The First Trackball with IntelliEye Optical TechnologyThe Microsoft TrackBall Explorer sets a new standard in trackballs by combining an IntelliEye optical sensor and an advanced ball design. The IntelliEye optical sensor tracks the movement of the ball 1,500 times per second to give you unbelievably smooth, precise control.
Features- Precise and accurate - The IntelliEye optical sensor reads through dirt, dust, and fingerprints.
- Easy navigation - Browse easily with the programmable forward and back buttons. Scroll efficiently with the wheel.
- Designed for comfort - The shape supports your hand in a natural posture. The ball is positioned for fingertip control and easy navigation.
Unlike the mechanical-trackball "mice of yore" that skip, stick, and need to be cleaned, the Microsoft D68-00007 TrackBall Explorer introduces an entirely new trackball featuring optical sensor technology. Reading through dirt, dust, and fingerprints, the optical sensor tracks the movement of the ball 1,500 times per second, giving you smooth, precise control. The Trackball Explorer comes with two additional buttons located on the side of the device--for a total of five buttons--for moving forward and back quickly in your browser, or you can program them. It also features a wheel for efficient scrolling and zooming and is ergonomically designed to support the natural position of your hand as you use your index finger to control the trackball.
1 Where's the left-handed version?
This is an excellent trackball - if you happen to be right-handed. But if you are left-handed, it is unusable. 11% of the world is left-handed. The arrogance of right-handed people is truly disgusting.
2 Great mouse, especially for carpel tunnel problems
I bought my first Trackball Explorer in 2002 for graphics work. It allowed me to have more control over fine movements. It eased the pains I had been having related to carpel tunnel syndrome. I was moved to a field office and took the mouse with me. When I was moved back to the downtown office, the field office computer would no longer work with any mouse, but the Trackball. So a second Trackball was purchased for the downtown computer. I have since changed companies and will purchase my 3rd Trackball.
Although it did take about 2 weeks to get used to the different buttons and trackball, I miss the versatility and prescision it offers and feel frustrated when dealing with lesser mice.
3 For the Hands of a Surgeon or a Coffee Junkie
Versatility, adaptability, quality and comfort. Undoubtably the best trackball I've ever used in this price range. If you need a high end multi-purpose trackball, look no further! If you're looking for a high quality graphics tool, go spend some more money.
My hand fits perfectly to the body of this trackball. From the tip of my first finger down to the inner hinge of my thumb measures 6 inches. From the tip of my middle finger to my wrist measures 8 inches. I can see how a smaller hand may have trouble, but a larger hand should be able to adapt.
The ball is fluid in motion and precise, too precise for a lot of morning coffee at it's highest accuracy, but perfect for a zen master. Fortunately the CD included with the trackball will let you fine tune all (and I mean all) of the functions to compensate your every human glitch. There is even a alignment adjustment for the ball so it will move the cursor vertically even if your finger doesn't.
They thought of just about everything on this one, Nice!
4 Not bad
I own a Logitech Marble Mouse and a Microsoft Trackball optical mouse.
I've been using Microsoft's trackball optical mouse (a thumb trackball) for over a year now, and it's starting to hurt my thumb joint.
So I bought this one.
So far it's working great for me. The egronomic design is great and the trackball fits my palm perfectly and comfortably. The optical ball is smooth and percise.
If you're considering this item, there are a couple of issues you might want to consider:
1- fitting your palm: in addition to this item, I also tried Logitech's Cordless Trackman (Index-finger trackball) and Trackman Wheel (Thumb trackball). In comparison to Trackball Explorer, Cordless Trackman's ergonomic design isn't as good; with my carpel tunnel syndrome symptoms, I find it uncomfortable to "grab" the entire trackball; Trackman Wheel on the other hand, is a little too small for my palm, again, CTS makes grabbing a small trackball quite uncomfortable. So it really depends on how you like to hold the trackball, if you like to lay your own out like I do, this might be the one for you, but nonetheless, go to Bestbuy or RadioShack to get a feel of the trackball before purchasing it - that's the safest way.
2 - Buttons: In this trackball's defense, there is a sealed, brand new Intellipoint CD right under the trackball that contains the updated software for mice configurations, if you don't like the setting of the buttons, you can change them anytime, to ANY confiruation you want. I too found the default configuration awkward, and I changed it, now it works just fine. (I just resent those who diss a good product because they don't know how to install the included software.)
3 - left-handedness: this trackball is for right-hand only.
This is a great product overall, it's definitely worth my price. I am not here to promote this product, but to share my experiences. I have not yet seen a trackball that truly "sucked", just ones that don't fit my palm. So, before purchasing the trackball I suggest that you see a sample at BestBuy or stores a like. :)
5 Good hardware, excellent software driver for Mac OS X
I purchased two of these -- one each for work and home Macs -- some four years ago, before the advent of Mac OS X. I previously had tried the Kensington TurboRing Trackball, which was a good idea but seriously flawed in implementation, both hardware and software. This Microsoft trackball continues Microsoft's long tradition of excellent input hardware. I've been a fan of Microsoft mice for as long as they've been making them, and this has not disappointed.
The Mac OS X driver software deserves special mention. It provides full mapping of all buttons. Due to this I can switch the left two buttons from their default modes, in which the lower button is primary and the upper is "right click". This caused serious strain in my RSI-afflicted hand, but swapping them did away with this. The other buttons are mappable, too, both to standard functions (for example, Forward & Back) and key combinations (Command-[, Command-], which give you Forward & Back functionality in the Finder). If you're really shortcut crazy, you can add Control, Command and Option click variants for each key. (The Scroll wheel is also clickable.)
The "Microsoft Mouse" driver software supports global settings and settings for specific applications. This includes the ability to use the Microsoft acceleration/speed settings or the System settings (from the Mac's own "Mouse" system preference) on a per-application basis. It's really quite good.
After years of daily use, the track ball is getting a bit sticky in its grooves. I don't know if there was some sort of low-friction coating that has worn off, or if the ball bearings it rests upon are worn down or no longer turning in their plastic sockets or simply clogged with dust behind the bearings, or something else entirely. When it gets sticky, I pop the ball out, clean the ball bearings off, and things improve for a few days. After so many years of use, I really can't complain, and at some point I'll buy a new one just like this to replace it!
PROS: nice size and feel, four buttons plus clickable Scroll Wheel, buttons fully programmable, excellent Mac OS X driver software, ball easy to remove for cleaning
CONS: scroll-click combo hard to use (so mostly I don't), that's about it.
Highly recommended.
6 Much Easier to Clean than Microsoft's Previous Trackball
The best improvement over this trackball and Microsoft's previous trackball is that it's much easier to clean. Microsoft's old trackball was not optical so the wheels get clogged with dust and dirt easily. To clean it you had to take apart the mouse by unscrewing several tiny screws. This trackball is optical so you only have to clean it once in a long while. It takes about 10 seconds to clean. You simply pop the ball out and rub away the dirt with your finger. I have been using this trackball for over 2 years now with no problems.
7 Awkward for small hands
I tried this trackball for a few days and, while it might have been acceptable for general use, I found it unusable for graphics work. I have small hands which may be why I frequently hit the left click button at the wrong angle so that it wouldn't register. Dragging with this device felt very uncomfortable, and it wasn't as precise as my ancient Logitech FX. I would have purchased another Logitech, but they seem to have discontinued all models with a large enough ball for precision graphics work. Despite my small hand size, I finally decided on the even bulkier Kensington Expert Mouse Optical as the most comfortable replacement for my graphics work.
