Logitech Trackman Wheel Optical

5 Responses to “ Logitech Trackman Wheel Optical ”

1. JRD
   December 16, 2009 at 6:40 pm

   The mouse works ok if you want a trackball – where you don’t move the mouse to move the cursor, but move the thumb ball to navigate the screen. I was specifically in the market for an optical mouse – one that does not use a rollerball on a mouse pad, but uses reflected light under the mouse to navigate. Calling this an optical mouse is misleading – make sure a track-ball is what you want when you buy this.
   Rating: 3 / 5
2. Robert Cardinalli
   December 16, 2009 at 6:48 pm

   I bought this trackball after my Microsoft Explorer Mouse went bad about two months ago. My wife wanted to try a trackball and I had always been curious.

   I liked it at first but I found I had trouble clicking on buttons. When I would push the primary button I would almost always pull my thumb over at the same time and roll the cursor off the button.

   Then I started noticing the little ‘hitches’ in the ball movement–especially when moving to the left. Those hitches became more and more obvious, until it became almost a constant drag. Eventually, the ball became too difficult to move without strain.

   I ended up hating this mouse and now I love my new Microsoft Explorer Mouse.

   Add to that Logitech’s almost non-existent support and you have my review.
   Rating: 1 / 5
3. Jon Cawthorn
   December 16, 2009 at 7:33 pm

   On the scale of mens body frames I am in the small category, yet this trackball is still too small for my hand. I need a trackball for my work, and since using this one several weeks ago I have started developing capal tundral symptoms. Also, the picture is deceiving. It shows a silver trackball, but when I got it in the mail it was gray and red (not quite as cool looking). The trackball is way too small to be a comfortable fit for a grown up male. I guess less plastic makes it more cost effective (cheap). Anyway, it needs a complete redesign. The trackball gets stuck sometimes because of dirty build up but there is no way to take the trackball out to clean it. I have an older Logitech trackball which works great and is very ergonomic, but they do not sell that one anymore.
   Rating: 1 / 5
4. eshopper
   December 16, 2009 at 9:57 pm

   I have been using trackball for over 5 years, mostly for ergonomic reasons. If you have finger strain, pay attention to which finger(s). You most likely overuse that finger.

   Here is the bottom line:
   
   1. Left click is the most common mouse action so make sure it
   
   is done with the strongest of the fingers => yes, that would
   
   be your thumb, not your index finger or middle finger. Of course, with this design, you really can’t. So, try to alternate between index and middle finger for left click or use more than one finger to do the job.

   2. The most strained mouse action is dragging something because you need to hold the button for longer period while you are moving the trackball. So, if you can avoid dragging such as using scroll wheel to scroll instead of dragging the scroll bar. You lessen the chance of straining your fingers.

   3. Your index finger is the most limbo among the fingers. Therefore, it is better to use that to move the trackball to
   
   control movement instead of the thumb.

   4. The click action on the button is too shallow. It is not as clean and as easy as the other Logitech Marble Mouse. And the one I have brand new out of box already had a busted left button. The button mechanics design on this mouse is an old flimsy design. I had older mouse with these kind of buttons broke prematurely. The Marble mouse buttons are much better but unfortunately, it doesn’t have a scroll wheel.

   6. The shape of the mouse is comfortable to rest your hand on if you are right handed. You can change the speed of the motion under control panel->mouse.

   Rating: 3 / 5
5. Anonymous
   December 16, 2009 at 11:55 pm

   Well, most reviewers of Logitech trackballs seem to be new trackball users.

   I’ve used kensington’s large ball trackballs, and orbit ( mechanical ) trackballs.
   So, IMHO, I think my opinion can be more accurate than others.
   Before reviewing this device, I’d like to state that trackballs are, unlike mice, should fit your hand. If not, a trackball which is very comfortable to one’s hand, can be inconvenient to others’ hands.
   And I’m not biased to any companies.

   Trackman wheel optical mouse is more comfortable than its optical marble trackball. The problem of the marble trackball is that it’s too nannow, and the buttons are located higher position than it should be. Probably people with small hand, for example, kids, can be satisfied with the trackball, but to others, it may not be. I don’t have big hands, but my thumbs located comfortably on the lower portion of the left button and far right side of the right button.

   However, this trackball, trackman wheel optical, is different.
   It’s more comfortable.
   However this also has some defects.
   First, it’s too much curved. To be comfortable, the curve should be lesser when it approaches to the end of fingers. it should be more rounded on the palm side and less on the finger portion. However it’s too much curved on the finger portion.
   Most comfortable one is just to put your hand relaxed. However this trackball doesn’t allow it.

   Second, the mouse control panel software is another problem.
   It doesn’t allow pressing two button at the same time.
   For example, Kensington’s one allows it. So, you can set left and right buttons as usual. And pressing two buttons can work as click-and-lock. However with Logitech’s program, you can assign it only with left or right button.
   So, you should give up one of the two buttons if you want to use
   “click-and-lock” feature.
   OK. You can use the scroll wheel as a thrid button, though.
   However, it’s not so convenient.

   With trackballs, click-and-lock is very important, I think.
   It’s a little harder to click and move mouse cursor than you do
   with mice. So, good “click-and-lock” feature is a must, IMHO.

   And I doubt if the scroll wheel is convenient. As I said above, it’s too rounded on the finger portion. So, scrolling is not so convenient.

   Some people mentioned that Kensington’s trackball doesn’t have scroll whell.
   However, you know, the trackball itself can work as a wheel, and it’s more convenient. With kensington’s software, the trackball itself can work as a scroll wheel very conveniently.

   I’ve also read that the Kensington’s Optical orbit is not so resistant to dirt.
   So, I can’t judge how convenient it is.
   However its orbit mouse ( not optical ) is much better choice than any trackballs from the Logitech. ( I’m sorry. Logitech’s mices are great, but their trackball is not so good as Kensington’s. )

   Well, problem with Kensingon is that their products are somewhat expensive, and is not as widely available as Logitech’s. Most retail stores have Logitech’s but not Kensington’s.

   I recommend this Logitech’s trackball more than its marble trackbal.
   And if you are more more hardcore user of a trackball, the Kensington’s one will be yours.
   Rating: 3 / 5