Had to replace my wired track ball recently
ELECOM EX-G Wired Trackball, my first diversion from Logitech in the trackball world. While Logitech was busy removing a wire from a stationary object, Elecom was out here adding buttons.
I also have a wireless version for travel.
23 replies
Wired is the way to go!
I very much agree for any situation where wired is practical in terms of distances. It's even more true for trackballs than mice --- I can hypothetically imagine someone who doesn't like having the mouse cord be in their way as they move the mouse around, but trackballs don't move around.
However, there are some cases where one just isn't that near the computer in question. Say you're lying on a couch in a living room using something on a projector display. It'd be nice to not have cables trailing across the room, then.
I am said hypothetical person lol. I like my wireless trackball and keeb because my desk is a mess and i have to keep moving stuff around to work on my drones.
Having to unplug my mouse every time was getting very annoying. If i was a little more put together it probably wouldn't bother me at all though.
Oof. But I never did understand their decision to introduce batteries, charging and wireless to what is essentially a stationary object either.
Is the third button the usual third button that's a mousewheel-press on Logitechs?
Yes
I have the wireless variant for my living room. Works well on pillows etc.. Can recommend.
Well, when the current wired mouse for my desktop died, I think I found out what I wanna replace it with! That looks so good.
Edit:
Didn't find that exactly on their webpage, but if I ever go to Japan, I now know a place I wanna visit if I ever end up in Osaka.
If you are in the states: https://elecomusa.com/products/m-xt2urbk-g
This shows I really need to work on my website crawling skills. I could find a global site but not this. Thanks.
Man this is amazing. A shame honestly I switched off of trackball about 4 years ago due to lack of variety and the need to try and 'up my game' on certain competitive games I was trying to play at the time.
Loved the EX-G when it was my main trackball! Unfortunately the switches started double-clicking after a year of heavy use, and by then models with more ergonomic angles came out so I replaced it instead of repairing the switches.
Currently on a Protoarc EM01NL and liking the aggressive angle, but I do miss that the Elecom balls are easier to remove in order to clean the rollers.
Double clicking switches is why I had to replace mine. But I had mine for 5 years.
Can you customise the extra buttons on that Protoarc?
It has the following buttons recognised in
xev: 1 (left), 2 (wheel press), 3 (right), 4 (scroll fwd), 5 (scroll back), 8 (pgdn), and 9 (pgup). These are standard remappable in Linux, and I presume that Windows has equivalent capabilities.There's three additional buttons that are not mappable, which are for input select and DPI.
Having never used a mouse like this, what do you use the trackball for? 3D designing or something?
I use it for everything. I am unsure if I own a mouse other than my Apple Magic Mouse (which I keep in my backpack if I need it while away from the office).
They are fun to use and I find them way more comfortable. In non gaming high precision scenarios I prefer them
i bought the wireless version of this for like $10
only issue is the ball sticks a bit
Most trackballs have to be cleaned on a normal basis as the funk from your finger builds up below the ball. Try popping the ball out and using a q tip to clean the rollers. If there's a lot of build up you can use isopropyl alcohol on the q tip to clean it out.
Wipe the ball itself with some IPA too.
Beer? Okay
I've been using a Kensington Expert mouse for years, and it's great.
Now try an Elecom.