Logitech Trackman Wheel Optical (Silver)
by Logitech
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Our Price: $343.76 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $69.99 (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 Trackman Wheel Optical (Silver)
Customer Review: Excellent Product but has One Flaw
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a replacement for the original Trackman Marble which lasted for nearly 10 years of heavy use. If this products lasts even half as long I'll be very happy. However, take note, it can only be used for right-handed people.
Operation is very smooth as it was with the Trackman Marble. It is very comfortable to use and fits the shape of nearly every hand. The two buttons as well as the wheel are programmable with the included Setpoint software. My software was already installed on my Windows Vista Premium computer when I installed the Logitech Wave Keyboard. Installation was fast and easy. Setpoint integrates all functions for all Logitech keyboards, mice, and trackballs. It is very convenient to have one program that controls multiple devices. Included is Logitech Messenger which periodically checks for software updates.
I did see one complaint that using the thumb ball isn't as fast as using a ball controlled by the fingers. The speed of the cursor can be adjusted with the software. That person may have not realized it could be adjusted or perhaps chose not to install the software. If software is not installed, the Microsoft software has fewer control and programming options.
Now for the flaw. The old marble's ball was easy to remove to clean. On the Trackman Wheeel Optical, there is a small hole on the bottom plate under the ball. Theoretically, dust and dirt should drop through this hole. In reality, dust and lint do not drop out but instead build up inside the compartment making the ball more difficult to move and respond erratically. To clean, remove the 4 screws on the bottom plate, remove the plate and carefully use canned air or a soft brush to remove the lint from all surfaces that contact the ball. I then use a q-tip moistened with household rubbing alcohol to clean the optical window. I am a fanatic about keeping my computer and peripherals clean and this procedure adds only a few minutes to my monthly cleanings, I will not deduct any stars although it is a step backwards from the older design.
Customer Review: Love it so much I bought another for home -- BUT be patient learning it!
Summary: 5 Stars
A couple years ago I'd purchased the cordless version of this (Logitech Cordless TrackMan Wheel) to use at work, in hopes of eliminating some bothersome hand/wrist/arm pain that I'd started to experience.
While I frequently became frustrated in the first couple of weeks while trying to get accustomed to it -- until you get the thumb-ball action down, the cursor can be difficult to control -- I soon found that my pain had completely vanished (helped along, I'm sure, by the fact that I also bought a terrific ergonomic keyboard, the Fellowes 98915 Antimicrobial Split Design Keyboard (Black), so I hung in there just a little while longer and sure enough, I came to love the thing and missed it when I was working away from my desk. Once you find a comfortable place to set it, so that your palm can naturally curve around the top while your thumb rests atop the ball and your wrist is unbent from the elbow, you never need to move your hand or arm to control the cursor.
Recently, while outfitting my home office more ergonomically, I purchased this corded version and am even happier with it than the cordless one. Not only is it cheaper -- and doesn't require any batteries! -- but its darker color helps hide smudges & wear. Having owned both, I see no advantage in the cordless one: Both mice use a USB port, both remain stationary during use (i.e. the cord never gets in the way or catches on things during use, like with a traditional mouse), and both have a cord. In the cordless mouse's case, the cord is for the receiver, but it's just as long as a mouse cord and the receiver is not tiny, so there's not really any advantage to having the "cordless" one.
The only drawback to this mouse is the learning curve. But once your thumb muscle is trained :), this is a really enjoyable tool and hard to live without.
Customer Review: Works perfectly
Summary: 5 Stars
After the Mac wireless mouse and its replacement died, I went back to this trackball; my old standby. I should have done that sooner.
Trackballs are inherently easier to use, take less desk space and are less likely to create a cord-tangle because they don't have to move to function.
Perhaps it is in part due to the fact I played classical guitar and piano, but I find the thumb wheels FAR easier than any other method. Though I have tried other trackballs with the wheel in the center, this design seems more intuitive and "natural." (If one can describe anything computerized as "Natural.")
In particular, I love the fact that I merely had to plug it in, and it immediately started working. No software installation, no CD insertion, no downloads, no upgrade offers no hidden software.... boom, it just works. The truly "plug-n-play" feature is probably just as important as its ergonomic design.