8 There is simply no better trackball available
I have been using a MS Trackball Explorer for several years. It has saved me as I have carpel tunnel and cervical damage and if I use a mouse for any length of time my hand pain increases. (I also use a Natural Pro Keyboard).
I can't believe that some people are upset and condemn it because the device has a short cord!
The trackball connects by USB and the movements are seamless. Any trackball is going to get dirty but this one is so easy to clean. All I do is pop out the ball, remove the dust or whatever from the three points the ball rotates on, wipe the ball with a tissue and it is as good as new. I would say that the contours are not ideal (nor could they be) as it seems the contours are better fit for me if the device were mounted about 8 inches higher than my keyboard tray. As it is, it causes my wrist to drop and it is uncomfortable in that respect, but using the two right buttons to navigate online (back and forward) is a total breeze and makes going through pages very fast and comfortable.
Intellipoint software allows you to control almost every aspect of its movement, which makes it even better.
Personally I like where the scroll button is as well as the buttons for right and left clicks. I think I am going to try to devise some sort of mount so it will elevate the rear by about 15 degrees or so. This way my hand will go forward and there will be even less strain.
I used Logictech trackballs in the past and I did not like them. With all its faults, and there are some, this trackball is for me by far the best, the easiest to navigate online with, and extremely precise in terms of cursor movement. It does slide around a bit and to solve this I put a small piece of that foamy rubbery shelf liner stuff under it--and where my wrist rests on the keyboard tray--and it works perfectly.
It is simply a matter of using your own ingenuity to make something that is already superb even better!
9 Mouse Answer for me
I use the Trackball Explorer at work. Its great for me. The fingertip control works fine. My hand was starting to ache from the using a regular mouse and then "egro" type mouse I tried.
As I use the mouse a lot, I decided to try this after "testing" it at a store.
The thumb wheel trackballs just don't do it for me.
The functions you can choose for the buttons work great. I save a lot of time at work with that feature.
Real comfortable for me. The size of the ball is nice.
So yeah, I have no complaints. NO whines. No Boo hoos.
I like it and its from Microsoft. Oh NO!
:)
10 Scroll wheel strain worse than wheel mouse
The whole thing is tilted so that you don't have to twist your wrist much to use it. Ergonomic Kudos.
Unfortunately, Microsoft has designed the scroll wheel and buttons like those on a wheel mouse, completely ignoring the fact that you are using your thumb to operate them instead of your longer digits.
The scroll wheel should be vertical instead of horizontal, so that you can spin it using only one joint of your thum instead of having to use two (i.e. curling your finger.) On a wheel mouse this is fine since your other fingers are relatively long compared to the travel of the wheel, but this is awful for your thumb.
As an engineer, it pains me to see products with great technology and great potential get completely bungled by industrial designers who make incremental changes to a flawed design instead of thinking about things from the ground up. The thing that is even sadder is that this is probably one of the best trackballs on the market.
The tracking is pretty good though; I may have to tear mine apart and rebuild it the way I would have.
Two stars because this device causes me as much pain as a standard wheel mouse while costing several times more, and because the lost potential bugs me every time I look at it.
Back to the store!
11 pretty good
This deserves probably 4.5 or 5 stars. I used mine for 2 or 3 years now. My wife's cordless Logitech(which is newer than the Mictosoft trackball ) started to go a month ago.
She only plays games like Mahjong, and a cordless trackball was just the ticket. Hers gave out. I let her have my Microsoft Explorer Trackball, since its still works nice.
I went back to a mouse.(YUK!) I hope she can get by w/ this trackball. I think it'll work fine.
Using the 2 buttons on the right side was tricky at first. Use a light touch so u can feel the little indentations.
What are these complaints about an awkward button set up? Go thru all the options as u install the driver. U can set this up pretty much as u wish. Or look for the mouse icon over by the clock at the bottom of your screen. Double click it, and reconfigure the buttons from there.
I just took this trackball off my machine(ME) and installed it on a 98 machine. Works/worked well on both machines.
It has a very nice shape. I'm of average height, but have slightly stubby fingers. It fits(did fit) me very well. I miss it. I dont know if I'll be cheap and use the mouse w/ keyboard tricks, or buy another of these. This is a nice trackball. It really holds pet hair, tho.
either dust the ball off or wipe w/ a slightly dampened rag. But its such a nice trackball, in spite of this problem.
And when u set it up, make sure you're setting it up for the trackball explorer, not some other mouse or trackball. Evidently this software was designed to handle every Microsoft mouse or trackball that Microsoft makes.
12 Lifelong Trackball owner, this is the best one I've ever had
I've been using Trackballs since back in the 486 days. This is the best one I've ever owned. I fits perfectly in my hand and is very easy and comfortable to use. This trackball a great for gaming despite what the close minded mouse lovers say (take it from someone who is paid to play games). Accuracy and smoothness are not an issue. One of the best computer products I've ever purchased.
13 best investment for my workspace
I LOVE this mouse! I've had it for a few months now and I don't regret it. The programmable buttons are excellent. I have the far right one as right-click button, the second to the right button as the forward navigation button, the far left button as the left-click button and the second to the left button as the back navigation button. This has helped me spread out my hand and allows my pointer finger to be the one I use for the back navigation button (although I can also use my thumb).
14 Ideal trackball
I use this trackball because I have limited desk space.
First off, many of the problems people are writing in this space are PICNIC- 'problem in chair not in computer', or in this case, the trackball.
1-Clean your mouse. Oil from your hands and dust in the air will collect inside. After a month, running your finger inside the rollerballs can be done as an afterthought and takes two seconds.
2-Inproperly assigned keys? Give me a break. You can change them yourself, or, even better, get used to them. They make a ton of sense. I switch between this trackball and a Microsoft optical mouse at work without thinking about it. The back-forward buttons on the right side of the unit are perfect for web browsing.
3-Not ergonomic? I am 6'4 with huge hands, and it is no problem for me. On the other hand, my wife has petite hands and uses this trackball without complaint. If this mouse doesn't fit your hand, then I question your own sitting position/desktop arrangement.
This trackball is ideal for limited desktop space. The trackball is large and gives you plenty of control over motion. I use it all the time for business applications, web browsing, adobe photoshop, and also for gaming purposes. As with ANY pointing device, whether it be stationary or not, there is a little adjustment period, for me it was a few web pages. But if you're looking for a full-featured trackball, this is the way to go. 5 stars.
15 Very Disappointing
My company bought me this model because they cannot buy Logitech (won't go into why here.)I have a couple of Logitech trackballs at home and they are much better ergonomically. Here is my gripe list with this MS trackball:
- the buttons are plentiful but badly placed (at least for my hand) For example, the scroll wheel sits in between the two 'main' mouse buttons on the left making it difficult to easily right-click. (sure, you can re-assign the buttons...but keep reading.)
