Mouse or Trackball recommendations ?

[Chozza]

Does anyone use a trackball rather than a mouse ?

Im currently using a Logitech m720 mouse ( mostly because its switchable between multiple sources ) but am finding it uncomfortable so need a replacement.

Is a trackball likely to be more comfortable to use than a "normal" mouse or do i need to be looking at vertical mice as well?

The mouse is a reasonable size - but my hand arches over it rather than rest on it .. do i just need something bigger?

I'm just using it for normal windows stuff .. plus some powerpoint creation . so not heavy graphics/cad stuff - but after a days work my mouse hand is hurting , which cannot be good.

Multidevice switching would be good .. but for something comfortable to use i'd miss this off the list of requirements

[peter tdci]

Chozza said:

Does anyone use a trackball rather than a mouse ?

Im currently using a Logitech m720 mouse ( mostly because its switchable between multiple sources ) but am finding it uncomfortable so need a replacement.

Is a trackball likely to be more comfortable to use than a "normal" mouse or do i need to be looking at vertical mice as well?

The mouse is a reasonable size - but my hand arches over it rather than rest on it .. do i just need something bigger?

I'm just using it for normal windows stuff .. plus some powerpoint creation . so not heavy graphics/cad stuff - but after a days work my mouse hand is hurting , which cannot be good.

Multidevice switching would be good .. but for something comfortable to use i'd miss this off the list of requirements

I use a Logitech MX Anywhere and like it. However, my hand rests on the desk and my fingers move the mouse. I don't get any pain/RSI though.

if you find your mouse uncomfortable, then I guess that it will come down to personal preference - what you like, I might find awkward, and vice versa. Some work colleagues use trackball devices which are a nightmare to switch to, but I don't know how long it would take to get used to one.

In 'normal' times, I'd suggest going to somewhere like PC World where you could actually see one and maybe get your hand on it>

[nellystew]

I’ve used a Logitech M570 for over 20 years



I got thumb ache for about a week, but soon got used to it.

It’s almost worth having it to watch other people try to use it

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-Wireless-Mouse-T...

[dhutch]

They have recently re-released the MX518.

[fwaggie]

Got two Kensington Expert trackballs that I love.

Started using a Logitech trackball over 15 years ago and haven't looked back since.

Hate going back to a mouse now and having to find a huge desk area to use it.

Only one thing I find is a problem with trackballs of any type is trying to draw anything - drawing straight or smooth curved lines is not easy!

[BigTZ4M]

As said, it very much comes down to personal preference and what you get on with. I switched a few years ago to a vertical mouse. It took a few days to get precise with it after decades of a normal mouse but it relieved all pain I was starting to get in my wrist and fingers as your hand rests on it in a much more natural position. It’s not even an expensive one - £15 Anker model off Amazon. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anker®-Ergonomic-Opt...

[Riley Blue]

I've been using a Logitech Marble Mouse, now the 'Trackman Marble' for decades, with my left hand although I'm right handed - it's more convenient when writing notes.

On the rare occasions (usually when travelling) I use a conventional mouse I can't wait to get back to the trackball.

https://www.logitech.com/en-gb/product/trackman-ma...

[Derek Smith]

Riley Blue said:

I've been using a Logitech Marble Mouse, now the 'Trackman Marble' for decades, with my left hand although I'm right handed - it's more convenient when writing notes.

On the rare occasions (usually when travelling) I use a conventional mouse I can't wait to get back to the trackball.

https://www.logitech.com/en-gb/product/trackman-ma...

I too use a logitech marble mouse, I also use it left-handed. I have a Kensington Orbit I use with my right hand. I'm a bit bi-dextruous. I've recently added a wheel mouse as it's handy for Blender, but I've bought a programmable additional keyboard, arriving today, and it'll disappear then. I have a Huion tablet as well which I use for specific software. I use to be plagued by rsi, but I've spread it around a bit now. And yes, my desk layout looks odd.

The Logitech marble mouse is my favourite. Four programmable, albeit limited, buttons and an easy to move ball. At £40-odd it's a bargain.

A chap I know has a trackball mouse. He's made an angled support for it so that it is about 55 degrees from horizontal. Looks a bit naff but he reckons it's great and the more natural angle limits pain. He works at a keyboard all day.
.
As another poster said; go to PC World and try various options.

[Sheepshanks]

I always liked the Microsoft IntelliMouse, although the left click button microswitch never lasted long. I kept them going by replacing the microswitch.

