Considering a trackball mouse?

sorry to drag this on a bit guys, but as trackballs are pretty expensive and my cash is low at the moment, i am trying to figure out between a finger or thumb trackball...

could anyone who has used both put up a few pro vs cons associated with their experience with a finger vs thumb trackball?

cheers...
 
I've used both and I prefer the fingertip trackball.

With that you can use your middle and index fingers to control the ball instead of just your thumb.

I'm not sure where you're located but Staples usually has both kinds on display that you could try out.
 
Looking at the design of the two Logitech trackballs that have been linked here, I'd say go with the fingertip style.

The thumb style requires you to independently move the thumb to roll the ball, and the L/R buttons are still operated by the index/middle fingers, so the ergonomic advantage over a regular mouse is minimal.

With the fingertip style, you have much less individual finger movement. You can completely control the ball by moving your arm from the elbow. L/R clicks are done with your thumb/pinky. I remember reading an article on trackball ergonomics once that mentioned how the thumb/pinky act in gripping objects and that they require less stress on the hand than using index/middle fingers to depress buttons.

If I couldn't afford the Kensington and my choice was between these two Logitechs, I would definitely opt for the fingertip model.

The Logitech fingertip style is also $20 vs. $30 for the thumb style. :)
 
k... i can afford the kensington... but if i didnt like it and had to buy another one, that is where it starts getting expensive... hence this thread :)

im in South Australia... and there are hardly any decent pc stores here that stock a wide array of equipment... so im prob gonna order this online interstate...

do you think there would much difference between getting a finger trackball that is on the side like the marble FX? i know that having the wrist on an angle as if you were shaking someones hand is better ergonomically... but dont see a lot of difference between the ones designed for a right hander or the ones that are ambidextrous compatible...

also i read that the kensington software is not compatible with vista?
 
The thumb operated and middle fingers operated trackballs are two different beasts. I've used the same thumb operated Logitech trackball for probably close to a decade now; the Trackman Marble+. My original one and another one are sitting on my desk right now. However, I can't use the other type of trackball. It just doesn't work for me at all. In other words, it's going to be personal preference for you and no one can tell you which one would be better.

To those who are trying to make fun of people using a trackball for gaming, you have no idea what you are talking about. There is nothing wrong with using a trackball for gaming. Like others in this thread, I've surprised the hell out of people when they found out I was using a trackball in an FPS game rather than a mouse. A trackball can easily be as accurate or more accurate than a mouse for just about any type of use. I normally use a mouse for gaming now, but that's because I prefer the number of buttons on my MX700. My old trackball only has three buttons and that's not enough for what I normally need.

 
I personally can't stand not having set the mouse speed & acceleration to maximum... makes dual-monitor actually possible and even with a mouse you don't have to move your wrist much (mouse itself moves about 3 cm from left to right or inverse). With a trackball I had the same and one flick of my thumb was enough to cross from one side to the other.

I still don't get why my trackball was giving me wrist issues :(
 
Elledan said:
I still don't get why my trackball was giving me wrist issues :(
Click to expand...

It is possible that using a wrist pad could have helped your issues. The reason being that it creates a cushion of contact for the wrist rather than a sharp point of contact. Also, because it elevates the wrist somewhat so that the wrist is in a neutral position. It has been proven that having your wrist flexed back increases the chances of carpal tunnel and pressure on the nerve canals in the wrist. i know this because i am currently studying ergonomics at uni.

i will be getting one when i decide which trackball to go with...
 
I may get a wrist pad and give it another whirl, then :)
 
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