- You have to move your thumb too much to click the upper side(right-click) button. It should have been placed closer to the V between your thumb and index finger; it does not follow the arc of your thumb's movement so, at best, you are clicking on the rear of the button--if you don't miss it completely (which I am constantly doing)
- The two buttons to the left of the optical ball are a pain to use because if you position your hand so that your thumb overcomes the above gripes, then your ring and pinky fingertips are out of position to use the two buttons. It requires having to move your hand (a trackball is supposed to alleviate that)
- IntelliPoint software is different on Mac and Windows. KEY difference (and maybe this is a Windows limitation): you can't assign a keystroke to a mouse button in Windows.
If you have an average size hand, I would not buy this mouse. Look at the Logitech Marble Mouse and save $30--or move up to one of the Wireless Logitechs ($59 and $69) They just feel better ergonomically. All are optical technology.
16 Excellent pointing device
I have been using computers for 20 year and this track ball for 3 years. With the years most people will develop some pain from using the mouse. I find this device to be an excellent replacement. It will really minimize the movement of the hand and increase the comfort.
There is some learning before you will be as fast as you can be with a mouse, but it is well worth the effort.
Highly recommend the device.
17 This is a mouse on super steroids!
Love this trackball! Once you used it, it becomes very difficult to go back and use the old mouse. I am converting all my work computer and home computer to use this trackball. The best feature is that it has the BACK and FORWARD button easily accesible by the fourth and pinky. The design is extremely egronomic and keeps my hands relax all the time. The trackball is precise. The thumb has to do a lot of work of scrolling, left click and right click though. It takes a little adjusting to at the beginning. But once you're used to it, you just can't go back to using a regular mouse (it becomes really really anonying when you do).
18 Gimmicky Lights, Poor Tracking, Improperly Assigned Buttons
To call this input device a "trackball" is misleading. It does not "track" very well at any resolution setting. You must install the Intellimouse software in order to change the default button positions, which places what we all know as the "right" mouse button to the left of the ball. This is simply stupid and I cannot imagine that the engineers who designed this input device actually use this aging product anymore.
If you have Windows XP, the built-in mouse driver with its welcome highly-precise tracking feature will be replaced, and turned off, with the Intellimouse software which also has a slightly different acceleration scheme and is a lot less precise. Unfortunately you cannot use the built-in Windows XP mouse driver unless you actually want your "right mouse button" to be assigned to the "upper-left mouse button."
The shape of the housing is very comfortable for right-handed users only. Southpaws cannot comfortably use this device in any fashion. The housing fits my right hand so well but the perspiration can be troublesome since your entire hand will be flush against the unit.
When this model first came out several years ago it was over seventy dollars. Get it under promotion and you probably won't be disappointed, but I think the twenty-dollar Logitech Marble Mouse is a massively higher quality and more useable product than this one.
I think it's worth mentioning that the ball socket is lit up by several LED's that are only activated when you install the Intellimouse software. If you don't install the software you only get one light (and a stupidly-placed right-mouse-button on the left!).
19 Great Mouse
I purchased this mouse after having a earlier version of this mouse except that one wasn't optical. This mouse is great. It works well with any software. My greatest use for this mouse is for my game playing. I play SOF2 online and this mouse has worked wonders for me. Its programmable buttons are great. Overall trackballs are much easier and more comfortable than regular mice. Microsoft has created a great buy!!!!
20 Microsoft controls your computer
I bought this trackball to replace my Logitech trackball when I got a new computer and could not get a driver for the old trackball. This trackball feels great, allowing me to hold my hand in the ergonomically correct and comfortable position. And you can choose how to set up the buttons, which is wonderful for people like me who don't like to use their thumbs to do the clicking.
But here's the bad part. I like to have a mouse installed on my computer so that other folks can figure out how to use it on those occasions when they find it necessary to do so. The software that allows me to map the buttons to carry out my desired commands has some strange idea about other pointing devices on my computer. It has decided which are the two primary buttons and it maps whatever functions I choose for those primary buttons onto the mouse functions. The end result is that when you click the left button on the mouse, it thinks you want to surf back to the previously viewed web site. And when you click the right mouse button, it navigates in the forward direction.
I'm not sure why the trackball software finds it necessary to control my mouse. I think it's evil. I may have to replace this trackball very soon, which is a shame. It's very cool looking with that big red ball. And it's very comfortable to use. But if you share your computer with other users who want to use a mouse, buy something else. Perhaps the newer Logitech would have been better.
21 Not Accurate
I have used a trackball since 1991. I got this product because I got a new computer and wanted something else new. I like the button options and the wheel that can be accellerated. However, these pros do not compensate for the poor accuracy. As I had read in other reviews, the ball will stick unless you press hard on it sometimes. It's hard to explain, but there are times when your thumb glides across the ball without the ball moving. So you have to press harder, but the bushings (little pins that support the ball) will hold the ball in place. The result is jerky performance. I reconnected a couple of old Logitech trackballs and could not reproduce this effect. Yes, I do regularly clean the Microsoft ball as well.
It isn't the optics or anything electronic, it is simply the makeup of the ball and bushing.
Good Luck
AJ
22 Mixed review
I had a Logtech Trackman Marble FX for about 8 years before the right mouse button stopped working... But that's another story. You can read my review about that one if you want. I'll go straight to the pros and cons:
Pros:
Ergonomic shape, nice large ball operated with your fingers and thumb.
4 mouse buttons and a clickable scroll wheel, perfect for gamers. All buttons are reassignable to perform any function, or to do a variety of functions within windows. Note that the bundled software calls middle click "autoscroll," and buttons 4 and 5 are called the back and forward web browser navigation buttons. Good for your average user, but a techie like me likes the buttons to be called what they really are.
It's wired, unlike the Logitech version. Wireless products are a solution looking for a problem for me, and I don't like shelling out the extra dough.
You can reassign buttons to do different functions on a per-program basis. For games I have it assigned to the default button setup so that the game recognizes all the buttons as mouse1, mouse2, etc.
Cons:
Very imprecise at high sensitivity settings. The cursor will actually move in steps of several pixels. This might be because the dots on the ball are rather large, but not certain. The solution for those who like high sensitivity settings is to set it for medium sensitivity and turn on low acceleration. The non-linearity that results makes you feel a bit disconnected from the onscreen cursor, however.
Not pros and cons, just observations:
By default, the left-right-middle mouse buttons are operated by your thumb instead of your fingers, unlike a regular mouse. This can be reassigned, I've reassigned the far right button to right click because it's a bit more intuitive, and I have a button bound to shift so I can use it and the scroll wheel for forward-back navigation in my web browser.
It takes a few days to really get used to, like the transition from a straight keyboard to a "natural" one.
It looks like there's three red LEDs inside, but only one is actually near a sensor, the other two are just there to make it glow an ominous red.
23 This is the Hot Lick for CAD.
I use this for AutoCAD, it's the best thing out there short of the high dollar CAD devices. Buttons are all programmable, I typically set the buttons for Clic, esc., enter and shortcut menu or toggling OSnaps on and off. The wheel is what I zoom with, and when pushed, I have an extra button that I set to pan. It's really comfortable, and I'd never try to draw with anything else. Unless my employer sprung for one of those 400 or 500 dollar devices designed for CAD. There is only one, just one thing I would change about it and that would be to make it cordless. Hey Bill Gates!!! Can ya make this thing with Bluetooth???
