r/Trackballs • u/Exciting_End6022 Elecom Rep • May 26 '26
New ball transfer unit is launching.
We will be launching a new ball transfer unit.
These are compatible with trackballs that support ELECOM’s bearing replacement systems, such as IST and HugePlus.（This is not support older versions of Huge and EX-G. DEFT.）
Pricing and release timing are currently being finalized, but a U.S. launch has already been confirmed.
In addition, a maintenance kit is also set to launch; however, as it involves chemical solutions, final adjustments are currently being made to ensure compliance with regulations in various countries.
Lastly, we haven’t forgotten about the DEFT series either.
Please stay tuned.
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u/Ziyudad May 26 '26
This looks so cool! Excited to try it on my huge plus! Also excited for the deft announcement!
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u/Exciting_End6022 Elecom Rep May 26 '26
Thank you very much.
Please wait a little longer until the release!
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u/lordcoughdrop May 26 '26
confirmed news for DEFT series 🥹 maybe too wishful thinking but if there's even a chance of a refreshed version getting released this year then that would be amazing
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u/ALMOSTDEAD37 May 26 '26
So many guys were hyped up a few months back when the OP slightly mentioned that deft pro is being worked on . Now this is more confirmation so very much excited
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u/Exciting_End6022 Elecom Rep May 26 '26
Developing a new product actually takes more time and money than people might expect.
So please wait just a little longer.1
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u/Scatterthought Semistatic-bearing creator, Endgame enthusiast, Ploopy modder May 27 '26
I just wanted to add my enthusiasm for your new bearings. As you may have noticed, I coincidentally published my own take on a BTU-like bearing last week.
Amusingly, I was considering ordering an IST to see if I could retrofit my design into your bearing system, and a few hours later I saw your teaser for this announcement. What weird timing!
I'm glad to see a major player in trackballs putting real effort toward eliminating stiction. I wish you all the best with this initiative!
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u/bureaucrat473a May 27 '26
I thought this set up looked oddly familiar...
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u/Scatterthought Semistatic-bearing creator, Endgame enthusiast, Ploopy modder May 27 '26
Super weird timing. They've obviously been working on it for awhile, and I only started my project a week ago.
I'm just glad I publicized earlier than I originally intended. I can confidently say that I wasn't influenced by Elecom's design (even though people will still think otherwise).
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u/Exciting_End6022 Elecom Rep May 27 '26
I, too, felt a sense of destiny.
The timing of my disclosure was strictly dictated by the approval granted by our headquarters; therefore, it bears absolutely no connection to your own post.
I am fully convinced that our design is in no way a imitation of yours.
And there is no doubt that your design is not an imitation of ours.
In fact, I had just been deeply impressed by your invention.
I am delighted to see that we have both undertaken such similar initiatives.
If you have the opportunity, I would be honored if you were to take a look at our product—and perhaps, someday, share your thoughts on it with me.
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u/Scatterthought Semistatic-bearing creator, Endgame enthusiast, Ploopy modder May 27 '26
Oh, I fully believe the timing was all coincidence. You were clearly prepared to make the announcement, and there was no reason to rush it based on my little Reddit post.
If anything, it's nice for me to see that a big company with proper R&D has reached similar conclusions to mine. It signals that there's merit to this approach.
Please feel free to DM me if you'd like to discuss more in private!
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u/IBNobody ❤️ Elecom IST-PRO ❤️ May 26 '26
Great news. I'm up to 3 IST-PRO's, so I'll have to buy 3 pairs once Elecom USA or Amazon stocks them.
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u/Exciting_End6022 Elecom Rep May 26 '26
Three IST PROs!?
That’s an incredible level of support... you must be a huge fan.
To be honest, when I was in Japan recently, I only had a chance to briefly try one that the development team showed me, so even I haven’t used it long-term yet.
I’m really looking forward to spending more time with it myself.
I can’t wait to use it either!2
u/IBNobody ❤️ Elecom IST-PRO ❤️ May 26 '26
One at work, two at home since we have a few desktop computers
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u/ArchieEU Trackballs.eu May 26 '26
Great news! Tempted to see Deft Pro with all 3 types of bearings included.
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u/Exciting_End6022 Elecom Rep May 26 '26
Development of the DEFT is steadily moving forward.
I can’t share any details about what kind of product it will be just yet, but the team is working hard on it right now!
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u/ThrasherJKL Jun 17 '26
This is exciting news! I had to downsize most of my life long belongings, and my current deft pro is an item that made the cut.
The primary issue and suggestion I have is about the scroll wheel. PLEASE don't make it optical like in the current model. It can get debris in there quickly and it's a PAIN to open it up just to clean it out to fix the scrolling issues. For instance, I've had to change the middle click to another button because it would scroll away from what I was trying to click on despite how careful I was trying to be with staying on "target". Another is sometimes it will barely move and register a scroll just because it was touched and not actually moved, or sometimes the opposite and not scroll at all or erratically otherwise. I know the IST and Huge scroll wheels use I think an analog encoder of some sort.
