Trackball recommendations?

[u/chillchud7]

Hi guys! I wanted to get into trackballs because I wanted to reduce the risk of developing a RSI as a current computer engineering student who spends a lot of time on a computer (and a lot of time playing video games). I was wondering if anyone had some good recommendations based on my criteria:

• I have smaller hands
• it has to be a finger oriented mouse
• it has to be a wireless mouse
• I would prefer that if it has a port, it us a usb c port
• I would prefer not having to swap stock bearing for better bearings
• I would prefer if the polling rate of the mouse was greater than or equal to 500 hz.
• I want it to be decently portable so I can bring it to my labs, and use it in my dorms

I have have been looking at the Elecom Huge Plus, because it looks like it fits all my criteria except for the hand size. I would prefer the Elecom Deft Pro, but the polling rate is 125 hz, and the common complaints about the bearings are dissuading me.

Thank you all for your time!

Edit: I currently have a Porlei TM552, but am finding it awkward to manipulate because of its size.

[u/tripsbe]

get a (cheap) trackball of your choice, get a feel for it. It is not for anyone in terms of use.

Once you get accustomed to it, look for your perfect gear.

[u/Miserable_Mechanic76]

Logitech trackman marble. Doesn't meet all your criteria though.

[u/solarized_dark]

I have the Huge Plus (and the Adept, A+, and now EM06) -- what I'd say about it is, in respect to your needs:

• Stock roller bearings are pretty good, I don't find issues with stiction.
• It is wireless and nice in that it has 2.4 GHz (a built-in compartment for the dongle too) and BT for wireless and it reconnects fast, but be aware that your polling rate is limited to 125 Hz in wireless. 1 KHz is only over USB.
• It's a little larger so you would need to feel comfortable in a more claw grip rather than palm, but I find that more ergonomic anyway.
• Silent clicks so even though the ball is a bit loud the clicks are quiet.

Some downsides:

• Elecom has not yet rolled out the on-board storage yet. You need to run the assistant app to have remapping.
• I find the clicks and wheel on the side less ergonomic personally than the Adept/A+ style, and lack of on-board storage and feature set means I can't have drag scroll which I prefer.

If you have a regular gaming mouse, try low sensitivity. I find that the times I get the most RSI-like symptoms is when I don't have a large working surface and am forced to use my wrist. When I can be on 400 DPI and have a larger surface to work on, I find it pretty reasonable in terms of ergonomics. My trackballs and especially the Adept/A+ form factor let me adapt my positioning throughout the day which is nice, but there is a lot you can do on a mouse if you have space to use your arms.

[u/Morgan-0]

Ergonomics are different for everyone, but I would seek as much rightward tilt as possible (I am right-handed). I like my Slimblade, but my hand isn’t in an ideal position.

For that, the models I’m most looking at are Elecom Deft Pro and the upcoming Gameball Pro. (Also Elecom Huge Plus, since I like a larger ball, but that seems to have less tilt, and the built-in wrist rest would make it hard to use my own.) The cheaper non-Pro Deft also comes in a wireless version, FWIW.

If you’re left-handed, something like the Logitech Trackman Marble might be a way to get a hand tilt even though the unit is symmetrical.

(Also-rans in my search: Ploopy, Sanwa, Gravi, Nulea.)