24 I hate to say it but it blows my Kensington away.
For years I have used many Kensingtons for production purposes and home use and what always frustrated me was that the rollers had to be cleaned at least once a day because when they got dirty would skip or slip and it was very frustrating to stop what you were doing just to get your trackball to work. I tried a friends Microsoft trackball mouse and noticed how smooth it was and how I could control it it so easily so I asked for one at work, I got it and it has sped my accuracy up and I have never had to clean it yet! and it still is just as accurate and smooth as when I got it 5 months ago! The only problem I have with it is that the right 2 buttons are too close together and so sometimes I hit the wrong buttons but this is nothing compared to the speed and lack of frustration I use to have.
I like it so much I had to get one for my Mac at home.
Kensington should get on the ball if it wants to keep up with this mouse.
25 Good, but I miss my Logitech
I recently purchased this product after my LogiTech trackball, that I'd been using for 3 years, finally bit the dust. After searching everywhere for the same model, I cam up empty handed and had to switch to this product.
Let me just say, that Microsoft has a long way to go before their trackballs are as comfortable or as intuitive as LogiTechs.
First off, the fit of this one is just not there, it's too in your hand, and even I, who dosent have all that big of a body, seems to swarf it with my hand. Also, the placement of the buttons, especially the right two, can be difficult to use and get used two. There are two buttons side-by-side, that are completely identical. If you're not paying attention, it's easy to mistakenly click one instead of the other.
Second, the track ball just dosen't seem substancial.. It's lightweight, and tends to float around in the holder, making for less-than-smooth scrolling and foget precision pointing. I often times have to ferverntly clean the optical sensor, something I rarely had to do with my LogiTech.
Lastly, it just seems like it's a cheaply built product. The butons aren't tightly affixed, so clicking isn't clean and precise, rather the bottons are somewhat loose, and tend to 'float' around. Like I mentioned earlier, the trackball isn't substantial, and dosent seem to fit snug into the device.
I've been an avid trackball user for YEARS, and they've evolved leaps and bounds from the past decade. But I must say, after going from a Logitech to a Microsoft, I feel that I've gone back to my Pentium 60 days . . .
26 New technology? Not with this product!
As a Trackball user, I've been happy using my first Trackball, a Logictech. One of there first I believe. It simply wore out and I replaced it on November 5,2002 with this Microsoft Trackball. I was at first, happier than a new kid with a bike. I could go anywhere with it, and finally, somebody decided that using the internet does indeed have different demands: include a forward and back button on the mouse! 8 months later,around April or May 2003, I removed my dead mouse. It became unstable and wouldn't function at all. Microsoft Fed Ex-ed me a brand new replacement. Now thats service. On November 8, 2003, this replacement mouse also became unstable and I had to remove it: I can't do graphic work with a mouse that won't function. But this time, I have already ordered a non-Microsoft Trackball. They do need to perform a final test on this series of mice. 8 months is way too short for a $49.00 mouse! No, I have not contacted Microsoft. I'd never hear a word. I won't waste my time. I really wish this mouse would last. It incorperates many fine features that make it a mouse of choice.
27 Save your wrist now with a trackball!
I first thought it would be bizarre to use a trackball as an architect, doing AutoCAD drawings, so I been avoided the trackball for years. My boss at work kind of force us to use it (actually, he said try it for a month). The one I used was a Logitech's Trackman which use a thumb to control the ball. It took me 2 weeks to get use to it. I was slow at first, thing were hard to click, and I got a little frustrated. But, your brain is always learning new tricks. I decided to get a trackball for home. I pick Microsoft, because I surf more at home and there are more buttons, 4 buttons, 1trackball and 1 scroll wheel, which is more luxury. It took me a day to get use to the index finger. I programmed this trackball to close program with just a click. I prefer to use the thumb trackball over the index trackball. It has a more accurate feel to it. This trackball use the index finger, but the thumb trackball are made with 2 less buttons. The Logitech index trackball use batteries, I got a MS's laser mouse with batteries once and you always wondered when do you have to replace the batteries, so it because a mental hassle. MS's service is great, my laser intelli-explorer died about a year. I call up MS and they sent me a new one like 2-3 months later. Wash your index fingers, when it gets wet it pick up dirt and you get a chucky movement and you have to rub the dirt off, so this product is not as clean free as it is stated. Another problem is this mouse is huge. Your whole palm is on the mouse. Overall this product will save my wrist in the long run. I don't get little wrist sprain anymore. It is hard at first to switch to a trackball, but it is worth the try. I would give this five stars, but the 3-buttons thumb Logitech is much smoother, by far.
28 prevents arthritis discomfort.
hated using the regular mice at work and library. bought a computer with optical mouse included. it was much better, but kept going off the pad and had to be repositioned. then saw this at a store. it sits in one spot and the red ball is rotated with my index finger to move the on-screen pointer. i'm able to sit it on edge of table, elbow on arm of chair, with no wrist or shoulder movement; thus no arthritis discomfort. this thing even comes with software to make a bunch of cool adjustments and screen displays. amazon had the lowest delivered cost.
29 Good trackball with some drawbacks
I bought the MS Trackball Explorer about a 1 1/2 years ago. It works well, with a couple of major flaws: 1. The cord is far too short; if you have a computer desk with the CPU a distance away from the trackball, it simply doesn't reach. I have a pull-out shelf, and the trackball pulls up under it every time I slide it out. 2. The Explorer needs to have secure rubber "feet" to keep it from slipping all over the place on a smooth surface (such as veneer). 3. Those who say you don't have to clean this device are in error. Sweat from your hand, dust, etc. form gunk that looks like earwax around the three metal sensors, and these have to be cleaned periodically; otherwise, the trackball won't move the cursor around properly. This was my first trackball, so I do assume mechanical ones required far more frequent cleaning than this one does-I average about once a month (use my PC about 2 hours per day).
Because of the cord problem, I am considering buying a Logitech MX 700 Cordless Optical Mouse.
30 Looks Cool, Feels Great
I used a mouse for years and suffered with hand cramps and stiffness. When my wrist started to ache I decided it was time to lose the mouse and get a more ergonomic input device. I ended up with a Logitec TrackMan. It took a little getting used to but, hey, the pain stopped and hasn't returned.
A few more years and a new job I moved to the MS Trackball Explorer and quickly became a convert. What sold me was the thumb scroll wheel which became a necessity when scanning web sites or when using almost any MS Office or Windows product. How could I have ever lived without this marvel?
The buttons are all programmable and the wheel can be set to skip lines for faster scrolling. The optical tracking works great and since the unit doesn't move there's more desk space for piles of loose papers and junk.
It's a great product and, for me, an easy way to solve the irritation of pain and cramping.
31 Comfortable and Cool
I can never seem to get a mouse with more than 2 buttons to work in a game. That said, I was thrilled when I was able to get all 5 buttons (including the wheel) to work on this mouse in practically any game I have. The large ball has nice weight, and spins quite smooth, excellent for when I have to do a 180 and railgun someone chasing me.
The trackball needs to be cleaned about once a week (maybe I'm just dirty), looks very cool, is very comfortable in a large or medium hand, and works very well. Children or people with small hands may have trouble using the 2 buttons on the right side.
I'm definately happy with this purchase.
