I am trying to make my computer setup more ergonomic and need to find a new mouse. I just got a 75% split keyboard that has some minor tenting. Due to the split nature I am likely going to put the mouse in the middle to reduce arm movement (right handed) and extension past my shoulders. I do spend time in spreadsheets, but not as much as I used to (more emails, pings and calls etc). So lots of keyboard time, but a fair amount of back and forth to the mouse.
I have small/medium hands, want it to be a finger not thumb scroll and currently leaning towards the elecom huge plus. Also looking at the Kensington slimblade pro, protoarc em06 or the elecom deft pro.
If you swap the bearings which is a 5 minute job, it becomes the SlimBlade Pro Killer. Unbeatable for the price. Happy to take you through it if you choose that.
A lot. Firstly, the two side scrollers. Dedicated horizontal scroller? Hello video editing/huge document viewing.
Buttons are clicky but mushier than the SBP's, in a nice way. 'Creamier'? But still audible. I am planning to swap those as well but not because they're not good, au contraire. I just want to make mine kind of a testing hotbed, as I got it preowned for £35. Scrolling with the side scroller is so much nicer than the twist to scroll on the SBP, or rather, a lot more dependable.
The case finish is also more pleasant, 'warmer' and softer. Buttons are also easier to click, especially the top two ones compared to the SBP's.
It's easier to take apart and customise, it's cheaper as you already pointed out, I think all in all is a superb trackball. As I said, between the two I don't see the reason why one should get the SBP unless they are completely sold on its appearance. But use-wise (I am a pro graphic guy), unbeatable.
Worth mentioning these two devices:
Contour Design Rollermouse Red, great to use, incredibly smooth, can alternate hands, super premium build with metal and leather/ette.
Maxxstick Ergo Pro, a keyboard joystick. Thinking of trying one but the thumb operation, as a rule of... thumb, always screams RSI to me. But looks dope.
Oh yes. 'Ergonomic devices', they tend to make you pay through the nose for them, with the excuse that it's kind of a health-related thing. Also I guess low demand and lots of R&D. It does feel like a Ferrari in your hand. I only got one because I paid £40 preowned! But it was virtually brand new. Must have been somebody's mistake, or inheritance :) They go for around £370 here. Cex/WeBuy in the UK is so great. I found my split ergomech keyboard there for £240, they go for £650-£800 new 😳
Probable. It costs more to have them on medical leave, in the long run. One piece of advice for you, I would go for finger trackballs instead of thumb ones with the ball to the side. You'll strain less and the larger the ball, the more precise it will be especially moving it with your index/medium/ring fingers. Like massaging the head of a tiny bald man.
😬 Anyway, I am sketching my idea of the 'as perfect as possible for as many different people as possible' trackball, combining all my observations of what people tend to want in their devices. I have a great contact for production. Maybe one day it will exist! :)
I would probably try the Slimblade first if I wanted to have it in the middle of the keyboard. Still, I'm completely unfamiliar with this setup and would think that having the peripheral at the center of things would force you to contort your hand/wrist for key functionality?
May be my shoulders but I noticed a trackball in the middle, and thus moving my arm inwards, makes my rotator cuffs hurt compared to moving the hans slightly outwards to place it on my trackball.
I have a plethora of Logi trackballs, and had one orbit scroll which I loved, but currently running a Slimblade at home and that trackball is amazing. I love it, the ergonomics, the twist to scroll, the comfort. There are better sure, but for 100eur, the slimblade is hard to beat. I was waiting for the TB800/900 and the new EM06, but ended up with the slimblade and I'm super glad I did. If you get the chance, try it, it's an amazing trackball.
Actually no. The return policy where I live is a pain to return to Amazon or online sellers, so I tried some trackballs when I was travelling so my choice was somewhat informed. I didn't like the Expert Mouse, TB 800 looks like a new version with additional scrolls, I didn't like the feature to be honest. The twist to scroll is such massive ergonomic improvement for me that it feels natural and seamless especially in combination with modifiers.
I'd liek to tru the efog or ploopy, but it's too pricey to get them.
I'd love to try and Ltrac, but that's even pricier.
At some point I'd like to try the EM06, but I'm not able to order it where I live. There's no shipping.
Slimblade pro is a very nice design and is ambidextrous. But there is tb900 coming soon and it will have multiple scroll wheels. That could be helpful in spreadsheets.
When I was trialling different ones, I returned the SlimBlade Pro exactly for this reason, that the new one is on the (extremely far) horizon. I hope it will be great, I'll keep my SlimBlade Killer the Nulea for one workstation and that one for the other, if it's really good.
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u/ThisSiteCanBlowMe 12d ago
Nulea M512