topic Re: Trackball mouse in AutoCAD Forum

Trackball mouse

Anonymous — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 01:25:55 GMT

I can't use a regular mouse because I have a disability so I use a Kensington Expert mouse with a trackball and scroll ring. I have not been able to use the Pan feature with this mouse because it uses a scroll ring and not a scroll button. I contacted their tech support but they don't have any answers. Can anyone suggest a new trackball mouse for ACAD use?

Re: Trackball mouse

imadHabash — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 07:44:24 GMT

Hi and Welcome to AutoDeskForum.

i found this old post >> Link << i hope that this one guide you for some thing good.

Good Luck..

Re: Trackball mouse

RobDraw — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 11:35:50 GMT

I like the Logitech M570.

Re: Trackball mouse

TheCADnoob — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 13:15:58 GMT

Like @RobDraw suggested the M570 is a pretty solid device. Unfortuantly for me using the scoll pan kills the center click button after a year or so. but they are not to hard to replace.

If you can afford one and can find one and like paying for overpriced equipment a Microsoft Trackball explorer is a great device.

I am taking a break from my M570 to give a new device a try. Ive been using an elecom Deft.

I did a "review" of the deft not to long ago. http://www.cadnoob.com/CADnoobJoom/index.php/noobnews/44-one-trackball-to-rule-them-all-elecom-deft-trackball-review

So far i think i have a new favorite with the deft. Its a finger operated ball that gives you thumb and finger click as well as the ability to scroll wheel pan. My only concern is its longevity, but so far so good.

Re: Trackball mouse

Anonymous — Sat, 08 Oct 2016 21:18:21 GMT

If you are looking for a trackball mouse for AutoCAD, you might want to have a look at the following options:

The Logitech M570 or its wired version the Logitech Trackman Wheel Optical
Belkin n52te (not a trackball mouse, but works in the same way)
Microsoft explorer
Logitech Cordless Optical Trackman

Re: Trackball mouse

AllenJessup — Thu, 05 Jul 2018 14:57:55 GMT

I just found a good substitute for the Microsoft Trackball Explorer:

https://www.trackballmouse.org/elecom-m-ht1drbk-huge-wireless-trackball/

I got the wired one from Amazon for under $60 including shipping.

Re: Trackball mouse

TheCADnoob — Fri, 06 Jul 2018 14:57:49 GMT

@AllenJessup Reverend! I found the Huge after using the elecom deft for a little while.

I no longer pine for the TBE 🙂

I've been using the huge for almost a year. This thing is awesome if you are one of those looking for a TBE replacement!

I got the wireless and it works pretty well.

Re: Trackball mouse

ChrisRS — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 08:37:43 GMT

I have been happily using the Logitech M570 for years. My second one is now failing, so I temporarily went back to a standard mouse and am hating it.

I am testing the Logitech MX Ergo. I like the Precision toggle button, but am not thrilled with the "Options" software. I am not sure that that the cost is justified.

I think that I should investigate the Elecom Huge. I know that there will be a learning curve since this is finger operated, rather than thumb operated.

@AllenJessup and @TheCADnoob, are you still using the Elecom Trackball Huge?

If so, are you still satisfied?
How has the padded hand rest held up?
I am leaning toward that the wired wired version. The cost difference does not bother me, but wired seems like it would be less error prone. @TheCADnoob, if you are using the wireless version do you see any problems or performance issues?
The precision button on the MX Ergo is a 2 speed toggle, that is located right by trackball, so it is easy change on the fly. How easy is it to change the slider resolution slider on the Huge?
Some reviews of the software are negative. Does it work adequately for you?
(I think that I might want to assign F3, F8 and Esc to the function keys.)
Any other comments that you would add at this time?

(@TheCADnoob, I read you blog posts. They were useful.)

Thanks!

Re: Trackball mouse

AllenJessup — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 00:30:16 GMT

@ChrisRS

Still using it. Still looking and working well. More tomorrow when I'm back to work.

Re: Trackball mouse

AllenJessup — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 13:05:56 GMT

@ChrisRS

I'm still satisfied. Especially with the ever increasing price of the legacy Trackball Explorers.

The padded hand rest still looks like new. It's not a squishy padding but a firm one.
I use the wired version and don't have any fault with it. I don't need it to be wireless. So why spend the money.
The toggle on the Huge is just below the Rt. Click button. I never use it. So it seems a little stiff. But that might change with frequent use. There are 3 speed settings, Low, Medium and High. I leave it on Medium.
It's not the best looking Software. But I find it adequate. Not problems so far.
You can see in the image below. Those and practically any key combinations are programmable.
The only thing I'm not 100% satisfied with are the placement of the 2 rightmost keys. My hand tends to drift off them. But it may just be me or the size of my hand. Other than that I'm pleased with it.
Also. I've never liked the thumb balls. I find having 2 fingers on the large ball gives me more control. Again. Just my personal preference.

