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geekhack Community => Input Devices => Topic started by: snarfarlarkus on Mon, 12 October 2015, 22:53:33

Title: Does a billiard pool ball feel better than the stock L Trac trackball?
Post by: snarfarlarkus on Mon, 12 October 2015, 22:53:33
I just received my track ball from Massdrop (After such a loooong wait) and the ball feels a bit light and almost 'cheap' so I was wondering if I could replace it with a pool ball? Is it 2.25"? or 2.5"? And if anyone out there has tried it, is it an upgrade?
Title: Re: Does a billiard pool ball feel better than the stock L Trac trackball?
Post by: fanpeople on Tue, 13 October 2015, 03:39:05
I just received my track ball from Massdrop (After such a loooong wait) and the ball feels a bit light and almost 'cheap' so I was wondering if I could replace it with a pool ball? Is it 2.25"? or 2.5"? And if anyone out there has tried it, is it an upgrade?

I changed mine out with a pool ball, I can't really tell the difference.
Title: Re: Does a billiard pool ball feel better than the stock L Trac trackball?
Post by: njbair on Thu, 15 October 2015, 15:58:21
I just received my track ball from Massdrop (After such a loooong wait) and the ball feels a bit light and almost 'cheap' so I was wondering if I could replace it with a pool ball? Is it 2.25"? or 2.5"? And if anyone out there has tried it, is it an upgrade?
I am really surprised to hear that. I've never considered the L-Trac to have a light feel.

I think the stock black ball really is just an unpainted billiard ball, so you won't notice a difference.
Title: Re: Does a billiard pool ball feel better than the stock L Trac trackball?
Post by: snarfarlarkus on Thu, 15 October 2015, 16:28:25
I just received my track ball from Massdrop (After such a loooong wait) and the ball feels a bit light and almost 'cheap' so I was wondering if I could replace it with a pool ball? Is it 2.25"? or 2.5"? And if anyone out there has tried it, is it an upgrade?
I am really surprised to hear that. I've never considered the L-Trac to have a light feel.

I think the stock black ball really is just an unpainted billiard ball, so you won't notice a difference.

Yeah maybe its just me? Are there replacement balls out there? To make it feel different?
Title: Re: Does a billiard pool ball feel better than the stock L Trac trackball?
Post by: njbair on Thu, 15 October 2015, 16:30:23
I just received my track ball from Massdrop (After such a loooong wait) and the ball feels a bit light and almost 'cheap' so I was wondering if I could replace it with a pool ball? Is it 2.25"? or 2.5"? And if anyone out there has tried it, is it an upgrade?
I am really surprised to hear that. I've never considered the L-Trac to have a light feel.

I think the stock black ball really is just an unpainted billiard ball, so you won't notice a difference.

Yeah maybe its just me? Are there replacement balls out there? To make it feel different?
Not that I know of. What in particular is the issue? Did you know you can change the speed? I think the settings are 400, 800, and 1600 DPI. I forget which two buttons you click to change it.
Title: Re: Does a billiard pool ball feel better than the stock L Trac trackball?
Post by: CPTBadAss on Thu, 15 October 2015, 16:41:59
I find the stock ball has more grip and rolls smoother than a pool ball. The pool ball felt a little slicker and rolled a bit rougher
Title: Re: Does a billiard pool ball feel better than the stock L Trac trackball?
Post by: njbair on Thu, 15 October 2015, 17:27:59
I find the stock ball has more grip and rolls smoother than a pool ball. The pool ball felt a little slicker and rolled a bit rougher
I find that when I clean the ball it feels rougher. I think the skin oils help it to roll more freely at weird angles. Have you used the billiard ball long enough to build up some oils on the surface?
Title: Re: Does a billiard pool ball feel better than the stock L Trac trackball?
Post by: CPTBadAss on Thu, 15 October 2015, 17:49:15
I find that when I clean the ball it feels rougher. I think the skin oils help it to roll more freely at weird angles. Have you used the billiard ball long enough to build up some oils on the surface?

I think I used the billiards ball for like 3-4 months straight?
Title: Re: Does a billiard pool ball feel better than the stock L Trac trackball?
Post by: njbair on Thu, 15 October 2015, 17:51:11
I find that when I clean the ball it feels rougher. I think the skin oils help it to roll more freely at weird angles. Have you used the billiard ball long enough to build up some oils on the surface?

I think I used the billiards ball for like 3-4 months straight?
Hmm OK then. It probably only takes less than a week to build up.

Not sure why the one you used felt different, unless it had some weird lacquer on it or something.
Title: Re: Does a billiard pool ball feel better than the stock L Trac trackball?
Post by: keshley on Fri, 16 October 2015, 08:04:10
IIRC, the L-Trac ball is actually made by a billiard ball company. Don't remember the name offhand. So yes, it pretty much IS a pool ball already.

I think the only way anybody will actually notice a difference is to use a higher quality cue ball, like a Super Aramith. Suppose it doesn't have to be a cue ball, but they're easier to buy as a single :)

After that, its likely placebo.
Title: Re: Does a billiard pool ball feel better than the stock L Trac trackball?
Post by: CPTBadAss on Fri, 16 October 2015, 08:11:44
Maybe that's why my pool ball feels off. It was very used and I picked it up for cheap.
Title: Re: Does a billiard pool ball feel better than the stock L Trac trackball?
Post by: njbair on Fri, 16 October 2015, 21:21:00
Here's the one to buy: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000WQ3AKE/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?qid=1445048368&sr=1-6&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70&dpPl=1&dpID=51yhlgl98%2BL&ref=plSrch
Title: Re: Does a billiard pool ball feel better than the stock L Trac trackball?
Post by: Kola93 on Mon, 26 October 2015, 03:04:00
IIRC, the L-Trac ball is actually made by a billiard ball company. Don't remember the name offhand. So yes, it pretty much IS a pool ball already.

I think the only way anybody will actually notice a difference is to use a higher quality cue ball, like a Super Aramith. Suppose it doesn't have to be a cue ball, but they're easier to buy as a single :)

After that, its likely placebo.

This is very interesting information! I wonder if their newer translucent ball is also a billiards ball. ^-^
Title: Re: Does a billiard pool ball feel better than the stock L Trac trackball?
Post by: mrgoldenzombie on Sat, 31 October 2015, 00:38:29
I just received my track ball from Massdrop (After such a loooong wait) and the ball feels a bit light and almost 'cheap' so I was wondering if I could replace it with a pool ball? Is it 2.25"? or 2.5"? And if anyone out there has tried it, is it an upgrade?

I changed mine out with a pool ball, I can't really tell the difference.
Does it feel smother?