Author Topic: Thumb trackball wanted (Read 23282 times)

wiiiindy · « **on:** November 17, 2008, 09:06 AM »

I own and love a Microsoft Trackball Optical 1.0. The trackball is thumb operated and it has 5 configurable buttons (including depressing the scroll wheel). Of course I seem to be the only one left in the known universe who likes a thumb trackball since Microsoft and all other mouse manufacturers seem to have stopped making them.

I am worried that if anything happens to this one I'll be forced back into the pack having to move the mouse around or using an ordinary trackball. I have thus searched a ton of stores on and off line and have gone to eBay in desparation. On eBay the few I found were from questionable sellers, used (too risky), or more than I want to pay (especially since I don't believe any are really new - I have puchased new on eBay before and gotten reconditioned).

Picture is attached and info on the product can be found here: http://www.microsoft...9724d3d&type=ovr

Bottom line: Anyone know of a reliable source for the product or a comparable product that I have somehow failed to come across in my search? Maybe you have one you didn't like and so didn't use much tucked away in a drawer?

BTW - this is the one and only Microsoft product I have ever owned that I really liked (although I just don't have enough motivation yet to change OS). I have had it since 1998 if I remember correctly and it still works perfectly - with occasional removal of lint.

Deozaan · « **Reply #1 on:** November 17, 2008, 10:48 AM »

Logitech still makes them:

http://www.logitech....kballs/&cl=us,en

cranioscopical · « **Reply #2 on:** November 17, 2008, 03:20 PM »

I went through the same thing a year or so ago. Trackballs seemed to vanish from the local stores.
FWIW I bought a few Logitech models from here which all were good, and cheap (I'm using one right now).
I'm not associated with this outfit in any way but the odd item(s) that I've bought from them all have arrived well-packed and in good working order.
I'll buy from them again without qualms if/when they have something I can't find locally.

[edit: can't spell]

wiiiindy · « **Reply #3 on:** November 17, 2008, 03:57 PM »

Holy Cow! I clicked on your link and there is a logitech thumb operated trackball on the first page! Someone forgot to tell the Logitech webmaster because I have checked for such a thing on their website. Sadly it apparently has only 3 buttons but I am ordering one anyway.

Thanks much Cranio!

wiiiindy · « **Reply #4 on:** November 17, 2008, 04:01 PM »

Thanks Deozann! I don't know how I missed it - maybe I wasn't desparate enough when I was hunting and dismissed it because it didn't have enough buttons. Logitech was the first place I looked I am pretty sure.

Anyway thanks to both of you for quick and useful responses.

nite_monkey · « **Reply #5 on:** November 17, 2008, 05:40 PM »

I wish I had a thumb tackball. I tried to use one that had the ball in the center, but I did't like it. I need my scroll wheel. when I buy a new mouse I will defently have to see if I can find one of the logitech ones.

edit: I have one question though. Why would you need a cordless trackball? The only reason I could think of needing a wireless mouse is because the cable gets tangled up, and when you are moving the mouse around, it will only go so far, so you have to yank on it. With that said, a trackball almost never moves from its current spot, so I don't see what the cordless trackballs are needed for.

wiiiindy · « **Reply #6 on:** November 17, 2008, 06:21 PM »

I would say if you had a laptop that you moved around the house - like to the recliner in front of the TV - you might want to retain your favorite mousing device without fooling around with a cord. Other than that.....?

ewemoa · « **Reply #7 on:** November 17, 2008, 06:38 PM »

I wish I had a thumb tackball. I tried to use one that had the ball in the center, but I did't like it. I need my scroll wheel.
-nite_monkey (November 17, 2008, 05:40 PM)

I thought a trackball with a ball in the center wouldn't work out too -- but I found a Kensington one that has a scroll ring around the ball and although it took a bit of getting used to, I'm happily adjusted to it now

http://us.kensington.com/html/2200.html

Deozaan · « **Reply #8 on:** November 18, 2008, 10:20 PM »

I wish I had a thumb tackball. I tried to use one that had the ball in the center, but I did't like it. I need my scroll wheel.
-nite_monkey (November 17, 2008, 05:40 PM)

I thought a trackball with a ball in the center wouldn't work out too -- but I found a Kensington one that has a scroll ring around the ball and although it took a bit of getting used to, I'm happily adjusted to it now

http://us.kensington.com/html/2200.html
-ewemoa (November 17, 2008, 06:38 PM)

$100 for a mouse? It better be good for that price. As for me, I'll stick with my $30 thumb Trackman from Logitech.

ewemoa · « **Reply #9 on:** November 18, 2008, 11:17 PM »

It's true it was expensive -- though I believe I picked it up for less at Amazon -- but I've been a pretty happy user of it. Perhaps I should try a thumb-based one sometime -- I may not have given one a fair chance (just casual attempts of models on display).

icekin · « **Reply #10 on:** November 19, 2008, 06:46 AM »

I had the Microsoft Optical 1.0 Trackball. Sadly, I sold it along with the rest of my computer. Worst decision I ever made. Best pointing device I had ever owned. Due to a very small number of people using them, I doubt we will ever see further innovation and development with the trackball (e.g. a Laser Trackball)

Pricewatch used to have links to sites that still stocked the Optical 1.0 Trackball, but I think its all gone now. Meanwhile, I've become a mouse convert

nite_monkey · « **Reply #11 on:** November 23, 2008, 04:55 AM »

I would say if you had a laptop that you moved around the house - like to the recliner in front of the TV - you might want to retain your favorite mousing device without fooling around with a cord. Other than that.....?
-wiiiindy (November 17, 2008, 06:21 PM)

...I never thought about that
Now I just need my current mouse to hurry up and die on me so that I can have a better excuse to buy a thumb trackball mouse.

cranioscopical · « **Reply #12 on:** November 23, 2008, 07:16 AM »

Now I just need my current mouse to hurry up and die
-nite_monkey (November 23, 2008, 04:55 AM)

It seems to me that Mouser ought to be able to help with that.
Or, he might just ignore it.
It is difficult to know which way he'll jump...

