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Logitech Cordless Optical TrackMan: The Best Trackball Ever

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The Best Trackball I've Ever Had

The Logitech Cordless Optical TrackMan® is my first wireless Trackball, and I found this trackball to be the most natural feeling pointing device I've ever used with a computer.

It is the first trackball I've had that has the ball located more to the right of the device, the mouse wheel is between the left click buttons and the trackball making it very easy to switch my index finger from controlling the trackball to scrolling with the mouse wheel. This also has some fast scrolling buttons that can be used instead of the mouse wheel.

I can easily use the left-click buttons with my thumb, which also seems very natural for me, and the right click button is easily accessed by either my middle or ring finger as I steady the whole device with my palm and pinky.

Why Do I Love Trackballs?

I first discovered trackballs for computers in the 1990s not long after the Logitech® TrackMan® Marble® trackballs were first available. I remembered trackball controllers from some of the arcade games in the 1980s, but until I saw the TrackMan®, I hadn't seen them for use with personal computers.

I had been experiencing wrist pains from using the mouse with my computer, and noticed that the TrackMan® reduced that discomfort, but didn't completely eliminate it.

In my quest for a pain free computing experience, I later switched to touchpads. The touchpads were similar to the ones one laptops, except they were connected with a wire like a mouse, and a user could move them to any position within range of the wire.

Touchpads provided me with the most comfort, but the companies making them appeared to me to be supporting the technology more for laptops, than the desktop versions. With one being included on just about every laptop being made, that is not surprising.

The Need To Go Cordless

What attracted me back to trackballs was the need to go wireless. I could not find a wireless touchpad, so I started looking at trackballs again.

Logitech still appeared to be the leader, and I liked the looks of the Logitech Cordless Optical TrackMan® because the trackball appeared to be in the right location to be controlled by the index and middle fingers of my right hand.

I was already use to using my thumb for most of the clicking with my touchpad, and I was use to holding the touchpad steady with my ring finger and pinky. The TrackMan® had the added bonus of being big enough to allow me to steady it with a little pressure from the bottom of my hand.

Unfortunately, the Logitech Cordless Optical TrackMan® isn't easy to use with the left hand. With the touch pad I became used to switching to my left hand when my right wrist felt uncomfortable in any position.

I can use the trackball with either hand, but clicking the buttons with my left hand is awkward. This hasn't actually caused me a lot of problems, overall I've found the Logitech Cordless Optical TrackMan® to be more comfortable than the touchpad, especially with the extra function buttons and the mouse wheel.

In the end, the ergonomic design of the Logitech Cordless Optical TrackMan® and lack of a wired connection to my computer has proven to be the ultimate comfort. I'll happily use the touchpad built into my laptop, but even if I do find a wireless one, I don't think I'll bother replacing my trackball.

I think I would have had a harder time adjusting to the Logitech Cordless TrackMan® Wheel because the thumb controls the trackball, but some people prefer it that way or are use to it.

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Logitech Cordless Optical TrackMan

(USB/PS/2)

Logitech's Cordless Optical TrackMan® lets you work where and how you want with the freedom of a cordless mouse, the comfort of a trackball, and the precision of optical technology.

The most advanced finger-operated trackball mouse, it saves space and eliminates desktop clutter.

You can take advantage of extra programmable buttons that help you to easily navigate around Windows and the Web, and with Logitech's patented optical technology, you get virtually maintenance-free precision and smooth tracking.

Logitech's patented Optical Marble® technology ensures smooth cursor movement, while 27 MHz cordless digital radio technology gives you reliable cordless freedom.

The product offers advanced navigation features in a form-fitting, right-handed design. Its special drag-lock functions let you move text and images with ease, while Cruise Control scrolling lets you scroll rapidly through Web pages and documents by merely pressing a button.

With conveniently located thumb-operated forward and back buttons, you can easily move through applications and Web pages without having to move the cursor to the browser's onscreen buttons.

