Logitech Resurrects the Trackball Mouse with the MX ERGO

Megalith

Megalith

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Logitech brings us back in time with their first trackball mouse in seven years: the MX ERGO is a new alternative to the conventional mouse that will allow users to move their cursor using just their thumbs. According to Logitech, the design can reduce muscular strain by 20%.

Logitech's most advanced trackball for trackball enthusiasts and consumers searching for alternatives to mice and touchpads. Delivers 20% less muscular strain compared to a regular mouse. MX ERGO features a unique adjustable hinge for personalized comfort and the latest tracking, scrolling and power management technology. Logitech FLOW enables effortless cross computer control.
 
I've been using Logitech Trackballs since the late 90's, I hate using conventional mice. Even in gaming.

I'll wait until they show up at stores before deciding if I want to upgrade my current M570's or not. What's the difference between the Plus and non-Plus model?
 
"20% less muscle activity when compared to a mouse... and 240% more RSI claims to insurance companies for thumb-related problems."

Nope. :D
 
I would be more interested if they resurrected the Trackman Marble FX or something like the Microsoft Trackball Explorer, which imho was the epidemie of trackball supremacy.
 
I've been using a TrackMan Wheel mouse at work and home since the mid 2000's. Freaks people out when they try to use it at my desk at work. Will have to look into this new version.
 
I can tell a trackball personality immediately HAHAH. We had this guy at a LAN in like '98-99 Camas WA (put on by Nv and Ballz) owning in Q2, finally figured out which dude it was and he was rocking a trackball. It blew us all away.
 
JRUHg said:
what a load of crap :spitoutdummy:
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I'll take a Logitech thumb-trackball over 99% of the consumer mice on the market. I've used them since they were introduced. For accuracy and comfort in everyday applications, they can't be beat.

The only reason I use a mouse is because I play PUBG and other shooters, and gaming mice are just generally more suited to that.
 
Mugato said:
I can tell a trackball personality immediately HAHAH. We had this guy at a LAN in like '98-99 Camas WA (put on by Nv and Ballz) owning in Q2, finally figured out which dude it was and he was rocking a trackball. It blew us all away.
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Yeah I used to use the MS Trackball Explorer and was owning guys back in the Rainbow Six days, people at the lanparty were a bit mistified. It is not so great for the RTS games though, so I actually brought 2 mice, one for FPS and one for RTS.

What I actually got the Trackball Explorer for though was drafting work, which was way better for me than using a regular mouse.
 
I noticed while tracking with a mouse movements affects my ADD depending how many weights I would put in my Logitech Proteus.
 
I have always done PC gaming with a trackball since the late 90's. Yes I can kick your ass with a trackball. I like this one I will purchase it soon.
 
I will only use Logitech trackballs (thumb balls). If I use a mouse too much, I get numbness in my hand. I hate mieces to pieces!
 
I'll be an early buyer, also. We've used them at my work for 15+ years. Aside from the day-to-day work and gaming, they're great for presentations (I stand next to the screen while holding it in my hand) and for HTPC (couch, bed, doesn't matter - no flat surface needed).

My only wish is that they would have a left-handed version - not for myself, but for the dozen or so folks at work that keep coming to me asking for one.
 
relapse808 said:
I have always done PC gaming with a trackball since the late 90's. Yes I can kick your ass with a trackball. I like this one I will purchase it soon.
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If only it wasn't another crappy thumb based trackball. The thumb's range of motion is simply too limited.
I used a MS TBE up until a couple years ago. BEST THING EVER! They just got too expensive to repair. I've tried several other trackballs, but they all disappointed me. I still prefer my TBEs to my mouse, but they're beyond repair since the buttons eventually broke.
I used to dual box MMO's, and people in the party/raid wouldn't know I was playing 2 toons (one a healer) until I'd tell them, because I could attack with both and still keep everyone alive since I always knew exactly where both trackballs were.
My thought has always been that someone needs to improve on the design the MS TBE, and create a true gaming trackball. A clone just different enough to skirt patents with modern electronics and software, and ceramic bearings.
I may pick up an Elecom M-HT1DRBK to try since it's probably the closest to a MS TBE of any trackball that's currently available..
 
I've seen a few people using a trackball at Quakecon. What I thought was amazing though was when I saw a guy playing Quake 3 with the touch pad on his laptop.
 
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Bought 2, having them shipped ASAP. I need to replace my M570 and the Microsoft Optical Trackball that I still cling to this day.
 
Holy shit, I had to give up my trackman marble wheel when I couldn't keep it in good repair anymore. I cannibalized three of them to keep them running for 15 years, now they're coming back with the form factor. Just as I got used to a traditional mouse....
 
mynamehere said:
If only it wasn't another crappy thumb based trackball. The thumb's range of motion is simply too limited.
I used a MS TBE up until a couple years ago. BEST THING EVER! They just got too expensive to repair. I've tried several other trackballs, but they all disappointed me. I still prefer my TBEs to my mouse, but they're beyond repair since the buttons eventually broke.
I used to dual box MMO's, and people in the party/raid wouldn't know I was playing 2 toons (one a healer) until I'd tell them, because I could attack with both and still keep everyone alive since I always knew exactly where both trackballs were.
My thought has always been that someone needs to improve on the design the MS TBE, and create a true gaming trackball. A clone just different enough to skirt patents with modern electronics and software, and ceramic bearings.
I may pick up an Elecom M-HT1DRBK to try since it's probably the closest to a MS TBE of any trackball that's currently available..
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I started with the larger microsoft trackball with the red ball. I have been using Logitech now though for years since MS stopped making those. They were my favorite too.
 
