r/Trackballs

I have never used trackballs, and now i want to buy my first one.

So have been looking for a various options, but they are so different, and all have their own advantages and disadvantages. So, i'm struggling to figure out, what i need exactly, and which one should i choose.

Please, give me some advice on how to choose my first Trackball, or give me some recommendations, on which exactly to buy, and why.

UPD:
My main PC use cases - is scrolling social network, working in terminal (though i mainly use my keyboard for that), searching and reading tech docs, playing games (Offline shooters, strategies)

https://preview.redd.it/z3j2kh63372h1.png?width=860&format=png&auto=webp&s=91034f0dd11a9dd46078429091a315735c902493

Looking for lubricant recommendations for this kind of trackball ring scroll wheel. Thanks in advance.

Hi I had recently bought the Elecom deft pro and i am not really liking it due to the following reasons

1. The ball sticktion causes problem in fine cursor movements
2. The button placement is not perfect for my hand. The right click is a bit difficult to operate some times
3. While trying to press middle mouse button, i often press it sideways
4. Slight thumb pain due to scroll wheel/thumb buttons

So i am trying to find some other trackball for me (primarily CAD usage)

I've seen many people suggesting efogtech's endgame trackball. I have a few doubts and would appreciate it if you can help me with this

1. The configuration I'm wanting is worth 125 euro (55mm ball with bosch BTU). Is the price justified or should i also consider other options at this price point
2. I've seen efogtech's assembly instructions and feel confident i can do that. However, i wasn't able to see and instructions for keyremapping. Can you help me with some guide for it
3. The endgame and ploopy adept looks very similar but the ploopy is significantly cheaper. How is endgame as compared to ploopy. Is it worth to spend so much extra
4. I think i saw somewhere that you can remap ploopy buttons via a web based "app". Is there something similar for endgame as well?

So far I've tried the Logitech M505 Ergo (found out thumb balls aren't for me given I do play some FPS games), the Ploopy Adept (bit too small and scratchy on the ball and buttons), and the Kensington Slimblade Pro (Goofy massive clicky buttons but the ball is nice).

I 100% do still want an index/top mounted ball instead of a thumb ball. I just can't decide between the Deft and the Deft Pro to try. The Deft looks like I'd still be able to get two fingers on there for fast spinning if I need it to whilst being a more comfortable size for my hand. However the Deft Pro has better support regarding replacing bearings etc. but it might be too large a bump to grab comfortably.

I had trackballs way back, in fact I think I had a Logitech portable trackball way back before I even had a mouse, I had one of the red ball MS ones that I think was PS2. Somehow I enede up full time mouse for the 20 years in there though. When I left consoles to go back to PC gaming, the couch was still a requirement, so I picked up a M570 to navigate menus, intending to play with controller. Thing is, once I got used to it I actually liked some games on the trackball.

The problem though, it kills my thumb. I already tend to hold it "funny" I think in that I use my middle/ring fingers on the buttons and the index just sort of rests such that my thumb isn't stretching a ton. So, I want to try to switch to finger, and even had a pipe dream that if I got past the thumb maybe I replace mouse on my work type stuff after that. Would be a huge plus for 3D CAD where they expect you to middle button so much.

I bought a ProtoArc EM03 and first impressions. It's MASSIVE. I measured my finger like ProtoArc said and got 7 inches, but it feels like it's 3 sizes too large. I tried to game a bit and I've learned I can totally get used to the finger part, the thumb click won't be much to get used to. I don't think I can get over the size though. If I hold it the way it feels like it wants you do, then I have no up-down dexterity because my finger is already stretched out just to rest on the ball. If I choke way up on it it's still so tall and I can sort of use 2-3 fingers, but then I'm having to physically move my hand to get buttons under a finger. I was really struggling in cases where I needed to hold right-click, aim, and click left-click all at once. I don't think it's going to be something I need to learn, because it's just so uncomfortable.

So where do I go next? My thought was if I loved it I'd get a Elecom Huge for the work case and have all the cool buttons. I don't need or care for a bunch of extras on the first go, and I'm using on Linux anyway. I can't imagine using a Huge though. It might eat one of my fingers. Deft says smaller ball but looks the same in the pics, but if I wanted one later with extra gizmos they made the Deft Pro larger. Should I just stick with a thumb? Finger ones seem to be geared towards massiveness. Only rules are wireless and a somewhat ergo shape.

I came across a video on youtube about trackball mice and now I'm super curious. I've never even seen a trackball in real life let alone used one. I'm thinking about switching to a trackball whenever I'm not gaming now to try to prevent damage. But I have some questions.

1. Does it make sense to get one if you're working on a laptop? What I mean is does it offer a significant advantage over a trackpad?
2. How long do they last? I heard the balls get scratched up after a while and then you can't use them? Or the tracking gets worse? Or have trackballs also improved in quality over the years?
3. What are some benefits that people don't usually talk about?

Has anyone tried using a trackball (like Missile Command) instead of a mouse? Was wondering if it would make aircraft control better ... or worse than it already is?

I used to be big into trackballs, but it's been several years since I've used one. I just ordered an Elecom Huge.

I'm not sure how I'll like scrolling web pages with a thumb wheel, so I was wondering if there was a way to scroll with the ball.

Like hold a button and move the ball, etc.

Whether with the built-in software, BetterTouchTool, or BetterMouse.

Thanks

Edit: Sorry? I meant SteerMouse, not BetterMouse.

And I’m on a Mac.

I just got an alert for an item on my wish list from Amazon... Looks like the Kensington Expert Mouse TB800EQ Wireless Trackball (K72458WW) is coming back in at $130.

https://a.co/d/07DECHTP

It said this item will be released on December 31st 2026 and is on pre-order now. I guess they're giving themselves a lot of time to get it right.

But hope does spring eternal...