Which is a good trackball mouse

[dimsum]

there is this new ms trackball explorer and a bunch of logitech as well...
sure will be nice if they can be compare side by side rather then going to different sites to find out...

 

[owensdj]

I used to use a Logitech thumb trackball(it died), and now I use a Microsoft. The Logitech seemed to have a smoother rolling ball than the Microsoft does. After just a day or so of use, the Microsoft thumb trackball started getting choppy. Cleaning the metal contacts inside the Microsoft one helps, but I still think the Logitech had a better feel to it.

Here's the one I used to use: Logitech Trackman Wheel

 

[AngryKid]

I have RSI in my wrists and can't use a standard mouse for more than 10 minutes or I get pain shooting through my wrists. It tries several different mice and trackballs, but all of them requires pushing the mouse buttons with your middle three fingers, something that can lead to strain on your wrist muscles. Then I found this mouse and now I can use the computer for 12 hours a day with little pain. The key is in the fact that you push the buttons with your thumb and pinky (like squeezing), which avoid using muscles that pass through the carpal tunnel.

For anyone with RSI, this trackball was a God send. It took some time to get used to, but now I can use it ambidextrously without any problems (even in Photoshop, which was a trick to learn in itself).

I think I paid $29.95 for it at Office Depot. Best Buy used to carry it, but I don't think they do anymore. I know OD still does.

 

[IkeEisenhower]

Logitech Trackman Wheel, hands-down.

I've used almost every variant of trackball I can lay hands on (no, never tried the SpaceBall) and Logitech won my money each time, since their first incarnation of the Trackman. Microsoft's drivers are bulky and their hardware isn't the kind of quality Logitech puts in. Some swear by the Kensington/MacAlly balls, but I like to use my thumb over my fingers. Having that many buttons might come in handy, though. I tried a couple of Microsoft trackballs, and they hurt my fairly large hands, as they're just not ergonomically well-thought-out and the button reach is so far. I hated both of those I tried, they were either jerky or unresponsive and their sensors lost the ball when I spun it. Could have been a bad unit, but the feel overall has been lousy. Logitech has never disappointed me, at least, and of the people I know who use trackballs, they're still the favourite.

My two cents