 perfect for limited space |
| Review Date: December 27, 2000 |
| Reviewer: , |
| I love this trackball mouse. I have been using Trackman Marble Wheel version for the past few years. It was great also, but with limited desk space at work, the Cordless version is better. With a keyboard, calculator and books/binders/papers needed on my desk, it is easy to get the mouse out of the way and still use it. My next goal is a cordless keyboard! The only complaint that I have is that the "wheel" button from the Cord to Cordless has been reduced in space. It used to occupy a almost full size button space, and now only the wheel itself is placed in between the R and L buttons. Your hand used to be able to rest with index, middle and ring finger on L, Wheel, and R buttons. Now, you really can only use your index and middle fingers on the R and L and move one of them to the wheel when you need it. I do not find it as comfortable. But, I can live with that inconvenience in comparison with the benefits. |
The best for graphic artists
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| Review Date: January 24, 2002 |
| Reviewer: G. Lindsay, CT USA |
| I've used just about every pointing device available. Trackpoints are the worst. Touchpads are pretty bad, difficult to control, and you keep scrolling in areas and clicking on things that you never intended. Mice are okay, except (among other things) that fairly often I have observed people (including myself) clicking and missing--the pointer was on the target, but when you released the left button, you twitched and so nothing happens. Also, mice will wear you out after a while; I find a lot of muscle tension at the end of a day. Trackballs avoid these problems. With these devices, when you've got the pointer exactly where you want it, take your thumb off the ball and then click--this is especially good for novices. Trackballs generally give greater control and, when it comes to moving the pointer across the screen, just a tiny thumb movement takes you from corner to corner (if you adjust the motion properly in the control panel). The Logitech Cordless Trackman Wheel is the best trackball I've seen, and I've owned a bunch of them. It has all the features mentioned above and is very ergonomic and relaxing to use. When I cruise the internet, I sit almost motionless, concentrating totally on the information being displayed. Oddly enough, I do recommend playing some solitaire to develop the unconscious feel for the device. One nice feature (a point of distinction): this device uses radio frequency communication and does not require line of sight. I have used it on a table in the middle of the room, the desk being against the wall, without problem (I have a fairly large monitor). Could the Logitech be improved? Yes. There's room for another button under the ring finger. The scroll wheel could be a little smoother (sometimes you move it one notch and nothing happens, but it's not a big deal, just move it another notch). Something that probably could not be improved is its apparent indestructability; it fell from my hand as I was changing batteries and, trying to catch it, wound up slamming it into the hardwood floor. I was somewhat awed to find that it still worked. All in all, I recommend this pointing device above all others. |
I love this trackball
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| Review Date: October 16, 2004 |
| Reviewer: Glynn Clapsaddle, San Diego, CA United States |
| Four years ago I changed from the standard mouse to the wired version of this trackball. Yes, it took 2 days or so to get used to it, but then it became second nature. I love not having to pick up the mouse to get the cord out of the way, or running out of room or off of the mouse pad. With this wireless trackball and my wireless keyboard, I set my laptop on my coffee table and kick back on my couch doing all of my work and internet surfing. I've never had any problems with this model, in fact, I own three at home and one at work. The three at home, one for my laptop, my wife's laptop, and my kids' computer. I hope they never discontinue this style, for it is the most comfortale to use. If you're still using a regular mouse, it's time to try out a trackball. Again, it takes a day or two to get used to, but you will not be sorry. I just can't wait for a bluetooth version of this trackball so that I don't have to plug the receiver into a USB port. |
overall a great gadget
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| Review Date: July 18, 2004 |
| Reviewer: ASC, Harrisburg, PA United States |
| This leftie with "piano fingers" is very satisfied with the Logitech Cordless Trackman Wheel. I use it right-handed (and think of it as left-brain crosstraining). Ergonomically I find it very comfortable - my hand rests easily over the unit with the forefinger on the left button, middle finger on the wheel, and ring finger on the right button. The cordless connection works flawlessly in both the PS/2 and USB ports. I've noticed no degradation in response at four feet of separation even when I rest the Trackman on my knee and the signal has to pass through an oak desk to get to the receiver. In terms of comfort, the lack of wrist and finger movement required by the design itself is greatly enhanced by the ability to place the Trackman at any angle, level, or orientation. My favorite is on my thigh beneath the desk. There is a bit of a learning curve if you've never used a Trackball device before. It's not unlike being used to driving a stick shift and then finding yourself in an automatic groping around for a non-existent clutch. For a while I caught myself instinctively sliding the Trackman in certain circumstances. But when you get it down, it is easier, more comfortable, and more efficient than mousework. In terms of accuracy, I would say that with the proper configuration, it is just as accurate as a mouse. It takes some time to get used to the trackball and you may need to tweak the acceleration and speed settings until you find the right balance that works for you. A couple things I'm not so crazy about: The scroll wheel doubles as a programmable third button. It is so close in height to the left and right buttons and sandwiched so tightly between them that I find it difficult to use it as a button without inadvertently hitting the left or right click button (and I have long, skinny fingers). And finally, if you're using this on a laptop with a built-in pointing device, you may not be able to fully tweak the Trackman settings if you run it through the PS/2 port. I got that warning when I set it up on my Thinkpad (with an integrated touchpad and trackpoint). Fortunately I had a free USB port I could dedicate to the remote receiver (the adapters you need for either the USB or PS/2 connection are included). So laptop users who don't have a free USB port may find that they are unable to fully configure the Trackman. This could be a problem because it's something you'll really want to get just right. And skip the CD-ROM installation and just go to their website to register and download the latest version of the drivers and software |
Great mouse replacement
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| Review Date: November 22, 2005 |
| Reviewer: Intrepidpariah, Houston, TX |
| First, I have big hands, I'm 6'4" and easily palm a basketball, this Trackman is comfortable, though still a little small. I replaced my Trackball corded mouse for this Trackman and have not been disappointed. I work as a CPA, so I need the scroll wheel for moving up and down spreadsheets, and liked it so much I bought one to use at work as well. I really don't see how anyone can survive without the scollwheel and wireless mousing in an office environment, especially if your cube isn't so big, or you need large amounts of space for all that wasteful paper! I enjoy wireless mice, and not needing any more space than the footprint of the mouse is a definate plus for the Trackman. The only problem is the whining of the IT staff trying to figure it out when they come out on a desk call, better keep that back up mouse! Overall a great device, If you have large hands, I have to knock off a star for sizing, and for the rest of you, it is a solid device, I've used for over a year at work with absolutely no problems. I would prefer it have a recharger rather than a straight battery, but the incovenience is insignificant. |
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