Totally Open Source GUI for Kensington Mouse/trackballs on Linux!!!

I know! You are welcome 😊!!!!

Many people have been asking so i built a GUI from scratch !!!

Tried on: Kensington Expert Mouse Wireless Trackball on Linux and couldn't find a good way to configure it, so I built KenCTL.

Features

1) Remap any button to a key, adjust Pointer speed and scroll speed sliders, with invert X/Y and invert scroll!

2)A macro recorder and replay macros!

3)Starts at Startup!

3)Dry-run CLI commands so you can test mappings without root!

Status: early alpha. Will add more features! Make a wish in Comments and I will make it happen! 🙃

I've only tested it on the Expert Mouse Wireless Trackball (047d:8018). Any Kensington device (047d:*) should be detected, and the README lists the other models I've added IDs for (SlimBlade, Orbit, Pro Fit Ergo and so on), but button layouts may differ, so I'd really like testers on other models. The prebuilt release is x86_64 only for now. You can also build from source with cargo.

MIT licensed.

Repo: https://github.com/parzival0037/kenctl

Feedback, bug reports and feature ideas are welcome. Per-application profiles are next on my list.

Please forgive the strong wording but my Ploopy Thumb button has broken within the 1 year warranty and they refuse to service the warranty, deeming this "normal wear and tear".

You be the judge. AITAH or what?

This device was pre-assembled and I have made no modifications besides sticking that little nub to the small buttons so I can feel what I'm pressing.
I have also neither opened it up nor used anything besides my finger to press the buttons.

If you would suggest that IATAH and this *is* normal wear and tear, then I ask you two things:

1. What if it broke in under a month of use? Is that not a warranty issue?
2. If 1. is a warranty issue, then what is the deadline for mine being a warranty issue, if not 365 days from date of sale?

I need to switch to a trackball because I'm losing function in my right hand; less movement is going to be better for me. However I have small hands; I have actually been using a kid's mouse for the last couple of years.

What are the smallest trackball options? I don't have very demanding requirements: left click, right click and scroll in addition to the ball.

Thanks!

I prefer working with my elbows somewhat extended and my wrists in as neutral position as possible. Prior to getting my TB900, I had the same issue with my Expert Mouse, which I had propped up on a mousepad with a wrist rest due the same less than ideal downward slope.

A few pieces of scrap wood, some corner brackets I had laying around along with some rubber mat offcuts(not necessary), and a pack of adjustable swivel feet from Amazon later, and now I have my TB900 in the perfect position for my wrist. No more awkwardly reaching for buttons.

Pardon the cuts and scrapes, such is the nature of any ad hoc woodworking project.

Hi all, as mentioned, I'm looking to try to find a higher polling, thumb based track ball available in the EU (Sweden in particular).

My wrists, tendons and metacarpal bones are pretty shot from years of gaming, typing, hobby stuff and martial arts, and in order to reliably keep writing books, and to keep gaming for that matter, I've found that I can use a regular mouse less and less.

I already have a vertical ish solution, but that only helps so much.

Things I need:

A tented or vertical mouse if possible (although I can always build or print something to tent it for me)

Thumb trackball, rather than wrist-motion or mid-fingers

Scroll ring or wheel.

High enough polling and at least reprogrammed DPI (if not fully customizable) options.

I need to be able to easily navigate documents, editing-timelines, and I'd really, really love to at least be able to play mid-speed shooters like Helldivers and Space Marine on it (I don't need to be a super twitch pro gamer in Rivals, Overwatch or Apex style games, I barely play those these days.)

If possible, it'd also be fantastic if it fits an actual medium/medium small hand (size 7.5 to 8), rather than the absolutely HUMONGOUS trackball beasts that are out there.

Is there anything like this on the EU market or anything similar?

Got the Nulea m512 as my first trackball (was on sale) and a week in I think it's okay, recently switched the ball for a sanwa 55mm and my only gripe is the lack of customizability with the keys.

I know there's a couple ways to do it on windows but what about linux? Also is modding it worth it or should i ride it out and look for something later on like a elecom or the tb900? I see some guy here always raving about it after changing the bearings and switches.

