Anyone use a trackball to game?

[Schadenfreude]

Just a question;

I've been using the Logitech Marble Trackball here, but I've been thinking about updating to this bad bad boy hurr';

Kensington Expert Mouse

I know that 99.9% of PC gamers use mice, as well as the general public - is there anyone else here that uses "unconventional" (trackballs, tablets, etc.) devices for gaming?

 

[Maximilian]

Heh, i read the title then google image searched "trackball" just to be clear on what it was and i clicked on this:

http://cil614.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/kensington_trackball.jpg

Not quite the kensington you linked but same name

No i dont game with one, logitech mx518 mouse suits me fine, i cant imagine trying to play crysis or anything on a trackball but theres people over at notebookreview who game happily on a trackpad so i guess anythings possible.

 

[Chriscross3234]

I used to use the Logitech Thumb Trackball, but I've switched over to regular mice when I got my Razer Deathadder.

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Track.../dp/B00005NIMJ

I still use it occasionally on my laptop and I'd say I was just as good at gaming with it then a regular mouse. I remember I used to play the crap out of UT 99 using the trackball. Because the game required twitch movements, it was much easier on the wrist/arm.

 

[PingSpike]

I experimented with a trackball for awhile when I was having wrist pain, I think it was the trackman wheel...you used your thumb on the ball. While I wasn't as accurate/good with it as a mouse I wasn't terrible and I think that had I continued to practice with it I likely would have at least gotten close to my regular mousing ability at some point. Its just that the mechanics are a little different.

After that experience I thought that consoles should have a trackball on their controllers for FPS games. That would solve the "I don't want to use a mouse on my couch" problem while still offering all/most of the precision of the mouse. You could probably even play strategy games with it. Again, with some practice.

 

[fatpat268]

I experimented with a trackball for awhile when I was having wrist pain, I think it was the trackman wheel...you used your thumb on the ball. While I wasn't as accurate/good with it as a mouse I wasn't terrible and I think that had I continued to practice with it I likely would have at least gotten close to my regular mousing ability at some point. Its just that the mechanics are a little different.

After that experience I thought that consoles should have a trackball on their controllers for FPS games. That would solve the "I don't want to use a mouse on my couch" problem while still offering all/most of the precision of the mouse. You could probably even play strategy games with it. Again, with some practice.

Some company is trying to do this for PC games in a 360 controller shell. Looks interesting, but probably won't catch on.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/06/igugu-gamecore-hands-on/

 

[Kalmah]

I use to use trackball mice exclusively. I use to not play FPS that much though either. I always used the trackballs that you use your thumb on the ball. I later started feeling like it was too clumsy and switched to a normal mouse.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

There was a time like 10 years ago when I used a trackball exclusively. It was one where the ball rested on your thumb; I don't know how you could effectively game with the ones you link. What do you control the ball with? Even if you could use it effectively you'd probably do better with a mouse with some practice.

 

[Via]

I've been using a trackball for years, and I think my aiming is much better and smoother with a trackball than it ever was with a mouse.

 

[Kalmah]

My biggest gripe was how you had to clean them. They usually had 3 or 4 b.b. sized balls that held the actual trackball in place.. those bb's would get covered in gunk and make the mouse stop working.

My last trackball mouse, one of those bbs fell out making the mouse react like crap.

 

[Schadenfreude]

There was a time like 10 years ago when I used a trackball exclusively. It was one where the ball rested on your thumb; I don't know how you could effectively game with the ones you link. What do you control the ball with? Even if you could use it effectively you'd probably do better with a mouse with some practice.

I actually prefer the trackballs where you control the ball with your index finger - honestly the first time I've tried it I tried the ones with thumb control and jumped right into twitch/action FPS' like Counterstrike - it didn't take - but this time I've "eased" into it by starting out w/ third-person action RPGs like Torchlight and Titan Quest. Now I feel that it's a lot more accurate using the trackball than a mouse.

