Do any of you use trackball's as opposed to a mouse?

[anonymouschris]

thinking about giving the kensington trackball's a try, but would like some opinions first. any thoughts?

 

[Chaotic42]

I used to. They are no good for gaming, though.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Gah. Hell no.

- M4H

 

[Lizardman]

One of my friends uses a trackball for everything including games. Its just what he is used to using. I would never leave my mouse though for that abomination!

 

[cavemanmoron]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Gah. Hell no.

- M4H

optical for me!

 

[jacob0401]

One of my friends uses a trackball...even for CS. He's proficient with it...

 

[anonymouschris]

well, i don't do much gaming...how hard is it to get used to using one of those things?

 

[shekondar]

I use one at work (a Logitech, don't remember the name but you move the ball with your thumb). My hand used to get sore from using a mouse all day - problem went away when I switched to the trackball. But it does piss off my co-workers when they try to move it around like a mouse & the pointer doesn't move!

 

[pennylane]

NEVAR! Well I suppose I could figure it out if I needed to. But I love my optical mouse.

 

[Monel Funkawitz]

I leave my pointer stationary and move everything else around it.

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: cavemanmoron

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Gah. Hell no.

- M4H

optical for me!

They do make optical trackballs, you know.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Optical for me... I can't stand trackballs, for games atleast!

 

[vi edit]

I use a track ball at work. Logitech marble w/ scroll. I love it. But then again, I have a pretty un-ergonomic desk and using a mouse for more than 20 minutes leaves my wrist numb.

 

[Konigin]

Nope.

 

[Slacker]

I cant stand a regular mouse, been using a Logitech trackman optical for years, I kick ass in Q3 with it and I have two spares in storage for when this one dies.

Trackball > regular mouse

 

[orion7144]

Originally posted by: Slacker
I cant stand a regular mouse, been using a Logitech trackman optical for years, I kick ass in Q3 with it and I have two spares in storage for when this one dies.

Trackball > regular mouse

I have to agree. I love my Logitech optical and can't stand to play games with a mouse. Once you get used to the trackball you won't go back.

 

[LikeLinus]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
I used to. They are no good for gaming, though.

That about sums it up. I did for a very short time.

 

[crumpet19]

Logitech Optical Trackman with wheel

I love it. It's so much easier on my wrists than a mouse was, takes up less desk space, I can set it on my leg or the chair arm and still use it and it can have a better response with less effort than a mouse.

 

[cricky]

I don't understand why every thread I see like this people say "Oh, they suck for gaming." Can anyone elaborate? Is it that you have just used a mouse too long and can't get used to the change, or how so? I've used trackballs for years and years, and I actually think a mouse sucks for gaming. I think it's all what you get used to that determines if it "sucks for gaming."

My wrists love me, too...

--Chris

 

[Looney]

I've seen the Logitech Optical Trackman... but how exactly is that optical? It still has a ball!

 

[MegaloManiaK]

Always, just make sure to get one of these

http://www.gearshark.com/finder/details/Microsoft-Trackball-Explorer/details/Microsoft-Trackball-Explorer/246771.html?no_f

Or anything that you use your thumb to do the right/left mouse clicks and your index finger for the ball.

Index finger ownz your wrist any day of the week, much faster and more precise.


edit: Its great for gaming, and you want an optical trackball because there are no rollers to clean. Lint in a regular mouse isn't anything compared to the dirt you'll get from a trackball since your in direct contact with the ball. The optical ones sit in a plastic cup that can easily be cleaned with a wet rag.

 

[cricky]

Trackballs have been "optical" for longer than mice. Turn an optical mouse over and run your finger over the little red light. The ball works like your finger in this case, but has "imprints" on it for the sensor to track easier.

--Chris

 

[Reliant]

I could never game with one.

 

[cricky]

Megalo - Yeah, that's the beauty that's sitting on my desk right now...

I guess I should clarify my earlier question on gaming. I could see how the "thumb-oriented" trackball would be less precise for gaming. I used one for awhile and just didn't find it good. But the index and middle finger trackballs, like the Microsoft one linked above, are the best. Very precise, and even easier on the wrist.

My biggest plus, I feel, to a trackball is I don't have to waste my desk space to move the thing around on. It sits in one place. Or on my lap.

--Christopher

 

[orion7144]

Originally posted by: MegaloManiaK
Always, just make sure to get one of these

http://www.gearshark.com/finder/details/Microsoft-Trackball-Explorer/details/Microsoft-Trackball-Explorer/246771.html?no_f

Or anything that you use your thumb to do the right/left mouse clicks and your index finger for the ball.

Index finger ownz your wrist any day of the week, much faster and more precise.


edit: Its great for gaming, and you want an optical trackball because there are no rollers to clean. Lint in a regular mouse isn't anything compared to the dirt you'll get from a trackball since your in direct contact with the ball. The optical ones sit in a plastic cup that can easily be cleaned with a wet rag.

I have been using trackballs for 10 years and I could not get used to this microsoft one and ended up taking it back for the logitech trackball. I prefer the ball on the side.