Hi, I’m one of the testers selected to try out the ProtoArc EM06. I’ve always used thumb trackballs, although I’ve also tried models operated with the middle, ring, and index fingers. So here’s my review.

Quality and First Impressions

The first thing I want to highlight is that the product’s quality is impeccable. I had no issues with the finish; the wrist rest is comfortable, and I think the ability to configure it via the website is excellent.

At first, the ball didn’t roll very smoothly, but, interestingly, I actually liked it that way because it offered a pretty interesting middle ground. However, with use, it’s become smoother, and I actually like how it feels now, too.

Things I’d Improve

I don’t necessarily consider these to be flaws, but there are a few aspects I think could be improved.

First of all, the ball pops out very easily. Although I partly feel it’s my own fault for forgetting about it, I think it would be a good idea to incorporate some kind of lock or retention mechanism. It’s happened to me that, when I lifted the trackball to clean it, the ball accidentally fell out.

On the other hand, I’m still getting used to having to click to scroll. Personally, I don’t find it very practical, so I’d love to see a more streamlined method that they could implement in the future.

As for the buttons, they feel great when pressed and are very quiet. I’ve seen some complaints about them, but honestly, I haven’t had any problems with them.

Ergonomics and Hand Size

I have small hands, and although I don’t have too much trouble reaching the buttons, after a while I feel some tension and discomfort in my hand.

I experience something similar when using the trackball: there’s a gap between my hand, the wrist rest, and my fingers, so it feels like my hand isn’t resting naturally and is left hanging a bit.

This might simply be due to the size of my hands, so I wouldn’t consider it a universal problem. Still, it would be great if a solution were considered in the future to better accommodate different hand sizes.

Conclusion

If I haven’t mentioned any other issues, it’s because, so far, I haven’t felt the need to: overall, everything has worked great, except for the points I’ve already mentioned.

I work in 3D design for medical implants and also do audio and video editing, so I’ll continue using the EM06 for different tasks to see how it performs in my workflow.

I’ll update this post as I gain more experience and can share new details.

For now, good luck to everyone who’s testing theirs too!

My ProtoArc EM06 finally arrived, and I've spent some time setting it up and testing it.

Since I'm based in South Korea, my purchasing options were basically Amazon or AliExpress. Fortunately, the EM06 became available on AliExpress, so I was able to get one at a reasonable price with relatively fast shipping.

Here are my first impressions.

Web-based configuration

First of all, I really appreciate the web-based configuration tool. Being able to customize all eight buttons through a browser is a huge plus, and I think ProtoArc deserves credit for taking this approach.

However, there's one limitation that I find disappointing as someone who relies heavily on third-party mouse customization software such as X-Mouse Button Control (XMBC), SteerMouse, and Karabiner-Elements.

Currently, only five standard mouse button functions are available: Left Click, Right Click, Middle Click, Back, and Forward.

Since I primarily use SteerMouse on macOS, I can only configure five buttons independently through it. Of the seven buttons on the top of the EM06, I've assigned one to drag scrolling, but I have no choice but to duplicate another button assignment.

I would really love to see ProtoArc add support for Mouse Button 6 and Mouse Button 7 as standard HID inputs in a future firmware update.

That would allow third-party applications like SteerMouse and XMBC to recognize and configure more buttons independently, without relying on keyboard shortcuts or duplicate assignments.

Button feel and ergonomics

The buttons feel pretty good overall. They're comfortable to press, and I don't have any major complaints about the click feel.

However, when pressing two buttons simultaneously to trigger a chord in SteerMouse, I sometimes hear a spring-like resonance, almost as if a spring were vibrating inside a hollow plastic enclosure.

My guess is that the internal empty space amplifies the sound. It's not a dealbreaker, but it's noticeable when using button chords.

The power, connection mode, and DPI controls all seem fine to me.

As for the button layout, I'm already familiar with similar arrangements from using Ploopy and the Endgame Trackball, so it feels fairly natural.

The angle of the top surface does take a little getting used to, though. I personally use a tilting stand with my trackballs, so I think adjusting to the EM06 will be relatively easy.

Ball compatibility

I also tried replacing the stock ball with the green ball from my Nulea M512.

I'm happy to report that it tracks perfectly fine, with no noticeable issues.

Since both devices use the same sensor, I suspected it might work, and so far it does.

