A very odd trackball experience I recently had

[mikeymikec]

My wireless mouse needed charging and I wanted to play a bit of XCOM2. As it doesn't ever require fast point/clicking, I figured I could switch to my trackball (which I've had for about 20 years), which is always connected in case the mouse needs charging. I learnt a long time ago that FPS gaming with a trackball is nigh-on impossible, but given the nature of turn-based gaming I couldn't imagine I'd have any difficulty. Within about thirty seconds of playing I simply had to change to a wired mouse because trying to play with the trackball was almost like I was trying to use a mouse left-handed or something, yet in app usage I'm perfectly natural using it. Has anyone experienced anything like this before?

Why a trackball:
I originally bought it because many mice caused me wrist problems after long periods of use, and using the trackball allowed my wrist to recover. Since then I've found mice that apparently better suit my wrist and/or my self-employment these days means less extended periods of using a mouse.

 

[brianmanahan]

which trackball, the logitech trackman style?

 

[mikeymikec]

Logitech MarbleFX.

 

[brianmanahan]

oh huh, i could never get used to those, been using the thumb trackballs forever

though i do suck at FPS games and that is probably part of the reason why. could also be my old man reaction times.

 

[Thebobo]

I had a trackball on my Amiga and loved it. But that was before laser mouses. Would like to try one again.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Anyone remember Unisys Icon computers? Those trackballs were awesome! I can still hear the sound of those ball bearings in my head as I sent the cursor flying across the screen as fast as I can. Weeeeeeeee!

I would love to get my hands on that equipment and get it going again, but I imagine it would be very hard. Most of them were ordered to be destroyed. Kinda sad. The computers were not really stand alone, needed a server too. I think it ran on thinnet or token ring or something along those lines, may have even been proprietary.

 

[Chaotic42]

Logitech MarbleFX.

I love those things.

 

[Muadib]

I just ordered this: https://www.kensington.com/p/products/control/trackballs/expert-mouse-wireless-trackball/
I loved using a trackball back in the 90's.

 

[nakedfrog]

Trackball users are weird.

 

[brianmanahan]

Trackball users are weird.

no u

 

[nakedfrog]

no u

While I can't refute your accusation, the fact remains that you, also, are weird.

 

[luv2liv]

I love trackball. Too bad wireless trackball for left and right hands don't exist. So I am stuck with the wired Logitech trackball

 

[luv2liv]

Logitech MarbleFX.

Sell it to me if you no longer want it

 

[mikeymikec]

Sell it to me if you no longer want it

Not likely, sorry I bought a second-hand one a year or two ago for spare parts just in case.

 

[GrumpyMan]

Been using the thumb tracballs for years now, originally I used the MS version which they stopped making years ago, currently I like the Logitech MX Ergo. A bit bigger than the 570 and it tilts 20 degrees or so. Even game with it. Very smooth movement and quick on my 32" screen. Don't like regular mice anymore.