Trackball Mice

[joelthezombie15]

So for as long as I can remember my parents PC has used a trackball mouse and i like it, its big. But at school i use the regular mice and i dont mind them. But i was trying to play TF2 with the regular mouse and it was terrible. it is 100% better with trackball imo

 

But since i dont have a PC that is good enough to play all teh games and i dont game much on my PCs im wondering,

 

what are the drawbacks of trackball mice?

 

 

 

(Just to clarify, this exact mouse)

 

Thanks

[TheProfosist]

the current Logitech trackball that looks like that is the M570 its quite nice though you have to pop the ball out and clean the bearing quite frequently.

[joelthezombie15]

the current Logitech trackball that looks like that is the M570 its quite nice though you have to pop the ball out and clean the bearing quite frequently.

Ya, i have to do that now, its not to bad. But why do people say that trackballs are so bad for gaming?

[HirgaLTTki]

i believe you can move a mouse quicker and more accurately than that trackball...

[joelthezombie15]

i believe you can move a mouse quicker and more accurately than that trackball...

Wait what? Trackball is more precise or less?

[sonarctica]

Ya, i have to do that now, its not to bad. But why do people say that trackballs are so bad for gaming?

I guess it's what you've used to, I'm sure if you switched to a regular mouse you would eventually get used to it and possibly notice how much better it is/or not.

[joelthezombie15]

I guess it's what you've used to, I'm sure if you switched to a regular mouse you would eventually get used to it and possibly notice how much better it is/or not.

Well what i am trying to see is, what are the drawbacks of trackball.

[TheProfosist]

Ya, i have to do that now, its not to bad. But why do people say that trackballs are so bad for gaming?

 

No its not bad its just something you have to understand when dealing with trackballs especially of that type.

 

because they didnt grow up using them, possibly dont know how to use them, cant get used to them, have never used them, and/or dont give them a  chance. Back in the early days of competitive PC gaming trackballs were quite popular. I think the introduction of the gaming mouse and the prevalence of optical mice killed them, this doesnt mean their bad by any means.

[TheProfosist]

i believe you can move a mouse quicker and more accurately than that trackball...

 

I would consider trackballs no less accurate or even more accurate especially industrial ones.

 

 

 

I guess it's what you've used to, I'm sure if you switched to a regular mouse you would eventually get used to it and possibly notice how much better it is/or not.

 

yep thats what i would have to say

[TheProfosist]

Well what i am trying to see is, what are the drawbacks of trackball.

 

they dont make gaming ones so all those features but they do make one that has a bunch of those but its not cheap. I also dont find that model very comfortable or ergonomic.

[HirgaLTTki]

Wait what? Trackball is more precise or less?

 

 

I would consider trackballs no less accurate or even more accurate especially industrial ones.

 

I mean like when moving large distances (eg 180 turn in games)

[TheProfosist]

I mean like when moving large distances (eg 180 turn in games)

 

I dont see how that would matter thats just about dpi. A mouse and trackball work no differently from a mechanical and electronic perspective.

[HirgaLTTki]

I dont see how that would matter thats just about dpi. A mouse and trackball work no differently from a mechanical and electronic perspective.

 

You have to move your thumb like ...

[Shrubpig]

Wait what? Trackball is more precise or less?

Less. You can easily whip around in games with a traditional mouse. Those trackball mice are designed for art. Slow, rounded movements.

[Charger]

I have used a track ball mouse like that for a few years to the point that i had to replace the usb cable a few times but i could never game with it. I can only use a normal mouse to play fps games i feel like i have far more control moving fast with a mouse then a track ball. but then again i have been using a mouse to play games as long as i can recall and only used a track ball for a few years for web surfing. I can play any console fps games unless they are on n64. I'm sure that is an overstatement but i haven't played many since n64 lol

[TheProfosist]

You have to move your thumb like ...

 

and how does that change of the device works from a mechanical and electrical perspective?

 

 

 

Less. You can easily whip around in games with a traditional mouse. Those trackball mice are designed for art. Slow, rounded movements.

 

I would have to say that there are people that would have to highly disagree with you there, one being a current pro LoL player. Also personally I think logitech's newest trackball the M570 sucks for those slow movement your speak of as the ball is too small and the dpi is to high for that sort of application.

 

 

 

I have used a track ball mouse like that for a few years to the point that i had to replace the usb cable a few times but i could never game with it. I can only use a normal mouse to play fps games i feel like i have far more control moving fast with a mouse then a track ball. but then again i have been using a mouse to play games as long as i can recall and only used a track ball for a few years for web surfing. I can play any console fps games unless they are on n64. I'm sure that is an overstatement but i haven't played many since n64 lol

 

Ill have to admit that I was never any good with trackballs for FPS games but I really couldnt tell you why because I prefer them for RTS and quite like them for non multiplier competitive titles as well some of them being FPS based. This may just be down to the fact that I started out playing FPS games with a mouse and its what im used to.

[HirgaLTTki]

and how does that change of the device works from a mechanical and electrical perspective?

 

I didnt say it changes anything.... I am just saying that its harder to move large distances and that it would be tiring after a while

[joelthezombie15]

I didnt say it changes anything.... I am just saying that its harder to move large distances and that it would be tiring after a while

I think that flailing your arm around with a regular mouse would be more tiring than moving you thumb.

[HirgaLTTki]

I think that flailing your arm around with a regular mouse would be more tiring than moving you thumb.

 

Wrist* 

[joelthezombie15]

Wrist* 

Either way, thats still more than just your thumb.

[criso8]

Think about it this way. When you have a mouse you control the cursor with your entire hand. With a trackball that is not the case. Using your whole hand or arm will no doubt give you more control.

[TheProfosist]

I didnt say it changes anything.... I am just saying that its harder to move large distances and that it would be tiring after a while

 

like anything you get used to it and its all personal preference and what your used to using.

[TheProfosist]

Think about it this way. When you have a mouse you control the cursor with your entire hand. With a trackball that is not the case. Using your whole hand or arm will no doubt give you more control.

 

i think you guys seem to only know about thumb style trackballs which though popular are no where near the only trackball design. The only company that makes them is logitech which puts them in the minority.

[joelthezombie15]

i think you guys seem to only know about thumb style trackballs which though popular are no where near the only trackball design. The only company that makes them is logitech which puts them in the minority.

I like the thumb style ones the most :p

[TheProfosist]

I like the thumb style ones the most :P

 

lol I think them for things where accuracy isnt all that important and when im feeling lazy. I also really like using my M570 on my HTPC from my couch, thats something a mouse could never easily accomplish.