Logitech Optical Marble Mouse (USB/PS2)
by Logitech
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Our Price: $109.99 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $28.95 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Logitech Optical Marble Mouse (USB/PS2)
Customer Review: Just What I Needed
Summary: 4 Stars
Two parts to this review; the less relevant part out of the way first.
I don't know why I waited so long to realize I needed a trackball, not a mouse. Being a bit OCD (in my own head, anyway) and ADD (in reality), tiny quirks of fussing with a mouse have always bugged me. The weight of old ball mouses; the interference of wireless, and snagging cords of wired; Jumpy optical sensors; Wrist/hand pain from using the thing longer than 10 minutes at a time; And trouble trying to settle on the mouse's orientation while using it. Having a wired trackball solves all of those issues.
The weight and cord are irrelevant, since it's not being moved while in use. Since it has a cord, there is no chance of wireless interference. The roller ball is a much better optical surface than any mouse pad, and I have experienced no tracking problems at all. Cleanup involves removing the ball and wiping it off, then just plucking dust off the three gliding contacts inside the housing.
Finally, this trackball itself; I like that its ball is in the center, and not aligned for any particular type of use. I have used every digit on it except my pinkie, which seems to keep my wrist much more comfortable. The buttons are large enough and have enough of a tactile presence that even in various positions, it did not take my hand long to figure out where to click each button.
Only two downsides prevent a 5-star rating.
First: It would have been slightly easier to use, perhaps, with a scroll wheel. However, the more I use it, the more I get used to the 'Universal Scroll' feature. So this alone would not prevent a 5-star rating.
Second: Not sure if this is a result of Windows Vista, the trackball, or the Logitech software; But whenever I put my computer in hibernation, the trackball's buttons revert to their default settings until I run the SetPoint software. I simply need to start it up - not actually change any settings.
In conclusion; given the very low cost of this unit, I think it would be an excellent pointing device for someone to try to see if perhaps they would get along better with a trackball than with a mouse. I know I have no plans to go back, now.
Customer Review: Nah, probably not...
Summary: 3 Stars
Given its relatively low price, I thought I'd experiment with the low-cost Logitech Optical Marble Mouse. While the Marble Mouse was a useful experiment for the price, I'm still looking for the pointing device of my dreams.
The good news is that the Marble Mouse is symmetrically designed so that it can be used on either the left or right sides of the keyboard. The bad news is that its symmetry means only that the Marble Mouse is equally inconvenient for both left-handed and right-handed users.
Simply put, I found all four of the Marble Mouse's buttons to be in the wrong places. Its two larger buttons are too far aft with respect to the trackball. Its two smaller inset buttons are not only too far to the rear, they're too high; they really should have been put at the bottom front of the large buttons.
The mis-placement of the Marble Mouse's buttons obliged me to twist my wrist and "crab clench" my fingers to work the ALT-side buttons, then straighten and extend my wrist and fingers to work the main side buttons. The need to perform this hand-dance of contortions each time I switched from main to ALT-side buttons rapidly led to fatigue, stiffness, RMS-like twinges -- and ultimately annoyance -- that far exceeded anything I've ever experienced from using a mouse. (Note too that I have rather small hands. It's quite literally impossible for me to imagine that anyone with large hands will able to use the Marble Mouse comfortably...)
It is all bad news? No, the software that accompanies the Marble Mouse allows all four buttons to be reprogrammed with a variety of functions and features. As such, one can customize the mouse buttons' operation to your hearts content.
The trackball itself is also well designed and implemented. Movement is smooth and regular. The aforementioned Marble Mouse software provides a broad range of adjustments of the trackball's motion and acceleration.
For the price you too might enjoy experimenting with the Marble Mouse. As for me, as eager as I am to quit having to lift my cordless mouse and reset its position on my mousepad, the Marble Mouse isn't a viable alternative.
Good luck!
Customer Review: Freeze sometimes. Reset mouse speed everytime I restart the computer!
Summary: 1 Stars
Normally I won't be disappointed by my purchase from amazon, it is either cheap with median quality or a little expensive with excellent quality. But this is neither. It works well for a couple days and then it started to have problem:
1) It freezes! Sometime for 1-3 seconds, sometimes it just quit. I have a touch pad, so every time it freeze, I move on the touch pad to check whether it is freezed because of the mouse or because of the system, and the touch pad works, so it is clearly the problem of the mouse. Once it is completely freezed, I need to unplug and plug the mouse again to reactivate it. I have change with a couple USB plug and it all have the same problem. (I have another mouse working perfectly with any of my USB plug, so it is clearly not the problem with the USB plug. ) I have clean the ball a couple times a day since it starts freezing, and it is very very clean so it is not a problem of the dust.
