My Slimblade Pro is giving me some odd problems, some of which are hardware related, and some of which I believe are software.

One problem I am now having is with the trackball charging and using it wired. I plug a cable in and it just doesn't work. I end up having to repeatedly pull the cable out and really jam it in there and then it eventually works.

Second problem is stiction. I recently "fixed" this problem by using teflon dry lube on the bearings and getting a Perrix 55mm ball. But I feel like I shouldn't need to spend $28.00 on a Perrix ball for a trackball I already spent $100 on in the first place.

Third problem is that the trackball squeaks when I turn the ball to scroll. It doesn't do it all the time, but it does it often enough to annoy me.

Last problem is lag on Windows. I have two computers on my desk. One is a Mac mini, and the other is my work ThinkPad laptop. On the Mac mini, after bearing lubrication and ball swap, everything is fine. On Windows I am getting lag and jerky monvement. Since it's a locked down work machine, I have to use the "packaged" version of Kensingtonworks, which is 2.5. I've been begging them to upgrade it and they tell me they're "working on it." Which is what they've said since 2022. I really want the feature that lets me mute a call by clicking on a button.

I obviously need to call Kensington for problem #1. This sounds like a hardware problem, and I don't think these have been around long enough for it to be out of warranty yet.

I'm curious if anyone else has a similar setup with a Mac and PC and if the PC has lag.

Apart from taking the route of a DIY solder option, are there any trackballs that come with decent/premium mouse switches? If there are, what are they?

Thanks in advance

I have the much venerated Logitech Trackman Marble model T-BB13 that I intend to use until either it dies or I die. Unfortunately, after several years of use, the cable has become cracked, and (after transmitting input sporadically where I could usually get it to work by wiggling things) no longer transmits any movement or clicks at all.

My first attempt (months ago) at buying a replacement (from an overseas site) failed (the cable I purchased had a smaller connecter to the circuit board). Does anyone know where I can find a replacement cable that will work, or (if "any" cable will work if it has the right connector) the name of the connector so that I can ensure that I order the right one on my next purchase attempt?

Thank you in advance.

So, I just got the ProtoArc EM01 NL. It is a thumb-operated trackball. I'm coming from a finger-operated Elecom HUGE trackball. How long will it take for me to get used to a thumb-ball trackball?

I've also noticed, when I increase the pointer/mouse speed to the max in Windows 11, the ball doesn't always track accurately; it likes the precise slower settings. Why would this be? Is this an inherit property of the device itself?

I understand that there is a DPI selector button, but, other than moving the trackball, how can I know what DPI setting I am currently using?

I also noticed that sometimes the ball wouldn't move the mouse cursor and then it would recover and start moving the mouse cursor again.

As a side note: the smoothness of the ball is onpar with the Elecom HUGE. I'm plesantly surprised. I was expecting a lot of stiction and other problems because I had tried a Kensington SlimBlade Pro and it was atrocious (probably my copy had issues of some sort), so, I thought the ProtoArc EM01 NL will be bad too.

Thank you

Hi all, looking for some help/advice in regards to my Sanwa Gravi. I've had the wireless version for two years now and have been very happy with it. I use it on both my personal PC (Linux and windows) and my work laptop (Windows) and it worked perfectly on both. Yesterday whilst playing a first person game all of a sudden it took a ridiculous amount of mouse movement to look left/right/up/down, initially I thought it was the game but it persisted on the desktop. I've booted into another OS on the same PC, tried my work laptop, tried using bluetooth instead of the USB adapter but the issue doesn't appear to be there. Even with the mouse set to the highest DPI setting it takes a lot of 'rolls' to get the mouse to move anywhere, making it pratically impossible to use. I've changed the batteries, given the bearings and sensor a clean using IPA and used a bit of 'natrual grease' (from my forehead lol) to try and grease the ball up, which has helped in the past when the ball was sticking. The ball itself doesn't feel stuck or hard to move and the bearings appear to move smoothly.

Does anyone have any advice? It's been a while since I used a trackball (last time was in the MTE glory days) I can't recall ever having an issue like this before so not sure if it is specific to the Sanwa Gravi.

