4 ms·

I used trackballs pretty heavily years ago, but as that was a TrackMan Marble (PS/2, three buttons, no friggin scrollwheel), I got some issues with my thumb aft

by mhd 7y ago

I used trackballs pretty heavily years ago, but as that was a TrackMan Marble (PS/2, three buttons, no friggin scrollwheel), I got some issues with my thumb after a few years. I used a huge old one for a while (with a serial adapter I think), which probably could've accepted a billard ball as a substitute. After a while, you got pretty intuitive and just "threw" it in the right direction, then made a minor adjustment. Loved it. I also remember when it was all the rage with FPS players…

SoapSeller 7y ago
Something like this [0]? I have the same model, I try not to pick the(stock) ball and fidget with it too much - as I'm worried about damaging it - it's a fun feature nonetheless. I'm still using trackball for FPS(e.g Battlefield V), not sure if it gain me any advantage. (Beside snipping, where the ability to click eithout causing a move is useful) [0] https://www.trackballmouse.org/kensington-expert-trackball-in-the-movie-oceans-8/ https://www.trackballmouse.org/kensington-expert-trackball-i...
- mhd 7y ago
  Hah, not that modern, although I think I thought about getting that Kensington model. I think it was a version of this: https://i.imgur.com/T4MQsEj.jpg https://i.imgur.com/T4MQsEj.jpg
xenonite 7y ago
Actually, I am a huge fan of Logitech's TrackMan Marble Mouse and can recommend it wholeheartedly. I use it since about 20 years, renewing it every couple of years. I am sorry for your thumb, I luckily haven't had problems yet. Before that, I have used various trackballs (Microsoft Trackball Explorer, several Kensington, Logitech Cordless Optical TrackMan) but came to stick with the TrackMan Marble. Especially, I dislike those requiring the pointer finger for clicking - I prefer the pointer finger to move the pointer. It is much more precise. Leaves the strong thumb to thumb the button. And for the question on scrolling: I press one of the small buttons, then scroll using the ball both horizontally and vertically. This can be configured in Windows, macOS, and X.
- mhd 7y ago
  Logitech is horrible when it comes to names, apparently every trackball they make is a "Trackman Marble". I think you're talking about the ambidextrous one with two big buttons, two small buttons and the ball in the middle. I had the one where the trackball is operated by the thumb[1], which was quite great, at least until I "felt" it. Probably not that bad, but I was worried enough about RSI, and had to use a mouse at work anyway... I actually bought one of the ones you mentioned recently, let's see how that works. As for scrolling, I only rarely use a scroll wheel and do most of my paging with the keyboard, so I always missed a proper third middle button more. So the original design was quite close to my heart. (I also once had a Kensington trackball where you scrolled with a ring set around the ball. Not that great for scrolling, but I think I managed to connect it to the volume in Linux back then…) [1]: https://i.imgur.com/K8tDHfN.jpg https://i.imgur.com/K8tDHfN.jpg
- luismedel 7y ago
  My main Marble Mouse dates from 2003 and still works like the first day (I clean it with alcohol from time to time) The only issue it's the vanishing Logitech logo :-)

by mhd 7y ago

SoapSeller 7y ago

Something like this [0]? I have the same model, I try not to pick the(stock) ball and fidget with it too much - as I'm worried about damaging it - it's a fun feature nonetheless. I'm still using trackball for FPS(e.g Battlefield V), not sure if it gain me any advantage. (Beside snipping, where the ability to click eithout causing a move is useful) [0] https://www.trackballmouse.org/kensington-expert-trackball-in-the-movie-oceans-8/ https://www.trackballmouse.org/kensington-expert-trackball-i...

mhd 7y ago
Hah, not that modern, although I think I thought about getting that Kensington model. I think it was a version of this: https://i.imgur.com/T4MQsEj.jpg https://i.imgur.com/T4MQsEj.jpg

xenonite 7y ago

Actually, I am a huge fan of Logitech's TrackMan Marble Mouse and can recommend it wholeheartedly. I use it since about 20 years, renewing it every couple of years. I am sorry for your thumb, I luckily haven't had problems yet. Before that, I have used various trackballs (Microsoft Trackball Explorer, several Kensington, Logitech Cordless Optical TrackMan) but came to stick with the TrackMan Marble. Especially, I dislike those requiring the pointer finger for clicking - I prefer the pointer finger to move the pointer. It is much more precise. Leaves the strong thumb to thumb the button. And for the question on scrolling: I press one of the small buttons, then scroll using the ball both horizontally and vertically. This can be configured in Windows, macOS, and X.

mhd 7y ago
Logitech is horrible when it comes to names, apparently every trackball they make is a "Trackman Marble". I think you're talking about the ambidextrous one with two big buttons, two small buttons and the ball in the middle. I had the one where the trackball is operated by the thumb[1], which was quite great, at least until I "felt" it. Probably not that bad, but I was worried enough about RSI, and had to use a mouse at work anyway... I actually bought one of the ones you mentioned recently, let's see how that works. As for scrolling, I only rarely use a scroll wheel and do most of my paging with the keyboard, so I always missed a proper third middle button more. So the original design was quite close to my heart. (I also once had a Kensington trackball where you scrolled with a ring set around the ball. Not that great for scrolling, but I think I managed to connect it to the volume in Linux back then…) [1]: https://i.imgur.com/K8tDHfN.jpg https://i.imgur.com/K8tDHfN.jpg
luismedel 7y ago
My main Marble Mouse dates from 2003 and still works like the first day (I clean it with alcohol from time to time) The only issue it's the vanishing Logitech logo :-)