I have a Kensington Expert Mouse wireless that I bought new a couple of years ago. I've always used the BT connection (not the dongle) and it worked perfectly until recentlly. The trackball connect to my MacMini 2018 but the movement is very unaccurate, speciallly around clickable elements... at first I tought the device could be faulty, but I then tried connecting it using the dongle and found out that this way works as perfectly as it used to do with the BT.

First time I tried the dongle, I switched back to BT and it worked perfectly for the rest of the day, but then at the next day the problem returned. This morning I switched back to the dongle and it is working perfecly again.

Anyone else with this problem? Could this be a faulty BT module on the trackball itself ?

As avid trackballs users, in your experience, which trackballs had/have the smoothest ball and bearings? I understand it can be a hit and miss sometimes with trackballs, but, in totality, what are/were the best for you?

Please share your advice and expertise.

TIA

Hey, as the title says. I'm a long-time Expert Mouse Pro user looking for something to use occasionally on the move. Is there anything someone can suggest?

Now that the Slim Blade is finally wireless, should I just get that? If it's even that much more portable than the Expert Mouse Pro. I doubt it.

Hi all,

Looking to get a trackball to hopefully reduce the RSI I get on my right wrist from using a mouse every day.

Been looking at a few options and it seems that the MTE-type trackballs are the best for me.

I've been trying to decide between the Elecom Deft/Pro, Huge, and the Protoarc EM03, and I just can't work it out, despite doing a lot of research.

I have relatively small hands and have been using a Kensington Orbit (basic version) on and off for a while now and can use it comfortably.

Looking at the mice, I like the padding of the Elecom Huge although I've heard mixed reviews about it, when it comes to comfort and the stiction on the the ball. Although many people have said it is suited for smaller hands which I do fall into.

The Deft/Pro look like good options too, however some of the same issues seem to arise with these mice as well, and I am slightly concerned at their small size (the more padding the better, I'd ideally like to be able to keep my hand entirely off the desk).

The Protoarc EM03 seems to be well reviewed, and looks like a decent size, although I've heard that it's scroll wheel is not great and I'm not overly a fan at its (lack of) programmable buttons, although granted it's not any worse than my current mouse.

So I'm just wondering if there are any recommendations? I'm unfortunately not in a position where I can easily try each one out, either via buying and returning, or visiting in store. Likewise I don't have much of a budget which puts the Deft Pro beyond my budget but I'd be willing to get it if its superior to the others.

Thanks in advance!

I got a brand new M575 last week and it worked fine, but yesterday it stopped working and if you unplugged and reinserted the dongle it gave the "USB device not recognized" error. Tried everything I knew to do including Windows Troubleshooter with no luck, it says the drivers are up to date. My backup (Walmart Logitech mouse) works fine. Pretty sure a Windows update happened before it quit. Anyone else having issues?

I really need an index trackball, but one that is vertical. Anything that puts your wrist in torsion and pronates it (all existing trackballs besides vertical thumb trackballs) is not ergonomic. The ProtoArc EM05 is the most ergonomic and correctly positioned mouse out and I love it, but I would really like the same mouse with an index trackball instead of a thumb ball somehow. I bought a TrackMan Marble but I still think my thumb won’t be able to be high enough on it for a handshake position. Im looking into making wedges to angle the existing index mice like the ProtoArc EM03, but it’s not ideal because it wasn’t designed to be used like that.

Also now just considering using a trackpad on the left for clicking and my SlimBlade on the right for pointing if I can’t find an actual ergonomic index trackball. Or two SlimBlades instead.

I saw a link here for a downloadable utility tool that could silence the scroll on SlimBlade, but I can’t find it now. Does anyone know where to find this? Thank you!

My ERGO has been acting up some lately so I feel its time to replace it. I'm looking to stay in or below the normal price range of the ERGO.

The ProtoArc EM01 caught my eye, but I can do without the RGB. I've used an ELECOM trackball before but I seem to recall it being a touch small for my hand.

Edit: thanks for the suggestions. I'm going to try an ELECOM again, and if my memory is correct about the size, I'll return it and try an EM01, or at least keep it in mind for the next time I need one.

I'm ambidextrous and I have a ProtoArc EM01 RGB trackball. I really like it, but I wonder why they don't have the same left-handed model? I could use both with both hands without any problems.

I want it big and bluetooth for low price . Can you give me some advice ?

Is there such thing as a wireless trackball that doesn’t need a dongle? I use my dongle trackball with my laptop, but I want to be able to use my iPad similarly to a laptop from time to time

For context, my laptop isn’t very portable anymore (10 years old, heavy af due to being custom made with specs that were top of the range to near unheard of for the time, wired into a lot of extra kit) and I’m chronically ill, so sometimes just lifting my arm up whilst in bed and keeping my arm up to scroll between typing or browsing can be a chore at times. I don’t like using a mouse, and haven’t for about a decade.

