4 ms·

I have been getting back to using Trackballs again after a 20 year hiatus. Currently I use the MX Ergo, MX 575 and its predecessor the MX 570 from Logitech. The

I have been getting back to using Trackballs again after a 20 year hiatus. Currently I use the MX Ergo, MX 575 and its predecessor the MX 570 from Logitech. The cheapest model (MX 570) is also the best IMHO, as it seems that Logitech changed the sensor and made the ball harder to move in the newer models, which for me feels way more sluggish. But maybe it's just that I used the MX570 for longer already and it wore out a bit more. Anyway, having had trouble with pain in my wrist and mouse-work induced fatigue in my fingers I have to say that switching to trackballs has definitely improved this a lot. I also tried some vertical mice but overall I like the ergonomics of a trackball much more. A big benefit is that you can even use it when sitting on the sofa or the bed with the laptop (I know, bad habit), which is just impossible with a normal mouse. Also, I can't count the times I swept my vertical mouse off the table when reaching for it (as the height of the mouse still seems unexpectedly high to my brain), which just never happens with trackballs, obviously. I even enjoy playing shooters and games with a trackball, for my amateurish skill level the precision is good enough.

ghaff 5y ago
I used trackballs for a longtime until my favorite and discontinued Logitech one eventually gave out. I didn't like any of the current ones on the market and, by that time, there were trackpads on the market, at least the ones for Macs, that I actively liked rather than barely, if that, tolerated.
yesimahuman 5y ago
Same here. After trying every alternative ergo mouse on the market I landed on a trackball and I love it. It has no wrist movement so makes all those ergo mice decisions irrelevant and it quickly becomes second nature and feels faster than using a traditional mouse. Agreed fps games are weird but on the few games I can’t use a controller it actually works pretty well and more than enough for my needs. Also yes the sofa usage is awesome. Didn’t even think about this being an advantage, but I do it all the time
dsr_ 5y ago
I have discovered that switching every few weeks between trackball, mouse and touchpad reduces fatigue for me. Because they feel so different, I don't lose any muscle memory.
majormajor 5y ago
I've found the "vertical" Kensington to be a nice upgrade for my wrist over the Logitech 570: https://www.kensington.com/p/products/electronic-control-solutions/trackball-products/pro-fit-ergo-vertical-wireless-trackball2-3/ https://www.kensington.com/p/products/electronic-control-sol...

ghaff 5y ago

I used trackballs for a longtime until my favorite and discontinued Logitech one eventually gave out. I didn't like any of the current ones on the market and, by that time, there were trackpads on the market, at least the ones for Macs, that I actively liked rather than barely, if that, tolerated.

yesimahuman 5y ago

Same here. After trying every alternative ergo mouse on the market I landed on a trackball and I love it. It has no wrist movement so makes all those ergo mice decisions irrelevant and it quickly becomes second nature and feels faster than using a traditional mouse. Agreed fps games are weird but on the few games I can’t use a controller it actually works pretty well and more than enough for my needs. Also yes the sofa usage is awesome. Didn’t even think about this being an advantage, but I do it all the time

dsr_ 5y ago

I have discovered that switching every few weeks between trackball, mouse and touchpad reduces fatigue for me. Because they feel so different, I don't lose any muscle memory.

majormajor 5y ago

I've found the "vertical" Kensington to be a nice upgrade for my wrist over the Logitech 570: https://www.kensington.com/p/products/electronic-control-solutions/trackball-products/pro-fit-ergo-vertical-wireless-trackball2-3/ https://www.kensington.com/p/products/electronic-control-sol...