a workout - for your thumb that is
Written: Jul 12 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: accuracy, less desk space no mousepad
Cons: not for lefties, takes time to get used to
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| that's Full Review: Logitech Trackman Marble Wheel (904334-0403) Track... |
Have you ever used your mouse and found that you were always missing your target? And finally to get it right on where you needed to click you just lifted up your mouse, grabbed onto the mouse ball and moved it with your fingers? If not, believe it or not, I have. It was the standard mircosoft wheel mouse that you get with your computer and I could always feel the increments that mouse seemed to be forced to move in. Finally the only way that I could get it to go on the spot that I needed I had to handle the mouse wheel with my fingers. This procedure of grabbing the mouse ball is the exact thinking for the creation of the trackball. You can get the accuracy that you want by controlling the mouse ball with your own fingers instead of guiding on the pressure you apply on it from the table top. If you don't believe me just try it your self with a standard mouse. Generally you will see that you can move the mouse cursor more accurately with the fingers than with the standard way of mouse use.
Since then I have gotten many other mice. Mainly microsoft mice so that they would be an easy p-n-p hook up. Until today I own the intellimouse which is very nice. But on to logitech. At work I have to use this trackwheel mouse because we deal with autocad a lot and accurate cursor movements are a necessity with auto cad. Here's my thoughts in a fast read and later in more detail on the bottom of the review.
1) My first thoughts will always be that this mouse takes time to get used to. Do not give up on it within the first day or two. Really use it before you decide that its not for you.
2) Very fast movement. You can get to the other side of the screen with just on flick of the thumb. While with conventional mice you would have to shift your hand one full sweep and sometimes more than once. And if your mouse is close to dying then about five times!
3) If your wrists hurts after a day's use of your computer with a standard mouse, then your thumb will definitely by a bit tired by the end of the day with a trackmouse.
4) I really really don't think this mouse is for left handed mouse users. But I think that's a given.
5) This mouse (or at least the one that I am using) is USB. *bonus*
6) Right now on cnet the lowest price for this mouse is 37 dollars. Which I think is a bit high (I know I shouldn't be saying anything considering I have an intellimouse explorer) for a mouse but I think that if you really like the feel and the way it moves this mouse would be well worth it.
7) Over all good mouse and nice because you don't have to move around the mouse. This is a bigger bonus than it may seem. But once again I think it is something that you have to try first to really understand.
Here's my thoughts on this mouse:
The Good
Very accurate. You can get the cursor pretty good on target when you use this mouse, which a pretty big problem when it comes to mice. I have had a few problem before with mice trying to get a smooth motion without feeling all those bumps along the way.
This is a logitech mouse. Quite frankly if you want to get a mouse that will last more than six months you have to get it from microsoft or logitech. Now I realize when you stand in the mice aisle at compusa or best buy and there a big difference between the microsoft/logitech mice and the mouse in a box type mice. But BELIEVE me, you will go through the same amount of money buying two or three not so good mice as you will with just one good mouse. So when you're standing there just keep that in mind.
USB connection. This means that your mouse will transfer data to your computer much faster and more frequently than with a standard mouse. A good plus for fast mouse movements. Mostly for gamers or designers (for sharper curves) but I don't really think that I would use this mouse for games. If you do not have a usb port, this mouse comes with a ps2 adaptor.
Space conservation. You will not need the same amount of space that you will need when you have a standard mouse. You will not need a mouse pad either. So if you get frustrated with having to move you mouse around because you do not have enough desk space and having to also move the mouse pad with it (I know this feeling, its such a bothersome) then this mouse might be very good for you. Easily pick it up and move it from one area of you desk to another.
You can use this mouse anywhere. Now I don't know if I would get this mouse if you have a laptop (since its rather big and you don't really want to carry around a big kinda heavy mouse), but like the intellimouse you really can use this mouse anywhere. Because it does not need a flat surface in order to operate, you can use this mouse where ever you have the space to use it. If you do have a laptop and want to sit on the bed and use a regular mouse - go ahead. You can place this mouse on the bed and you'll be just fine.
The Bad
Ok, I'll admit it, when I first started using this mouse I was actually moving it like it was a standard mouse. Pushing it (rather hard because it has four rubber pads on the bottom to station it a little) to get the cursor to move, and because I'm only really looking at the computer screen I'm wondering why the cursor is not moving. Yes very silly, but if you get this mouse and do the same you better be getting a laugh! It takes awhile to get used to. After years of using a standard mouse it will take more than a few minutes to get used to a trackball - in fact it could take days. So be patient and don't give up.
I'm pretty sure you cannot use this mouse if you're left handed. I don't know if logitech makes a mouse for lefties but you can always ask.
I don't think that i would advise use of this mouse for gamers though. I don't think that I could ever get used to using my mouse to move me (as a character) in a room. It's just not that natural and you can really fly across the room if you don't watch your self. Also with all the fast movement that is needed with games I have a feeling you thumb might die in the process. So if you are a big gamer then I think you should pass on this mouse.
One last thing on the mouse, don't eat too many oily foods with your right had and use your mouse at the same time. The ball will get all greasy and I really don't like that feeling on it. I'm not sure if that's how it was to begin with and I just didn't notice, but its there. Now that you are actually touching the mouse ball you have to be a bit more careful around it.
Overall
I really think this mouse is worth a try. If you to have accuracy (like for graphics or like in my case for autocad) this is a good consideration. Get used to it first (it shouldn't take more than a few days) and if you still don't like it then trade it in for a standard mouse. I think that this is a good mouse for the workplace and if you really like it then for your home computer. Its easy to use and takes much less desk space. You can get the accuracy and save some desk space.
That's all I can think of for now. Thanks for reading!
Recommended:
Yes
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