Microsoft Trackball Optical Mouse, Trackball (D67-00005)
- Ergonomic Fit: Right and Left Handed (Mouse)
- Input Interface Type: Mouse Trackball
- Motion Device Type: Optical
- Connectivity: Cable
- Interface: USB (Mouse) PS/2 (Mouse)
- Platform: PC
- Overview
-
Reviews
- Compare Prices
User ReviewRead All Reviews »
No cleaning needed my foot!
Pros
ergonomics, nifty buttons.
Cons
Poor control since the ball sticks when dirty. Impossible to clean effectively.
Recommended it?
No
The Bottom Line:
Yes, the optical device need not be cleaned, but the internal casing does. Too bad the 'engineers' didn't think this one through and make the ball removable. Buy something else
I purchased the Microsoft Trackball because my hand was getting tired from pushing the mouse around all day. Trackballs are vastly superior in this regard in that the hand is immobilized during operation, meaning that you do not stress your tendons with repeated hand motions (which leads to carpal tunnel syndrome, among other problems).
The principle difference between this trackball and my previous trackball (the one without the ball, predicating my need for a new trackball), was the old roller type. I used to hate cleaning the thing. However, the response on the trackball was superb and I came to prefer it over a mouse.
The main problem with the Microsoft design is that it is now impossible to clean! Microsoft advertises these as requiring no cleaning because of the optical technology. Now, I don't know how they came up with this, I suspect it has to do with the lack of rollers and the like.
However, most of us realize that for the ball to send information to the optical sensor, the ball must move. Unless the ball is somehow defying gravity, the ball must push against another surface.
Now, since the optical device does not need to be cleaned, Microsoft 'engineers' came up with the brilliant idea to make it impossible to remove the ball! I suspect that logic was that we can easily clean the ball by rotating it.
But, since the ball rubs against the casing on the inside, and the ball cannot be remove, one cannot clean that which the ball rubs against! So once the casing becomes dirty, you cannot effectively clean it.
The result? The ball now sticks and is difficult to move. I get arm aches from constant muscle strain (I use the computer a lot) negating the reason for switching to a trackball. And of course, since you have to muscle the ball into operation, you usually way overshoot your target.
The positive? The buttons are nice. I like the page forward and back extra buttons. The ergonomics are good. That is all.
So, I would advice that you look else where for a good optical trackball. As for myself, I am going to see if this ball will fit in my old rollerball casing. Granted, that means I will have to use a hammer to remove the ball from the Microsoft casing, but it is either that or throw the thing away.
Addendum: Oops, it is possible to remove the ball. You use the little hole on the bottom to push the ball out then you can clean the contact points. However, even after cleaning, performance is poor. And, you still have to clean the trackball. . .
The principle difference between this trackball and my previous trackball (the one without the ball, predicating my need for a new trackball), was the old roller type. I used to hate cleaning the thing. However, the response on the trackball was superb and I came to prefer it over a mouse.
The main problem with the Microsoft design is that it is now impossible to clean! Microsoft advertises these as requiring no cleaning because of the optical technology. Now, I don't know how they came up with this, I suspect it has to do with the lack of rollers and the like.
However, most of us realize that for the ball to send information to the optical sensor, the ball must move. Unless the ball is somehow defying gravity, the ball must push against another surface.
Now, since the optical device does not need to be cleaned, Microsoft 'engineers' came up with the brilliant idea to make it impossible to remove the ball! I suspect that logic was that we can easily clean the ball by rotating it.
But, since the ball rubs against the casing on the inside, and the ball cannot be remove, one cannot clean that which the ball rubs against! So once the casing becomes dirty, you cannot effectively clean it.
The result? The ball now sticks and is difficult to move. I get arm aches from constant muscle strain (I use the computer a lot) negating the reason for switching to a trackball. And of course, since you have to muscle the ball into operation, you usually way overshoot your target.
The positive? The buttons are nice. I like the page forward and back extra buttons. The ergonomics are good. That is all.
So, I would advice that you look else where for a good optical trackball. As for myself, I am going to see if this ball will fit in my old rollerball casing. Granted, that means I will have to use a hammer to remove the ball from the Microsoft casing, but it is either that or throw the thing away.
Addendum: Oops, it is possible to remove the ball. You use the little hole on the bottom to push the ball out then you can clean the contact points. However, even after cleaning, performance is poor. And, you still have to clean the trackball. . .