I saw this post which was written like 3 years ago about trackballs for gaming and I was wondering are those recommendations are still legit or something new came to the market? Thanks for the help and Merry Christmas to you

Hi everyone, I’m Vicky, and happy holidays! 🎄

First off, a huge thank you to everyone who participated in the EM06 Trackball Mouse scroll mechanism poll! We truly appreciate all your feedback. After reviewing the results, we’d like to share the outcome and our next steps.

Here are the poll results from r/ProtoArcHub and the Japanese X community:

• Physical Wheel: 35 votes
• Physical Ring: 62 votes
• Button + Ball Scroll: 35 votes
• Combo of Physical Wheel & Button + Ball: 40 votes

We really value every vote! Your input is important to us, but we also need to consider technical feasibility and market patents. Since twist scroll and physical ring mechanisms are already patent-protected, our final decision might differ slightly from the poll results.

After testing, it became clear that the Button + Ball scroll mechanism offers better precision and reduces accidental scrolling, providing a smoother, more comfortable experience. So, we’re leaning toward it as the final design for the EM06.

We know the physical ring received strong support, and we’d love to hear more about why you prefer it. Perhaps we can combine the best of both aspects to improve the design.

We're also considering adding an extra wheel to the Button + Ball setup to address your concerns. Would that help? If so, where should it be placed? Any other suggestions to improve the design?

Once again, thank you all so much for your valuable feedback and support. Wishing you a warm and joyful holiday season with your loved ones! 🎅🎁

Compared to the bearingless EM03 smoothness and precision is on entirely different level.
I finally can switch to the left hand completely and it's pretty comfortable from the start.

BUT

Plastic feels like a worst plastic I've touched in last 10 years, build quality is ok-ish but it just doesn't feel robust.

Buttons are really loud — and I say that as a blue-switch keyboard owner — but that's minor.

No software for Linux, ok fine, at least it worked under QEMU/KVM and saved the mapping to the device.

Really small weight for the size, so easily movable by accident (also small legs).

And it... I'd say, rattles.

I will write another "review" in several weeks but... Damn

Just a quick question about the above. I have pretty big hands, and find the huge comfortable. Is there anyone with x-large hands that uses both and can comment on deft's comfort?

I've found smaller mice I have to fully claw to use most and I find that uncomfortable.

Hello everyone,

I recently purchased the Kensington SlimBlade Pro EQ trackball. After using it for a while, I noticed it started making noise, and the movement became somewhat rough. I tried using Vaseline for lubrication, but it made the ball feel sticky and gave a sluggish sensation when moving it slowly.

Then, I found conflicting information on the Kensington website. The documentation on the SlimBlade product page suggests that I should clean the ball and pivot points with a solvent (I used isopropyl alcohol) before applying Vaseline. However, the knowledge base contradicts this and advises against using any liquids for cleaning, instead recommending using skin oils for lubrication.

What should I do now? I've already used quite a bit of Vaseline, but the issue persists. Should I continue trying Vaseline, or should I buy lanolin? I'm from China, and I found pure lanolin and skincare products claiming to contain only lanolin on Taobao. If I decide to purchase one, which should I choose?

Thanks a lot for your help!

Got it for $22 on Amazon after $5 coupon and tax. Been playing FPS multiplayer games (mainly Overwatch and Halo Infinite) on it the past couple days and wow, my performance is almost identical to my Gameball and Ploopy Classic. I did a polling rate checker online with it and it clocked in at 500 Hz! For reference most office grade trackballs are only 125 Hz and/or wireless and not ideal for gaming.

It's also pretty comfortable for long sessions, and being wired you don't have to worry about any interference or input lag. Definitely recommended, coming from someone who is serious about their gaming hardware.

Hi, I just gout a Huge in the mail today.

I thought using my index finger made the most sense at first, but the more I use it (honestly I've only been using it for like 30 minutes) the middle finger seems to be the better choice.

I might just be using the trackball wrong.

Also fingering balls comment.

I'm going to be using AR glasses and would like a mouse I can lay down with. I barely know what a trackball mouse is, but it looks like it doesn't need a surface. I kinda just wanna be able to play Civilization and do some desktop work. What would work for this? I've got hands that fit large gloves (Not XL), poor wrists, and I'm right handed.

So I was using an Amazon Basics cordless trackball that stopped working and I need to replace it.
I like to move the ball with the thumb, have a scroll wheel and at least three buttons. I don't need more.
What do you recommend to buy?
Thanks in advance.

Anyone building trackballs that have issues with tracking dark gray (graphite) to dark green spectrum? Wondering if anyone that’s had this issue has tested it in a PMW3389.

My current giveaway is still underway however hindsight shows I probably shouldn't have made the winner based on most upvotes but I really don't want to change the rules after it started so why not another giveaway!?!?!

Up for giveaway is a slightly used Mx Ergo S! This Ergo S doesn't come with the silent switches as I changed them out. And when I say slightly used I mean very slightly. I bought it mainly to scope out it's internals and take it for a test drive and now I don't use it as I have several MX Ergos.

I'll pick a comment at random on December 25th! Unfortunately due to it having a lithium battery I won't be able to offer this outside of the States as shipping would likely be more than the mouse.