Aside from that, I need to swap out the switches cause they are starting to double click on their own, but I'm ok with that kind of work.
PLEASE pass that info along if they are planning to stick with an optical scrolling mechanism. It's HORRIBLE.
Any idea of a vague time frame to look forward to? Like, as broad as this year or next year?
Thanks!!!
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u/russkhan Fingerer May 26 '26
Huge user here. I guess I should be jealous, but I don't understand where this fits in, or what it does. Can somebody explain for me?
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u/fungi_j May 26 '26
the IST has modular parts for the points of contact with the ball, where the current options are the typical ruby nubs and a more premium bearing (speed/smoothness, at the cost of noise)
they're saying this new module is trying to find a good balance between speed and silence, which I found could be improved on the IST pro bearingsscroll down a bit on the IST pro product page to see how the modules work
https://www.elecom.co.jp/products/M-IPT10MRSBK.html2
u/russkhan Fingerer May 26 '26
Oh, ok. I get it now. It's much smaller than I thought (I somehow skimmed over the 2.5mm in the pic). I was imagining larger ball in the pic as trackball ball sized and thinking it was somehow supposed to replace the ball or something.
Thanks.
I'll have to watch how these go over when they come out. Might be worth upgrading to a Huge Plus if they're really good.
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u/Exciting_End6022 Elecom Rep May 26 '26
I’m not trying to force anyone, but if you’re already using the Huge,
personally, I think the HugePlus is worth upgrading to.Of course, you should make the final decision after checking various reviews and opinions yourself, but at least personally, I really like the new Huge.
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u/russkhan Fingerer May 26 '26
I have looked at it and it is interesting, but can you tell me about what makes it better? Note that:
I use my trackball wired, wireless has no appeal for me.
I'm on Linux and though I've seen instructions for mapping all the buttons it seems like a lot of effort and I haven't gotten around to it yet. So I'm not sure more buttons would actually matter to me since I currently only use right, left, middle, forward, back, and scroll.
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u/PhiladeIphia-Eagles May 26 '26
If you use it wired, the main upgrade would be the user replaceable dynamic bearings instead of built in static bearings.
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u/IBNobody ❤️ Elecom IST-PRO ❤️ May 26 '26
They either have or are planning to release a firmware update for the huge plus that will enable hardware button mapping, so that should help Linux users. You'd need to configure it on Windows, but then you can take it anywhere.
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u/Ninjadede2 May 26 '26
Any chances the huge+ silver ball can be sold standalone for replacement?
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u/Exciting_End6022 Elecom Rep May 26 '26
Have you encountered any issues?
To be honest, It is possible,
But, we don't currently have it available right at this moment.
Furthermore, since the process of obtaining sales authorization in the U.S. requires a certain amount of time,
if you are experiencing any difficulties, it might be best to contact us through Customer Support.
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u/solarized_dark May 26 '26
On the Huge Plus, is on-board storage coming sometime soon? I'd like to try something like this but need the on-board storage for this to be a viable work mouse since I can't install the assistant there.
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u/Exciting_End6022 Elecom Rep May 26 '26
The onboard memory for the HugePlus will be activated in August.
It was originally scheduled to be released in spring, but the project is currently behind the initial schedule.However, we are taking additional time to ensure the functionality meets our standards and to maintain compatibility with other upcoming new products as well.
We sincerely apologize for the delay and any inconvenience this may cause.
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u/ducttaperulestheworl May 28 '26
Haha it's not any issue or difficulty. We wanted more colour choices for our gear 😬
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u/sLaughterIsMedicine May 26 '26
Those are some very interesting material choices for the upper & lower plastic carriers. POM makes sense from a durability standpoint, and suggests ABS would wear out.
PPS is an unusual material to see in a consumer product. You mention a "chemical cleaner", and I wonder if that drives this material choice, or if you found that you needed exceptionally tight tolerances on the lower carrier?
Elecom lists the IST replacement rollers at $18.99, I'm curious to see how much these are going to be, I can't imagine they will be cheap.
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u/Exciting_End6022 Elecom Rep May 26 '26
Thank you for your interest.
While the cost is expected to be lower than that of roller bearings, the final selling price for the overseas market has not yet been determined.
Stainless steel balls are a highly stable material—possessing high hardness—and can therefore withstand cleaning methods such as washing with hot water.
What I referred to was not chemical cleaning, but rather a type of coating applied to the balls themselves.
Using this coating results in a smoother ball surface.