Microsoft brought them back a year or so ago - I got one and the switch went iffy again after 12 months! Amazon refunded me and I bought the Pro version, which is fine so far, but feels more solid and the click is firmer and quite loud.

[Chozza]

Thanks for the responses.

Normally a trip to PCWorld would be on the cards , but i think i need a longer testdrive on my desk rather than standing in a store - so i'm going to Amazon a couple to try out.

I think its a decision between the Logitech m570 and the Trackman marble , as i think a few days with each will determine if i'm more comfortable using the thumb or not.

Interesting comment about the angle of the trackball , there is a MX Ergo - that has an adjustable angle - but i'll try the others first

[Derek Smith]

Chozza said:

Thanks for the responses.

Normally a trip to PCWorld would be on the cards , but i think i need a longer testdrive on my desk rather than standing in a store - so i'm going to Amazon a couple to try out.

I think its a decision between the Logitech m570 and the Trackman marble , as i think a few days with each will determine if i'm more comfortable using the thumb or not.

Interesting comment about the angle of the trackball , there is a MX Ergo - that has an adjustable angle - but i'll try the others first

If that's the only reason for opting for the MX Ergo, at twice the price, then you could consider using an angled piece of plastic. The one I saw in operation could alter the angle, although the chap only used it at about 50-55 degrees. The Ergo has just the one, 20 deg.

[arcturus]

Hi - Long term trackball user myself. My first one was a Microsoft Intellimouse Trackball and when that gave up the ghost I switched to a MIcrosoft Trackball Explorer.

After 10 years use, that finally stopped working and so I began the hunt for a replacement. I don't like the ones where you move the ball with the thumb so at the time was somewhat limited. However I did eventually find the Elecom range and settled on this one which I have been very happy with. I purchased it via Amazon. It was shipped from Japan and took about a week to arrive.

[CrouchingWayne]

Sounds like you “palm” the mouse. I recently bought a Logitech MX Master 3 following recommendations on here and a few YouTube videos. The version 3 has a higher mouse top and slightly more angle. Might fit your hand better than your current mouse.

[akaAlso]

Ergo mouse is my current favourite, the adjustable angle adds a bit of weight which feels good, not that you need to move it. The big USP is easy switching between two machines. I also have an M570 set to different speed and for occasional relief if the wrist starts aching.
|https://thumbsnap.com/TZgRbWqA[/url]

This thread has prompted me to break out the CSL anker type vertical mouse which I recall worked well as a wired mouse which comes in useful sometimes, might try switching to that as the alternate.
My previous favourite was always the MX, and I have a couple of those.
|https://thumbsnap.com/o7rhEiSw[/url][url]

Bit of a Logitech fanboy, as the K380 keyboards can switch between 3 bluetooth devices, and the K740 because backlit.
Oh and I have a 3d Spacemouse for the left hand with a wireless numpad and an infinity 3 switch footpedal. (I have a spare one of these too as I couldn't get both working together for left and right feet)

It appears I have an input obsession, assisted by https://www.eithermouse.com/ and https://www.highrez.co.uk/downloads/XMouseButtonCo...

Workstation is still a WIP and then I just need the Farscape Pilot to test it all out for me.
[url]

[Murph7355]

akaAlso said:

My previous favourite was always the MX, and I have a couple of those.
|https://thumbsnap.com/o7rhEiSw[/url][url]

I have one of the ones top left. Lovely mouse, very comfortable. Battery lasts ages and easily recharges via USB.

Looked into MS offerings at the time I bought this donkeys' ago but nothing looked right.

Recommend the Logitech one.

(Trackballs will have their own comfort issues over time - everything does if you use it solidly without breaks etc...the ones shown on this thread would, I am pretty sure, see my thumb in agony over time...the Logitech mouse above allows my wrist to stay in a very natural position).

[Chozza]

Update !

I tried the MX570 and MX Ergo - but they just didn't feel right , even at an angle so i don't think Thumb controlled was right for me.

Trackman Marble i liked but no scroll wheel ( unless i missed the model with one ) was more of a limitation than i thought!

Ended up with a Elecom Deft pro - extra large rather than the huge Arcturus linked to - but a good tip as it wasn't a brand i'd heard of.

Even though its not ambidextrous , i programmed it so i could use it left handed and find I can do 80% of tasks left handed and freeing up the right hand is great for comfort and taking scribbling notes



I'm still using a wireless mouse for a few tasks - but having multiple devices connected

Thanks all for your suggestions