32 Trackball improves with Modification
I've been using trackballs for years, finally replacing my old Logitech with the MS Trackball Explorer. I really like the addition of the mousewheel and the four programmable buttons. My "complaint" has been that the design cause me to bend my wrist backwards to fit the shape. Solution: I added about 1 1/2 inches of height to the front (toward me) of the trackball, elevating that end so that my wrist no longer has to bend so dramatically. MUCH, much better!
While I wish the trackball itself were bigger, the optical tracking is smooth and trouble free. All in all, a good product, made better for me with some tape and old wrist rest foam.
33 Tough on the Wrist
This mouse is a bit tough on your wrist. As I read in another article that it was tough for small hands. I'm a pretty big guy thus have some big hands and its still tough on my wrist. I find that it seems to angle a little to bit upward causing some stress on my wrist. Enough stress that I'm using my other arm to browse the web while I look for a new mouse. The mouse works great and has a great deal of buttons for many uses but the angle is just to hard on me.
34 Couldn't wait to get it!!!
I ordered this in replacement to a wireless optical mouse that I had for about a year and a half. I am still using this, I got sick of carying it with my laptop. Every time I wanted to use it, I had to get batteries out... The whole song and dance.
When I started looking, I was looking for a "mini" wireless notebook mouse, something not as cumbersome as the last mouse I was carrying.
I read the reviews on any of the mice that looked like they were worth the money, and they all didn't seem like there were any that were worth the money. Most of them said that they lost the connection intermittently and had trouble connecting.
I thought, what is the next step. I didn't want to get a mouse with issues like that, and I though of the trackball we use at work, and figured I would check them out.
A trackball was more practical for me because everyday, I take a train into school, two hours each way. I use my laptop on the train, and because I don't have a flat surface to use the mouse on I figured the trackball would work nicely. Its great.
I have read some reviews about people saying the motion on-screen is jumpy, why I don't know maybe they had a defective one or their computer didn't want to communicate with it they way it should. If you read the Technical data on the trackball Explorer, it resamples 1,500 times a second. Just think about how smooth the cursor moves around the screen if it resamples that often. My dad smerked when I showed him what I got, because he usually follows me in what I buy, he was like "It's not wireless". I think that is a small price to pay for such a nice pointing device.
35 Nice alternative to the conventional mouse
I bought this mouse for my father because of his bad shoulder. It seemed moving his whole arm with the conventional mouse upset it. Well, he seems to like this one because he doesn't have to alter the position of his shoulder to move the cursor-- The mouse stays in one place while the ball is moved.
It's a good product and I was able to install it without any problem.
36 If only it would last
As a trackball, the ergonomics are fantastic. Perfect for precise use (graphics). Alas, very pricey considering they really don't last long. You will be lucky to get a year out of one before one (or more) buttons stop working.
37 Best Trackball
I have owned more than 15 different trackballs and this one is the best by far.
Nuff said.
38 Do you want more accuracy and comfort than a regular mouse ?
If "yes" then you need to buy this trackball.
This trackball is ergonomically formed, so it is very comfortable because it supports your wrist's navicular bone. (Most carpal tunnel aggravations occur from swelling due to excessive strain and movement to that bone.) It will drastically reduce your wrist's movement because the trackball is the mouse and only your fingers move the ball, while the base remains in one place.
Note: You absolutely need to install the software that comes with this Microsoft Trackball Explorer mouse while you still have your old mouse plugged in. Then shut down your computer, plug in your new trackball mouse. Re-start and you ready for the smoothest Internet cruising imaginable.
39 Very good trackball..
I must admit, this is a pretty good trackball. After using a mouse for many years I can't believe I hadn't switched over to a trackball sooner. Fisrt of all, I now don't have to worry about manuvering my mouse over my clutered desk or worry about the dang blasted cord connected to my mouse. Second, this thing feels pretty natural. The buttons are pretty much where the should be which allows me to move click and search with ease.
I work on a computer everyday, all day, this was definately a good investment.
40 AWFUL COMPANY
I have been waiting almost 2 months for something that should only have taken 5 days!! DO NOT ORDER FROM THIS COMPANY!! THEY WILL RIP YOU OFF.
41 You don't know what your missing!
I have used nothing but trackballs since the early 90's and boy have they come along way! Without exception this is the best improvemnt in trackball technology to date. The smoothness is feature I really love! There is no more sticking of the ball and there is more percision to the movement of the pointer. The extra buttons are nice, though the only time I use them is on the Internet going forward or back on a page. If you like using a trackball you will love this one, if you have never tried a trackball you don't know what you are missing and should give this one a test drive.
42 Almost as good a mouse as Stuart Little...
The Microsoft TrackBall Explorer is a great mouse to use, once you get use to the layout.
This mouse comes with five buttons and a trackball. The far left button is your "left click." The scroll wheel next to it is used to move up and down the page on the screen (can also be clicked so that you can use the trackball to move through the page faster). The button on top of that is your "right click" button. All three of these buttons are used by your thumb.
The trackball itself is very easy to use (though you will probably need to adjust the speed). The two buttons on the right are used in conjunction with the "back" and "forward" button on Webpages. Through the accompanying software, you can change these two buttons for other uses if you prefer (but I have to admit, having them there programmed for Webpages sure makes it nicer than having to scroll up and press the "back" button).
If you have a small hand, this trackball mouse is not for you. It is a little too big and oddly shaped for small hands to be comfortable using it.
A note of caution for anyone who does buy this mouse: It will take some time getting use to. The shape and layout of the mouse will be a little uncomfortable at first. You will have to play around with how best to rest your hand on the mouse so that you will be comfortable. But once you find that spot, this mouse is easy to you, durable, and quite comfortable.
43 does all right
It beats my old mouse and is easier to use with my big hands.
44 Great while it lasts
I have purchased several (10) of these trackballs for myself and friends. I love it -- while it works. Of the five that I have used on desktops at the office and home as well as with laptops, all have failed. In each and every case it is the wire connection to the trackball body. The wires stop making contact and the trackball stops working. You can wiggle the wires for a few days and it will work for awhile. Eventually they all stop working at all. I have kept the balls from the broken trackballs in case I want to play giant marbles.
If Mr. gates would make the cable a bit sturdier I would buy another.
45 Easy to use and extremely comfortable
I just got this for Christmas and I absoulutely love it. I went from a mouse to this trackball, and so it took a while to get used to, but it sure beats using a mouse! My wrist used to ache after using a mouse, but I've had no pain at all with the trackball. Since it has an optical sensor, there's no need to take the ball out and clean it like you have to do with a mouse. And it takes up a lot less space, which is really nice if you have a small desk like mine. I'd recommend this product to anyone. Well worth the money!
46 Hurting? This might be the product for you!
About a year ago, I was told that I had a ganglion cyst. It was a soft bubble on my hand caused by clicking the mouse. My whole wrist was constantly in pain. My job requires long hours using Word, Excel, and other applications where the use of the mouse was vital. After a lot of research, I decided to buy this product. I selected the product for work because this trackball allows you to click with your thumb and move the cursor with your fingers. It also has a nice scroll wheel. That took a lot of pressure from my hurting area. This trackball is very big compared to other products, but I have very small hands and I love it. Another coworker with bigger hands has the trackball explorer now and he loves it too. It also took care of his problems. Along with this product I also bought an ergonomic keyboard and I got smarter on good posture for the hands and arms. I think everything helped in taking care of a lot of the wrist pain I had on both hands. However, I credit the trackball alone with taking care of the ganglion cyst on my right hand. Now that I will work more from home, I will buy another one.
