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Offline didjamatic

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Boo Ya!
« on: Fri, 02 April 2010, 14:19:16 »
Can you find the hidden gem in this auction?

:)
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Offline didjamatic

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Boo Ya!
« Reply #1 on: Fri, 02 April 2010, 14:36:56 »
I'm still searching for my ultimate pointing device, so far I nothing has dethroned my Logitech G9x with it's metal scroll wheel that can be put into freewheel/flywheel mode.

Maybe the MS Trackball Optical is it.

Any downsides to those super bearings?
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Offline majestouch

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Boo Ya!
« Reply #2 on: Fri, 02 April 2010, 14:41:15 »
Quite a steal, lucky day:) Used one before?

I tried one once many moons ago, but missed the opportunity to get one when they were cheap. Perhaps I'll keep an eye out now that I see they can slip by like this, sheesh.
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Offline didjamatic

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Boo Ya!
« Reply #3 on: Fri, 02 April 2010, 14:48:10 »
When I used to do more consulting I did lots of work for architectural and engineering firms which are havens for trackballs.  I've probably used every decent trackball device made, not sure if I tried this one or not but I know I've used similar ones.  I remember the stockpiles of trackballs these places would have in the closets that the engineers had worn out.

A couple months ago I got a Microsoft Trackball Explorer but the ball didn't spin as well as I hoped it would.  I just got a Kensington Expertmouse PRO that I really liked but unfortunately it didn't track properly when scrolling down so I got a refund from the seller.  Hopefully this one works well.
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Offline Nonmouse

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Boo Ya!
« Reply #4 on: Fri, 02 April 2010, 15:11:40 »
Quote from: ripster;168994
LOL - interesting Ebay Microsoft Trackball listings.

This guy sells a maintenance kit.

I love the prison (anti-shanking) toothbrush (C).
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Offline Rajagra

  • Posts: 1930
Boo Ya!
« Reply #5 on: Fri, 02 April 2010, 15:23:19 »
I'm still waiting to see a MS Trackball Explorer on ebay that doesn't cost more than they did when new. It seems that no matter how badly described they are, there's always a few people who notice them and start a bidding war on them. I suppose I'll eventually bite the bullet and pay over the odds to find out if they are as good as they say.
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Offline didjamatic

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« Reply #6 on: Fri, 02 April 2010, 15:43:18 »
I got one for $100 shipped, which is a very good price for a MS TBE.
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Offline zwmalone

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Boo Ya!
« Reply #7 on: Fri, 02 April 2010, 15:45:19 »
They. Are. Amazing. It's just sad that they cost so much now, when I paid around $30 for my original at wallyworld.
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Can't get enough of them ALPS

Offline didjamatic

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Boo Ya!
« Reply #8 on: Fri, 02 April 2010, 15:51:26 »
For a Microsoft Trackball Explorer?  I thought they were closer to the $80-100 range
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Offline elbowglue

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Boo Ya!
« Reply #9 on: Sat, 03 April 2010, 00:21:12 »
Ok I'll bite - how are these suckers so good?  I've always been a mouse man myself, can't say I understand the trackball concept, or why the microsoft trackball explorer is so hawt?

