Switching from mouse to trackball

[Akoko]

Hi everyone,

I'm considering switching to trackball. About how long does it take to develop the same proficiency as one has had with using a mouse their whole life? How does it work for multiboxing? And for first-person shooters? And would you recommend a thumb or long-finger trackball?

Thanks.

[RobinGBrown]

I'd recommend not using a trackball at all. As far as I am aware they're not nearly so accurate or swift as a mouse. There's only one boxer I know of who uses a trackball and he still has to get to 80 despite having a ton of toons and about a year of playing.

[Katharsis]

I've been using the Logitech Trackman for over ten years. I prefer it's thumb control over finger because all I have to do is move my thumb. This works great for first person as I recall. I haven't played one in awhile. I'm very pleased with its performance in WoW but I do have to kick up mouse speed in Control Panel which does affect accuracy. I still much prefer using the Trackman over a conventional mouse.

I bought a Kensington trackball thinking the extra large ball would be a good thing but it required much more movement then the Trackman.

http://feathermoon.us/images/offtopic/ergodex.jpg

Edit: Been playing for over five years, have a ton of toons and have yet to get to 80. I'm in no rush at all.

[Daeri]

Are you considering switching to trackball because of carpal tunnel syndrome or something like this ? From what I've read, the use of a trackball seems to be indeed recommanded in such a case.

[Akoko]

That's one of the reasons, yes. I'd like to preserve my hand because I'm a musician who plays three instruments and any sort of wrist injury wouldn't be good. The second reason is desk space. I'm currently using a mouse with only about one stretched-out hand's length of desk area.

I "tried out" trackballs a couple times at computer stores a long time ago and I remember even simple tasks being quite difficult. So back to my original question, how long did it take any of you trackball users to switch over from mouse and be back at the top of your game?

[Ughmahedhurtz]

That's one of the reasons, yes. I'd like to preserve my hand because I'm a musician who plays three instruments and any sort of wrist injury wouldn't be good. The second reason is desk space. I'm currently using a mouse with only about one stretched-out hand's length of desk area.

I "tried out" trackballs a couple times at computer stores a long time ago and I remember even simple tasks being quite difficult. So back to my original question, how long did it take any of you trackball users to switch over from mouse and be back at the top of your game?

If it's just about space-saving, this should work. If it's for RSI prevention, don't be surprised if it doesn't fix it or actually makes it worse. Everyone's RSI susceptibility is different and if you're having problems, get professional assistance. If you make a living using your hands, you can usually get tax writeoffs for ergonomic assistance.

[shroum]

Hi Akoko, I'm using Logitech Trackballs for about 8 years now. Playing WOW with it since 2 years. I started dual hardware boxing about a year ago and used two trackballs and two keyboards, which worked quite fine, as the trackballs did not move position and I could alternate between them without looking. But nowadays I'm running all my toons on a single machine.

About half a year ago i searched for alternatives to my logitech ones, but did not find any. There are two points, where current trackballs can't compete with mice: Resolution and number of buttons. I can live with the first, as I use the trackball mainly for movement. I can even do turns in the air while jumping with my mage and hunter. If you want it to use for targeting, you might miss the precision though. The low number of buttons is the more annoying thing to me, as when using the thumb, you have four fingers, which could potentially trigger events. If you neglect the middle button, which is hidden beneath the scroll wheel, i can currently only use two of them.

Concerning RSI I read, trackballs might not really help per se. They can be used alternating with mice to avoid the same hand position. If they're used as the only device, you probably won't have any benefits.

[Sam DeathWalker]

Trackballs are 100 times better then mice.

No one who uses a trackball will ever go back to a mouse.

I have the best trackball ever (well for under $100) available for sale (but as said it only has 4 buttons):

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3984.m570.l1313&_nkw=trackman+fx&_sacat=See-All-Categories

There is a reason it sells for more then it did new now.

Ill let mine go for $80 and that includes shipping.

samferis@pacbell.net

[moosejaw]

The Logitech trackball shown above is a fine mouse. Keep a lint free cloth handy for cleaning and don't ever use any solvents (windex, 409) on it. If you must use something, use handsoap. Once the slick coating is gone from the ball it will become difficult to make small movements. You can get replacement balls from Logitech when that occurs.

I always found these mice to be very hard on the thumb. Instead of moving your whole forearm for movement you are bombing your thumb with all the movement tasks. If you do really long gaming sessions you will feel it. In fact my thumb starting hurting just thinking about gaming with the track ball. I use a standard gaming mouse for boxing and mouse steer alot with it. Mouse steering is a bitch with a trackball.

I have used Logitech trackball mice since '94. My first mouse from them clipped on the side of the laptop. Invaluable when you are trying to do things on a pc in the engine room of nuclear sub where there are very few flat surfaces and oil mist gets on everything. :)

[Targ]

If your going to go to track ball to help/prevent Carpal tunnel then forget about the anything with a marble size ball it will just make things worse.

To help with CT you will need to get one with a large Ball. The only available track balls I have seen with a big ball and the one I use is a Kensington Expert Mouse. The ball size is about 2.25 inches
This is the unit that the HR department at my companies gives out if you have Carpal Tunnel issues. And it does really help a lot. Many of my coworkers have had Carpal Tunnel issues due to constant use of computers at work.

Resolution wise it works better then most mice, but it is limited to 4 buttons and a scroll ring.

[RobinGBrown]

Edit: Been playing for over five years, have a ton of toons and have yet to get to 80. I'm in no rush at all.

Didn't mean you, you're not bragging about being the greatest woW player of all time, stating your opinions as facts, or trying to sell second hand goods at over the odds prices.

Akoko, if you're getting fingerwrist/arm/joint pain from using a mouse then you do need to look into alternatives. However the first thing to do is to make some more space for your mouse, then look at adjusting the height of your chair, etc, etc.

Find out about ergonomics and RSI a little before wasting money on a trackball:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ergonomics

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Repetitive_strain_injury

[Seldum]

I had an issue with Carpal Tunnel pains earlier. I now use my left hand for the mouse movement on work, and the right hand when I play wow, bc2 etc.

[Sam DeathWalker]

The carpal tunnel is an anatomical compartment located at the base of the wrist.

Switching to a trackpad (http://www.dual-boxing.com/wiki/Touchpad), which requires no gripping or tensing of the muscles in the arms may help as well.





Isn't it kind of obvious that if you want to avoid problems in the wrist area you should use something which requires no movement of the wrist area?


The fact its old and out of production dosn't mean it wasn't the best, what is your opinion of the other people selling it on EBAY at greater then the original price?



And finally can you show me a post by ANYONE (not just gamers) who said they used a trackball for over a few weeks and went back to a mouse cuase the mouse was better? Ha ....

[dRiN]

When I really could not even hold a cup of coffee for longer than one minute because of the pain in my right hand I started to learn how to juggle. Really helped me get rid of it. This because you take time away from the computer and walk around. And in the beginning you drop the balls alot, so lots of extra movement.

The tip really is dont try to stay too long in sessions and take many tiny breaks. Yes the software for this timing comes in handy if you cant get yourself to do it.

I have two different trackballs, a tablet thingy and I have moused with my left hand and swaped around alot. Nothing helped more than the juggling. Even a single ball you balance on the hand and play with is a great way to loosen up your hands. And it gets my thoughts flowing better so its a win win thing.