Update, 3/28/2014: Nothing major in the review below has changed -- still really love this trackball. But I have noticed that my comment about my "grip" on it is no longer correct. I use exactly the same grip as I did on my Logitech Mouseball. It just took a little usage time to get the feel of the different shape. So -- I suppose you could say it took me several weeks to fully adjust. But I never really noticed it. In the end, you can bump my review to the even "better" side a bit.
Updated, 3/12/2014: I'm updating earlier than expected because this trackball is better than I had anticipated. Consider my rating a 5+. I agree with the advise to download the custom software -- it could fix any concerns you have.
What I found shortly after my original post was that at times the cursor would unexpectedly jump several lines shifting my point of view in the document. Irritating but not severe. But I eliminated that behavior by customizing. Specifically, I attempted to cancel any action from the right-side scroll pad. Since that, I HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEM AT ALL with the cursor jumping or the file changing perspective. I left the left scroll pad active, but I never really use it. (But it does work.)
The other custom fix eliminated my only other "nuisance" issue. I slightly reduced the speed of the ball tracking to the cursor. This makes it almost identical to the Logitech Mouseball action despite the smaller ball.
For those who want scrolling, you can set the software to adjust the speed across a wide range from Slow (default) to Fast. There is also an option call Inertial Scroll which I don't even know what it is.
BTW, it IS possible to set a "chord" action using the software. Chording is pressing both buttons at the same time. There are 14 different options (example: invoke your browser) plus the default "disable" or "no action".
Also, I use the power slider on the bottom to turn the trackball off overnight to extend battery life (and because I sometimes just use my tablet for days instead of the laptop).
Other than this, because I have no wire to interfere with my movement, I constantly find myself in a small celebration mode. Just pick the trackball up and get started or quit whichever is right (and think about how great this trackball is).
Original post follows:
Dimensions: 4 3/8" long, 3 1/2" widest part, 1 1/2" high
Ok, I have to admit that I've only had this mouse installed for about 5 minutes, but the only way you'll get it away from me now is to pry it from my cold, dead fingers. I just don't get any of the negative reviews. I'll come back with an update after I've been using it for a few weeks, but here's why I like it so much so quickly.
First of all, the toughest thing about starting to use it was getting it unpacked. Not that it was so bad (although the batteries were REALLY held strongly in place). The packaging is great and quite protective. But none of that sealed plastic pack that takes a knife and physically dangerous slicing to get open.
All it takes is to break the seals (yes, two), open the top, remove the plastic underlid to free the base, remove the tape and padding, take out the thumbnail transmitter, fight a little with the batteries, insert them, plug in the usb thumb, turn the trackball switch on and you're up and running. (Oh, yeah -- be sure your computer is on.)
No, I haven't downloaded the driver -- not sure I know why I want to. But I'll get around to trying it and add that report to my later update. Meantime, I'm functioning BETTER than normal and EXTREMELY happy with this trackball.
My configuration is a new (about three weeks old) Lenovo Flex laptop with Win 8.1 configured to my liking (minimal -- mostly just installed my software). For many years (since they came out) I've been using a wired Logitech Mouseball which I think is the best computer trackball made. (I own and have tried the Logitech wireless Mouseball but, while ok, it just doesn't fit me properly and I don't consider that "extra" unit to be "wireless". (I gave one of these things away. Now they are rather scarce and selling for a couple hundred. Go figure!)
When I started the Kensington Orbit Wireless Trackball, it took me about 10 seconds to figure it out and adapt. I have NONE of the complaints of others about not having a place to rest my palm or wrist or any need to "clench" the buttons or incorrectly sliding onto the touch scroll pads. (In fact, without the downloaded driver, the scroll pads don't appear to be active.) In other words, as is, out of the box, without the custom driver, this is a basic, precisely functioning trackball.
Now the differences -- understand that I'm right-handed. It IS a different shape and slightly shorter than the Logitech Mouseball. Consequently, while my palm rests on the body of the Kensington (K) similarly to the Logitech (L), the base of my hand rests sort of behind it and, frankly, stabilizes it. I have a medium sized hand, so small or large hands may rest differently. With my palm in that position, the tips of my index and middle fingers control the K trackball in exactly the same way as they did the L. The biggest adjustment for me (at least 5 of the 10 seconds) was that the smaller ball makes the cursor track more quickly. But there is no problem with control (and I'm 66 and not as coordinated as I used to be). The second major adjustment (the other 5 seconds) has to do with my grip on the K vs the L. On the L, I used basically a 4 finger grip -- thumb on the left button and 4th (or ring) on the right button. On the K, it is probably going to be more of a 5 finger, with the index and middle still controlling the ball with the ring just "there" and my little finger on the right mouse button. That's working well for me. (This is what changed per the 3/28 update -- same grip.) Mostly the way I operated on the L was to have my palm on the base and my index/middle on the ball and bring the button fingers into play as needed -- a very loose grip around the mouseball. That is exactly how I operate with the K.
Ok, I just went to several other applications to see if the scroll pads would operate differently -- they did. Or rather, I figured out how they are supposed to work. (So I guess this means it takes longer than 10 seconds to adjust to the K.) When I read the complaints about the scroll pads doing strange things, I got the impression that they were left/right scroll controls. <shrug> But no, each does the same thing -- scroll the screen or window up and down (get it -- "scrolling"). It doesn't matter which pad you use (right or left) they both cause scrolling up and down. Now how anyone can say that they accidently keep scrolling off into some unknown area of their doc, I have yet to discover. But, hey, maybe it's just me again. I find that the scroll pads are a tad stiff to invoke the scrolling. Something you would want in order to avoid scrolling off into limbo "accidentally". (Now if you were gripping with a tight "clench", maybe something else would happen, but I've never used a trackball that way and don't think I'll start now. Or maybe if you press your fingers all over the base including the scroll pads, you could move or scroll inadvertently. I still don't see how I could "accidentally" touch the scroll pads while rolling the trackball with my index/middle fingers. I control the ball on the top maybe inch of surface maximum -- not the sides of it.)
One of the apps I require a trackball for (other than just vastly preferring it to a mouse) is Sketchup -- the former Google now Trimble product for cad/cam-like function. That was one of the apps I used to check out the Kensington. Also, MS Word and a very complex set of spreadsheets in Excel. No problems -- love this trackball. It also does not interfere with the standard touchscreen capabilities of Win8.
Not sure what else I can add right now. I am wireless with an excellent trackball. I can use it on the arm of my chair, on a desktop, on my lap and even on the wrist rest of my laptop with no problems. And that d--- cord doesn't get in my way or cause me to pull the trackball off when I forget it. :<)
| Brand | Kensington |
|---|---|
| Series | K72352US |
| Item model number | K72352US |
| Hardware Platform | Laptop, PC |
| Operating System | Chrome OS |
| Item Weight | 9.6 ounces |
| Product Dimensions | 2 x 7 x 6 inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 2 x 7 x 6 inches |
| Color | Black |
| Power Source | Battery Powered |
| Batteries | 2 AA batteries required. (included) |
| Manufacturer | Kensington |
| ASIN | B0050SPZMK |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Date First Available | March 30, 2011 |
