Logitech Trackman Wheel Optical (Silver)
by Logitech
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Our Price: $343.76 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $65.00 (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 Trackman Wheel Optical (Silver)
Customer Review: I Absolutely Love the Design BUT.......
Summary: 4 Stars
I love this trackball. Its pretty much the only input device I have used for the last 5 years. Once you get used the ease of use of these devices, its difficult going back to the standard mouse design. They are just VASTLY superior imo. They are more comfortable, easier to control, no fatigue from long hours of use, etc... Pretty much everyone that I have ever known that tried one of these devices still uses these devices. So if you enjoy using your mouse, you might not want to try one of these.
Now for the but in the title of my review. As much as I love these trackballs, the quality is extremely sub par. I have to literally replace mine at least every 6 months. When they no longer work anymore I throw out the main body but I keep the actual red ball. I have a jar in my computer room that literally has 12 of these balls. That's how many of these I have purchased over the last 5 years, basically one every 6 months. If it weren't for the fact that I am now basically addicted to this style input device and the fact that these are relatively inexpensive....well I would have given up on these along time ago simply for the fact that they have absolutely terrible build quality.
Bottom line - these are the only input devices I will use for regular computer use. Again the design is just vastly superior and its far more comfortable then the standard mouse design. With that being said the build quality is horrible and if you use it a lot you can expect to replace them on a regular basis. Its still worth it due to the relatively low cost of these devices. This is a 5 star design but I gave it only a 4 star rating due to the quality issue. All Logitech has to do is fix the quality problem and this would easily be a 5 star device through and through. I keep hoping they will release a really high quality brushed aluminum version. I would easily pay 150 bucks for such a device. Oh well, ill keep waiting!
4 Stars
Customer Review: Best input device EVAR!
Summary: 5 Stars
I like trackballs because I don't have to move my arm or wrist to point, and I dont have to jump the device over a fence to navigate or rotate 360, 720, whatever in a game, just flick my thumb. The device works great in small spaces, on the couch or on my leg on a bus it matters not. Especially good about this particular design are the use of the thumb to point. The thumb is the strongest of digits in most folks hands (provided you have one on your right hand). The motion required to navigate seems natural and though your thumb might not seem all that accurate at first, you will quickly gain dexterity points. Optical tracking makes it VERY accurate with minimal moving parts (just the ball itself, buttons and scroll) easy to clean.
WHY WHY WHY is there not a Bluetooth version of this by now?!?!!?
Anyways, USB cord is long if you need it, but I hacked one of my many Marbles Trackman with a retractable cable. I have bought many for all the computers my family uses. I use this at work too. There should be one of these that I can fit in my wallet for travel, but its really not too big for your average laptop bag/backpack. Get a velcro cable tie and you will be happy.
Folks will look at you funny while they massage their sore wrists, but you can only pity the Trackman infidels. Don't try to convert anyone. Those truly seeking input nirvana will find this. My kids started using it when they were two years old, nuff said.
Buttons and scroll wheel seem to have a cheaper feel over the years since the first Marble+ (with a white body) purchased over 10 years ago. Buttons will probably fail on more recent versions after about 4 years of heavy use (not too shabby). My first Trackman Marble+ is still working hard in perfect shape on my flagship desktop machine with perfect scrolly feeling, it is just harder to clean with its lock-down ring.
Customer Review: All-time favorite mouse!
Summary: 5 Stars
I've used this mouse for years. I suffered from tendonitis in my hands from excess mousing. After switching to this trackball, my symptoms all but disappeared. (Please note: tendonitis is not the same as carpal tunnel syndrome...tendonitis is simply inflammation caused by overuse.) While I'm not trying to offer medical advice, I think I can safely make the argument that this trackball puts much less strain on one's wrist and hand.
After many years of faithful service (and gaming!)...my beloved trackball finally fell ill (the right mouse button became intermittent). Since its "old" by computer standards...I simply turned to my trusty Amazon account.