I use the trackball for drawing with paint programs and designing with Sketch-up. It it much faster and easier than any regular mouse for those mouse-heavy programs.
Even when web-surfing, I find the trackball makes selecting things faster and more accurate. I'll do anything to waste less time on the computer so I can get back to real life. For that, the trackball excels.
Obviously, if you are left-handed, you want to get a left-handed model, so any complaints about "handedness" are moot.
If you don't feel comfortable with the thumb-wheel, then try the center wheel models. Either way, trackballs feel better and are easier to use. This is my favorite model because of its size and reasonable price. I chose the corded version since the wireless Mac mouse gave me so much trouble. This mouse is still working with ZERO glitches.
Delivery was fast. Packaging was good. It arrived in perfect condition. It worked immediately with no hassles whatsoever.
Find any compu-product that does that, and you have a winner!
Customer Review: Best input device EVAR!
Summary: 5 Stars
I like trackballs because I don't have to move my arm or wrist to point, and I dont have to jump the device over a fence to navigate or rotate 360, 720, whatever in a game, just flick my thumb. The device works great in small spaces, on the couch or on my leg on a bus it matters not. Especially good about this particular design are the use of the thumb to point. The thumb is the strongest of digits in most folks hands (provided you have one on your right hand). The motion required to navigate seems natural and though your thumb might not seem all that accurate at first, you will quickly gain dexterity points. Optical tracking makes it VERY accurate with minimal moving parts (just the ball itself, buttons and scroll) easy to clean.
WHY WHY WHY is there not a Bluetooth version of this by now?!?!!?
Anyways, USB cord is long if you need it, but I hacked one of my many Marbles Trackman with a retractable cable. I have bought many for all the computers my family uses. I use this at work too. There should be one of these that I can fit in my wallet for travel, but its really not too big for your average laptop bag/backpack. Get a velcro cable tie and you will be happy.
Folks will look at you funny while they massage their sore wrists, but you can only pity the Trackman infidels. Don't try to convert anyone. Those truly seeking input nirvana will find this. My kids started using it when they were two years old, nuff said.
Buttons and scroll wheel seem to have a cheaper feel over the years since the first Marble+ (with a white body) purchased over 10 years ago. Buttons will probably fail on more recent versions after about 4 years of heavy use (not too shabby). My first Trackman Marble+ is still working hard in perfect shape on my flagship desktop machine with perfect scrolly feeling, it is just harder to clean with its lock-down ring.
Customer Review: All-time favorite mouse!
Summary: 5 Stars
I've used this mouse for years. I suffered from tendonitis in my hands from excess mousing. After switching to this trackball, my symptoms all but disappeared. (Please note: tendonitis is not the same as carpal tunnel syndrome...tendonitis is simply inflammation caused by overuse.) While I'm not trying to offer medical advice, I think I can safely make the argument that this trackball puts much less strain on one's wrist and hand.
After many years of faithful service (and gaming!)...my beloved trackball finally fell ill (the right mouse button became intermittent). Since its "old" by computer standards...I simply turned to my trusty Amazon account.
As long as Logitech makes it, I will probably never own another mouse. I recently switched from PC to MAC and discovered my beloved trackball works flawlessly on my new MAC.
One area I would like to mention: Cleaning. The first mice (you know, the kind with the rubber ball) were prone to getting dirty. People rarely cleaned them and eventually they picked up enough debris that it felt like you were mousing over a gravel road. Optical mice eliminated this problem and always feel smooth as glass. While this trackball is "optical"...the ball itself sits on three little plastic projections. Depending on how dirty your hands are (or how often you eat while using your computer)...a little "doughnut" of "gunk" will form around these projections. If enough of it builds up, you will eventually feel a slight (and I do mean "slight") drag...especially in high humidity. No problem...simply pop the ball out and wipe off each of the projections with a tissue, Q-Tip, or even your finger. The gunk comes right out in one swipe. In case you can't tell, I'm pretty obsessive and I end up doing this about once a month (but I have pretty greasy paws too!). All-in-all, a small price to pay for the world's best mouse!