Using A Trackball

[1BRAVO9]

Anyone else use a trackball?

For the last 20 years or so I have used a trackball for general pc/internet use. I found them to be more ergonomic in day to day use.

I've tried them off and on for several types of gaming throughout the years, some where successful some not.

One type of gaming where I thought they had a definite positive impact was flight sims.

As I switched from mouse and keyboard to HOTAS I started using my trackball to move the curser around the cockpit. Believe it or not I found it to be much more accurate and efficient. But most importantly, I found it to take up much less "real estate" of my gaming area.

Once I started adding the HOTAS, another input device here and there, my desk space became less and less. Less desk space meant less room to traverse the mouse as needed. That's the advantage of a trackball, it needs  substantially less space to work. It needs only the footprint of it's physical dimensions.

Nothing aggravates me worse than trying to move my mouse in a timely manner to have to pick it up and reset it's location because I've bumped into the monitor stand, keyboard, or the end of the desk. That's one thing you don't  have to worry about with a trackball.

And if you use desk mounts for your HOTAS and you get the little mouse extension platforms for them, you don't have to worry about keeping your mouse on that little piece of real estate.

Just curious if anyone else is using one for their pit or setup.

[Mr_sukebe]

I use both a normal mouse (right hand) and a trackball (for my left hand).  Works a treat.

Edited May 28, 2023 by Mr_sukebe

[Ala12Rv-Tundra]

Trackball user here by my right thigh 

[AlpineGTA]

Yes, I have exactly as you describe - a little mouse extension platform on my left, next to my throttle. I fly only in VR and I know where it is at all times without having to feel around for a mouse. I have a left-handed trackball on my left, rather than on my right because it's more convenient to keep my right hand on the stick and use my left hand to click something in the cockpit. It takes a bit of getting used to if you're right handed but it's better than taking my hand off the stick. Especially for warbirds and helicopters.

[Tshark]

I use a wireless left thumb trackball in VR.  Makes it easy to manipulate the switches without having to take my hand off the stick.

[Rodeo]

Same here.. fly VR and use trackball when needed. I have left/right and scroll bonded to my joystick but there is few times need to go the the trackball. Also like you 1Bravo9 I don’t have much real estate in my simpit.

[firefox121]

In VR I use this device

https://es.aliexpress.com/item/1005004385216575.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.45.7527576aNt85I4&algo_pvid=8f05e41d-051e-4fe4-a3d1-6be65b1e038c&algo_exp_id=8f05e41d-051e-4fe4-a3d1-6be65b1e038c-22&pdp_npi=3%40dis!EUR!17.71!6.02!!!!!%402102111816850522567445956d07ee!12000028993223709!sea!ES!4218856019&curPageLogUid=28eJ42rILTNb

, point with my head and press the buttons

Found that the best way to use it is on my right index finger at the first falange.....don't interferes when grabbing the stick and buttons and wheel are easy reachables.

Edited May 25, 2023 by firefox121

[1BRAVO9]

As I said earlier, I've used a trackball for GP for years.

My dad gave me one he used about 20 years ago and I have been a fan of them since.

I still use a traditional mouse for FPS and things like War Thunder/World of Tanks.

That being said, I definitely am going to try the lefthanded trackball for DCS.

I'm using a righthanded one as we speak, but as others have pointed out, using a lefthanded one allows you to keep your hand on the stick.

I'm thinking about getting this one.

 

[some1]

I have this model, works very well once you get used to controlling it with the left thumb.

[1BRAVO9]

24 minutes ago, some1 said:

I have this model, works very well once you get used to controlling it with the left thumb.

Cool, thanks for the feedback.

 

Awesome username by the way!

[AlpineGTA]

Yes, it's the exact one I have too, It works very well for me. I'm so used to it now that the other day, when I was using a temporary different HOTAS setup, it felt very strange reaching for the mouse with my right hand. I kept instinctively reaching out with my left.

[Youtch]

Considering buying a trackball to replace the mouse which is always a challenge to find in VR.

I am total noob with trackball but i hear it is more precise.

Any reason why the preference seems to be for trackball with mouse shape instead of pure trackball like this:

 

Many thanks in advance for your insight.

[some1]

None, except trackballs are usually bigger and most models only come in wired version.

One thing I would avoid are trackballs with touch sensitive area instead of physical scroll ring around the ball. I had one like that and it didn't work well. The ones you posted seem ok.

Edited September 30, 2024 by some1

[Nightdare]

On 9/29/2024 at 5:07 PM, Youtch said:

I am total noob with trackball but i hear it is more precise.

 

My experience with Logitecs is: no, they aren't