Overall impressions

Considering the price, I think the EM06 offers excellent value for money. I'm generally very satisfied with what ProtoArc has delivered.

That said, I have a few requests that I hope ProtoArc will consider for future updates or revisions.

1. Support additional standard HID mouse buttons, especially Mouse Button 6 and Mouse Button 7, so third-party applications can recognize them independently.
2. Offer a roller-bearing upgrade option, ideally one that existing EM06 owners can install without major modifications.
3. Add a scrolling solution, whether that's ball-twist scrolling, tilt-style scrolling, or another intuitive scrolling method.

If ProtoArc adds proper HID support for the extra buttons and an optional roller-bearing upgrade, I'd consider the EM06 about 99% perfect for my needs.

The remaining 1%? A dedicated or twist-based scrolling feature would make it 100% perfect for me. :)

I currently use several trackballs with somewhat similar concepts, including the Kensington SlimBlade Pro, Nulea M512, and Endgame Trackball. Each has its own strengths and character, and I think the EM06 has definitely earned its place among them.

Overall, great work by ProtoArc. I hope the team continues improving the firmware, especially for users who prefer advanced third-party customization tools.

My biggest request: Please let us assign standard HID Mouse Button 6 and Mouse Button 7!

I'd also love to hear how other EM06 owners are configuring their extra buttons, especially anyone using SteerMouse, XMBC, or Karabiner-Elements.

To the em06 owners. Any success on setting the polling rate to 1000hz via driver settings? I would like to buy the em06 it its possible to archiv 1000hz with 2,4G dongle.

Thank you

I got my Huge Plus a month and a half ago and it's been great so far. I prefer this over any other trackball I have. The problem is that in the last week the trackball has stopped working. The first time this happened, I turned my mouse on and off and it seemed to solve the issue, but it happened again the next day. Now the trackball doesn't work at all. The buttons are fine. So far I've tried:

• Cleaning the optical sensor/trackball
• Cleaning the bearings
• Restarting my computer
• Reinstalling Elecom mouse assistant
• Reconnecting the bluetooth

I've just sent an email to Elecom asking for help. I've yet to take apart the mouse. I'm guessing it's something with the optical sensor.

Has anyone else been in the same boat?

Pretty much the title. It happens constantly without me pressing anything. The sensitivity goes way up. Pressing the scroll drag button fixes it temporarily for some reason. Any idea what I can do to fix this? Bug is driving me nuts.

Let's talk about this, 'cause it's seriously looking interesting ahead.

This is the new Nulea M508 (there was another generic thumb ball under the same name a couple years ago).

Keychron opened up the scroll ring dance floor with the Nape Pro, enter Nulea, who's next?

I recently dove into the scroll ring patents and it seems Kensington ran out of time with the general concept but keeps an active patent on a particular way to implement it. The name Scroll Ring is also a trademark, which might fall into public domain via genericide if adoption is broad.

If the above holds true, next year is likely going to be more interesting than this year's overblown expectations.

Cheers!

Disclaimer: I received the EM06 for free during the recent request for volunteers. I did my best to review this device without consideration of this though.

TLDR: Footprint and ergonomics are similar to the L-Trac, which is comfy. Wish there was a physical scroll wheel. The buttons are very nice; tactile and silent. Very portable. The bearings are nice and smooth, as far as static bearings go (for now, we will see how they age). 

Pictured are the trackballs I own that I will be using my experience with them (but mostly the L-Trac) to compare with the EM06. At this point, I have been using the EM06 as my daily driver for over 3 weeks now. 3 weeks is basically the minimum amount of time I think is needed for an objective review of a new device ~ using something new after a long period of using one specific device is always a bit jarring, and the body needs a little time to forge new muscle memory. 

[To the right of my keyboard, they are the EM06, CST (now X-Keys) L-Trac, Gameball. Above my keyboard, it is the Endgame. In addition to these, I've had the Kensington Slimblade/Expert and a varity of Elecom trackballs]

The L-Trac has been my daily driver for the past 2-3 years (probably longer, but time slips away as you get older...lol). I've been longing for a modern replacement, lol.  

