trackballs

Yeah, it needs to be cleaned every so often. Not a big deal, since it requires less cleaning than my optical Logitech Trackman (yes, I said less than an optical). I've had this one about a year, the 2 button (Orbit) version for about 5 years (and still use it with the original rollers), and the Logitech for about a year. The Logitech was a horrid mistake.

Very comfortable fit, but not quite as nice as the 2 button version, but still fine, and better than the more ergonomic looking Logitech. The scroll wheel is useless unless I am reading long documents, in which case, I let go of the whole thing except for a finger on the wheel. But it doesn't really matter, because the drivers allow you to set the buttons so you can hit a button (or 2 at the same time) and use the main wheel to scroll.

On to the drivers. They are what make this trackball awesome. You can set the buttons to function with a default set with a whole bunch of options (including bizzare keystrokes), and then set them for specific programs. I use many programs on a daily basis, and this allows me to keep basic functions like zoom in/out in the same place, no matter what program I am in or what the keystroke is. It also allows "chording" where you hit 2 buttons at once, and they act as an extra button, for those less than common functions.

If they made this with an optical ball, it would be perfect.

I had a Kensington TurboRing and LOVED it. The TurboBall is their current warranty replacement as the TurboRing is no longer available.

Using a trackball with the fingers is, for me, much more comfortable than using one operated with the thumb. I get a pain similar to old Atari joystick thumb cramps when using thumb-movement trackballs. The finger movement on the TurboBall is quite smooth and very precise.

The scroll wheel on the TurboBall is in a USELESS location. There's no way to use the wheel without moving the entire hand off the unit or contorting one's thumb into an extremely uncomfortable angle. This makes the wheel all but UNUSABLE for any frequent use.

That and the roller mechanism used here is essentially the same thing as the TurboRing. Which means frequent cleaning and possible loss of the little red bearings. The bearing races do appear more sturdy than those used on the TurboRing (which is what broke on mine). But the rollers are still the same and probably just as likely to gum up. Mine tended to gum up once a week with daily (8+ hours) of use.

It's really a shame, the best feature of the TurboRing, and what sold me on it, was the ScrollRing. Kensington has seriously missed the mark with design of the TurboBall. It'd have been OK if the scroll wheel wasn't in such a horrible location.

Oh, but only if they'd put a ScrollRing around the ball of their Expert series trackball! I'd buy it in a heartbeat. It too suffers from a poorly placed scroll wheel.

Kensington warranty support is excellent but getting this as a replacement for my TurboRing just doesn't cut it.

I generally prefer trackballs over a mouse, and for me this one has the best combination of features and ease of use. Most of the other trackballs I've tried have felt awkward or put stress on different digits. Some reviewers have complained about the position of the hand when using this device, but for me that is a strong point. You are supposed to rest the edge of your hand on the desktop, and let your hand curl naturally around the high centered design.

I do agree with the other reviewers about the need for frequent cleaning. Several suggestions - try using a Q-Tip swab dipped in rubbing alcohol for cleaning the rubber rollers and the various inside parts. Also, an old toothbrush works wonders to loosen and scrub away deposits on various parts, inlcuding the small red beads that help hold the ball in place (which I have never needed to remove to clean). The ball does need to be cleaned frequently, or the buildup of skin oils on it will begin to gum up the rollers. Ironically, the problem with the rollers is that they get too smooth when they are dirty, and are unable to obtain traction against the ball, which is why they the pointer doesn't move on the screen.

The rubber rollers do eventually deteriorate, as others have noted. That is my only real complaint about this product, as when the rollers have degraded enough they can no longer make good contact with the ball, and it becomes very difficult to move the pointer. It is possible to replace them, but it can be a tricky and frustrating job, and it is almost simpler just to buy a new one.

I have owned several of these trackballs, and even with heavy useage I expect to get 1-2 years of good use out of them. After that, the rollers are worn, and it is either replace the rollers or buy a new one. I like the trackball enough that I have done both of these, rather than switch back to a mouse or a different trackball.