47 Easy to use trackbell
I am an avid trackball user, and had to upgrade to this one when my old microsoft went kaputz. I love this trackball. It has every feature I could want in a peripheral, is simple to use, and easy on the carpal tunnels for those of you on the computer a lot. I would recomment this product whole-heartedly.
48 Best Pointing Device in the World
This is the best pointing device in the world. I love it so much I bought two--one for home and one for work. I am a long-time trackball user--I had two Logitechs before this.
What I love about this pointing device is EVERYTHING. The ball moves like silk, and it's removeable without taking the whole thing apart, so you can clean it and keep it moving like it's new.
The buttons are great too, and there are five of them plus a wheel! Two are on the right, two on the left, and the wheel itself can be clicked like a button.
Hand-in-hand with the buttons is the software (driver) that lets you customize button behavior. It's great. It's been a year since I used Logitech's driver, but at the time I switched, I had the latest Logitech software and it didn't hold a candle to the MS software.
Last and, in this case, probably least, it's a great-looking device. The body is titanium, the buttons are gray and the ball is red. The great part, though, is that the optical glow that's so cool is on top--in the cradle where the ball rests--and it looks soooo cool, especially in the dark!
I have had my two for more than 18 months, and haven't had the least problem out of either one. I've used them primarily with Win2k and XP. I also have Linux at home, and although I can't customize my buttons the way I did in Windows, their default behaviors work fine. I didn't have to do anything to Linux Mandrake 7 to make it work.
49 Won't use anything else!
I bought this a few years ago...being used to the average two button mouse it took a little while getting used to. However, now I won't use anything else! I wish they came out with a cordless version. It fits my hand so well and the buttons that were a little awkward to use at first are now so easy to use and well placed. I scroll and click with my thumb and move the wheel with my forefinger. The other two programmable buttons to the right of the wheel are clicked with your middle and ring fingers, and the whole device fits my hand like a glove. You barely have to move your fingers to use the buttons, once you get used to the layout and you can even place the trackball horizontally or diaganolly in front of you (which I do) - which is why I don't ever feel "awkward" the way one of the reviewers does. If you place the trackball vertically with the cord facing north, you will ulitmately have a fatigued hand. But after getting used to the layout of this trackball, you don't have to keep it vertical anymore and can place it any way you like. Once placed in a position that is comfortable, it is so natural to operate that using a mouse again is so uncomfortable. If you have the patience to try this out, I highly recommend it. I haven't been able to find a cordless trackball that even comes close to this...pity!
50 did not meet expectation
positives:
looks cool, buttons are customizeable, easy to clean
negatives:
Not as precise as I wanted to be. I used to have the logitech trackman fx which broke recently so I decided to get this one. The dots on the logitech trackball are more finer than this one and makes the percision better. If you slowly move the trackball horizontally/vertically, you can see that the cursor jitters. this is NOT a plus if you want to use image-editing programs. also BAD if you need to play a game that requires precise aiming like counter-strike.
also, the upper button located left of the trackball is too close to the wheel. actually, both thumb buttons feel akward except the scroll wheel.
since i don't turn off my computer, the red light can be annoying when trying to sleep.
conclusion:
I would recommend the logitech trackman fx over this one. I can't comment on the cordless trackman fx since i don't have one.
51 a great mouse
i am a huge fan of trackball mice. in my opinion this trackball is one of the best i have tried, it fits my hand perfectly and is very comfortable. it has a tendancy to get dirty kind of fast but cleaning it is a breeze. if you like trackballs this is one to get.
52 Great Trackball
I brought this trackball when i started feeling pain in my wrists from daily use of an optical mouse. Once i got the microsoft trackball explorer, the pain in my wrist disappeared. The trackball explorer keeps your wrist positioned in one place and makes use of your index finger to move the trackball around. The trackball does need alittle getting use to, but in a week or two, it be second nature like walking. Overall a great buy if you are looking for a trackball.
53 This Trackball Rules
It's quick, accurate, easy to use, comfortable, 5 programable buttons. Microsoft sent me this as a free replacement for my old Intellimouse mechanical trackball that had a 3yr. warrenty. This Optical version has a 5 yr. warrenty, with less mechanics to wear out. So far I love it, and for me the price was right.
54 Good but cheap
I love a track ball because I am not all over the desk. It stays in place and is easier to use once I got used to it. I have always used Logitec, but their drivers screw up their own devices. I decided to switch to Microsoft because I felt that it would be much more compatible with Win 2000. It does install and operate much better, but I was disappointed with how cheap it was made. It feels too light and thrown together. Rough around the edges. I hope it last.
55 It's a good thing I got my money back!
I have been using trackballs ever since I got my first computer. This one ranks dead last. You would think the new technology would be great, but it's a drawback. I could only stand to use this trackball for 3 hours due to the fact that my onscreen mouse movement was very jerky. I need precise and smooth movement to do my job and can get it with a Logitech. I sold this mouse on eBay for a profit.
56 A very nice trackball, overall
Sometime in the mid-nineties, I purchased my first trackball - one of the mechical Logitechs - and I haven't looked back to conventional mice since then. One of the things I really didn't enjoy was having to frequently clean the little rascals, though, a problem with any mechanical mousing instrument. With the advent of optical devices, this problem is almost completely wiped out. I have to clean this trackball every several weeks, but clean-up is a complete snap - turn it upside down, let the ball fall out, and run a clean cloth around the inside of the chamber. Voila. Occasionally, cat hairs get stuck in the small cut-out at the bottom, but are easily blown out. Oh happy day!
This is a 5-button mouse, though in all honesty, I don't tend to use the two buttons on the outside very often - fortunately, they're out of the way enough not to interfere with daily use. But, if you "grip" the mouse, rather than rest your hand upon it, you might bump into those two buttons more often. They can be deprogrammed, though.
The two main buttons for left- and right-click are well-placed, and my thumb doesn't get tired, even in the midst of a "Deux Ex"-fest, blasting the living daylights out of everything in sight. The wheel (which also functions as a "middle" button) is nicely-textured for excellent ease of use. Ergonomically shaped, this mouse has yet to cause me any carpal miseries.
The finger trackball took me a bit of time to get used to, as I have always used thumb trackballs in the past. I've found, though, that the finger ball is much more comfortable; with the thumb trackball, a lot of tension and stress would accumulate in that digit, and I hadn't even fully realized it until it went away.
I spent hours and hours at a time in front of my computer, and I have major complaints about this device. The only thing I truly wish were different is that I wish it had a longer cord; as it stands, it's stretched completely taut, and frequently scootches back underneath the overhang above my keyboard tray. Other than that, I'm very satisfied with this product.
57 Don't let the Price Tag Scare you
As an avid computer user, gamer, and professional Web Programmer, I spend a LOT of time on my computer. Over time, I've resorted to Trackballs because of the strain a regular mouse puts on the wrist. I had purchased and fallen in love with my logitech optical trackball, and thought that was the end of it.
However, recently I started working in "Maya", a 3d graphics rendering program that REQUIRES a 3 button mouse. I was distraught because I loved my optical trackball so much, but it only had two buttons. All the other 3+ button trackballs I could find were not optical, which I had tried before. non-optical mice have a tendancy to force the cursor into perfectly horizontal or vertical motions, and makes fine motion graphics impossible.
