TechLurkerI've used trackpads (laptop) and trackballs (both thumb and middle finger types) for FPS gaming before, and didn't have issues in mid-tier competitive before I mostly quit those types of ranked PvP games some years back. Obviously, they will be a detriment for serious, high-tier competitive FPS games. The main issues are mainly the eventual finger exhaustion one would get from extended use of those compared to using a proper regular mouse, the inconvenience when needing to use both L/R click buttons for certain bindings, and cleaning out the sensors when the inevitable build-up of dust and dead skin cells occurs.

But as far as trackballs specifically, they were great for quickly turning around with a quick spin, although precision aiming was a matter of training and sensitivity adjustment.

That said, I wonder how this compares to a Logitech Ergo MX and an Elecom HUGE. And given the price, against a 3DConnexion SpaceMouse (Compact), which was something I saw a buddy of mine using both for CAD and for gaming.

MX Ergo is totally different because you got to use your thumb and that does not really work with any game (only my opinion). The HUGE is VERY! good trackball but with a big flaw, the bearings are from the ruby type and the friction is too high so you get choppy and stiff movement out of it.

ZoneDymoIdk why you hold on so literally to the idea of a ball shape.
Its a ball because you can roll it and because you can roll it in any direction forever, it becomes an infinite surface, similair to a normal mouse and an infinitely large desk, except you dont have to walk to access all the surface.
You roll the ball to the left and your character turns to the left, you roll it to the right and it turns to the right, completely the same as with a traditional mouse so you can use this perfectly fine with navigating a desktop, playing shooters, RTS, you name it and as a plus you put less strain on your arms.



Not really, with my mouse I use my thumb to move the ball so I have my index, middle and ring finger on the rest plus 2 extra buttons I can easily reach with my index finger.
With this trackball its the same, you grip the mouse on both sides so you have access to multiple buttons with your thump and your ring and pinky atleast assuming you use both your index and middle finger to roll the ball.
So really you have plenty of buttons at your disposal doing a drag shot.


Bit of an odd request but if you have a reddit account, could you ask here:
Trackballs/comments/pwlld8
if they fixed the "ball hopping out" issue that some people have and is solved with a piece of teflon tape?
Im interested in buying the mouse myself as well but I would like that small probably to be fixed by the manufactuere.

I don´t think it will be fixed for this model but the ball is not falling out, it is rocking a little in the case if you give it a flick to the front but well its not a huge problem, with maybe a fix possible.

for the interested the most detailed review: forum.trackballs.eu/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=122

When someone 360 noscopes you with a trackball. :nutkick:

TheLostSwedeYeah, I've tried a couple of the other Logitech ones, they're just not very good imho. I was having issues at one point and decided to try a trackball instead, but it only made it worse...
The thing that helped me the most to reduce any problems was getting a new, taller chair so my arm is more level with the table, rather than at an angle upwards.

I have used a mouse at work and a trackball at home since ever. The mouse goes in the right hand and the trackball sits under the left hand, even though I'm right handed. I might be able to use both at the same time effectively but haven't yet seen any software that makes use of two pointers (CAD?), however, I'm embarassingly clumsy if I take either mouse or TB in the wrong hand.

Anyway, I believe this has helped me avoid RSI so far, as the repetitive strain is distributed between the two hands. The trackball is the ambidextrous Logitech Trackman Marble. I'm no gamer though.

I don't know about games, since trackballs seem to be better suited to precision, but when I was doing a lot of AutoCAD and EAGLE work a trackball was a pleasure to use, even now I often use Kensington Orbit for everyday usage.
I don't like the shape, seems too narrow and tall, but that's certainly up to individual preference.

Trackballs a remixed bag. I would like to see something a bit like this design gamepad, analog stick, trackball inspired design concept I did in paint though. Perhaps some minor altercations to it. The bottom hexagon is meant to be a analog stick, but you could shift it a but and add a second analog stick and keep the rest of the concept design about the same. The squares are meant to represent low profile optical keys. The placement is meant for ergonomics in mind. The idea is you could slide your index finger from either hand to the trackball or thumbs to the analog stick while keeping the rest of the fingers on the keys. I think such a design would really work well in general with 8 keys on each side plus two analog sticks and a trackball dead center as well.

