Logitech Optical Marble Mouse (USB/PS2)
by Logitech
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Our Price: $109.99 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $28.95 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Logitech Optical Marble Mouse (USB/PS2)
Customer Review: Hands down the best.
Summary: 5 Stars
I decided to read through all the reviews first and see what everyone else had to say. Looking at most of the negative ones I notices most just seemed to have one or two things in common. Ergonomics and Drivers. I've been using this style of mouse for about 8-9 years now. I have an earlier version of this mouse that has been working for about that long and I have purchased the same one since for the other two computers I have. I have never had a problem of ergonomically "incorrect" with these mice. Being in animation, I do a lot moving and placing of objects in the programs I use. This mouse makes doing that a whole heck of a lot easier. I am also a gamer that will end up playing on-line games for hours at a time too. Just being able to rest my hand upon it and not have to worry about moving it all around a pad is good too.
As for the Driver issue, I have never had any problems with drivers working with any edition of Windows or Mac OS's. Again I have been using this style of Logitech mouse for many years... not once have I had a problem with drivers going bad, or not working with programs I use. The buttons are programmable and can be set up for either right or left handed people. Most of my friends I have let use one of my computers with these mice on them have normally gone out and bought one themselves afterwards.
As for issues of cleaning... the three little knobs that are used to hold in the optic ball are really the only thing that gets dirty and only needs cleaning maybe once or twice a month, if that, compared to old-school mice with the rollers. Only other noticable thing I noticed is a problem is sometimes the rubber pieces on the bottom that are used to keep the mouse from sliding around sometimes come off. Easily fixed though.
Hopefully this review is helpful for someone out there.
Customer Review: Fantastic--stock up when it's cheap
Summary: 5 Stars
I buy these whenever they are on sale--usually around twenty dollars. My family complained at first but now there is no going back. They love it! Some other reviewers mentioned tracking problems but they go away if you use USB or use PS/2 with the mouse driver that comes with the mouse (I am using one in PS/2 mode on Windows 2000). If you are a Windows XP or Linux user the tracking is much better.
The only problem is the lack of a scrolly wheel. I just reprogram the miniature third and fourth buttons to page-down and back-button for web browsing and I don't miss the scrolly wheel too much.
The housing is small so it's great for my 3-year-old's hands and comfortable for me, too, without being too small. The plastic is very durable and stands up to normal desktop abuse.
The mouse driver is spectacular. Ever since version 9.x of the driver came about the tracking speed and system reliability has been top-notch.
Highly recommended! You will buy a second one to bring to your workplace--no doubt about it.
***EDIT*** It is over five and a half years later and we still use the original Marble Mice we bought back in 2004. Windows XP and Vista work flawlessly with this unit now. We don't have to install the Logitech drivers anymore since the little buttons work as browser back/forward buttons.
***EDIT*** The very newest models made around 2009 have a higher resolution and nicer-looking ball. Keep that in mind when shopping for the Marble Mouse of this vintage. The newer models are designed for today's wider, high-resolution screens. These older models still work but you may find yourself maximizing the speed in the Mouse Control Panel and still need to repeatedly move the ball to cover that big screen.
Customer Review: 4 years and no turning back
Summary: 5 Stars
I am at a computer almost all day long and about 4 years ago, I decided to try out the Logitech Optical Marble Mouse, because my arm and wrist were getting too tired from the old mouse.It took about 1 week to get used to it, but after that learning curve was through, I was so convinced, that I haven't used a mouse extensively since. In fact, when I started a new job, the first thing I did, was buy another Marble Mouse, so that I wouldn't have to struggle with a regular mouse at my workplace.
Except in extreme situations, hand fatigue is a thing of the past for me and the marble mouse I bought four years ago is still working perfectly.
One trick is to set it up so that the right button is the main button and the left button is the context button. In use, I press the right button with any combination of my pinkie, ring finger or middle finger. By distributing the clicking duties between three fingers, the muscle usage is more evenly distributed and repetative motion problems are not a problem.
In fact the beauty of this design is that it is so simple that one is able to use it however you want to. Other trackballs that are overly molded to fit your hand end up causing problems because they force your hand to be in a particular position all day long.
It is also easy to switch between left and right hand use -- though I almost always use right hand.
I do have to clean it during the day, but this is extremely easy. Basically I just pick the ball out of its socket and flick away any dirt that has built up. It takes about 15 seconds and no special cleaning solutions or anything.
If I was running a company, I would make everyone try one of these out for a week. They are amazing computing tools and would be standard issue for all computers if I ran the world.
Customer Review: Best "mouse" you'll ever buy.
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm a long time (since these were originally introduced in the 1990s) user of the Marble Mouse and hands-down, it beats any mouse or trackball I've ever used.
The fingertip control means no need to move the mouse or your wrist, cutting down on the risk of repetitive motion injuries and saving desktop space (important if you use a desk like mine that has next to no space for a mouse). Action is smooth and the buttons hold up for years--I replace mine on average of around 5 years or so (this will be my 3rd). Cleaning out the socket is easier than a standard mouse as you have full access to all the hardpoints and electronic eye inside, ensuring you get every bit of dirt out when it comes time to clean it.
While I'm not a heavy-duty gamer, I have used this a lot with a wide variety of games and in fact find it wholly invaluable for 1st-person shooters (currently playing Fable: TLC and the smooth movement and lack of need to pick it up and move it back makes fight sequences much smoother). If there's one complaint it's that there is no mousewheel function (which some games make use of) nor any 3rd mouse button; but these are relatively minor complaints for all it's good points.
The two added navigation buttons, to be honest, I almost never use so I can't comment on them. I typically use this without the installed Logitech software; I did at one point but the added features did little for me, so I mostly use it as a standard PS/2 mouse.
All in all, you can't go wrong with this one, and I highly recommend it for casual, business and gamer uses alike.
Customer Review: The Best Mouse I Ever Used
Summary: 5 Stars
I make it sound like I've used half a dozen but yeah it's true. I'm using a Black Microsoft Wheel Mouse Optical right now. The Logitech Optical Marble Mouse was what I owned previously.It lasted me for a good three years. Another reviewer it's the ideal pointing device and it's true. It was quite funny to see new users try to shake this mouse thinking it was how the pointer would move.
Often this mouse due it's great looks (even though I had the white version of it with a red ball on top) would arouse curious remarks from onlookers. Some just would not believe a mouse and some would say "WOW,K! It looks so cool." Some would say "I wish it was easier to use" and that's where Mr.Anger came out from me. It takes some time to get used to. Precisely 20 minutes. It's all yours after that. I think my pointing speed was twice as good as it is now. This mouse is great for people who don't have ample desk space. You don't have keep banging it into your keyboard and PC alike.
For it's good looks ,it gets full marks. I'm not an avid gamer but Age of Empires is the best game I've ever played. The Marble Mouse totally smokes for Age of Empire enthusiasts and for other users alike.
One thing I disliked about this mouse is the dust accumlation under the ball when removed. It would make it difficult for the ball to function. However the solution lies in cleaning the surface once every month using a dry cloth.
Buy it if you support innovation in design and are a believer of making simple things more simple. Enjoy whatever works. I think I'm gonna buy this mouse all over again.