gregfokker's Full Review: Logitech TrackMan® Trackball (904353-0403)
I've been using my Trackman wheel for at least three years, and have yet to come up with even a single complaint.
Ergonomics
The Trackman is designed to accomodate your hand in a resting position, with the edge of your thumb manipulating the wheel, your index finger on the first (left) mouse button, index finger on the scroll wheel (which can also be pushed in to activate a center or scroll button) and your ring finger on the third (right) mouse button for right clicks. When positioned next to the keyboard, your neck, arm, wrist and hand are completely at rest, and despite using my computer actively for no less than 10 hours every day, I have never once experienced strain or carpal tunnel pains. Only your thumb is required to move the pointer, and no other tension or muscle use is required, contrary to even the finest laser mouse, and the Trackman works as well resting on your leg, on a stack of books or at an angle as it does resting on a flat desk surface.
Design and Maintenance
The Trackman's ball or "marble" is housed in a simple joint that can be easily removed by twisting the rotating collar a 1/4 turn. The ball rests on 3 small beads, and the laser pickup is between them. The laser pickup is vastly superior to the old x-axis/y-axis rubber rollers, as there are never any dropouts, jams or losses of signal. While Logitech claims that the design is "maintenance" free, that's not precisely the case. While no oil or other maintenance is required, the ball can become gummed up with sweat, dust or dead skin after many days of use, and it helps smooth the motion to remove the ball to shine it up and clear the accumulated muck off the 3 support beads. The whole process takes under 30 seconds and requires at most a Kleenex. Maintenance is an afterthought, but the unit is not "maintenance-free".
Logitech thoughtfully provided a very long connector cable- about 6 feet - and because the unit itself never moves, it occupies a far smaller footprint in your workspace.
Durability
The Trackman is of the highest quality. Unlike my keyboard, the keys of which are worn down and mostly unidentifiable, the Trackman looks new after years of extensive use. The cute Logitech logo has not faded, and the plastic still has its texture. The red marble also looks and works as well as the day I bought it, and the action and response in the wheel and buttons is still crisp.
Installation and Configuration
Logitech is a standard supplier of PC input devices, and as such the unit is truly Plug n play, with setup being an afterthought. Installation is as simple as plugging it in as you would a standard mouse. The setup screen accessible in the Windows control panel permits you to adjust the pointer and button sensitivity, motion and button assignments, just like with a regular mouse. As well, by downloading and installing the free Powertoys TweakUI add-on available free from the Microsoft.com website, you can make further adjustments such as hover time, wheel-scroll (in number of lines or screens), et cetera. This is a very thoroughly supported and configurable input device.
The Bottom Line
While users are known for their strong opinions, I personally love the feel of my Trackman and believe it to be a superior design to the mouse. The ergonomic advantages are a show-stopper on their own, but Logitech takes that good design a step further by constructing it in an attractive, cool-looking package that graces any desk.
Prices have dropped considerably since I shelled the $60 for mine years ago, and I recommend it highly.
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