I find that I prefer trackballs to the more common mice, but I've noticed that many pc gamers think that trackballs suck for gaming (More like they don't have proper control over the ball itself but that is another issue.) it is true that one does have to change some settings around when using the trackball, but I find that this slight annoyance is worth it since trackballs (that are properly made mind you.) are less sensitive to shock (me getting up for example.) and don't require so much wrist movement like the other type of mice do. I do wish that I could find a trackball made with gaming in mind though as I find most trackballs to be a bit lacking when it comes to buttons. What do you all prefer.
Poll: What tyoe of pointing device do you prefer for PC games?
- Thread starter shadow skill
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I myself use a trackball, mostly because I have it attached to a laptop (because I strongly dislike the little touch pad thing) and therefore do not always have a solid place for mouse maneuvering. However, I am quite the avid gamer and have never been in a situation where the type of mouse I use has been the deciding factor between victory and failure.
Yup trackball. Logitech marble mouse. Most of my non-gaming friends think its cool and appriciate the fact you never have to slap it around or run out of mousemat. However only one gaming friend has converted, with the rest spitting and hissing at the very idea of it!
One complaint though (and the main point my friends argue with) is there's no scroll wheel. I've never really found this a problem until bloody crysis. It seems one cant redefine the zoom function to keyboard! At least not in the menu. I spurn them as I would a rabid dog.
One complaint though (and the main point my friends argue with) is there's no scroll wheel. I've never really found this a problem until bloody crysis. It seems one cant redefine the zoom function to keyboard! At least not in the menu. I spurn them as I would a rabid dog.
Yep, playstyle. I just bought the MS Laser 6000, which is a fairly low end laser mouse, about 50$. Scroll wheel, scroll wheel button, and a thumb + ringfinger button.
I played back in the startcraft days with a trackball. Ever since I got this laser mouse I haven't even regretted coming back to the dark side. The beauty of this mouse is that I can run it over a racoon's testicles and it will still scroll properly.
Right now I am using it on a glossy white desk with 0 mouspad and I get no problems ever. On my leg, magazine, DvD case. The only thing it has a problem with is something perfectly clear with no inperfections in it.
So, for me... Trackball > Optical and Laser > Trackball.
I played back in the startcraft days with a trackball. Ever since I got this laser mouse I haven't even regretted coming back to the dark side. The beauty of this mouse is that I can run it over a racoon's testicles and it will still scroll properly.
Right now I am using it on a glossy white desk with 0 mouspad and I get no problems ever. On my leg, magazine, DvD case. The only thing it has a problem with is something perfectly clear with no inperfections in it.
So, for me... Trackball > Optical and Laser > Trackball.
I've never tried using a trackball, as I've never felt it would help me in any way. Some people use them because they feel it requires less wrist movement; My mouse is so sensitive that I only need to move my index/middle fingers in and out or my thumb/forefinger side to side to achieve the most movement I'll ever need in a game.
So I suppose you could say I use my mouse a little bit like a track ball...
So I suppose you could say I use my mouse a little bit like a track ball...
I used to use a trackball for regular computer functions a loooong time ago and never quite got used to it. Now I have a wireless laser mouse and a wired optical with a stiff mouse pad (I play on a laptop).
i'd have to say a mouse just because i couldn't get used to a trackball after using one for a few months. Borrowed it off a mate who swears by em. Saying that i've spent years using a mouse, so it will be easier than a trackball, but i always found that to use a trackball to its greatest accuracy required me to leave the mouse buttons alone, so i just go bored of it.
Was cool for non gaming though, just didn't find it useful for quick movement situations
Was cool for non gaming though, just didn't find it useful for quick movement situations
Wow, I'm amazed at how many people use trackballs. I use a Logitech Marble Mouse for my left hand, and a Logitech ExtremePro for my right hand. It's not as accurate as a good mouse (or a right hand track ball), but to me it's much more fun to not be handling the keyboard. Maybe I should learn to use my joystick left-handed!
This is a pleasant suprise I figured I would be the only one. As far as the scrollwheel thing you may want to take a look at the kensington expert mouse [http://www.enablemart.com/Catalog/Trackballs-Joysticks/Expert-Mouse-Trackball] which is the trackball I have. or this logitech model. [http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Cordless-Optical-Trackman-USB/dp/B00006B9CR/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=pc&qid=1199487651&sr=1-5] The logitech model is right-hand oriented though where as the Kensington is ambidexterous.
Logitech Trackman Marble. I have better control in games than I do with a mouse. Of course it helps that I've been using a trackball for almost thirteen years now, and this is my second trackball.
-Nar
-Nar
I used to use a trackball when I was a little kid but after I got older my fingers have developed an odd twitch one day I can't explain.
Anyways, this made using a trackball fairly difficult and sometimes frustrating. So, I switched to a mouse and I've just stayed with it. It's a MX1000 laser mouse from Logitech which has been very good so far, it almost gives me back the precision I had with the trackball.
Anyways, this made using a trackball fairly difficult and sometimes frustrating. So, I switched to a mouse and I've just stayed with it. It's a MX1000 laser mouse from Logitech which has been very good so far, it almost gives me back the precision I had with the trackball.
The real answer is: Whichever you prefer.
Personally i like to have a wheel and 5 buttons in easy reach. I don't thinkyou can have a trackball that does that.
In theory a trackball give better fine control however i am so used to a mouse that i can't be bothered to change. Also everywhere has mouses (ie work) so its probably better ot be used to the 'standard' pointing device...
Personally i like to have a wheel and 5 buttons in easy reach. I don't thinkyou can have a trackball that does that.
In theory a trackball give better fine control however i am so used to a mouse that i can't be bothered to change. Also everywhere has mouses (ie work) so its probably better ot be used to the 'standard' pointing device...
This is what I use.
I find it EXTREMELY comfortable and easy to navigate with-- though obviously it's not for lefties.
I find it EXTREMELY comfortable and easy to navigate with-- though obviously it's not for lefties.
I went to school with a guy who used that, definetly looked like a good idea minus the whole right hand only thing. I recently came across this interesting take on the traditional mouse. [http://www.evoluent.com/vm3.html]HSIAMetalKing said: