Bigpook - I have a question about both the CST trackball and the Kensington Orbit. I will use my left hand so I need the right button to be left click (so I can use my thumb) and the left button to be right click. First, do either of these devices NOT click when a button is pressed? I'd actually prefer that. A quiet device. Second, how much force does it take to press these buttons? Now I know this is not a question you can answer accurately but just your personal opinion. Maybe you can compare it to a typical logitech mouse. What I'm really getting to here is...Are you comfortable using your ring finger / pinky to press one of the buttons of the trackballs?
Finally, how would you rate this device in terms how easy it is for your to take apart and perform maintenance / cleaning. I'm a clean freak so I don't want something that works but is gunky or has parts that get dirty and I can't reach them to clean. I think I was talking to you about the Aeron chair and how I'm OK to spend extra money in the beginning but then over the course of time I expect it to last a real time and give me my money back that way.
Thanks!
I would say that the CST does not make a click when the buttons are depressed but the Kensington does. Its not overly loud though.
Its hard to figure the force to click the buttons, but generally it seems to be the same for most mice I try.
I can use all/ any finger to click the button. It depends on the mouse. For instance on the Kensington Expert I would use my thumb to right click and and my ring finger to left click. On the CST I use my forefinger/thumb to right click and my pinky/ring finger to left click(it depends where my hand is at any given time). After a week or so its all the same. Trust me your hands adjust.
The CST is new but it comes apart by removing 3 screws. Supposedly it doesn't get dirty, the metal wheels don't collect gunk. If they do then supposedly you just spin the ball to clear it. We'll see about that over time. But I don't expect it to get fouled up.
I had the Kensington Expert in use for about a year and the ball rests on plastic tits. They never got gunked up on me. Keep in mind that my hands are always clean when I am the computer. I don't eat at the computer either. I also strictly enforce the no cheetos rule.
Both the CST and the Kensington are well built in my opinion. The only downside to the Kensington is the cheap wrist rest they provide. There are two plastic tits that hold it to the base. Real cheap. Mine broke off and I need to figure a way to fix it. And thats the only real downside to the Kensington. Yeah the scroll wheel could have been better designed but it works, and it works well enough to not be an issue.
The CST is a stout mouse. The cord is larger/fatter and the mouse itself is built like a tank. I posted pitcures of it here somewhere and show the metal roller assembly that is inside. Its over-built and IMHO will last a LONG time.
As for the herman miller chairs, thats been flogged pretty hard here but just to recap: yes, they are overpriced ( just like the keyboards and mice I buy ) but I think there is a value there. I don't mind paying more if I think the quality warrants it. I love my mirra chair and regret I didn't spend the extra 200 to get the fully adjustable model. AS it is, it will last me a very long time, just like the model m mini's that I have.
As a sanity check, just compare the above quoted with a cheap office chair that you would get at office max for 50 dollars and some craptacular keyboard/mice combo they have on sale at Best Buy.
If this is stuff that you are going to spend HOURS using, then it behooves you to get the best you can get for your money.
oooh..I think I am ranting.
sorry, I am off to get a cup of sleepy time tea....