I've been using a trackball for years, and I think my aiming is much better and smoother with a trackball than it ever was with a mouse.

Ditto!

My biggest gripe was how you had to clean them. They usually had 3 or 4 b.b. sized balls that held the actual trackball in place.. those bb's would get covered in gunk and make the mouse stop working.

My last trackball mouse, one of those bbs fell out making the mouse react like crap.

I hear ya; but you could argue the same thing for mice; anyhow the one I'm using is incredibly easy to clean - the nubs are completely solid and the ball simply pops off making it really easy to clean.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

I hear ya; but you could argue the same thing for mice; anyhow the one I'm using is incredibly easy to clean - the nubs are completely solid and the ball simply pops off making it really easy to clean.

You could have argued that like 8 years ago. Optical/laser mice don't need to be cleaned.

 

[ayabe]

I used a trackball for years, but switched to a G7 since there were no new models coming out and mine was about done.

With practice you can get good with them, "almost" as a good as a regular mouse. To me thumb cramps are worse than wrist cramps so that's another negative.

 

[Schadenfreude]

You could have argued that like 8 years ago. Optical/laser mice don't need to be cleaned.

Whoops, you're completely right about that - but it IS easy to clean the trackball (and it's optical as well, just gotta clean to get the schmutz out just to keep it clean).

 

[SlickSnake]

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-D67-.../dp/B00005853X

I use this one to game, and for everything. I had it since it came out, what, 9 years ago? It's far more accurate in ANY game, even an FPS one, if you just know how to use it and get used to it. The key is to use it for movement and aiming ONLY. The left button is move forwards, the right is move backwards. The center scroll, is also a button, and I use it for jumping, and if you scroll down, you switch weapons. I do not use the scroll up feature, because the scroll tends to move forwards while quickly jumping, and you don't want to accidentally switch weapons in a fast FPS firefight. The 2 side buttons are used for strafing.

I fire and do all other actions on the keyboard. Usually, I like to fire on the space bar, but some games I may alternate my keyboard setting if I need to use a variety of fire commands. Then I use F as a main fire key, and set other fire functions like reload or alt fire around that. If you instead try to bind fire keys to the thumb controlled trackball, it makes moving and firing extremely difficult and inaccurate. This is also true of the large middle ball trackballs, which for gaming to me are inferior to the thumb controlled one, because you have to use the fingers to control them properly, while managing out the other fingers for pressing buttons. Center controlled trackballs are just not as ergonomic for gaming setups, but are fine for other PC uses, like designing or surfing the web.

Another plus is, you can game or browse the web from the arm of a recliner or on your leg, with the keyboard in your lap, which puts your entire arm and hand in a more natural position for long hours of gaming or other PC work. Yes, it takes some getting used to, and you may hate it at first, but once you build up a little strength and accuracy in your thumb, you will wonder why you suffered with a mouse and moving it needlessly all over the desk for so long.

And I prefer the larger thumb controlled trackballs made by Microsoft, they fit my large hand better. I actually returned several different Logitech's and other brands before because they were smaller, for smaller hands, and they made my entire hand cramp up from the unnatural way I had to cup and rest my hand on them just to use it.

You could have argued that like 8 years ago. Optical/laser mice don't need to be cleaned.

Yea, this one I have DOES need to be cleaned on occasion. If any hair or lint blocks the laser, the ball has to be popped out and the lint has to be blown out of the gap. Also, lint does build up on the little silver BBs that hold the ball in place, and that has to be cleaned with a q-tip or clean cotton rag, or a shirt. And the ball needs to be polished a bit at times, too. So I remove it and roll it around in my cotton tee shirt a bit.

And this trackball has performed amazingly well after literally 10k hours or more of use, and all the buttons still work perfectly, in spite of dropping it on the hard floor at least 50 times, with the ball popping out and rolling away.

 

[KeithP]

I use the Logitech Trackman Marble (thumb operated trackball). The thing I like best about it is I can use it on any surface, it doesn't even have to lay flat. Much more convenient for web surfing on my 50" plasma from the sofa than a mouse would be.

