Logitech Resurrects the Trackball Device With the Wireless MX ERGO

[SteveW928]

(For the record, my wife swears by hers - helps with the RSI. I use a Magic Mouse. I have a box full of input devices, including several from Logitech, that I've tried and they didn't work for me.)

I think mice are kind of inherently bad for RSI type stuff. I've used *so* many kinds over like 30+ years, and haven't found one that is truly great in this regard. Some are better than others, but they still give me issues. That's another issue with my MX Master. While it's really full featured and there is a lot to love, it isn't as comfortable as it looks.

I have found, as it seems your wife has, that trackballs can help. I'm not sure about trackpads, but I don't find using my laptop to be comfortable... but maybe that's due to it's position on the laptop and size, etc. I need to give that another shot. Otherwise, I'm probably headed back to a trackball too.

One of my friends actually deigned this mouse to try and help in terms of ergonomics, but I've never really liked it. I know it's used by a lot of companies trying to provide ergonomics solutions to employees. It probably works in that regard, but I just didn't like using it.

 

[mcrawley]

I love my Magic Trackpad 2 but it was what finally replaced my wireless Trackman Wheel from about 1997. It still works great and was built like a tank. It was so much easier on the arm than a mouse when editing for hours on tight deadline.

 

[macmacgoose]

I essentially am unable to use a mouse more than a few mins because tendonitis flares up. My favourite device is the Marble Mouse. I've used it for decades. However, the inability to scroll (the old software allowed me to do so, then it became obsolete, then this new software I can only program the side keys to do Pg Up/Down or Arrow Key). Therefore, I have to have a 2nd mouse attached that I use when I do a lot of scrolling (like browsing the web).

I am left-handed and so am limited in options. I also have the Kensington Orbit, but it's not that comfortable.

 

[subroutines]

What is the purpose of it being wireless, isn't the whole point of a trackball that you don't move it?

That's understandable, but if you're limited by the number of USB ports a bluetooth wireless option for a trackball must be a good option for some.

Same here. I don't want a thumb-ball, I want a track-ball. How do you scroll with the Kensington though, that ring seems like it would be useless. Can you map a button-ball combo to scroll? The scroll-wheel in my older 'Expert Mouse' sucks too, but I didn't use it back then like I do these days. When I bought my MX Master, the scroll wheel was the main deciding factor. But, the main left-click buttons just don't hold up long enough for a $100+ device. Plus, the cramps and RSI type symptoms seem to be coming back... so I'm thinking trackball or trackpad.

Like others have said, there is the TrackballWorks software that helps you adjust the speed of the scroll ring. There is another offering by Kensignton called the SlimBlade where you rotate the ball you can scroll. I have that in addition to the Expert version but Slimblade for some odd reason (maybe because of its flat profile) is uncomfortable at times. YMMV.

 

[SteveW928]

That's understandable, but if you're limited by the number of USB ports a bluetooth wireless option for a trackball must be a good option for some.

I guess some people just try to eliminate any wires possible, but it's inevitable you'll have some anyway on most desktop setups. I suppose if you travel with just a trackball and laptop, then there are none.

Like others have said, there is the TrackballWorks software that helps you adjust the speed of the scroll ring. There is another offering by Kensignton called the SlimBlade where you rotate the ball you can scroll. I have that in addition to the Expert version but Slimblade for some odd reason (maybe because of its flat profile) is uncomfortable at times. YMMV.

Yea, for some reason TrackballWorks won't work with my older 'Expert Mouse Pro' anymore. There must be some incompatible chip in there or something. I haven't tried a SlimBlade, but my gut tells me I'd probably feel the same as you. I wonder if similar 'hold a button, or combo, and use the trackball to scroll' could be enabled for the Expert Mouse via TrackballWorks?

 

[mzeb]

looks interesting, but I am liking the Kensington offering for trackballs instead.



Kensington has a bluetooth trackball.
http://a.co/3FAbrWY
[doublepost=1504712498][/doublepost]]

Not a thumb based trackball. No good for a FPS sniper .

 

[subroutines]

Well I have recently purchased the MX Ergo (the Pro version) and I have to say, after using it for a week or two, it is my favorite trackball over the Kensington Expert. The Pro version comes with a magnetic platform that give it an extra inch off the ground for a 30 degree angle. The angle does provide better comfort for me, almost like a vertical mouse. I used to think the thumbball might give me some strain but so for none. Actually no strain at all. My issue is that it does not have inertia scrolling and the bluetooth (i think) is for BT LE (2012 Mac Pro here) so I am using the USB dongle. I'll admit the platform seems like a weird 3rd party gimmick and I was expecting something a bit more integrated. Then again, I guess it is good to have options where if you want to resort to 20 degree angle, you can just remove the platform.