Heh I'm looking into these and I feel like I'm falling into a cult of... DIY mustard makers.
http://contact.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ShowAllQuestions&frm=284&ShowASQAlways=1&iid=310191488980&&ssPageName=PageAskSellerQuestion_VI&redirect=0&requested=kcacgc&guest=1
« Last Edit: Sat, 03 April 2010, 00:30:21 by elbowglue »
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My keyboards: Filco Cherry Blue Tenkeyless(daily home), Compaq MX11800 (modded to blacks), Compaq "MX 84u",  Wellington\'s Dampened Endurapro, Pinkalicious Filco Blue Cherry, Chicony KB-5191, Chicony KB-5181, Desko MOS 5023 UP "elbowglue" spos (modded to blues), Siig Minitouch (monterey blue), SMK-88 (blue cherries), Ricercar SPOS
Smallest to biggest keyboards in inches (Length X Height) - Length is most important for a midline mouse position
KBC Poker: 11.6 x 3.9 - HHKB: 11.6 x 4.3 - Siig Minitouch (Geekhack Space Saver): 11.6 x 6 - Deck/Tg3 82: 12 x 6 - Noppoo Choc Mini 12.4 x 5.3 - Compaq "MX 84u": 13.1 x 7.5 - Filco Tenkeyless: 14 x 5.3 - Cherry "ricercar spos" G86-62410EUAGSA: 14 x 7.75 - Topre Realforce 86u: 14.4 x 6.65 - Desko "elbowglue spos" MOS 5023 UP: 14.5 x 8.4 - IBM Model M Spacesaver: 15.3 x 7 - G80-1800: 15.9 x 7.1 - Adesso MKB-125B: 16 x 7.3 - Compaq Mx11800, Cherry G80-11900: 16.25 x 7.5 - Filco Standard: 17.3 x 5.4 - Unicomp Endurapro: 17.9 x 7.1 - Adesso MKB-135B: 18.3 x 6.0 - Cherry G80-3000: 18.5 x 7.6 - IBM Model M, Unicomp Customizer: 19.3 x 8.27

Offline Rajagra

  • Posts: 1930
Boo Ya!
« Reply #10 on: Sat, 03 April 2010, 02:01:13 »
Quote from: elbowglue;169162
Ok I'll bite - how are these suckers so good?


I think they just ...  got it right.
Then they stopped making them.



The thing about trackballs is they vary in usability much more than mice. A terrible mouse is probably still usable. But a terrible trackball is too annoying to make do with. A fabulous mouse is, well, still just a mouse. But a fabulous trackball transforms the experience. It feels like you have direct neural input to the computer.
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Offline kohan69

  • Posts: 23
Boo Ya!
« Reply #11 on: Sat, 03 April 2010, 03:32:42 »
Quote from: Rajagra;169173
a fabulous trackball transforms the experience. It feels like you have direct neural input to the computer.

Don't be mean to spoil your fun, but this is closer to neural input than a trackball

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Offline skcheng

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Boo Ya!
« Reply #12 on: Sat, 03 April 2010, 05:48:45 »
Quote from: didjamatic;168989
I'm still searching for my ultimate pointing device, so far I nothing has dethroned my Logitech G9x with it's metal scroll wheel that can be put into freewheel/flywheel mode.

Maybe the MS Trackball Optical is it.

Any downsides to those super bearings?



Hey Didj,

The Logitech G9 is my fave mouse and my first "high end" mouse.   When they were getting closed out, I bought a bunch.   I quickly learned how to work the mouse at the highest DPI setting.

What weights do you use in your G9X and what DPI setting.   I LOVE the easy DPI adjustability.  

skc
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Offline didjamatic

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Boo Ya!
« Reply #13 on: Sat, 03 April 2010, 08:28:58 »
I remove all weights in the G9x, can't remember what DPI i use, but it's not the highest.

Elbowglue, that link just told us what the "Super Secret Formula" is for trackball coating... Armor All!

In the Auction that Elbowglue linked:
"FREE Tip  What did Microsoft and Flextronics used to lubricate these balls?  ARMOR ALL!  Hard to believe I know but true.  So if you clean your ball and it doesn't roll as easily or ball is worn try the Armor All (spray into a dry cloth and apply to ball).  And bit of greasy finger after eating popcorn or pizza will do the trick too."

In the Q&A for the auction, there is a ton of info, it sounds like that guy really worked for Microsoft.

Some of this info could go into a Trackball wiki.
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Offline skcheng

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Boo Ya!
« Reply #14 on: Sat, 03 April 2010, 10:57:56 »
Quote from: didjamatic;169195
I remove all weights in the G9x, can't remember what DPI i use, but it's not the highest.

I think 22g is just about perfect.   Otherwise, it slides all over the place on my mousepad.
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Offline Voixdelion

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Boo Ya!
« Reply #15 on: Sun, 04 April 2010, 00:42:36 »
The posts in this forum are more entertaining than the daily comics...
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"The more you tolerate each other, the less enforcement will happen."-iMav
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