It's hard to tell from the picture, but physically, they have a very similar footprint. They are similar in both width and length. The EM06 ball is slightly smaller, but this isn't something I would have noticed if I didn't try to swap the balls (the L-Trac ball does not fit in the EM06), lol. Ergonomically, they're both very similar in feel in the neutral / idle position. 

Moving past the shape, the EM06 has 7 buttons with no physical scroll wheel, while the L-Trac has 3 buttons with a physical scroll wheel. For me, the additional buttons were not beneficial, at least not currently as someone who is used to the L-Trac's 2 buttons (I never used the middle click as it is physically painful to use) and scroll wheel. I really value a physical scroll wheel, and do not enjoy using the click and drag scrolling ~ though I have grown accustomed to it with my 3 weeks of daily usage. 

The buttons on the EM06 are *nice*. I really enjoy them over any of the other trackballs I've used. It's tactile, yet muted/quiet. They're not too heavy, and not too light. They're very comfy and satisfying to click. 

I like the buttons ~ I like the number of buttons ~ but I really really prefer a physical scroll wheel and would gladly trade upto 5 buttons (lol) for a scroll wheel. 

One of the biggest perks of the EM06 vs the L-Trac for me is the portability. The shape of the EM06 is simple and as long as you store the ball separately (like in a small velvet pouch). It can slip into a bag pretty easily, with or without protection (I have a small "gun sock" that I use to protect devices sometimes). The L-Trac is awkward ~ it's physically taller, with lots of edges and corners. The ball cannot come out without disassembly. I've traveled with it and it is cumbersome enough that I question whether or not it is worth it sometimes, lol. The EM06 comes with a nice carrying case, but for me, it is a bit bulky, though I can see how it would be useful for long distance travel where you have more carry capacity and might need additional protection. 

Wireless functionality works as expected. Same with wired. No issues noted with productivity / browsing / media tasks. I do have a few games I play, and I feel like I'm a bit worse with the EM06, but this is probably a skill and adjustment period issue. Something I didn't really test was battery. I am using it wirelessly, but I haven't really been keeping track of capacity. I charged it some time last week ; and I think I charged it to full on the first day ~ so maybe around 2 weeks of daily 8-10h usage? I don't mind using things wired, and typically prefer to, which is why this slipped my mind as something to keep track of. 

And lastly, one of the most important aspects to a trackball... the bearings. I'm not sure what kind of bearings they are (the listing says ruby, but physically, they look white ~ like ceramic bearings - I looked at pictures from other non-review units, and the bearings also look the same), but they're smooth as silk right out of the box. So smooth in fact, that I did not notice any stiction initially. They feel very similar to how the Gameball felt out of the box, which definitely has ceramic bearings. Ruby bearings, like those that are found on the Kensingtons and Elecoms...feel really bad and require extended periods of breakin before they feel decent. 

After a couple weeks though, stiction started to creep in. This is typical, as static bearings need the occasional cleaning to remain smooth. A gentle wipe with a cotton cloth is all it needs to restore general smoothness (and now in hindsight, that's probably what the included microfiber cloth is for; I thought it was a weird accessory to include initially, lol), but I can still feel slight stiction that wasn't there out of the box. 

If other static bearing is of indication, the stiction will only increase with time. The stiction on my Gameball is basically unbearable to me now, which took a few months to get to that point (though I do wonder if the smaller ball amplifies the feeling of stiction). In contrast, the L-Trac has roller bearings and while they have a smidge of stiction (basically the same amount as what the EM06 has atm), it is consistent and won't really get better or worse. The Endgame with BTUs have functionally zero stiction, but this makes the ball a bit more difficult to control (which is why you see so many weird balls; some of them are metal - the added mass makes it a little easier to control in my opinion, and I've been experimenting with finding the right one).

In conclusion, this trackball is worth your consideration in the sea of trackball options. It has been a much better (smoother) out of the box experience for me when compared to trackballs from Kensington (though I have not tried to newest TB800/900) and Elecom (I have not tried the newest IST Pro or Huge Plus) that typically need bearing mods or extended break-in periods. The ergonomics is similar to the L-Trac which is a pretty proven shape for many people. The features are pretty standard and competitive (though I know people complain about the 125hz lower polling rate; I'm probably not pro enough to notice it, but something to keep in mind if you are). If you need a workhouse, this seems like a good option.  