As for optical trackballs with more than 3 buttons, most place the ball under the thumb, which is beyond akward to use. So after much searching both online and in stores, I found this mouse.
The price tag made me a little weary at first...not what I'm used to dishing out for something as simple as a mouse. But I decided it was worth giving at least a TRY. so I bought it and took it home.
My machine running XP recognized it without problem, though the extra buttons didn't work right until I installed the software that came with it... To try and do multiple buttons with just the thumb proved impossible.
Overall, I'm glad I took a chance on this mouse, and I'm looking to soon purchase a second one for my work machine. I would highly reccomend this mouse to anyone that needs the multiple buttons on an optical trackball. If you don't, while it is nice, there are less expensive options.
58 Excellent Precision
I started a project at work that required using drawing applications so I purchased this trackball to replace my old Microsoft trackball. The precision on this thing is incredible. If you need control of your cursor for games/applications this would be the way to go. I constantly use the two "Spare" buttons and they have different uses in each application which is customizable inside the trackball software - for example in IE my spare buttons do refresh/forward and back. In word they do search/copy and paste.
59 Almost perfect
Probably no one pointing device will be ideal for everyone. For a trackball user, It is a real delight to have one that does not balk at the first sight of the crud that inevitably transfers from the hands. The large ball is smooth and precise and the large contoured left button is in exactly the right place.
The right-side buttons are awkward to use; larger size and finger depressions might have helped. I think I would have preferred the wheel to the right of the ball, as on the mechanical explorer, although it does make a nice 'barrier' between the two buttons.
It bugs me to have to say something nice about a Microsoft product, but all in all, I think this is almost as good as it gets.
60 Great Trackball, but with some flaws
Microsoft did a great job with this mouse, though it's not perfect. For one thing the two extra buttons on the right side are awkward to use. Especially for someone who's not familiar with using the trackball. My roomate keeps thinking the "right-click" is the button on the far right. Logical, correct? Also, my biggest peeve is that this trackball does NOT work well with a KVM-switch at all. I have to use one for space purposes and when I switch back and forth, the signal is sometimes lost and I have to switch again just to try and pick up the mouse. Sometimes the mouse interprets the switch as a click, and I end up with a context menu, or a marquee box on my desktop or worse. I've even had to reboot! What I've done in the interim to help this problem is NOT install the software, and the switching seems to be less buggy. Still, I like the look of the mouse. The red lighted ring around the ball is kewl and goes well with my Blue-lighted SONY VIAO.
61 Warp 5, Mr. Sulu
Sleek, silver and glowing - I have this space-age thing on my desk that delights me. It's improved the position of my hand so that my CTS has ebbed, though I still need a wrist rest and frequent breaks. All the buttons, including the wheel button, are programmable, bringing the total of moving gizmos to 5 buttons a trackball and a wheel. This alone is reason to fiddle endlessly with it, trying to come up with the best combination of programming to suit the natural play of your hand. If anything, there are too many possible combinations of function, and you may spend a week or more playing with this puppy before you find a workable group of settings.
The functions are smooth, and reasonably reliable, depending on the position your hand takes. I find the left-hand buttons difficult to hit correctly with my thumb, thanks to some nerve damage so I reprogrammed them until I found a way that was comfortable for me to work. I strongly suggest you do the same.
If you're running Win XP, you'll have to d/l the newest Intellipoint drivers, but that's not a big deal. Installation is a snap with Plug 'n' Play.
I never thought I'd find anything that pleased me as much as my old Logitech trackball, but I have to say that I think this one might do it. Time will tell. But right from the start, I found it worth the investment.
62 Finally a mouse for the Internet
I hate to take my move my hands from the keyboard to the mouse or vice versa. This trackball is great for web browsing with its 2 extra buttons, which map to the browser back and forward buttons. You don't have to click on the BACK button to go to the previous page, or press the back button on your keyboard. It keeps your focus on the pointer. Its comfortable too.
The only thing to note is that you use your fingers to move the ball around, rather than your thumb like on Logitech trackballs and Microsoft's less expensive trackball. This takes some getting used to, but its painless.
63 Retraction
The previous criticism should have been directed at the Help file writers. 2 hrs of phone time, 1 hr of download time, and there is a solution to the inaccuracy of the trackball. My version of the driver (off-the-shelf) was 2 (18 months) versions old. Adjustments: [Pointer Speed] to medium/[Advanced] button > [Pointer Acceleration] checked, then select [High] from the radio buttons. THEN the trackball will recognize dialog box & control edges!! I use my trackball all day, everyday. I'm now quite happy now.
If u use a switch box to go between computers (one mouse/kb/monitor used for 2+ computers, be sure to boot each computer with the switch box pointing to the booting computer. Otherwise it boots up on default mouse.
64 Absolutely Horrible
Imprecise! Does NOT recognize passing over handles most of the time. If it does it is in the WRONG place. AVOID THIS PRODUCT!!! TRASH!
65 Not great
I started off using trackballs as a replacement for mice because they caused too me too much wrist and forearm strain. I bought this trackball as a replacement for my Kensington Turbomouse, which was nearly worn out from its years of use. I was highly disappointed with my purchase. Upon first glance, I thought the Microsoft trackball would be highly ergonomic, however I found it causing more wrist strain than my old mouse did. Understand that I have rather large hands (for a point of reference, I can just barely palm a basketball), so what I am about to say may not apply to you.
First, the ball was too small. I was used to the Turbomouse's large ball which allowed me to control it with 3 or 4 fingers if needed, however the Trackball Explorer's ball was too small to be accurately controlled in that way.
The button placement was also awkward for me. You have to click inwards with your thumb (as if you were making a fist) instead of downwards with the force of gravity in order to press the right and left click buttons. In addition, the buttons were too close to the trackball forcing me to arch my fingers in order to gain fingertip control of the ball.
As others have mentioned, the scroll wheels get in the way of pressing the right click button.
Finally, the entire trackball device has an upward slope to it that forces you to bend your wrist backwards (towards your body) which causes discomfort. Ideally, input devices should allow your wrist to stay as "limp" as possible, which is the natural resting position of your hand.
There is one thing I liked about the Trackball Explorer though. Its optical tracking is very smooth, which accounts for the 2 stars. Overall, if you have large (relatively speaking) hands, this is not a good buy for you.
66 Absolutely Not Recommended
From my own experience, I must say that the Trackball is not a good buy.
1) The price is a bit steep for a mouse. Yes, it's most likely due to the fact that it's a track ball mouse.
2) The whole thing seems very unprecise. I once tried clicking the minimize button and I closed the program window instead! Luckily, I was just viewing something on the internet but if it was a document you risk the chance of losing it.
3) The mouse is simple too bulky. The buttons on the mouse need to be configered, for example you cannot simply double click on the first action button, you have to infact select a mouse button and assign a double click function to it. You also have to assign a right click button extra, leaving you with few buttons you can configurate yourself.
Ultimately, I would urge buyers to shy away from the product. It simply is not worth the price. Yes, it does look sleek and stylish, but it's just not worth the extra bucks and sacrificing functionality for aesthetic appeal.