I have owned the Microsoft Optical Trackball for nearly 20 years for everyday PC use (this one however uses your thumb to control the ball, I can not for the life of me get used to the finger control style like this one in the article). Actually, I have been playing WoW with it exclusively since day one. All other games though (especially anything that requires quick inputs) I do use a proper gaming mouse. Originally I bought it out of necessity as my desk area at the time of owning my 1st computer was SO small that once the keyboard was on it I literally did not even have room for a mouse pad, and therefore no room to physically move a mouse without setting the sensitivity to ludicrous mode. Also, after playing guitar for about 15 years I had started to develop some wrist issues, and the track ball was very helpful in that regard.

***definitely feeling REALLY old when my initial reaction to this new 'gaming track ball' instantly brought back those arcade Missile Command or Centipede vibes, only to realize that there was no other references to them in the comments :(

lynx29I mean for games where you are playing a ball like in Katamari Damacy or that bowling game called Rock of Ages, this would be fun actually, cause you get to pretend like you are the ball as you play the game.

so I disagree with you 100%, its just for very niche games like that only.

I played FPS games such as Tactical Ops (Unreal Tournament mod) for years with a trackball.

Little spendy, but I can see the market. If it was $50 I'd consider getting one to throw in with a laptop or Steamdeck.
I don't regularly use trackballs, but the few times I have, I've always been pleasantly surprised. Still kinda want one for when my wrist acts up. They're also great for tight desk spaces or mobile computing. Where a trackpad or trackpoint isn't sufficient, but there's no appropriate space or surface for a mouse.

This reminds me of way back in the day, when arcades were still a thing (and awesome, at that!), the OG version of "Arkanoid" (which was later ported to the NES) actually used a trackball rather than traditional buttons and control stick. I think "Marble Madness" (also ported to the NES) used a trackball as well, which made perfect sense given that the player was an actual marble that had to navigate through various courses, with the end goal being reaching the finish line at the end.

Two Words: Missile Command

Edit: Ok, a Third Word: Centipede

Trackball gaming really brings me back to being a kid, first thing you do is turn on mouse acceleration. Trackballs work really well in slower FPS with limited verticality, ones where you concentrate on aim placement when rounding corners. If all you have to do is track something side to side a trackball work well, hitting diagonals can be hard with trackballs. RTS might be difficult depending on the size of your ball, dpi and the resolution of your screen and the speed of the RTS.

Some games are just easier than others hell CS1.4 could be played easily with a keyboard only that game had so many maps with next to no verticality.

Would it be better than a try hard that checks their DPI and resolution prevents pixel skipping and with a 360 of like 30cm+, nope but most people don't bother with all that.

Either way 150 is a bit much. I still use wireless trackball at work because it's easy to use them when you have no desk but need to support.

I actually own one of the limited edition Gameballs, and it is way better that any Elcom or Logitech trackball for gaming, even though I went from thumb to finger control. The Gameball fits your hand perfectly enough that your fingers fall naturally on the left and right mouse buttons. It does not feel unnatural to hold, and the control is more precise than any other trackball I've used.

This design is very similar to the Logitech Trackball Trackman. That was a great trackball. I used it for gaming and otherwise. Had Logitech upgraded the sensor, it would have been a best seller forever. It's big shortcoming was, it was never intended for gaming. In spite of this it performed well In FPS games. I'm not a fan of the pricing for this, however. I can use the Elecom HUGE for much cheaper. Some have had issue with the bearings, but at least you can replace them, if and when they do fail.

If you are considering using a trackball, be prepared to rewire the way you think when using a mouse.

I had a gamer friend who played minecraft on my ancient server 2012ish. He had a trackball and was actually rather good with it.

That is, until he took it to the bathroom with him for some reason I can only guess at, and dropped it in the toilet, and then proceeded to FRIGGIN TELL EVERYONE EXACTLY WHAT JUST HAPPENED.

I gavw him the custom title of "Trackpad Toilet Warrior" after that. Still good player.

I'm sorry I can't think of trackballs without thinking of that story.