I am looking for an easy way of scrolling. Is there a trackball which can be used as scrolling only device?
Any hints would be appreciated.

Long time trackball user here and i feel dumb asking this: what is the relationship in DPI to polling rates, are polling rates specific to inly wireless mouse or does it apply to wired trackballs as well? (My new trackball arriving today is my first wired one).

I went down the rabbit hole on polling rates while shopping, researching what my existing trackballs were and realized i knew nothing! Using a 49" ultrawide at 3480x1080 to play mostly World of Warships game, it is and isnt a FPS game where aim accuracy slightly matters when RNG takes a match off

Hey guys, found out a great deal on slimblade but the model seem to be Japanese. Could it be a drag by any way, maybe software not being in english?

It's my first trackball purchase so I have no idea how and what it could affect something

https://preview.redd.it/nrfefnhze84e1.png?width=1804&format=png&auto=webp&s=ef6b1b18335479165279bd5ab50b8bda6969edf0

Hi everyone. I have my first trackball Kensington Orbit and I really enjoy it. One feature I miss is horizontal scrolling in excel and webpages. Is there a way to fix it?

After a week with the Slimblade Pro - These are my thougts compared to a regular mouse.

1. Precision- Terrible. The accuracy is nowhere near that of a regular mouse. I'm not sure if it's stiction or something else, but it's definitely not suitable for the precision I require from a mouse.

2. Buttons: Mostly awful. They are very loud and have a high resistance compared to regular mouse buttons. I haven't checked what switches they use, but they are very hard to press. The top buttons are difficult to reach, requiring you to move your entire hand to perform a middle click. While you can configure the middle click to be both bottom buttons, I find this setup inconvenient.

3. Scrolling - I like the sound it makes but it's hard not to move the cursor when you scroll. Scrolling and moving is out of the question. Very very limiting.

I can't compare it to other trackballs since this is the first one I've used. Compared to a regular mouse, I feel significantly handicapped using it. It's so limited that even basic day-to-day tasks are challenging. I'll continue using it for a few more days, but I wouldn't recommend it. I tried to return it to Amazon, but they refunded me without requiring the product back.

If anyone has a recommendation for a dynamic bearing trackball that isn't as homemade-looking or loud as the Ploopy Adept, I'd love to hear it.

Hi everyone, does someone have an STL for something like that?

I am a long time user of the regular Kensington Trackball. I love it. I have been using them since the 90's. I saw the SlimBlade Pro and it is a sexy beast. But it doesn't look like it has the scroll ring that I have so gotten used to. I read through the description and it says that is has "unique ball-twist scrolling." That sounds interesting. How well does that work?

https://www.kensington.com/p/products/electronic-control-solutions/trackball-products/slimblade-pro-eq-trackball/

Hello guys, unfortunately after only 2 years of usage my logitech Mx master 2s doesn’t work properly… i’am a programmer and i was thinking to buy a mx master 3s or to switch to a trackball because i’ve found a good deal for Kensington Mouse Trackball SlimBlade Pro Wireless at around 90 euros.

Are there some programmers too that can recommend this? How much is different from a mouse and what are the advantages? Is this a good solution for long term?

Also i will switch to an ergonomic keyboard and i was thinking to buy a custom built Softle v 2.1

A Trackball Mouse with a 55mm ball like the (Kensington Expert) that works with QMK? I really wish Ploopy would make an Adept "XL". I'd go the route of building my own if I knew where to start.

Back when I bought my M570 (which I have been using for four years now, no issues) it was two years, but now it’s been reduced to one. Would you recommend buying additional warranties on their trackballs now that the warranty has been lowered to one year? Anyone have experience with Best Buy Protection Plan? How does that even work? Or Staple’s warranty which is being done by AllState, any experience with that either?

Which one would you suggest between the two mouses?

The M575 is 30€, while the TB550 is 45€. So not an huge price difference.

Thank you

Hey guys,

I’ve been looking into picking up the Ploopy Adept but I had a few questions I was hoping to get some help with.

Currently using Slimblade pro. I don’t really have any major issues with it except for sometimes it’s not as precise as I would like it to be. I love the twist to scroll and how simple it is to clean. It’s also pretty straightforward to program the buttons using Kensignton’s software, I’ve got a layout for left hand and right hand that I switch between each week.