I have tried the large trackball models but could never get use to them. I wish Logitech would update the Trackman Marble with better resolution and laser tracking of the ball.

-KeithP

 

[bullbert]

Yup. User of the previous version and current version of the Logitech Marble Trackball, depending on which PC that I sit down at. Forefinger marble user FTW.

I would like to see a forefinger model with a scroll wheel "mode/engage" on it. Where? I do not know. Maybe millimeters below the left button, or both buttons for either left or right hand use. Or a remapping function to use those new mini-slice buttons, at the top edge of either button, as a scroll engage for ALL applications. I doubt MS will do anything native in the OS to help Logitech's cause, though.

I would wager that if the "professional" FPS tourament gamers were forced at gunpoint to use a marble mouse (maybe 4 months forefinger marble, 4 months thumb marble, and 4 months either), they would be life converts. But I do not expect today's pros to convert until they are old farts and carpel tunnel has done its damage.

 

[AdamK47]

Mine: Clearly Superior Technology LaserTRAC 2545
Kinda pricy, but very well worth it.

 

[Schadenfreude]

Yup. User of the previous version and current version of the Logitech Marble Trackball, depending on which PC that I sit down at. Forefinger marble user FTW.

I would like to see a forefinger model with a scroll wheel "mode/engage" on it. Where? I do not know. Maybe millimeters below the left button, or both buttons for either left or right hand use. Or a remapping function to use those new mini-slice buttons, at the top edge of either button, as a scroll engage for ALL applications. I doubt MS will do anything native in the OS to help Logitech's cause, though.

I would wager that if the "professional" FPS tourament gamers were forced at gunpoint to use a marble mouse (maybe 4 months forefinger marble, 4 months thumb marble, and 4 months either), they would be life converts. But I do not expect today's pros to convert until they are old farts and carpel tunnel has done its damage.

Agreed.

I've seen one like that - made by Microsoft coincidentally - but discontinued; it's called MS Trackball Explorer, image courtesy of amazon;

(Note the scroll wheel on the thumb rest)

Like I said, it's been discontinued and fetches a high price now - but it's exactly as you describe it!

 

[bullbert]

Agreed.

I've seen one like that - made by Microsoft coincidentally - but discontinued;
it's called MS Trackball Explorer, image courtesy of amazon;

(Note the scroll wheel on the thumb rest)

Like I said, it's been discontinued and fetches a high price now -
but it's exactly as you describe it!

Kind of. Maybe I should follow my own advice, and put a gun to my own head forcing myself to try a different trackball product. Naw, screw it. I would rather just whine. :sneaky:

 

[bullbert]

Mine: Clearly Superior Technology LaserTRAC 2545
Kinda pricy, but very well worth it.

Looks like someone has an OCD neatness problem :awe:

I googled "Clearly Superior Technology LaserTRAC 2545". Yup, $130, ouch! If I could get a loaner, I would definitely try it. Even if it lasts me 10+ years (like my Logitech gears have), I balk at spending that much just to try it.

I *did* lose my newest Logitech, visiting the grandparents (my parents) over the past holidays. I take my own gaming desktop with me on those long holiday trips. I let dad borrow my marble mouse, "and pthpht it was gone." No real problems, since I had two others at home. At one time, I had a 3 PC "gaming" setup. This holiday, however, I did make it home with my own marble mouse (the 2nd of 3). The 3rd is quickly becoming obsolete with its PS/2 plug, though.

 

[GrumpyMan]

I have always used a MS Tracball Thumb mouse. Can't use anything else either. I can't find any new ones with the exception of sites like Amazon, but they are very expensive now. And the Logitecs don't have the 2 extra buttons on the side like MS's. Won't use anything else now.

 

[Schadenfroh]

I used a PantherXL back in the day. Great for everything but sniping. Shame they never made one with a hardware based keyboard emulator for the joystick, but you can mod them to use optical trackballs.