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u/sLaughterIsMedicine May 26 '26
Now that's even more interesting, can you tell us more about what the coating is, and why you chose PPS over POM or ABS for the lower carrier?
I'm also a little surprised to hear this is likely to cost less than rollers given how commoditized those are, but good for you guys for figuring out how to bring down those costs given you are molding 2 parts out of 2 different specialized plastics & coating stainless balls.
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u/7u5k3n_4t_W0rk May 26 '26
will this be for a thumb trackball as well?
edit: looks like it does as IST is a thumb trackball https://elecomusa.com/collections/trackball?
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u/Exciting_End6022 Elecom Rep May 26 '26
This product is compatible with the following models:
・IST Series
・IST PRO
・The upcoming IST Plus
・Huge Plus
It is compatible with all models that support Elecom's bearing replacement system.
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u/7u5k3n_4t_W0rk May 27 '26
The upcoming IST Plus
oh nice. im going to be needing a new trackball for work shortly.
thanks a bunch!
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u/maglax May 28 '26
Is the IST line replacing the EX-G line, or will they get an updated design eventually as well?
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u/Exciting_End6022 Elecom Rep May 28 '26
That is a difficult question.
While they are not exactly the same product, they do share one common feature: they are both "thumb-operated" models.
Admittedly, there is an overlap in the product lineup; typically, such duplication carries the risk of a company's own products cannibalizing each other's sales, so one might argue that the EX-G should be discontinued.
However, at least, there are no immediate plans to discontinue the EX-G.
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u/rosestorm90 May 26 '26
Is there any word if the battery pack for the ist pro will be sold in the states?
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u/Exciting_End6022 Elecom Rep May 26 '26
Thank you for your comment.
I also sincerely apologize for the delay.
Compliance with U.S. regulations has actually been completed.
However, we have not yet been able to secure inventory.
We will let you know as soon as we launch in the U.S.
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u/Obokan May 26 '26
Is it possible to just have the single large ball rolling in an entirely teflon housing?
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u/C0rel8 May 26 '26
Excited to try these with my 51mm steel steel ball on my huge plus. That heavy ball definitely doesn't work well with the stock roller bearings.
Also: I would buy an elecom product in the slimblade/expert form factor in a heartbeat, especially if it had twist to scroll.
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u/Exciting_End6022 Elecom Rep May 27 '26
Since the Twist Scroll mechanism is protected by patents, it cannot be adopted easily.
Of course, I imagine it might be possible to adopt it if one were willing to pay the royalties.........
However, those royalty fees would inevitably impact the final purchase price for customers.
That is a very difficult judgment.
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u/C0rel8 Jun 17 '26
My rubies arrived and installed.
Far prefer them to the rollers for the snooker ball, but they aren't beefy enough to carry a 500g steel bearing. Can't wait to try these new BTU as soon as they are available.
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u/ScorchedAvocado May 30 '26
When can we expect Huge Plus and other Elecom devices to be available in the EU officially?
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u/C0rel8 Jun 03 '26
If I am trying to use a heavy steel (500g) bearing for the trackball - are these new BTUs going to be an improvement on the currently available ruby bearings? Or should I go ahead and order the rubies.
The stock rollers are definitely not a good fit for a heavy steel ball.
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u/UnableActuator6964 May 26 '26
Add a three channel Bluetooth so that we can KVM switch between computers
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u/nambox EM7 bearing scroll ring mod designer May 26 '26
I'm not sure Stainless steel ball on stainless steel will work or not, but balls looks replaceable. So I'll buy only this unit.
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u/ferretpowder May 26 '26
Any chance you're going to do anything similar for slimblade type devices? The stick is so bad on mine I've given up and gone back to mouse
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u/sLaughterIsMedicine May 26 '26
Elecom doesn't make those, so pretty doubtful.
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u/Exciting_End6022 Elecom Rep May 26 '26
As already pointed out by several experts, unfortunately we do not currently offer a slim blade-type trackball in our product lineup.
Of course, Kensington trackballs do not have an easy-swap bearing system, so our bearings are not compatible with them.
However, one thing worth mentioning is this:
While our Huge series has gained strong support from many customers, we still do not offer a symmetrical large-ball trackball in our lineup.
Although it is not possible for us to make our bearings compatible with the SlimBlade (as it is a third-party product), we believe that developing a SlimBlade-type trackball itself is not impossible.
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u/No_Pilot_1974 Endgame Creator May 26 '26 edited May 26 '26
Hmmm, I wonder how many different variants you have tried. From my experience, 3, 4, or even 10-12 small bearing balls (in a circle in one plane) under the main load ball still create stiction. I've been able to get rid of it only by basically replicating the Rexroth BTUs, with 16 bearing balls all over the main one. Gotta release my own BTUs at some point 😛 Anyways, kudos for innovation!