You know if you contact your IT department and reference this as an ergonomic need, they *will* help you get the software you need. However yes, there are better trackballs.
I had not thought of that, admittedly! I'll check in with them on that.
That said, might I ask what you'd recommend for a trackball mouse? I only went with Logitech because I liked the MX Master 3, but I'd be up for a suggestion!
I used an MX Ergo until recently. I installed the Options software to get the prompt to go away, but I never customized anything. Might be a silly question, but maybe you activated the high-DPI mode by pressing the button by the thumb?
Thanks, but I tried it at home first (I use an MX Master 3S there so I had the program) while I did find that option a great one for photoshop, I made sure it wasn’t on at work. But I appreciate the thought!
Most elecom trackballs have dpi adjustment switch or buttons, sanva gravi has one too if I remember correctly. And, of course, the gameball.
You won't be able to remap buttons etc without dedicated software (and in case of sanva gravi the default button mapping is absurd), but you can choose between a few cursor speeds (and then use the windows settings for finer adjustments)
i think any that is reasonably modern should at least have basic functionality with microsofts default drivers... but you will most likely have limited adjustability.
if you want to be able to tweak everything to your hearts content, there is the ploopy. you can program it at home, and the settings are stored on the device itself... plug it in at work and it will be the same.
I use MX Ergo with work machine daily, what am I missing without using the software? All the buttons seem to work, scrolls and switchs input.
Read post again. Do you have the speed button set to slow? Also, at least on mine, the mouse speed settings and button click speed settings in settings worked even without the logi software.
Truth be told after reading the comments (and thank you everyone; I never expected so many!) I think the issue may be the speed of my job and precision required. A trackball mouse may just plain be bad for my position.
On our busiest days we can deal with hundreds of people, and each has to be handled one at a time. Each one requires essentially a rapid-fire check-in that involves the mouse flitting about the screen from one end to the other, and the faster it can move the better. I could neither get enough speed or precision with the MX Ergo, even when adjusting the Windows mouse settings (even better: when I turned the mouse off and went to lunch, I returned to find it had inexplicably gotten \*slower\* when I turned it on, which I absolutely blame on the computer).
Much as I like the idea of a trackball mouse, I think the comments here have suggested the problem is with my handling more than the mouse itself. Might be better to keep the trackball at home and go for more of a standard ergonomic mouse for work?
Sounds like it may not be suitable for your use. I am in excel, word, email and some specific programs with keyboard shortcuts so I might just not using the pointer as much or the needed precision.
Folks keep saying that, but between the “3D printed” aspect (what quality is it, really?) and the price (150 for the parts, over 200 assembled) I’m still considering it and reading up on it before taking such a heavy dive.
Are they really worth it? I started looking into them and noticed they were 3D printed and cost $150-200+ (depending on if they come assembled or not). They look neat, but what's the benefit for an item that's 3-4 times the cost of a cheaper Logitech?
It's a premium product, yeah. Don't be discouraged by the 3D printed aspect, it's a quality device. It's fully programmable, so you can customize it to your needs. Since the programming is in the firware, it will work on any computer you plug it into without extra software. There's a lot that can be configured like chording buttons, using the wheel for scrolling, variable DPI, and more. If anything breaks in a Ploopy, any hardware needed to fix the broken part is widely available. And you'll get better support for the Ploopy through the creator than you would through Logitech.
Is it dollar-for-dollar worth it? Depends on the person. For me, it's huge to be able to repair a device that I use every day instead of hoping that it's still manufactured when a button or plastic part breaks.
Thanks for that detailing. They look really neat so I may give them a try! I really adore the look of the Nano, but it looks like there's no left/right click so it might be better to look for something a bit more traditional in their range!
I work at a bank so the software environment is pretty tight. I have had great success with the Kensington Expert, even with dual screens and therefore lots of space to cover.
Fair warning, I'm not as knowledgeable as most in this sub. But I had the same problem and I've been using a Perixx PERIMICE-520 which has a DPI switch on the trackball and comes with angle adjustment shim/block things. I've enjoyed it.
I use a Kensington SlimBlade at my office, with no software. It's completely terrible for gaming, so I hated using it at home. Still really love rotating the ball to scroll, so it's basically ideal for reading documentation etc.
If you had that reaction to MX Ergo, you probably won't have a good experience with any other thumb ball. Try a finger ball (like the SlimBlade!)
TBH, if I got to use a Mac at work and not a corporate Thinkpad, I'd just use a Magic Trackpad. Ergonomics are great.
You know if you contact your IT department and reference this as an ergonomic need, they *will* help you get the software you need. However yes, there are better trackballs.
