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geekhack Community => Input Devices => Topic started by: leemyoung on Thu, 17 April 2014, 23:27:23

Title: Precision ADB Trackball
Post by: leemyoung on Thu, 17 April 2014, 23:27:23

I came across this trackball (at the bottom on the page) and was wondering if anyone has had any experience with it.

I'm looking to get a high resolution trackball, so if anyone has some other recommendations, please send them my way.  I've been looking at the CST2145w, the expert mouse, and the digital research advanced trackball (supposedly 6400 DPI).  Thanks!

(http://www.vintagecomputer.net/apple/SE30/apple_mac_trackball.JPG)

Title: Re: Precision ADB Trackball
Post by: Hak Foo on Thu, 17 April 2014, 23:59:16

Honestly, I think you need to rethink your shopping strategy.

The "Digital Research" one, if it's the one on Amazon, is prehistoric-- it mentions "Suppoers Windows 95" as a big feature.

The one you picture will need a converter to work on any machine other than an ancient (pre-iMac) Macintosh.

The CST is nice and competent, but expensive.  Of the ones you suggest,, it and the Expert Mouse are the only ones that are remotely current products.

Others to consider:  Sanwa models (they offer both a thumb trackball and a symmetric one; you can get them from Japanese sellers off rakuten.com for decent prices).  Logitech M570 (thumb style, wireless) or Marble Mouse (symmetric, no wheel), and the various Kensington products.

Title: Re: Precision ADB Trackball
Post by: leemyoung on Fri, 18 April 2014, 00:45:39

Hak Foo, thank you for your reply.

I guess I should've mentioned that I appreciated the aesthetic of the old ones.  I kind of like old things.  I like the CST because it looks the same as it did when it was Microspeed.  I am willing to get a ps/2 to usb adapter or an ADB to USB adapter in order to make it work.

Title: Re: Precision ADB Trackball
Post by: tufty on Fri, 18 April 2014, 09:27:18

Quote from: leemyoung on Fri, 18 April 2014, 00:45:39

Hak Foo, thank you for your reply.

I guess I should've mentioned that I appreciated the aesthetic of the old ones.  I kind of like old things.  I like the CST because it looks the same as it did when it was Microspeed.  I am willing to get a ps/2 to usb adapter or an ADB to USB adapter in order to make it work.

A "standard" ADB adapter probably won't get you all the functionality.  In particular, you'll probably only get one button working.  If you have the original Mac drivers, we can probably do something.