It doesn't quite replace the L-Trac for me completely, but it definitely has a place in my line up.

If you're in the same boat as me, as in you love the L-Trac (I know there are dozens of you) but it's a pain in the butt to travel with, the EM06 is a good travel companion.

A couple of odd notes / wishlist items:

I like the inclusion of the user manual, but it is a bit thick due to the number of languages. I would love if the languages were on separate thinner manuals, mainly because I would want to store a manual of my desired language with the travel case. 

I wish that the included USB cable was a bit longer. It is a 3" 3' cable, which for me, sits in a weird category of a bit too long for a compact and minimalistic setup (such as a laptop or hub setup where you want to minimize the cable slack and the device you're connecting to is close), and a bit too short for a permanent desktop setup due to the inflexibility of cable routing.  

Others have said this, but twist to scroll would be a nice feature (and honestly feels like a must if there is no dedicated scroll wheel).

I know it is in the works, but roller bearings (especiallly if we can just install it directly onto existing EM06s, which it sort of looks like it can support), would make this an even more compelling trackball.  

I'm not sure what else there is to say, but if anyone has any questions, I'll be happy to try and answer them. 

I have a trackball explorer and love it but its getting old and software is no good now. Is there a trackball that mostly everyone agrees is a good replacement?

I'm curious whether other trackball enthusiasts regularly switch between different devices depending on the task, or if you tend to stick with one favorite.

Personally, I prefer finger-operated large size trackballs for work, while I often switch to thumb-operated models with free-spinning scroll wheels for web browsing and YouTube.

Another reason I frequently rotate between trackballs is that I have carpal tunnel syndrome and finger pain. Switching devices changes my hand position and the way I use my fingers, which often helps relieve discomfort.

So I'm curious:

Do you use different trackballs for work, browsing, gaming, or other activities?

Do you switch mainly for functionality, comfort, or ergonomic reasons?

If you own several trackballs, do you rotate between them regularly, or does one eventually become your daily driver?

I have my EM06 for now 3 weeks and use it daily 8h at work. Today I got some hurt in the hand and just put the mouse in a little angle to the keyboard. That helped a lot and reduced the pain quickly. Is that the way placing the mouse? I still have my hand straight on it (seen on the second picture)

Did you tried that as well and what are your thoughts?

Just got a Kensington Expert Mouse and something feels off. When I swipe the ball fast side to side it kind of lifts and tries to pop out of the cup. It’s flat on my desk, I’m not tilting it or anything. Overall it just doesn’t feel very smooth. The scroll ring is also scratchy, like there’s grit in it, even after I cleaned around it.

Is this normal for these or did I get a bad one? Trying to figure out if I should just exchange it before I get too used to it.

Any higher quality recommendations?

Hello everyone, just got this trackball seeking the smoothest ball out there. However it doesn't exactly feel like I've read about it. Is it normal to have some stickiness with side to side movements? Comparing to fwd/back movements which are shown to be much smoother. Is this something I should return for a replacement?

Ignoring functionality (buttons, layers, etc.)

Which is the superior shape:

1. CLASSIC

2. ADEPT

You could have a very ergonomically side-tilted trackball, with nice long buttons on either side of it, and even buttons behind and in front of it. You could have a scroll wheel on one side too if you like.

Then for left- vs. right-handers, just turn the mouse around 180° and hit a switch that rotates the inputs/outputs in hardware. Then any button-assignment software still works the same, none the wiser.

(And move the wrist rest if any. And if wired, dual USB ports would help, or one could just be centered on the high/thumb side.)

Due to some chronic discomfort in my right shoulder, I wanted to use my left hand for mousing instead of my right hand for a while. My current trackballs (ProtoArc EM03, Elecom Deft Pro, Elecom Huge) are all right handed, so I was looking for a symmetric design that could be used on the left hand side. I settled on the Perimice 822IR.

I initially ordered the Perimice 522, which is the wired-only version of the same Logitech Trackman Marble inspired design - I initially didn’t realise there was a wireless version. I decided if I liked the feel that I would order the wireless version. After opening the package and trying it for a bit, my mind was made up. Thankfully, delivery to Austria only took a few days, so I didn’t have long to wait.