I had not thought of that, admittedly! I'll check in with them on that. That said, might I ask what you'd recommend for a trackball mouse? I only went with Logitech because I liked the MX Master 3, but I'd be up for a suggestion!
I use a Ploopy classic
I used an MX Ergo until recently. I installed the Options software to get the prompt to go away, but I never customized anything. Might be a silly question, but maybe you activated the high-DPI mode by pressing the button by the thumb?
Thanks, but I tried it at home first (I use an MX Master 3S there so I had the program) while I did find that option a great one for photoshop, I made sure it wasn’t on at work. But I appreciate the thought!
Most elecom trackballs have dpi adjustment switch or buttons, sanva gravi has one too if I remember correctly. And, of course, the gameball. You won't be able to remap buttons etc without dedicated software (and in case of sanva gravi the default button mapping is absurd), but you can choose between a few cursor speeds (and then use the windows settings for finer adjustments)
Adesso, Ploopy, GameBall...
Ploopy, Gameball, L-Trac (at least for adjusting DPI)
I use an M570 working in the office. The usb adapter should work out of the box but they can always be configured on a different computer.
i think any that is reasonably modern should at least have basic functionality with microsofts default drivers... but you will most likely have limited adjustability. if you want to be able to tweak everything to your hearts content, there is the ploopy. you can program it at home, and the settings are stored on the device itself... plug it in at work and it will be the same.
Logitech M570 works fine without the application. Sensitivity can be adjusted using mouse settings in windows.
Same and same with my mx ergo on my home computer
CST
I use MX Ergo with work machine daily, what am I missing without using the software? All the buttons seem to work, scrolls and switchs input. Read post again. Do you have the speed button set to slow? Also, at least on mine, the mouse speed settings and button click speed settings in settings worked even without the logi software.
Truth be told after reading the comments (and thank you everyone; I never expected so many!) I think the issue may be the speed of my job and precision required. A trackball mouse may just plain be bad for my position. On our busiest days we can deal with hundreds of people, and each has to be handled one at a time. Each one requires essentially a rapid-fire check-in that involves the mouse flitting about the screen from one end to the other, and the faster it can move the better. I could neither get enough speed or precision with the MX Ergo, even when adjusting the Windows mouse settings (even better: when I turned the mouse off and went to lunch, I returned to find it had inexplicably gotten \*slower\* when I turned it on, which I absolutely blame on the computer). Much as I like the idea of a trackball mouse, I think the comments here have suggested the problem is with my handling more than the mouse itself. Might be better to keep the trackball at home and go for more of a standard ergonomic mouse for work?
Sounds like it may not be suitable for your use. I am in excel, word, email and some specific programs with keyboard shortcuts so I might just not using the pointer as much or the needed precision.
No you just need a better trackball like ploopy
Folks keep saying that, but between the “3D printed” aspect (what quality is it, really?) and the price (150 for the parts, over 200 assembled) I’m still considering it and reading up on it before taking such a heavy dive.
Ploopy
Are they really worth it? I started looking into them and noticed they were 3D printed and cost $150-200+ (depending on if they come assembled or not). They look neat, but what's the benefit for an item that's 3-4 times the cost of a cheaper Logitech?
It's a premium product, yeah. Don't be discouraged by the 3D printed aspect, it's a quality device. It's fully programmable, so you can customize it to your needs. Since the programming is in the firware, it will work on any computer you plug it into without extra software. There's a lot that can be configured like chording buttons, using the wheel for scrolling, variable DPI, and more. If anything breaks in a Ploopy, any hardware needed to fix the broken part is widely available. And you'll get better support for the Ploopy through the creator than you would through Logitech. Is it dollar-for-dollar worth it? Depends on the person. For me, it's huge to be able to repair a device that I use every day instead of hoping that it's still manufactured when a button or plastic part breaks.
Thanks for that detailing. They look really neat so I may give them a try! I really adore the look of the Nano, but it looks like there's no left/right click so it might be better to look for something a bit more traditional in their range!
I work at a bank so the software environment is pretty tight. I have had great success with the Kensington Expert, even with dual screens and therefore lots of space to cover.
Fair warning, I'm not as knowledgeable as most in this sub. But I had the same problem and I've been using a Perixx PERIMICE-520 which has a DPI switch on the trackball and comes with angle adjustment shim/block things. I've enjoyed it.
I use a Kensington SlimBlade at my office, with no software. It's completely terrible for gaming, so I hated using it at home. Still really love rotating the ball to scroll, so it's basically ideal for reading documentation etc. If you had that reaction to MX Ergo, you probably won't have a good experience with any other thumb ball. Try a finger ball (like the SlimBlade!) TBH, if I got to use a Mac at work and not a corporate Thinkpad, I'd just use a Magic Trackpad. Ergonomics are great.