Mice and Pointing Devices

[Yazan]

I wanted to chime in and really pose an interest in Logitech updating their entire Trackball Line. Specifically I use the Cordless Trackman Wheel and I have been using this since, 2000-2001, so a good 6-7 years now. I have worn the plastic out and got my $60 worth. I am a bit taken back at Logitech's updating of products, in that there seems to be a new mouse evertime i check this site, around a month or two, and yet for the past 5 years atleast there doesn't seem to be anything innovative for the trackballs. And while I understand it is a niche market, it still exists, and I think it may be bigger than the users of the (Again, "I" think) presentation devices and the NuLOOQ device, as innovative as those products are. I, among others have sufered from CTS in my wrist for a while and that trackman has been a saviour for me. I use it with my workstation DG5 Apple, as well as my Powerbook, for regular work, and even in presentations, since it requires no wrist movement.

And as much as I love it, I am afraid Logitech will never update this product line. i have surfed the forums in search of any light that this maybe other wise, and although I have found logitech employee ackowledgement towards the user interest and ideas, it just doesn't seem to be leading anywhere, esecially given the fact that its been so long since any update.

Now as for the more constructive part of my post, I really would like to see Bluetooth capabilities, additional buttons, a better scroll wheel, and a side scroll if possible. Maybe also pressure sensitiveness on the ball, something which I think could have great implications if its studied a bit. Another interesting idea is switching the trackball function with other buttons, so maybe clicking a pinky button changes the trackball to a multi directional scroll wheel.

Overall, I love the trackman, and I love logitech products and i think they have a lot of nice ideas and products, i feel that the innovation into trackballs has taken a back seat to the mouse and find that 28 differnt mice should be sufficient to users for the next months, can we have our updated trackballs now???

Thanks

Yazan

[paintedskies]

The only mouse I can use without pain/discomfort after a very short period of time is the thumb-operated trackball. In this day of mice with many buttons, the 2+scroll wheel on mine is sadly severely outdated.

So, yes, please *please* look into updated the Trackman line. Please? I'm grateful it still exists, because it is literally the only mouse that I can bear to use, but the fact that this line has been nearly abandoned makes me fear the future. I've been using this style of mouse since its debut, and I can recall the 90s when 'the Marble' premiered and, at least in my corner of the world, quickly became the absolute ultimate mouse for... well, everything from gaming to working. It fell from that peak some time ago for others I know, but some attention paid to the line might draw them back.

So, again.. please?

[Seanz]

Hi guys,

Welcome to the Logitech Online User Discussion Forum

I appreciate the time that you have taken to contact us with your suggestions and feedbacks on the future release of our trackball products. I do understand the need of new version of trackballs since I've been getting a lot of feedbacks on this matter. The information that you have provided is considered useful and constructive. It will be passed on to the appropriate area for analysis.

Should you have any further comments or questions, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Thank you for choosing Logitech.

[FredEx]

It is great to see others as pleased with the thumb Marble mice as I am. After my last post asking for updates such as Bluetooth I have managed to get my hands on two thumb Marbles, an old flatter and a newer higher arched, and repaired them using my small collection of old parts from some unrepairable Marbles. They usually keep going and going so parts are hard to come by, but via on-line friends I managed to find some and they sent them to me. Still, they are corded and I'd like to get cordless via a Bluetooth fob, not the corded transceiver cordless.

I'm begging now (grin), PLEASE do a Bluetooth thumb Trackman Marble. I'm in for three just to start, 2 for myself and one for the mom-in-law.

[Yazan]

Well I hope users do speak out and get some attention on the matter. Like I said, I feel Logitech don't have any plans for an update at this point, but I don't see why that can't change if enough demand is out there. As mentioned before on other threads, people still buy and sell this, check out e-bay. I use it exclusively for everything, and I do mean "EVERYTHING". I'm a CG artist which gets me to use it for 3d modeling, 3d texturing, photoshop work, video editing and compositing, besides all the normal usage, oh and Halo! yes, I can shoot **bleep** fine thank you. As of lately I've been considering a tablet to replace/or in addition to my trackball case that's the second option for my wrist.Now where's my bluetooth?

Yazan

[Seanz]

Hi,

Seems that there's indeed a demand for newer versions for Logitech trackballs. Thanks guys for the suggestions and opinions. I'm sure that Logitech will take note of this.

[RationalRabbit]

The fact that T-BB13 and related siblings of the same era are consistently selling on eBay for more than they sold for originally, (up to $90 - $125. with shipping)and much more than newer trackball products, says a lot about the superiority of this design.

We seem to live in a world today where manufacturers think they need to change their product every few months to be competitive. I'm not an expert in marketing, but I do know, and have proven in my own field, that the "experts" don't always know what they are talking about. The good ones think outside the box. The rest feel secure on the inside, no matter what misconceptions make up the character of the box.

In my experienced opinion, there is no better ergonomic design than this Trackman Marble Wheel. Evidently, observing the lists on eBay, I am not alone in my opinion. I am a professional web developer and programmer and spend way too many hours on the computer. I too suffered from CTS - so bad that I lost the ability to do much of anything with my entire right arm. (and I am not very coordinated with a mouse in my left hand!) I am also a drummer, so this was a double wammy. I completely fail at one-handed drumming.

Even with CTS this bad, I was able to use my new Trackman, and the CTS, for the most part, was gone in 2 weeks. The hand actually rests on this mouse. I have seen no better design. I am buying up old ones, as I am afraid this great design will be lost forever.

[bsoder]

another thread, been dormant a couple months but similar -

http://forums.logitech.com/logitech/board/message?board.id=general_mice&message.id=1723


Please, let's see an update to the trackball!

Message Edited by Pegasus on 10-29-2007 02:28 AM

[bradk]

I am glad to see someone from Logitech actually reply to this post.  Seanz,  I don't want to pick on you since you were brave enough to respond.  Just tell me what the heck I need to do to get a new trackball.  No really, seriously, what do I or can I do to get Logitech to make a new trackball.  I would appreciate a response in the forum but, if you need to email me please do.  At least if you don't have an answer give us/me some one who can.   What do I need to do? Do I need to construct a market analisys on my G15 with my T-BB13? Play you a tune on my Z-5300e speakers? Write you a note with my io2 pen? Give a video conference with my Quickcam 5000 Pro?  Should I turn up the volume with my Harmony Remote control?  Please, please, please, Logitech stop ignoring your truely brand loyal customers! 

Thanks,

Brad

[innergraphics]

Hi Id like to pitch in on this. Ive been the proud owner of a BB13 for over 6 years and its *by far* the best pointing device Ive ever used. Im also a web designer so I spend a lot of hours in front of the computer and I know that when i sit down and try using a mouse or even another model of trackball, my wrist starts hurting within minutes. I like to call myself a pointing device enthusiast because Ive bought so many of them over the years. Ive tried the latest models from MS and also both Logitech models and nothing comes close in comfort to the BB13. Im seriously considering paying over $120 on ebay for a new one. Please please I hope someone at Logitech will read this and re-release this model or an updated version with the same form factor. My only suggestions would be to incorporate the self-cleaning feature from the newer models and also to offer them in multiple sizes for people with different size hands. Again Id like to reiterate that Im right now willing to pay over $120 for a new one of these beauties so take heed Logitech!