2) I like my pointer move fast, so I set it to be very fast in the mouse setting in windows. I didn't install the software when I started using the mouse (since it work immediately after I first plug it in so I didn't botherred). Since I am having problem 1, I installed the software in hope of it magically solve the problem. Of cause it had make it even worst. the software will automatically reset the pointer speed every time I restart my computer, so EVERY TIME, I have to go through my mouse setting in the control panel to set it to the level I like. I don't know whether there is other way to prevent this, but if there is, it is not very obvious how to do it. I eventually need to uninstall the software. (A later try shows even uninstall the software will not solve this issue. I look into internet and find out this is a common issue for the logitech mouse software. So surprised that I didn't see a report here (possible nobody think the mouse is too slow like me?). Anyway, I have delect some registary information but still it didn't work. Still searching a solution to avoid resetting the mouse speed upon restart). If you know the solution, help!!!!
I want to return this crap (but I throw away my recept, this shows how much I trust amazon product).
Customer Review: Almost perfect. Still beats by Kensington Expert mouse, except the price :-)
Summary: 4 Stars
Let me give you some background before you read my review.
I'm in my 30's. I use computer 8+ hours a day and start developing RSI symptoms.
I have tried / owned the following trackballs
Logitech TrackMan Marble FX Trackball
Logitech Optical Marble Mouse
Logitech Trackman Wheel Optical
Logitech Cordless Optical Trackman
Original 3 buttons Kensington Expert Mouse
Kensington Expert Mouse Pro
The Logitech Optical Marble Mouse rated among the top of the list.
Pros:
Very affordable (I have multiple computers so it helps that I can purchase a few of these without breaking the bank)
Good build quality
Very smooth trackball motion
Programmable buttons
Can be used either right or left handed
Optical
Cons:
Smaller trackball than the Kensington mouse.
No scroll wheel
The 3rd and 4th buttons are too small.
This is one of the few trackballs that can be used either left or right handed. This helps (although I'm right handed) because sometimes I like to switch to use the trackball with my left hand to reduce the stress on my right hand.
The left / right click buttons are large (unlike the more expensive Cordless Optical Trackman) so it doesn't require conscience effort to locate them. This is huge considering how often you use the left click button. However, given the same argument the 3rd and 4th buttons are not very usable.
One thing I missed is a scroll wheel, considered that web browsing contributes a major portion of my time while using the computer.
Lastly, I wished there are more programmable buttons on this trackman. I already used up the extra buttons for drag lock (a must) and middle click (for X-windows applications) and I could use more for things like forward, backward, copy, paste, etc.
All in all, if Logitech puts a huge trackball, a scroll wheel and more buttons on this product I'd gladly pay a lot more money for it, and don't have to miss the Kensington expert mouse again.
Customer Review: Great product, just one tweek!
Summary: 5 Stars
Allright, first the one negative...no scroll wheel! Sure it has buttons for up and down, but it would be really nice if there were a couple true scroll wheels/rings. Not every program understands the buttons. Please logitech, fix this and hype it up!!
Other than that one qualm, I really, really like this product. I bought it, played with it for a bit a number of years ago and decided "arrg, this really isnt easier than a mouse." A couple years ago I decided I was going to just sit down and get used to it. I was amazed! After accepting that it was going to feel odd at first, I realized how much better than a mouse it is. But be warned: Its like learning to drive on the left side of the road if you have driven on the right...you have to get used to it!! You will figure out what is most comfortable for your hand. One of the reasons I like this so much is because of the ergonomics: Left or right, one/two/three fingers, thumb (also a finger:-)), right side up, upside down,...whatever is best for you.
I honestly think this is superior to any mouse I have used. It is far more comfortable, I can point more precisely, it takes up much less space on my desk, and it doesnt matter what type of surface I put it on. On top of that, its cheaper than the alternatives, you can use both hands with it, and because of the ball placement, I use two fingers. I have played games and CAD with it and find it much easier to use and less stressful.
If you carry this along with you, be careful not to drop the ball...it will make small dents and become a bit irritating. Interestingly, it seems as though those dents have "worked themselves out" with use and I no longer notice them.
So, in summary, I think it is a nice clean design that caters to all sorts of hand placements and styles. It is easy to use and maintain, takes up little space, it takes much less work to use than a mouse. Remember you will need to get used to it thought...this could take weeks, but your hands will thank you.