I’d love to know the following:

• how much of a difference is the experience between the Adept and the Slimblade. I’ve read that that the Adept is super smooth but there are certain instances where the trackball kind of seizes up because of the positioning of the bearings. Seize up may not be the right description but is this true and how big of an issue is it

• I haven’t seen too much on the cleaning process for the bearings. In general, how often does the Adept need to be cleaned, I know it’ll differ based on usage. Is the cleaning process difficult in any way. I clean my Slimblade twice a week, I just wipe the bearings with a microfibre cloth, takes a minute tops.

• I figure changing the button functionality will be bit more involved than the Slimblade. How big is the learning curve. I haven’t found any videos online about this but will I be able to do things like button cording? For instance when I press the 2 bottom buttons on my Slimblade it will launch Mission Control for me. I’m assuming I can do the same on the Adept?

I guess overall, have you guys found the Adept to be a good upgrade form the Slimblade? Has anyone tried the change but ended up going back?

Thanks!

I'm trying to snap half of all life away. The purple trackball is on its way but I can't seem to find an orange one.

If you remember, about half-year back ProtoArc representative announced they're working on ambidextrous ProtoArc EM06 model:

https://old.reddit.com/r/Trackballs/comments/1ct8j19/protoarc_em06_design_in_progress_seeking_your/

Concept drawing was also presented: https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpreview.redd.it%2Fg6reiliy6r0d1.png%3Fwidth%3D413%26format%3Dpng%26auto%3Dwebp%26s%3Df5259bf06c868f0f9511363a38faf94689cb7797

Now the GlobalSources site display two quite interesting trackballs:

https://www.globalsources.com/Computer-trackball/ball-mouse-1220701729p.htm

(scroll down the page to see the black model with slightly different scroll controls)

u/ProtoArc_official Please don't tell me it isn't your product! :-)

Hi there, very happy user of the Gameball for quite some time now - it has gotten to the point where it is practically unconscious usage.

Along with the age the rubber feet have lost their grip from the ball, and so I am looking for something else to use as the grip to the table that ideally won't come off too easily. What size is good for them? I had used one in the past on my older trackballs, but that came off after a few months, and suspect that it may have been too big or something else.

Breaking my lurking mode to share this find. First post ever!

The Kensington SlimBlade Pro EQ just became available on Amazon for $119.99!

Non Affiliate Amazon US Link: Amazon US

Affiliate Link: Amazon US

Kensington Website Direct Link: US Site

I just ordered mine and decided to share this with all of you!

As I too wanted one when I saw that there was a white one available but only if you order it direct from Kensington.

https://preview.redd.it/rnrbiraie53e1.png?width=1136&format=png&auto=webp&s=eedcc48c1dc724afc6cd61aa319888fd4df0f1a5

My jouney here.

I am a long time Razer Naga user, 15+ years! I only use the Naga form factor exclusively. I honestly believe that this is the only mouse I will use until the end of time as I've gotten so used to using all the side buttons. I've probably gone through 7 or more Razer Naga models through the years with the Razer Naga Pro as my latest acquisition almost a year ago this December, replacing a Razer Naga Epic Chroma which I've had since 2015. I've customized these buttons to be second nature to me. Minimize window, open new finder, copy, cut, paste, new tab, close tab, Enter, etc. I can do all of those without thinking and just do the short cut on the mouse and do the thing that I need. We are one...

I've started my serious ergonomic journey since I got a Steelcase Leap V2 chair about a month ago even though I've been using a Flexispot sit stand desk for over 3 years now with my triple 32" monitor setup. Somehow, the chair, me sitting properly, exposed a lot of my bad posture/habits when on my table coming from the plush Lazyboy office chair that became too big for me to use comfortably. Suddenly the base of my mousing hand started to hurt and got red which is a precursor to carpal tunnel. I started to look into mouse alternatives as I don't want to deal with that, just to see what's out there and all my research pointed me to using trackballs. 

In my mind, that's a total shift in perspective and is a real mind fuck for me.

