This is cool. I've always loved trackballs over traditional mice. I also wish you could still get a traditional mouse with an actual ball in it instead of being optical. I only say that because I'm a nostalgic dumb ass though lol.
this post was submitted on 07 Nov 2025
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Is there a reason for using a ball-based mouse? Or are you focused on retro aesthetics (which is fine)?
not OP but I think trackballs are superior because of 3 reasons:
- they don't move so you can blindly reach where you set them and they'll be there making them a better extention of the keyboard
- because they do not move, you'll never find yourself in a delicate operation while getting to an uncomfortable position at the end of the mat or the table or run out of room against the keyboard
- you can lay back and chill while operating them just the same resting on your lap or chests or wherever
I was very confused for a minute but then I realized you are talking about trackballs over mice. OP was asking about ball mice vs optical mice. Way back mice used rotary encoders to move the cursor horizontally and vertically. Those encoders were moved by a ball that stuck out of the bottom of the mouse to roll on the desk. The ball and rotary encoders were eventually replaced by the optical system we use now.
yes I'm old enough to remember using those… ~~but are you sure that's what they were referring to?~~ I even remember using those enough to see the ball wear out unevenly causingirregular movement hahaha
ps: went up in the comments and you are correct
Same applies for external trackpads
I used to use one of these old serial Microsoft trackballs for a few years. They use less desk space and they were much more reliable than contemporary ball mice.
I think the high quality of even cheap optical mice has made them obsolete. Their high precision means that they also don't need a lot of desk space and they are more reliable than trackballs.
I think the main reason to use one of them today is probably nostalgia and personal preference.
Plus they build up gunk that affects the smoothness of the ball and need cleaning
At least in my experience with exactly one trackball, yes, they do that, but much less than ball mice.
That was a plus against ball mice, but obviously a minus against optical mice.
I think they made sense up until good optical mice became cheap.
No real reason. I think optical mice are most likely superior (depending on the surface. I think optical mice have issues with glass tables?) Ball mice need to be cleaned every once and a while. Thr interface between the ball and roller can slip sometimes, so the cursor doesn't move.
So, mostly just nostalgia lol.
$60 for a 3d printed device. If you're selling it for that much it better at least have a vacuform or molded shell. At the very least, offer it with a lower price and an stl to print yourself
Never tried a finger ball to be honest. But I own a few thumb balls that I use every day all day at work. I also 3d printed risers for them that make them vertical
It’s wild to me how uncommon thumb trackballs are. I cannot use a finger one. But a thumb one? Better than any input method I’ve ever tried.
I find them far more common than finger balls. I mean I can get a thumb trackball in most any store with electronics. Finger ball is something I've only seen online.
Who do you know that is out there repping them?
Marketing does work whether you believe it, or not.
