3 ms·

Not knocking this product, but I personally prefer a trackball on top with buttons to either side. My thumb get very stressed out using the "on the side" arrang

by zikzak 4y ago

Not knocking this product, but I personally prefer a trackball on top with buttons to either side. My thumb get very stressed out using the "on the side" arrangement where the top I can vary how I interact with it more (hover hand, rest a finger on it, flick it with index/middle, etc). ~~Either~~ Both are preferable to the standard mouse for me, though!

randlet 4y ago
I'm similar. I prefer a symmetrical trackball so I can alternate hands and give the other hand a rest. I have been happily using a Kensington Orbit [1] for many years now. It has a scroll ring surrounding the track ball which I also really like. Absolutely love this trackball! [1] https://www.kensington.com/p/products/electronic-control-solutions/trackball-products/orbit-trackball-with-scroll-ring/ https://www.kensington.com/p/products/electronic-control-sol...
- VyseofArcadia 4y ago
  I have the Kensington Expert Mouse [1] which is just great. [1] https://www.kensington.com/p/products/electronic-control-solutions/trackball-products/expert-mouse-wireless-trackball-1/ https://www.kensington.com/p/products/electronic-control-sol...
  - kps 4y ago
    For me, it's Kensington Slimblade¹ sunk into a desk cutout, since wrist extension (bending up/back) is an RSI problem for me. ¹ https://www.kensington.com/p/products/electronic-control-solutions/trackball-products/slimblade-trackball/ https://www.kensington.com/p/products/electronic-control-sol...
  - randlet 4y ago
    That looks pretty nice too although the angle of it concerns me a bit. I use a standing desk so it looks like it might require me to bend my wrists backwards a bit more than the Orbit. I might give it a try though.
    - kadoban 4y ago
      Yeah, I used to use these, the angle is a problem. The Slimblade I think it's called is much better in that regard.
donio 4y ago
Same for me, although personally I'd prefer a mouse over thumb-wheel. I've been using various versions of the Kensington Expert line for the past 20 years. I am on #3 and #4 now (one for home, one for the office). Unfortunately there aren't many good alternatives in this form factor, the X-keys one is probably closest. I am happy with the Experts for the most part just wish there was more competition.
kitsunesoba 4y ago
Same here. For this reason, my preferred trackballs have been the L-Trac[0] and more recently the Gameball[1]. The former of those two is built like a tank but lacks buttons (though some models have jacks that allow you to add your own buttons), while the latter is more ergonomic and has more buttons. The Gameball’s capacitive scrolling is nice too. [0]: https://www.amazon.com/CST2545-5W-Ambidextrous-Performance-Ergonomic-Trackball/dp/B00ICQ6BZW https://www.amazon.com/CST2545-5W-Ambidextrous-Performance-E... [1]: https://www.gamingtrackball.com/ https://www.gamingtrackball.com/
- __mharrison__ 4y ago
  +1 on the L-Trac. Also you can stick a billiard ball in it... https://twitter.com/__mharrison__/status/1515078064866091009 https://twitter.com/__mharrison__/status/1515078064866091009
LegitShady 4y ago
I switch in between both kinds of trackballs (as you say, thumb or finger) as well as using a regular mouse at times. My reasoning is that I'm trying to avoid repetitive strain injuries, so by varying my position and the fingers doing the work, I'm basically giving everything time to rest.
jthrowsitaway 4y ago
Same. The Logitech Cordless Optical TrackMan is my favorite device. I wish they still made them (or something like it.)
- CalRobert 4y ago
  I long for a modern Corless Optical Trackman. Last I checked the few you could find on ebay went for hundreds.
  - mbreese 4y ago
    I think that’s one of the points of the Ploopy mice/trackballs. They are all open source, so it’s possible to reposition components (if you’re into 3D printing, etc…). Maybe it won’t be long before someone does come up with a similar design.
deltarholamda 4y ago
Very much the same here. I had a Logitech thumb trackball that I used for a long time, but my thumb started to twitch uncontrollably and I had to drop it. I was using it for CAD, so I used it quite a bit all day long, which may have something to do with it. If your use case works with it, and you're not susceptible to this kind of RSI, thumb trackballs are great. I loved mine.
kesslern 4y ago
That's how their classic trackball is set up. I've had mine for at least a year and really like it. https://ploopy.co/classic-trackball/ https://ploopy.co/classic-trackball/