67 Excellent and Durable Product
I've had my Trackball Explorer for a couple of months now, and it has performed flawlessly. I mainly use it with my laptop, it works well on any surface because it is a trackball, which does not operate like a mouse, you control the cursor by moving the ball with your fingers, instead of moving the entire device. The trackball itself is very large, a change from previous products that I've owned, which is a great thing, it allows you to control the pointer with virtually all of your fingers.
The button placement couldn't be better, although it took a little bit of practice to get used it, as the right-click and left-click buttons are activated via thumb, but after the learning curve, smooth sailing from there. The back and forward buttons are also a plus, they allow you to browse through you browser's history with a click.
I also *love* the wheel. Scrolling through documents and webpages couldn't be easier, it also acts as a button when pressed, which activates a trackball-controlled scroll, very useful for longer documents.
The Trackball Explorer comes with Microsoft's IntelliPoint software, which means this trackball is *highly* configurable. You can change the action of each of the buttons, the lines scrolls by the wheel and *much* more.
Microsoft has created an excellent product here, very configurable, durable and precise! A recommendation for veteran trackball users and *every* mouse user.
68 A trackball for the 21st Century
A trackball is better than a mouse for me because the dexterity of my index finger is better than my wrist - I think this is generally the case.
I've used MS's mechanical trackball at work and home, but the buggers are too hard to keep clean because of naturally expelling body oils on the skin. The optical mechanism eliminates this problem.
Compare to MS's mechanical trackball the new one is a bit too large for a small/average hand; the right button (on the side) is too small; the two new button are nice but not required; the optical mechanism is less precise than mechanical; the ball is tilted in an unnatural way, the wheel gets in the way of the left/right buttons.
Trully, I wish MS kept the old form but with the new optical mechanism (but more precise than this implementation). However, the elimination of dirt problem makes optical trackball a must - it's impossible to go back to mechanical variant.
69 Great Mouse, very smooth.
The discription erroneously states that 2 AAA Batteries are required.
The mouse at first sight looks enormous, but it is much more comfortable to work with that the old index controlled track ball. I like it so much, that I bought 2 already. The extra 2 buttons (default setting or Back and Forward page while on the net) are addictive. The installation was easy and quick. The ball can fall out if pulled out but does not do so from simply tipping the mouse. Overall would recommend it for heavy users of the net and comfort seekers.
Ala
70 Excellent product!
This is the smoothest, most precise and most comfortable pointing device I've ever used. I liked it so well, that I bought another. It releives the stress on my hands and that's important for a person who uses the device for 10 - 12 hours per day.
71 Looking for a trackball? Look no further!
This thing is excellent! I bought it to use with games since you don't have to worry about small mouse pads, since the base stays put, and the ball rotates. Also, the cord doesn't catch on things annoyingly for the same reason. Lastly, the two extra buttons give more versatility, and literally, at-your-fingertips control while gaming. I have not had to clean this thing at all since I bought it, and contrary to what that other reviewer said, the ball doesn't fall out. Maybe she got a faulty model, or she shook it while it was upside down, but there are small locks on the optical part that the ball pushes in, then when it's past them, they come back out creating a "lock".
It works by capturing an image 1,500 times per second, and moving the cursor based on the "movement path" of the trackball's texture. Therefore, just out of curiousity I even moved my finger around over the optical sensor and it stilled moved. Of course, that's useless but interesting info.
Bottom line, if you like trackballs, and are looking to buy one, buy this one!
72 Definitivamente el mejor Track Ball que he visto
Su ergonomia es excelente, es optico y aunque el precio no es muy bajo bien vale la pena.
73 If you want a Trackball, this is the one to buy.
I was first using the IntelliMouse Trackball non-optical version after my mouse went crazy on me but I still had to cope with cleaning it often. I wanted a trackball that would fit your hand for the most part and have the trackball for your fingers to use not your thumb. I was a little skeptical but after using it now for a couple of weeks, love it. This is much better than using any of those other trackballs that require you to use your thumb. The fit and feel is a little different since this is a bit larger than the other trackball unit but this is still great.
74 Ergonomically awful for my smallish hand
This trackball looks very cool, and the big red ball moves incredibly smoothly and accurately. The software provides a nice range of options. HOWEVER.... For my hand, the placement of the buttons is all wrong. I have to reach too much with my thumb to use the lower thumb button (the left clicker)comfortably.The angle of pressure caused tendon stress. The scroll wheel is very much in the way of using the upper thumb button (right click). And the upper thumb button seems too thin to me. Basically, the two thumb buttons and the scroll wheel were irritating to use and caused pain, especially in thumb joints and tendons. The 2 flat buttons on the right side felt too shallow; i could barely feel where they were without looking. Of course, some of this may have been due to the way i had to angle my hand to use the thumb buttons. PROS: the shape worked well under my wrist, which felt much more supported than on other mice. Movement is very smooth and the red ball feels satisfying to use. Not having to clean it/under it is a plus. CONS: The ball FALLS OUT if you turn the mouse to its side; not great if it is on your lap or, as with me, on pillows. I had many freeze-ups after booting up where the cursor wouldn't move. None with earlier or next mouse; don't know why. And, if you have smaller hands, or, as i do, tendon pain/fibromyalgia/arthritis, you may find the button placement puts too much stress on your hand/fingers/thumbs.
75 Durable responsive and easy on the hand
The ultimate way to test any trackball or mouse is with a 4-hour Diablo II marathon session. I've played countless hours of intense play on Hell level with this trackball and had no soreness in my wrist or hand. Response time is the best and the buttons are in just the right place so you don't feel like you are stretching. If precision is important to you (Photoshop, Framemaker, etc) you can't go wrong with this one either. You can get very precise movements with much greater control than with the optical mice on the market. Bottom line: buy it.
76 Love it!
This is pretty much the perfect trackball I had been looking for. It feels comfortable whether your hand is small or big (I have medium-sized hands myself). The only minor downside is it's for right-handed folks only, but most southpaws should find it easy to use, too.
The best thing about the optical trackball is you never have to clean the inside. I've been using it for a couple months now and the movement is always precise. The buttons are responsive. Even though it's pricy, I think the Trackball Explorer is worth every penny.
(For $20 cheaper, you can get the Microsoft Trackball Optical, but I don't like rolling the ball with my thumb.)
77 Excellent Product
A little pricey, but a quality product nonetheless. If you are tired of cleaning your balls, this product is for you. Smooth action, cleverly placed buttons. I am 100% satisfied with this product.
78 I really like it.
I never used a track ball before so this is my first. My wrist was getting sore using a regular mouse so I decide to try a track ball. It took a couple of days to get used to it but my wrist isn't sore at the end of the day. I works perfectly.
79 Awesome Trackball!
I've had a trackball for 3 years now. I have never known such quick response and ease of mousing. My previous mouse was $20, and I wanted to buy something a little bit nicer. The Trackball Explorer exceeded my expectations. Constantly cleaning my old trackball was a pain. With the optical trackball, no moving parts means no cleaning!
It has 4 buttons (2 of which can be programmed by the software included, they default to forward and back commands for Internet Explorer), and a scroll wheel that also serves as a button.
It also looks cool. It has a nice greyis metalic color to it. Another plus is the fact that its nifty ergonomic design makes this mouse comfortable to use.
Installation was easy. Plug it in, install the drivers, install the software that comes with the mouse, and you're done!