As long as Logitech makes it, I will probably never own another mouse. I recently switched from PC to MAC and discovered my beloved trackball works flawlessly on my new MAC.
One area I would like to mention: Cleaning. The first mice (you know, the kind with the rubber ball) were prone to getting dirty. People rarely cleaned them and eventually they picked up enough debris that it felt like you were mousing over a gravel road. Optical mice eliminated this problem and always feel smooth as glass. While this trackball is "optical"...the ball itself sits on three little plastic projections. Depending on how dirty your hands are (or how often you eat while using your computer)...a little "doughnut" of "gunk" will form around these projections. If enough of it builds up, you will eventually feel a slight (and I do mean "slight") drag...especially in high humidity. No problem...simply pop the ball out and wipe off each of the projections with a tissue, Q-Tip, or even your finger. The gunk comes right out in one swipe. In case you can't tell, I'm pretty obsessive and I end up doing this about once a month (but I have pretty greasy paws too!). All-in-all, a small price to pay for the world's best mouse!
Customer Review: not really ergonomic, imprecise control
Summary: 2 Stars
I decided to try a trackball because my right arm has a slight pain after extended use of a laptop. I decide to try this one because its good reviews and low price. After one night's use, I decided to return it because of two problems.
1. It is not really ergonomic. The thumb is good at sweeping the ball in a left to right motion, but it is very tiresome to move the ball in a up-down motion. I found that I need to move the thumb too many times in order to move the cursor downward cross the screen. I can't add too much acceleration, because the control is already imprecise without any acceleration. Yes, some reviewer said you can spin the ball if you want to move quickly, but I found that I have to jerk my thumb in order to give the ball some momentum. I noticed how much tension is on the tendons and muscles of the thumb. Also the finger's end is too curved, so the fingers need to work harder to push or hold the buttons. It puts quite some strain on both the index finger and the thumb if you want to drag something in a downward motion.
2. The ball is very imprecise to control. The bearings are not rollers, so what they put on the ball is not rolling resistance. There is quite some friction. This makes the ball hitch. It is very difficult to move the cursor in small distances even if you use the index finger instead of the thumb. It does this even when it is new. This is a major problem in my perspective as a normal user. For example, I found it very hard to select text in a browser if the selection starts with a narrow letter like "I" and is at the beginning of a line, because you only have two or three pixels to miss. It will be more tricky if you do graphic design I believe.
After using it for one night, I found that I like the touchpad on my laptop much better. I'm going to return it.
Customer Review: Who needs a mousepad?
Summary: 5 Stars
Sadly, as I type this, I am researching pricing to replace my beloved Trackman Wheel as his wheel does not scroll anymore. I am pretty sure I am at the 5 year mark on it, but who has a receipt anymore. But, I have to say, this trackman has held up well!
I got turned on to trackballs almost 8 years ago. I must say, it was difficult to get used to the thumb movement, but once I did, boy could I move! The optical trackman outshines its non-optical predecessor that would often get dust accumulates and need constant cleaning. This one will get a bit of dust accumulation near the points that hold the marble in, but rarely needs cleaning.
I find it to be quite precise. I do graphics without issue. I love not having to move some darn mouse around the desk. I will admit, my new Logitech Mx Laser combo mouse is sweet, and a close runner to this trackman, but, still you gotta move the mouse. BLAH!
So, like 5 years ago, my old trackball died. It was the early model, whitish and much larger. Get this, my director would not put out the 40$ for a trackball for me. I find that my hand gets very tired from using a mouse, and then, there is the whole MOVING ON THE DESK thing. So I was forced to purchase my own. Well, I was pleasantly surprised with this newer version. (Surely not new now, but still.) It fit my hand much better, and was far more precise.
I don't know how much more you can go into detail on a trackman. I have done all with it, from graphics to gaming, and it never missed a beat. The software is standard stuff and enough to get the job done. But, sadly, my wheel has stopped scrolling. It still moves but no scrolling it takes. So, I am on the fence about buying a new trackman, or getting a cordless Mx Laser. My hand votes for the trackman. :-)