Top models that I was looking at were the usual suspects, Kensington SlimBlade Pro, Kensington Expert, Elecom Huge, Elecom Deft Pro, X-Keys Trackballs and the Adept lines.

I was of course drawn to the Elecom Huge due to it having more buttons than the others I don't know If I can live with so few.

But since comfort and ergonomics is what led me here, I begrudgingly went with the Kensington SlimBlade Pro and besides, I don't want to deal with replacing the bearings of the Elecom Huge from day 1 if I want a good trackball experience.

I've been using it now for close to a month and wouldn't you know it, not even once did I pickup my Razer Naga Pro since!

Thank you to this trackball community which gave me the insight and guidance I needed to help me get to where I am now by sharing your reviews, experience and use cases!

The Kensington SlimBlade Pro is really comfortable to use! I honestly thought that I will hate it. Now, no more hand pain and the twist scrolling is really cool and easy to use it is akin to the logitech infinite scroll wheel.

In the photo of my messy desk, I'm still transitioning from an Alice keyboard layout to the ZSA Voyager split keyboard along with the trackball.

Yes, I've employed the Stream Deck as a macro pad where I've transitioned some of the shortcuts that I could not program using SteerMouse to customize my SlimBlade Pro. That program really helped with the transition.

I also modded the Slimblade Pro to use silent switches as I could not stand the loud plastic clicks but kept the scroll sound effects as that does not bother me.

So, if you're on the fence trying out a trackball for comfort, you're on the right path.

P.S. For the keen eye. I've 3D printed a button riser to make the top left button easier to click. STL files available here.

Pardon my disheveled desk

BTW, I just ordered the Matte White version of the SlimBlade Pro which I shared here.

Much happier this go around! I may give it a third attempt but this time it's so much smoother and cleaner looking. Might not push it.

A few months ago I switched from mouse to thumb trackballs as I thought they'd be easier to transition to than finger trackballs. I also remembered having used a Kensington Turbomouse 30 years ago and for some reason (which one ? I can't remember) going back to mice (although the rubber ball underneath mice at that time wasn't great to say the least).

Thumb trackballs are very nice but, at least for me, it's still difficult even after weeks of practice to target exactly the "landing point" of the cursor movement. More often than not a second adjustment/movement is necessary. I kept reading here that finger trackballs are better than thumb ones, but I wasn't to keen on going yet through another adaptation period.

Then came a black friday deal on a Slimblade Pro to good to ignore, so I ordered one. Wow ! So smooth, so easy to use, less than an hours with it I was already more comfortable than my previous thumb trackballs (yes, there's a plural here because the first one felt 'sticky'). I actually forget that I'm using a trackball and not a mouse.

I'm very happy, I just hope the smoothness will last maybe not forever but at least several years !

https://preview.redd.it/v19l96e2243e1.jpg?width=537&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fff7ad3826500384850930dcce416c2b06d7c162

Holiday Sale. Our holiday sale starts today. With the original GameBall going on sale through December 16th. The sale price is $136 USD. We don’t offer too may sales each year, so this is your chance to save a little money on GameBall.

Firmware. We just released our latest firmware (1.7.3). This includes a new feature to lock some of your settings and disable button swapping. You can find it here:

GameBall Thumb. We sold out of the Limited Edition model of the GameBall Thumb. Unfortunately, we have a parts shortage with our manufacturer and the Standard Edition (all black with a black ball) has been delayed. We hope to have these in stock near the end of the year or the beginning of next. Apologies for the delay.

GameBall Pro. What I get asked about the most is the GameBall Pro. As most of you know, we moved manufacturing to China from the UK for the Pro. We are not going to make a 2024 release. We knew this would be tough to make and it is simply not ready for release. We hope to release Pro in the spring to early summer of 2025. The plan is to have a Limited Edition model with a red ball and red base and then move to a Standard Edition with a black ball and all black base. Based on your feedback, we have added something new to the design. I am not able to share yet what it is, but we think it will definitely set us apart from all other trackballs on the market. We are happy with how GameBall Pro is shaping up and very excited to get it out to you all.

You can always reach us at: gameball@gamingtrackball.com

Thank you all for the continued support of GameBall.

Eric