Anyone use a trackball?

~~Ben123~~ · 12-28-2006, 12:52 PM

I use a trackball mouse for gaming, and everyone thinks I am nuts... What do you all think? Anyone like them, hate them?

This is what I use

http://www.fentek-ind.com/logitech.htm#mltmw

crazijoe · 12-28-2006, 01:24 PM

I can't stand them but that's all my co-worker will use.

**Fox** · 12-28-2006, 01:27 PM

They're a good alternative to a mouse for people with (or wanting to protect against) carpal tunnel syndrome, and for those who don't have enough desk space for a mouse.

**koala** · 12-28-2006, 04:13 PM

I bought the cordless Trackman a few years ago to see if it would be any better for games. I used it once, didn't like it and it's been gathering dust ever since. It is well made and feels comfortable to use, I just prefer the ordinary mouse/keyboard combination for games.

~~Ben123~~ · 12-28-2006, 04:51 PM

I hate slamming my little mouse on the desk when I'm trying to move quickly... I get much better speed on a trackball, but it took about a month to get used to.

**gamerman0203** · 12-29-2006, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben123

I hate slamming my little mouse on the desk when I'm trying to move quickly... I get much better speed on a trackball, but it took about a month to get used to.

Thats why I probably won't ever use one!

I used to be in a clan for Call of Duty 2 where a guy used a trackball mouse and he was the hardest to kill most of the time. It really is just a preference, but I'll stick with my Logitech G5 Laser mouse. It's sweet!

**forcifer** · 12-29-2006, 09:49 AM

G7 ftw. used the MX510 and loved it, but its right click started sticking...alot

okay player · 12-30-2006, 10:00 AM

I had a friend that used a trackball...never could fathom how he could play FPS's with it, but he could.

I've got an MX510 and absolutely love it. It might not have 3414566658 dpi tracking or whatever, but the ergo is perfect for me and I love the back/forward thumb-buttons.... nice to have them work in games, too.

Now forcifer has me worried about the lifespan...never had any probs with sticking... i'll cross my fingers.

**forcifer** · 12-30-2006, 07:49 PM

shouldnt worry too much. lasted me over a year and took alot of abuse...including lots of dirt and stuff. did try cleaning though. what happens is that it sticks alot for one click, then loosens up for a while.

Tiber Septim · 01-03-2007, 05:49 AM

I used to use a trackball, i preferred using it in every game except CS. Everbody called me crazy but i actually had better and smoother reflexes when using it.
I've since stopped using it and taken up a Logitech G5, i don't miss the Trackball, but i only really used it becuase i have bad wrists and i don't game as much as i used to so it's not a problem anymore.

**Fr4665** · 01-03-2007, 07:35 AM

i got the mx518 and love it.got a free wifi mx900 and keyboard but im not a fan of wifi. ill hook it up once i get the rpoper rechargables.

ebackhus · 01-03-2007, 11:06 AM

I haven't used a trackball since the late 90's, but I was good with them.

sentiao · 01-16-2009, 08:52 AM

I've bought myself a Logitech Trackman (wired) last Saturday.
(http://www.fentek-ind.com/logitech.htm#mltmw)
I'm Absolutely loving it. I play a Lot of games and it's feeling alright in everygame I've played since. Somehow it didn't take any time getting used to. I got the hang of it within an hour. I noticed that it would keep up with my eyes (look 'n click) after just a few days. In other words: have some confidence when doubting to get one or not, you might actually have a feeling for it.
I've been using it in shooters, strategy games and roleplaying games. When playing RPG's it's really handy due to it's speed, flying across the screen without breaking a sweat. When playing a shooter I find that I'm able to turn amazingly quick. You'll do a 180 with 1 move, while at the same time providing good accuracy.
Most of my friends just can't use it. They try to move the mouse itself and then call it a sucky mouse

.
I've been using it in Photoshop aswell btw. Drawing perfect curves was unknown to me until I got this trackball mouse. The only thing that I'd like to see, this really would help when using photoshop, is a heavy ball. Just a little red ball that you can buy seperately that's filled with lead or something. When using photoshop I'd just switch the balls. Precision would be off the scale... I just can't find anything on the subject. The whole world seems to have forgotten about trackball mice...