by zikzak 4y ago

randlet 4y ago

I'm similar. I prefer a symmetrical trackball so I can alternate hands and give the other hand a rest. I have been happily using a Kensington Orbit [1] for many years now. It has a scroll ring surrounding the track ball which I also really like. Absolutely love this trackball! [1] https://www.kensington.com/p/products/electronic-control-solutions/trackball-products/orbit-trackball-with-scroll-ring/ https://www.kensington.com/p/products/electronic-control-sol...

VyseofArcadia 4y ago
I have the Kensington Expert Mouse [1] which is just great. [1] https://www.kensington.com/p/products/electronic-control-solutions/trackball-products/expert-mouse-wireless-trackball-1/ https://www.kensington.com/p/products/electronic-control-sol...
- kps 4y ago
  For me, it's Kensington Slimblade¹ sunk into a desk cutout, since wrist extension (bending up/back) is an RSI problem for me. ¹ https://www.kensington.com/p/products/electronic-control-solutions/trackball-products/slimblade-trackball/ https://www.kensington.com/p/products/electronic-control-sol...
- randlet 4y ago
  That looks pretty nice too although the angle of it concerns me a bit. I use a standing desk so it looks like it might require me to bend my wrists backwards a bit more than the Orbit. I might give it a try though.
  - kadoban 4y ago
    Yeah, I used to use these, the angle is a problem. The Slimblade I think it's called is much better in that regard.

donio 4y ago

Same for me, although personally I'd prefer a mouse over thumb-wheel. I've been using various versions of the Kensington Expert line for the past 20 years. I am on #3 and #4 now (one for home, one for the office). Unfortunately there aren't many good alternatives in this form factor, the X-keys one is probably closest. I am happy with the Experts for the most part just wish there was more competition.

kitsunesoba 4y ago

Same here. For this reason, my preferred trackballs have been the L-Trac[0] and more recently the Gameball[1]. The former of those two is built like a tank but lacks buttons (though some models have jacks that allow you to add your own buttons), while the latter is more ergonomic and has more buttons. The Gameball’s capacitive scrolling is nice too. [0]: https://www.amazon.com/CST2545-5W-Ambidextrous-Performance-Ergonomic-Trackball/dp/B00ICQ6BZW https://www.amazon.com/CST2545-5W-Ambidextrous-Performance-E... [1]: https://www.gamingtrackball.com/ https://www.gamingtrackball.com/

__mharrison__ 4y ago
+1 on the L-Trac. Also you can stick a billiard ball in it... https://twitter.com/__mharrison__/status/1515078064866091009 https://twitter.com/__mharrison__/status/1515078064866091009

LegitShady 4y ago

I switch in between both kinds of trackballs (as you say, thumb or finger) as well as using a regular mouse at times. My reasoning is that I'm trying to avoid repetitive strain injuries, so by varying my position and the fingers doing the work, I'm basically giving everything time to rest.

jthrowsitaway 4y ago

Same. The Logitech Cordless Optical TrackMan is my favorite device. I wish they still made them (or something like it.)

CalRobert 4y ago
I long for a modern Corless Optical Trackman. Last I checked the few you could find on ebay went for hundreds.
- mbreese 4y ago
  I think that’s one of the points of the Ploopy mice/trackballs. They are all open source, so it’s possible to reposition components (if you’re into 3D printing, etc…). Maybe it won’t be long before someone does come up with a similar design.

deltarholamda 4y ago

Very much the same here. I had a Logitech thumb trackball that I used for a long time, but my thumb started to twitch uncontrollably and I had to drop it. I was using it for CAD, so I used it quite a bit all day long, which may have something to do with it. If your use case works with it, and you're not susceptible to this kind of RSI, thumb trackballs are great. I loved mine.

kesslern 4y ago

That's how their classic trackball is set up. I've had mine for at least a year and really like it. https://ploopy.co/classic-trackball/ https://ploopy.co/classic-trackball/