Re: Trackball mouse

ChrisRS — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 20:02:43 GMT

Thanks, Allen.

I will give it a try and post an update.

Re: Trackball mouse

TheCADnoob — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 14:32:43 GMT

So far so good. Ive got two of the Elecom Huge devices. Ive got one at home and one at work. (actually ive got three elecom device as i still have and use the elecom deft) The wrist pad has held up so far. (Image below is after a year and a half daily use)

My only beef is that is still goes through batteries fairly quick. By comparison i couldn't remember when i changed batteries in the M570 but its probably every month and a half or so for the Huge. If the device is left on while the computer is off it seems to drain the battery and i suspect that this is the reason that I have to change so frequently. That said, its no love lost for me I still love it! I have toyed with the idea of getting a wired device though.

It does seem to have a few issues for me. It seems to lose connection periodically. Initially i attributed the loss of connection to other hardware but now that i have used the multiple devices on several machines it follows the device. It may be some sort of frequency interference.. or maybe driver issues im not sure. I assume a wired version wouldn't have this issue. (a simple toggling of the power or 'toggling' of the speed settings usually gets it to resume connection) I also do notice some issues with click and hold actions, but i'm not sure if that user error or device driven at this point. I'm leaning to think that its device driven given the other connectivity issue. It also happens on occasion that it reverses direction, but that usually happens only for a second when i first grab the device quickly while the device is at rest. I assume that problem is that the device initially struggles with establishing direction. All those are reasons i've toyed with the idea of going wired to see if its the wireless feature causing issues. These arent deal breakers for me though. I still think its worth it.

If you are looking for a TBE replacement this is still the best bet.. unless you want to pay the ridiculous prices for the TBE.

Glad you liked my posts about it. I need to update it with these other things ive found.

Re: Trackball mouse

AllenJessup — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 21:42:04 GMT

It looks like your issues are connected to you'r Huge being wireless. I don't remember having any of those with the wired version.

Re: Trackball mouse

ChrisRS — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 23:58:51 GMT

I think I will give the wired version a try.

Re: Trackball mouse

lovecraft — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 17:00:05 GMT

Think you will probably like it. Just got the wired version - this is my first day at work test-driving it. Was a bit concerned at first...whether I would be able to easily assign keyboard combinations to various buttons - I like to be able to trigger things like constrained 3D orbit, etc. directly from mouse buttons and you can definitely set this up easily with the downloadable config software from Elecom. Then, add whatever commands you require to the keyboard shortcuts area in the CUI configuration dialogue in ACAD, matching the assignments you specified in the Elecom dialogue, of course, OR you could do these two things in reverse order, which may make more sense to check which keyboard combinations are already taken. Good luck....hope it works out for you.

LC 😁

Re: Trackball mouse

AllenJessup — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 18:16:45 GMT

Additionally you can Allocate Gesture Functions. I haven't tried that yet.

With my settings. I can depress the CTRL key and the Scroll Wheel (Middle Button) and activate a 3D Orbit.

Re: Trackball mouse

ChrisRS — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 19:03:05 GMT

@AllenJessup, @lovecraft and @TheCADnoob,

Thanks for the input. I have a wired version on order. I'll follow up after I receive it and use it for a while!

Re: Trackball mouse

ChrisRS — Mon, 27 Jan 2020 21:31:55 GMT

I have had the wired version of the Elecom Huge for about a week. I like it, but I am still getting used to it.

Thank you for your input, @TheCADnoob, @AllenJessup and @lovecraft.

I have quick question about the behavior of the "left" button.

Back (►, Button 4) and and Forward (◄, Button 5) back seems to hinge/pivot along the green line.
hese keys react to a press anywhere, even on the lower edge (green line.)
Right Button (R) and Fn3 (Button 8 react to a press anywhere. (Blue Lines)
The Left Button seems to pivot/hinge along the red line. The rear end of the button (Yellow, near the L) seems to be fixed and does nor react to press. The front end of the button (Orange) does react to presses. The sensitivity is better at the front end than in the wheel area.

Is this how your left button works?

I am trying to see if there is a mechanical problem with my mouse.

I an still learning to use this device, so I will probably adapt.
I would prefer that the entire key react similarly to the Right and Fn3 buttons.

Thanks for your input.

Chris Stevens

Re: Trackball mouse

AllenJessup — Mon, 27 Jan 2020 13:00:49 GMT

Yes. That's how mine works also. The whole lower (L) button hinges at the rear. I don't get any action until I press under the scroll wheel. It's one solid button that seems to be meant to be hit as you drop your thumb from the scroll wheel.

Re: Trackball mouse

ChrisRS — Mon, 27 Jan 2020 16:23:14 GMT

Thanks, @AllenJessup.

I'm glad to know this is functioning properly.

This is not a deal breaker. As I said, I am still getting used to this.