Usually I work on a laptop. Getting this performance while just sitting on a couch with no flat surface in sight... hmmm.

As you can see, within 1 week I've become a true fan of trackball mice.

**koala** · 01-16-2009, 10:35 AM

Thanks for posting, sentaio, and welcome to TSF

I might give it another try if you think it will just take a few days to adjust. I'd be interested to see what it's like to use in Photoshop.

deadplayer · 01-16-2009, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koala

I bought the cordless Trackman a few years ago to see if it would be any better for games. I used it once, didn't like it and it's been gathering dust ever since. It is well made and feels comfortable to use, I just prefer the ordinary mouse/keyboard combination for games.

looks nice.

groudon185p · 01-16-2009, 10:59 PM

I love my mouse and can't give it up, I paid AU$100 for my gaming mouse and i just can't get over how good it is! I'm never gonna give you up! Never gonna let you down! Never run around and desert you! Ok sorry had to do that XP. Naw, I hate trackballs.

Mcninjaguy · 01-19-2009, 02:49 PM

I got logitech G9 gaming mouse PRETTY SWEET!

no trackballs aren't for me

**pharoah** · 01-19-2009, 02:51 PM

ive tried a trackball i think they are annoying.

12-28-2006, 12:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
~~Ben123~~ Register user Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Springville, NY Posts: 81 OS: Windows Vista/ Windows XP/ OS X 10.4.8	Anyone use a trackball? I use a trackball mouse for gaming, and everyone thinks I am nuts... What do you all think? Anyone like them, hate them? This is what I use http://www.fentek-ind.com/logitech.htm#mltmw

12-28-2006, 01:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
crazijoe Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Omaha, The Center of the Universe Posts: 7,632 OS: WinXP, Win2K3 My System	I can't stand them but that's all my co-worker will use. __________________ Microsoft MCSA + Messaging, MVP, A+, Network+ http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b3...other/Help.jpg Do you want a real Republican? HDD diagnostic tools / HDD data recovery software

12-28-2006, 01:27 PM	#3 (permalink)
Fox TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 7,752 OS: XP Pro, CentOS My System	They're a good alternative to a mouse for people with (or wanting to protect against) carpal tunnel syndrome, and for those who don't have enough desk space for a mouse. __________________ Antec Neo Power 500W, ABIT IP35-E, Intel E2180@2.66Ghz, Corsair XMS2 2x1GB DDR2-800, PNY 8800GT, 320GB Seagate * lazy college student alert *- If I've inadvertently ignored a thread, please Let me know about it Have I helped you solve your problem? Donate to Techsupportforums Klart Skepp!

12-28-2006, 04:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
koala Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 12,355 OS: XP/7/Ubuntu My System	I bought the cordless Trackman a few years ago to see if it would be any better for games. I used it once, didn't like it and it's been gathering dust ever since. It is well made and feels comfortable to use, I just prefer the ordinary mouse/keyboard combination for games. __________________ New members: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. TSF Folding@Home Team 85015 - details here

12-29-2006, 09:49 AM	#7 (permalink)
forcifer ole' Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Kansas City kansas Posts: 3,628 OS: Vista Premium 32 My System Blog Entries: 1	G7 ftw. used the MX510 and loved it, but its right click started sticking...alot __________________

12-28-2006, 04:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
~~Ben123~~ Register user Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Springville, NY Posts: 81 OS: Windows Vista/ Windows XP/ OS X 10.4.8	I hate slamming my little mouse on the desk when I'm trying to move quickly... I get much better speed on a trackball, but it took about a month to get used to.

12-30-2006, 10:00 AM	#8 (permalink)
okay player Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 207 OS: Vista Home Premium	I had a friend that used a trackball...never could fathom how he could play FPS's with it, but he could. I've got an MX510 and absolutely love it. It might not have 3414566658 dpi tracking or whatever, but the ergo is perfect for me and I love the back/forward thumb-buttons.... nice to have them work in games, too. Now forcifer has me worried about the lifespan...never had any probs with sticking... i'll cross my fingers.