Two AA batteries (included) keep you powered for six months or more.
Logitech Cordless Optical Trackman (USB/PS/2)

Logitech Cordless Optical Trackman (USB/PS/2)

Amazon Price: $45.86 (as of 01/28/2012)Buy Now
List Price: $59.99

  • No cord, no clutter, no hassle: cordless freedom, optical precision
  • Comfortable, right-handed shape with a large, finger-controlled trackball
  • Advanced buttons for easy navigation, plus a scroll wheel
  • Customizable buttons
  • Smart power management keeps battery working for months
  • Digital radio technology requires no line-of-sight; patented optical technology maintains smooth tracking and superior precision
  • Windows® 95, Windows® 98, Windows NT®, Windows® 2000, Windows® Me, Windows® XP, Windows Vista™
  • Mac OS® 8.6 or later
  • 5-year warranty

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Logitech Cordless Optical TrackMan® Review
Logitech Cordless Optical TrackMan® (USB/PS/2)

Logitech Cordless TrackMan Wheel

The Logitech Cordless TrackMan® Wheel provides you with unprecedented desktop flexibility.

Digital radio technology allows it to work without being pointed at the computer, no line of sight required. Even on crowded desks, you can use it where and how you want. Work anywhere within a 6-foot radius of the receiver.

Optical technology delivers superior precision and performance for detailed work and smooth tracking for longer use.

The Logitech Cordless Wheel boasts long battery life and includes a battery indicator that warns when the battery is low.
Logitech Cordless TrackMan Wheel

Logitech Cordless TrackMan Wheel

Amazon Price: $154.99 (as of 01/28/2012)Buy Now
List Price: $49.95

  • Wheel allows fast and easy scrolling
  • Customizable buttons
  • Features digital radio technology
  • Patented optical technology
  • No line of sight necessary between mouse and receiver
  • Windows® 95, Windows® 98, Windows NT®, Windows® 2000, Windows® Me, Windows® XP, Windows Vista™
  • Mac OS® 8.6 or later
  • 5-year warranty

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Logitech Cordless TrackMan® Wheel Reviews
Logitech Cordless TrackMan® Wheel

A Great Trackball Or Not - What Do You Think?

Is The Logitech Cordless Optical Trackman the Best Trackball Ever?

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Yes

CleanerLife says:

I'm totally sold! I no longer miss my old touchpads. Some people may find it awkward, but for me, this is the best trackball ever!

Posted December 20, 2008

No way!

BrianS says:

Sorry, there must be a disconnection between my brain and a trackball I just cannot work one. A consolation though I have several colleagues who absolutely swear by them and wouldn't use anything else. So I guess it's me then.

Posted January 18, 2009

 

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Comments? What Do You Think About Trackballs?

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  • Reply
    christopherlee Jul 9, 2011 @ 9:09 am | delete
    Good information, thanks.
  • Reply
    Kimsworld Jan 5, 2010 @ 6:41 pm | delete
    I know a the older version of the Logictech Trackball was NOT fast enough to play the final rounds of Rajong! We went to Walmart at 3 am to buy a mouse to finish the game.LOL
  • Reply
    CleanerLife Jan 5, 2010 @ 9:46 pm | delete
    I haven't played Rajong, so I'm not sure how this one would do with it. I did spend years using touchpads after my first experience with trackballs.

    For me, this is a clear improvement over the old trackballs! :)
  • Reply
    BrianS Jan 18, 2009 @ 4:55 am | delete
    I learned a little bit about presenting affilliate products today, great lens which I was directed to by lakeerieartists. Favorited and 5*s, plus I am going to revisit my methods for doing affiliate lenses.
  • Reply
    elliespark Jan 9, 2009 @ 7:25 pm | delete
    lakeerieartists highly recommended your page and I must laud you over and over again!! This review is probably the best I've ever seen in my life; you honestly cover everything (including all possible cons) and the whole tactile/sensual experience of owning a trackball (which looks really fun to play with to me! :D) and with the enrichment of the reader in mind! You made sure that they get to know *everything*--good or bad--about your product. SUPERB JOB!! :D 50000/5 stars if I could and definitely faving this...!!
  • Reply
    lakeerieartists Dec 28, 2008 @ 9:53 pm | delete
    I bought a trackball at work a few years ago for a partially blind employee because he couldn't use a regular mouse. He found it much easier to use.
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Logitech Cordless Optical TrackMan:
The Best Trackball Ever by CleanerLife
is licensed under a Creative Commons
Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0
United States License.

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CleanerLife

Lensmaster, Webmaster, I'm addicted to the Internet. I'm an information and entertainment junkie.
I'm obsessed with eating healthy, fresh food raised... more »

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