fingers. With the large trackballs, you can switch fingers and relax your hand.

Because of my small hands dilemma, I find that I am moving my hand far less on the logitech than with my CST. The large trackball requires me to lift my hand over the ball to reach the scroll wheel. (I do like the scroll wheel of the CST much better though, since it's a hyperscroll). The CST also takes a little more of a learning curve. You have to train your hand to lift off of the ball when you click to keep the cursor from moving while clicking. I still have to do the same for my logitech, but it's just slightly lifting my thumb instead.

Some pros to the larger trackballs are precision. It's much easier to control a large ball with your hands, rather than a small one with your thumb. But that's not to say it sucks using a thumb ball, or uncomfortable either.

Someone with larger hands though could have the complete opposite opinions on the situation, though.

In the end, the best bang for your buck would be the logitech. And not to mention, it's wireless! (which isn't a bad thing in this situation. Although, I have never tried the kensington mentioned in the second post.

Title: Trackball?
Post by: hcry4 on Sat, 19 March 2011, 13:30:12

m570!

Title: Trackball?
Post by: ashort on Sat, 19 March 2011, 14:31:55

Quote from: hcry4;314419

m570!

Yes!

Title: Trackball?
Post by: bytemeavaj on Sat, 19 March 2011, 14:50:29

Wow it seems like a lot of people like the M570. I would think that people wouldn't be that fond of a thumb trackball. Where did you guys buy your CST trackballs at? Thanks for the input fellas.

Title: Trackball?
Post by: ashort on Sat, 19 March 2011, 14:53:25

Quote from: bytemeavaj;314446

Wow it seems like a lot of people like the M570. I would think that people wouldn't be that fond of a thumb trackball. Where did you guys buy your CST trackballs at? Thanks for the input fellas.

I've tried the other trackballs.  No scientific explanation other than I just don't like them.  Maybe I'm so much of a clutz that I can't effectively use a "fingerball".  But the thumb versions like the M570, as well as the Trackman marbles, fit my hand perfectly and give me maximum control.  LOVE them.

And...the M570 is so far my favorite pointing device ever.

Title: Trackball?
Post by: bigpook on Sat, 19 March 2011, 15:32:42

Good place to start.

CST (http://clearlysuperiortech.com/)

Title: Trackball?
Post by: kidchunks on Sat, 19 March 2011, 17:19:57

Quote from: bytemeavaj;314446

Where did you guys buy your CST trackballs at? Thanks for the input fellas.

Bought mine from:
http://www.provantage.com/ergoguys-cst2545w~7ERG9029.htm (http://www.provantage.com/ergoguys-cst2545w~7ERG9029.htm)

$109 shipped CONUS.

Cheapest I could find.

Title: Trackball?
Post by: sadbox on Sat, 19 March 2011, 18:41:40

Made this for the meme contest... feels very apt.
(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=16224&stc=1&d=1300577866)

Title: Trackball?
Post by: bytemeavaj on Sat, 19 March 2011, 19:02:18

Quote from: blue6249;314543

Made this for the meme contest... feels very apt.

Show Image

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=16224&stc=1&d=1300577866)

ROFLMAO!

It's funny because I was browsing that thread when I stumbled upon that picture and I laughed out loud. I thought to myself, "Wow, this sounds like me".
I feel special now.

Title: Trackball?
Post by: bytemeavaj on Sat, 19 March 2011, 19:35:07

Quote from: kidchunks;314512

Bought mine from:
http://www.provantage.com/ergoguys-cst2545w~7ERG9029.htm (http://www.provantage.com/ergoguys-cst2545w~7ERG9029.htm)

$109 shipped CONUS.

Cheapest I could find.

Thanks for that link. Looks promising. I found a local trackball for $40, I'm going to see if I can get that.

Title: Trackball?
Post by: bytemeavaj on Sat, 19 March 2011, 22:59:48

Okay, so I found a Kensington 64213 trackball for $40. Do you think I should buy it? It is about 6 years old but the owner said he used it only for half a year and it's been stored away for the remainder of the time.