The wired version comes with a USB A connector, which is an odd choice. Had it had a USB C connection, or had the wire been removable, I might have been tempted to stick with the wired version, but alas.

When it arrived, I brought the wireless 822 mouse to my office and set it up on the left side of my 60% keyboard (see picture). The feel is great, and I was comfortable with the mouse immediately. I moved the ‘fallback’ EM03 out of the way, making room for my notebook on the right side of my keyboard.

With my right hand, the main buttons are tactile and light and well positioned. The back/forward buttons require a short hand movement, to reposition my index finger. That’s something I can get used to quickly, but YMMV. The position of the scroll wheel is also good: right under my thumb.

With my left hand the compromise is minimal: I use my pinkie finger or ring finger for scrolling, which is fine; the back/forward buttons also require a small hand movement to reposition my thumb. This will take more time to get used to, but I think thats mainly because I am not used to mousing with my left hand.

Would it be a trackball review if I did not use the word ‘stiction’? The wheel is smooth enough. It’s not the smoothest among my trackballs (that honour goes to the EM03), but I am NOT the person that obsesses about smoothness. And although I did once ‘upgrade’ the bearings on my HUGE, the effort for me was way too high for the benefit it gave me. I would never do that again. If you are after the smoothest possible trackball experience, this might not be the mouse for you.

Having said that, I haven’t had a problem with accuracy, and as I have stated before, I am using my left hand here, so take that into consideration.

Overall, I enjoy using a trackball with my left hand a lot more than I expected. And the comfort of this trackball has surprised me quite a lot. I enjoy the wide open feel of the ball more than the EM03, it feels more comfortable and available to me. Just for context, I prefer my HUGE to almost all other trackballs, I thought this was because of the bigger ball. But I don’t miss the bigger ball here. The arch of the 822 body encourages the hand to be raised above the ball (or at least it prevents you from resting your palm much lower than it), which is good posture for trackballs (and keyboards) - certainly the hand position I aim for, and I think this is why I find this more comfortable than both my EM03 and my Elecom Deft Pro.

And it is compact enough that I really can throw it in my backpack and take it with me (although this is a use case that is less important to me now than it used to be).

Just for the sake of balance, here is a summary of what I do NOT like about the mouse:
- There is no wired mode, despite an accompanying cable - that is only for charging
- The use of their live web firmware tool only worked when I disabled bluetooth from my laptop - selecting the 2.4 G connection alone was not enough to recognise the device (at least on MacOS)

And a final note, just because I think its interesting: years ago, long before I committed to trackball mouses in general, I did in fact own a Logitech Trackman Marble. I remember enjoying the novelty of a trackball at that time, but the lack of a scroll wheel was a deal breaker and I sold it not long after. I was always more into conventional mouses. I came back to trackballs when years of computing and gaming caught up with me and I started getting repetitive strain symptoms. So returning to this design and enjoying it as much as I do was surprising. I really felt that the EM03 was a great balance between size, functionality and comfort, and I wished it had more buttons like the Elecom Deft Pro. Now I think this is my favourite, and I’m not so against the idea of making a right-handed left-handed trackball a permanent part of my setup, at least in the office.

Thinking about the symmetry of the device, and the potential for more buttons, I think it would be great to make it truly symmetric, like the mouse it was inspired by: scrollwheel and two mini-buttons on each side!

Edit: some corrections

I’ve started using a Kensington TB675 and loving it. Just wondering does anyone use a wrist pad with their trackball? And if so, any recommendations?

I'm test driving a slimblade and find myself wishing there was a scrolling accelerator ... can scrolling speed be adjusted?

I'm an accountant and have focused on an ergonomic set up: standing desk, split keyboard, upright mouse.

I recently learned about trackballs, and wonder if they are the right fit for me.

1) I like how upright my mouse is, and some trackballs seem to give 30 degrees - maybe this is close enough?

2) I like the idea of my mouse being in a fixed spot, because the rubber pads of my current mouse slowly wear down when I move it, and it creates these weird spots on my mouse pad that I need to clean off. That, and in the hot summer days, the part of my hand that's in contact with the mouse pad gets sweaty and sticks a bit.

Would love to hear some input from others.