Padlock6 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 02, 2008, 08:57 PM »

I was reading reviews on the Logitech model, and someone pointed out the obvious problems for lefties...
When I fractured my wrist awhile back, I was forced to train my left hand to use a RH, 3-button mouse at work. What I discovered was a simple way to mouse and type (or check lists w/pen) using both hands. I don't do this everyday, but the ability to mouse with either hand has come in handy, as well as get funny looks from co-workers sometimes.

IainB · « **Reply #14 on:** January 01, 2009, 05:43 PM »

I've just got back from a trip to Thailand. In Panthip Plaza (a well-known computer hardware and software shopping centre) in Bangkok they had all manner of mice for sale, including just about every version of trackball and thumb-ball mice I had ever seen - and some I had not seen before.

FWIW, in about 1990-something I used to have a thumb-ball mouse that came with a 286-driven (I think it was that) Toshiba laptop (LCD screen). It clipped onto the RHS of the keyboard. Worked quite well, once you got used to it. This predated the central finger-sticks and touchpads.

Josh · « **Reply #15 on:** January 02, 2009, 12:27 AM »

I don't know if you're still in the market, but I just acquired a Cordless Trackman Optical and I swear by it. I also acquired the logitech wave keyboard which is a beautiful work of art. After using the Microsoft Trackball Explorer Optical for the last 6 years, I have to say that the Logitech trackman is a well designed and worthy product to switch to from the MS Line of trackballs.

Very highly recommended and I am now a logitech zealot, for lack of a better term, although I won't attack you if you use Microsoft ;-)

wreckedcarzz · « **Reply #16 on:** January 02, 2009, 12:33 AM »

You can also contact Microsoft directly via email for purchase inquiries - they still have copies of MS Bob (Yea, I asked) for like $15... I'm sure they can find a mouse somewhere in storage as well

Cloq · « **Reply #17 on:** January 02, 2009, 12:46 AM »

Very highly recommended and I am now a logitech zealot, for lack of a better term, although I won't attack you if you use Microsoft ;-)
-Josh (January 02, 2009, 12:27 AM)

Logitech Cordless Trackman Wheel
Mine went bad a few months after the 5 year warranty. I called Logitech up and all they wanted was the serial number and model. Two days later I had a brand new Cordless Trackman Wheel.

Josh · « **Reply #18 on:** January 02, 2009, 01:05 AM »

And it's companies like that which I have the utmost respect for. I mean, taking care of a product which fails AFTER it's 5 year warranty is definitely a big boost in customer service.

Ehtyar · « **Reply #19 on:** January 02, 2009, 01:34 AM »

I'm head over heels in love with my Logitech Trackman. Not only is it the awesomest mouse ever, but it also does an excellent job of keeping the family away from my PC should I ever forget to lock it

The only complaint I have is the cleaning, but really who cares when you have the awesomest mouse ever?!?
It's comforting to know Logitech are still making them should mine ever fail (three years or so and going strong).

Ehtyar.

kartal · « **Reply #20 on:** January 02, 2009, 01:12 PM »

Is this actually a mouse beside being a trackball? I have the marble mouse but that one is only a trackball. I would love to get a hybrid pointer device.
\

Very highly recommended and I am now a logitech zealot, for lack of a better term, although I won't attack you if you use Microsoft ;-)
-Josh (January 02, 2009, 12:27 AM)

Logitech Cordless Trackman Wheel
Mine went bad a few months after the 5 year warranty. I called Logitech up and all they wanted was the serial number and model. Two days later I had a brand new Cordless Trackman Wheel.
-Cloq (January 02, 2009, 12:46 AM)

wiiiindy · « **Reply #21 on:** January 02, 2009, 01:41 PM »

I agree the logitech Trackman is a fine product. However I am very used to the 5 buttons on the Microsoft product. 3 just doesn't cut any more. I might even go back to a mouse if I could find one with 5 or more buttons.

wreckedcarzz · « **Reply #22 on:** January 04, 2009, 03:57 PM »

I agree the logitech Trackman is a fine product. However I am very used to the 5 buttons on the Microsoft product. 3 just doesn't cut any more. I might even go back to a mouse if I could find one with 5 or more buttons.
-wiiiindy (January 02, 2009, 01:41 PM)

The Logitech G9 is an awesome mouse - tailored for gamers, but an awesome mouse. It has a total of 9 buttons:

Back button
Forward button
Speed down
Speed Up
Left click
Right click
Scroll down (press)
Scroll left
Scroll right

I don't remap the buttons, but there are enough of them to go nuts over.

Its also worth mentioning that the Logitech G11 keyboard has a total of 54 function keys (18 keys, 3 modes) if your into that kind of thing.

Disclaimer: I own and love both these products

EDIT: Added links