| If you're used to a traditional mouse, then the Logitech TrackMan Marble FX may take a little getting used to. But despite its large, clunky appearance, this mouse has it all. Designed for those with limited desktop space, the TrackMan Marble FX remains stationary. You operate it by moving a large marble with your fingers while a sensor inside the mouse interprets the movement. Solid and well built, the TrackMan Marble FX has a large, eye-catching red marble. Its weight and rubberized bottom keep it from sliding on your desk, and the curve of the mouse fits most hands (except lefties). Those with small hands may find it hard to reach the left-click mouse button, making double-clicking tricky. Installation is not as quick as most plug-and-play mouse devices, as you must install Logitech MouseWare software to fully take advantage of the TrackMan Marble FX's features. However, the manual walks you through installation, making set up easy and quick. Perhaps the nicest feature of this trackball is the four programmable buttons. During setup, you can program which buttons you want to perform certain functions. Most will want to set the far left and right buttons as on a typical PC mouse. However, the two middle buttons can be set for functions such as universal scroll, auto scroll, zoom, drag lock, or HyperJump and CyberJump--pop-up windows with shortcut functions in Windows 95 and Internet environments. If you're in the market for a trackball and have the time to learn to use a new type of mouse, then you'll want to consider the TrackMan Marble FX. Its durability and low maintenance make it superior and easy to use. Pros:
- Sturdy and well constructed
- Programmable buttons
- Dirt resistant
Cons:
- Difficult for those with small hands
- Not designed for lefties
- Requires software installation
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 Still Unrivalled as Best Trackball Device |
| Review Date: May 23, 2000 |
| Reviewer: J. Hardy IV, Snohomish, WA United States |
| Once upon a time I got sick of the gunk build up on all the mice and trackballs I had used, it got to the point where they would bump and jump on the mouse pads. I was intrigued when I saw the technology used in the Trackman line, detecting position using the tiny dots on the ball. Now having used the FX Trackman at home and at work for over 3 years, I find that it is the still the best input device of its kind, including the new MSFT optical mice. Once one gets used to the button placement and develops the dexterity to utilise the trackball, constantly smooth and consistent movement will reward them. With no moving parts for the tracking assembly the user only rarely [once a year?] has to pop the ball out and clean the sensors. This trackball does very well in digital art work with Photoshop and is especially excellent when used to play classic trackball arcade games through Mame32 emulation, Missile Command, Tempest, Centipede, Arkanoid, etc. The tertiary buttons are recognized and used as scroll wheel counterparts in Win2k; it's a nice fluff feature. My only wish would be that Logitech eventually upgrade them to use USB so I can plug them into my MSFT keyboards. Otherwise, highly recommended. |
Puts the mouse where it belongs THE TRASH!
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| Review Date: December 6, 1999 |
| Reviewer: , |
| I just started using my new Trackman Marble FX, and I gotta tell you GET ONE! This thing is so smooth, so precise I wish I had one months ago, I have never used any pointing device that works as well as this one, and believe me I have used about every version of a mouse there is, nothing comes close to this trackball! If you're in the market for a new mouse forget about it! Try a trackball you will not be disappointed. |
Best input device I've ever used
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| Review Date: October 20, 1999 |
| Reviewer: Eugene Tang, Holmdel, New Jersey |
| I'll start off by saying the Marble FX isn't for everyone. That said, I will say it is one of the easiest input devices to use and maintain. The large trackball takes getting used to, but once you do, you'll never want to use a traditional mouse again. Using the trackball requires only the movement of your fingers, and not your wrist. I found myself resting my wrist and palm along the curved lower portion. You can use your thumb and forefinger to gain accurate control of the pointer on the screen. Maintenance is easy. I usually pop the marble out and clean it and wipe the socket clean with a cloth. There's never any worry about lint jamming it since there are no moving parts. The marble sits on several hard plastic contacts and is the only thing that moves. If you have limited deskspace or are suffering from a sore back or shoulder, I'd highly recommend this device. |
Fits your hand naturally - many useful features
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| Review Date: February 5, 2000 |
| Reviewer: Toxictoy, Delaware, USA |
| As a computer tech I am extremely picky about what input device I am going to use. I am extremely happy with the Marbleman FX trackball. I no longer have numbness in my wrist as a result of having my arm at an unnatural angle. The setup wizard also is very easy to use and lets you easily configure the marbleman to your specific needs. The real testament to the ease of use was when I bought one for my Mom to use. She was able to set it up without calling me - a definite plus in my book. |
Love it!
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| Review Date: November 13, 2000 |
| Reviewer: , |
| As a grad student, I use the computer 40+ hours a week sometimes. I was getting terrible hand cramps and arm and shoulder pain from using the traditional mouse that came with my system. I tried the Trackman FX on a hunch, because it looked the most different from the ordinary mouse, and seemed to offer much more flexibility in the repetitive hand movements. After I got used to moving my fingers instead of clutching and moving my whole wrist, I found that I loved the trackball, because NO PAIN! Now I can get my work done without having to take numerous breaks. |
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