[SpeedRacer]

So i'm finding my everyday work is beginning to get difficult due to this addiction i have to FPS and my ergonomically incorrect MacAlly iSweetNet scroll mouse.

My question:

Given that i've heard trackballs to be more effective at reducing wrist/arm strain, can some of the newer trackball products be used competitively in both standard MacOS functions AND fast-paced 3D gaming (UT & Q3A)?

If so, is there an advantage to using a middle-mounted trackball vs. thumb-mounted trackball designs?

Specifically i've been comparing the following products...

Logitech Trackman Wheel Trackball http://www.logitech.com/cf/products/...erview.cfm/89/

Logitech MarbleMouse Trackball <A http://www.logitech.com/cf/products/...verview.cfm/93

Logitech MouseMan Optical http://www.logitech.com/cf/products/...verview.cfm/91

Kensington Orbit http://www.kensington.com/products/pro_mic_d1327.html

Kensington MouseInABox Optical Pro http://www.kensington.com/products/pro_mic_d1326.html

What's everyone else's experience?
Can trackballs hang with the best of the mice in Quake or Unreal?
Or best left only to Photoshop and MacOS?

Speed


[This message has been edited by SpeedRacer (edited 05-30-2001).]

I used to use trackballs with shooter games (MDK and Quake) because my iMac hockeypuck/mouse was a piece of crap. I used the Macally iBall for a while, and then I switched to something called the Trackerball, which is a unit made by a British company.

The iBall was great at first--accurate and responsive--until the rubber rollers got so coated with gunk that the iBall became essentially useless. Even daily cleaning with solvent didn't help after a while. I don't think Macally even makes the iBall anymore, thank God.

The Trackerball held up better, and I still have it. It has a ball that is made out of the same material as a billiard ball, and is the size and weight of a billiard ball. The bearings are made out of stainless steel. The ball itself is center-mounted.

The Trackerball is accurate-as-hell for sniping -- in fact, it's better for sniping than the optical mouse I use now. But the Trackerball has a *huge* footprint, so I decided to get a Microsoft Intellimouse Optical to free up more space at my workstation. And now the Microsoft mouse is what I use for Quake and some of my other games.

Sorry that I can't comment on any of the input devices in your list, but I hope what I've written is at least somewhat helpful. If you are interested in a Trackerball, I'll see if I can track down the company that makes it.

Tristan

[dr.dirt]

When I was looking for a better controller for UT, someone suggested the Boomslang Razor and after using it for 4 months I would say that it has improved my game performance considerably. Sorry, I haven't tried a trackball.

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dr.dirt

[Blakhawkg3]

anything optical would be good

i personally don't like trackballs

[schwa]

I've used the 4-button Kensington Turbo Mouse (ADB version) on my older Macs for years and have been fairly happy with it as a general input tool. Unfortunately, it's not totally reliable for FPS shooters, as grime tends to collect on the moving parts, causing it to skip fairly often (disclaimer: I have two cats, so my stuff-in-the-air factor is fairly high).

When I got my G4, I switched to the USB Kensington TurboBall and hated it. For whatever reason, the change in form factor caused serious pain in my thumb and wrist.

I now use the M$ Intellimouse Optical (the new, righty-only one) and love it. I never have to clean it, and it's precise as hell. I find it works really well with FPS games, even better than a trackball, IMHO.

[G Barnett]

Kensington Expert Mouse Pro here (it's a trackball). USB, scroll wheel, 4 buttons and the same formfactor as their older trackballs; big base, huge ball, great movement.

G Barnett

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Those who are easily offended should be.

And often.

[Cake]

I have a Kensington EMP too and G Barnett forgot to mention the six buttons at the top that are great for binding speach commands in UT - communication is key for good teamwork!