12-30-2006, 07:49 PM	#9 (permalink)
forcifer ole' Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Kansas City kansas Posts: 3,628 OS: Vista Premium 32 My System Blog Entries: 1	shouldnt worry too much. lasted me over a year and took alot of abuse...including lots of dirt and stuff. did try cleaning though. what happens is that it sticks alot for one click, then loosens up for a while. __________________

01-03-2007, 05:49 AM	#10 (permalink)
Tiber Septim Asst Manager, Games Team Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 2,866 OS: Fedora 11 / Windows 7 My System Blog Entries: 5	I used to use a trackball, i preferred using it in every game except CS. Everbody called me crazy but i actually had better and smoother reflexes when using it. I've since stopped using it and taken up a Logitech G5, i don't miss the Trackball, but i only really used it becuase i have bad wrists and i don't game as much as i used to so it's not a problem anymore. __________________ First Steps - System Specs - SIW Help TSF beat Cancer and other serious Illness.

01-03-2007, 07:35 AM	#11 (permalink)
Fr4665 aka mr.fraggs Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA or Germany Posts: 2,965 OS: Win XP,Vista,Android My System	i got the mx518 and love it.got a free wifi mx900 and keyboard but im not a fan of wifi. ill hook it up once i get the rpoper rechargables. __________________ I don't subscribe to threads please PM me if i miss a reply. ------- Everest SensorView Pro DriverCleaner how to fix your game

01-03-2007, 11:06 AM	#12 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,275 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	I haven't used a trackball since the late 90's, but I was good with them. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

01-16-2009, 08:52 AM	#13 (permalink)
sentiao Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1 OS: vista sp1	Re: Anyone use a trackball? I've bought myself a Logitech Trackman (wired) last Saturday. (http://www.fentek-ind.com/logitech.htm#mltmw) I'm Absolutely loving it. I play a Lot of games and it's feeling alright in everygame I've played since. Somehow it didn't take any time getting used to. I got the hang of it within an hour. I noticed that it would keep up with my eyes (look 'n click) after just a few days. In other words: have some confidence when doubting to get one or not, you might actually have a feeling for it. I've been using it in shooters, strategy games and roleplaying games. When playing RPG's it's really handy due to it's speed, flying across the screen without breaking a sweat. When playing a shooter I find that I'm able to turn amazingly quick. You'll do a 180 with 1 move, while at the same time providing good accuracy. Most of my friends just can't use it. They try to move the mouse itself and then call it a sucky mouse . I've been using it in Photoshop aswell btw. Drawing perfect curves was unknown to me until I got this trackball mouse. The only thing that I'd like to see, this really would help when using photoshop, is a heavy ball. Just a little red ball that you can buy seperately that's filled with lead or something. When using photoshop I'd just switch the balls. Precision would be off the scale... I just can't find anything on the subject. The whole world seems to have forgotten about trackball mice... Usually I work on a laptop. Getting this performance while just sitting on a couch with no flat surface in sight... hmmm. As you can see, within 1 week I've become a true fan of trackball mice. Last edited by sentiao; 01-16-2009 at 08:53 AM.

01-16-2009, 10:35 AM	#14 (permalink)
koala Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 12,355 OS: XP/7/Ubuntu My System	Re: Anyone use a trackball? Thanks for posting, sentaio, and welcome to TSF I might give it another try if you think it will just take a few days to adjust. I'd be interested to see what it's like to use in Photoshop. __________________ New members: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. TSF Folding@Home Team 85015 - details here

01-16-2009, 10:59 PM	#16 (permalink)
groudon185p Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NSW, Australia Posts: 288 OS: Vista Ultimate Sp1 My System	Re: Anyone use a trackball? I love my mouse and can't give it up, I paid AU$100 for my gaming mouse and i just can't get over how good it is! I'm never gonna give you up! Never gonna let you down! Never run around and desert you! Ok sorry had to do that XP. Naw, I hate trackballs.

01-19-2009, 02:49 PM	#17 (permalink)
Mcninjaguy Temporarily Banned Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 10,422 OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit My System Blog Entries: 1	Re: Anyone use a trackball? I got logitech G9 gaming mouse PRETTY SWEET! no trackballs aren't for me

01-19-2009, 02:51 PM	#18 (permalink)
pharoah TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 5,188 OS: vista business edition My System	Re: Anyone use a trackball? ive tried a trackball i think they are annoying. __________________ Follow These Steps First Power Supply Selection Posting System Specs Oblivion Tweak Guide Video Drivers& Information TSF folding at home team 85015