I used an Optical Trackman (T-RB22 ftw!) for 12 years before it died. I found the microswitches online to do the surgery to resurrect it but haven't had the chance yet. It used your forefingers to move around and was much more comfortable than the thumb-style. They bastardized the replacement version into a centered-ball style to accommodate lefties and it's nowhere near as comfortable to use.
 
Never was a fan of the "thumb" ball types, but I loved the MS TBE using the two fingers. Due to not being made, I only have like three at work, and switched to a mouse at home. I use the three for parts to keep my primary work TBE running...
 
20% less muscle activity, 40% more atropy and 100% more zombie.
 
Calling this trackball the MX Ergo is something only a member of government typically would approve of since they love to call bills by names which are the opposite of what they actually do. This trackball is about as bad as it gets for ergonomics. I was really hoping when I saw this thread that Logitech might have improved upon their Trackball Marble which is a finger based trackball. Anything that uses the thumb for fine motion movement is just wrong and is going to cause injury over time. Why do vendors insist upon making trackballs wireless? What's the point in that? It's a stationary object so the wire is not causing an issue. The only thing that the wireless thing does is now add a battery to recharge.

The perfect trackball to me would be the Logitech Trackman Marble with two extra buttons. Place another small button on each side of the trackball on the lower portion of the large buttons on each side so that these new buttons are symmetric to the top buttons and are the same size. This creates a six button trackball that's equally usable by left or right handed people. The only thing that's missing then is a scroll wheel. Make the buttons programmable such that the it's possible to create a toggle with any other button on the mouse so that the ball can be used as a scroll wheel substitute. There's just not enough room for a real scroll wheel.

The Elecom M-DT2URBK was a good attempt at a right handed trackball but the ball motion just didn't seem to be as smooth as it should. I'm much more excited to see the Elecom M-HT1URBK than the Logitech MX Ergo. If the larger ball on the new Elecom would be as smooth rolling as the Logitech Marble then it could be a winner.
 
Wish they would bring back the G5 mouse. I still use one, but can't buy them new anymore. I bought this one on ebay a few years ago brand new.
 
I used to use a Microsoft trackball and loved it! I used it for several years and had no intentions of going back til I got bit by the PC gaming bug. It just didn't have the precision to cut it for gaming.

As for products I wish Logitech would revive, bring back the G9 for Christ sake!
 
Looks nice. I used one of these for years. works well to get your frag on while sitting on a couch since you don't need a solid platform to move around on. Back in the day these trackballs were some of the first mice to come out with optical sensors.
 
Why not put a trackpad on the mouse itself? Mouse on a mouse on a mousepad.
 
Maybe this will be the rebirth of the desktop PC, everyone went to their touchscreen phones/tablets because of mouse fatigue. I wanna know who at Logitech thought that 20% muscle activity was one of the few key points to include in that video.
 
Two M570's here and an old Trackm Wheel. Always liked the thumball trackballs. I'll be buying one of these new ones at some point for sure. Christmas probably.
 
I just wish that Microsoft would start making their thumb trackball mouse again.
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I had an earlier logitech version shaped like this new one, but it felt a little too small. The M$ one was perfect; big, long and almost flat. I still have one, but it's almost worn out, and the ones in good condition on fleabay are god awful expensive, but I may have no choice but to bite the bullet and get one. I can't stand regular mice, it always seems that I have to pick it off the desk and put it down again to get it to do what I want just right.
 
I used to wreck people with a Logitech Marble Mouse in Quake 2 rail arenas back in the 90's. I've always found track balls to be superior in online twitch shooters. I finally switched because I had a hell of a time keeping them rotating freely. If they release one that isn't thumb based I'll order 4 right now.
 
NoOther said:
I would be more interested if they resurrected the Trackman Marble FX or something like the Microsoft Trackball Explorer, which imho was the epidemie of trackball supremacy.
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relapse808 said:
I have always done PC gaming with a trackball since the late 90's. Yes I can kick your ass with a trackball. I like this one I will purchase it soon.
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Marble Mouse user as well. Still have 2. One 4 button in reasonable condition which I only use for gaming,. It's retired older brother the 2 button is so worn down no amount of Teflon will revive it.
I as despise thumb based trackballs.

Really would love a trackball with switchable DPI and and a scroll wheel. Doesn't have to be wired but if wireless I'd want their lightspeed receiver.

Been shamefully using a Kensington Orbit (scroll wheel!)for basic desktop use, but wheel or no it's plain shit for gaming.
 
Loved my trackball. Used to frag alot of people with it. Much better than a mouse for fast FPS's that don't require many fine movements.

Downside? Arthritis in your thumb joint in no time. Stick with meece.
 
What's the difference with the Plus model? doesn't say anything about that model and both are the same price.
 
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