Mice and Pointing Devices

[kbrasee]

It's probably just that there's only a few people who really care.  And I don't even see a $200 one on eBay, but I do see plenty for $15 to $40.  You can even buy a set of 40 for $14 each!

[myself48]

Count me as yet another long time TrackMan Wheel user, desperate for a re-continuance or a similar replacement from Logitech. Between work and home I own four Wheels and one wireless Wheel, which is aging and I was hoping in vain to replace this weekend. LOGITECH, why are you ignoring your formerly loyal customers???

[theDarkFox]

I just found out they'd discontinued the Trackman Wheel, and I couldn't believe it. I was actually looking to see if Logitech had finally caved and made a bluetooth trackball; looks like their instead trying to make everyone use their 2.4Ghz stuff, and removing the wired option.  So now I've got to be extra careful with my existing one.

Here's hoping sanity returns and I can pick up a surplus stock one in few months for less than $80.

Logitech, please bring back the Trackman Wheel wired. If not perminately, atleast do a run so the fans can stockpile them!
(and make a bluetooth version of the m570 while you're at it)

Edit: Also, to people with broken left buttons, I read they use the same switches as Microsoft mice. Don't know for sure.

[yoshus]

I created this accout just to echo the others in this thread. I am a huge fan of the wired models and it makes me sad to see them going away. I too cannot use wireless devices at work and I don't want to have to worry about batteries at home! Please consider making the wired trackballs again!

[tdaniels]

This is the only mouse I'll use, I have one for almost all my computers (short one now that they are out of stock).  Its perfect for a laptop setup and a chordless trackman is over kill when you're sitting right next to your computer.  Seems silly that they discontinued this given there is still valid demand. Guess Logitech knows what we want better than we do.

[The Grim Reefer]

"It's probably just that there's only a few people who really care.  And I don't even see a $200 one on eBay, but I do see plenty for $15 to $40.  You can even buy a set of 40 for $14 each!"

I'm sure that's what Logitech believes. My guesss is that there is enough of a market for it to be profitable, but just not enough to keep the shareholders happy. One problem is that they built these fairly well compared to most pointing devices so they tend to last a very long time. As you can see people keep trickeling into this site as they try to find out why these are no longer being produced. I would guess than only a small percentage are bothering to comment as well. Personally I know dozens of people that are going to be rather upset when their trackball wears out.

I can't say I looked on ebay, so I have no idea how much they are going for. Regardless, I wouldn't sell the ones I have for $200 if it was an option.

[The Grim Reefer]

It looks like Office depot has these in stock for $29.95 for anyone who is interested:

http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/590264/Logitech-TrackMan-Wheel-Corded-Mouse/

[myself48]

Unfortunately if you try to purchase that item from Office Depot it says:

"Unfortunately, the items below are no longer available.

However, please consider a similar item from the list below."

The wireless M570 works well enough in my home office, but I don't dare use them at work in the emergency communications dispatch center where I have multiple workstations in close proximity.  Logitech, still no reply to your customers' needs?

[Robin-Whittle]

I am surprised and saddened that the company which created the best trackballs no longer makes a wired version.  I have been using Logitech thumb-operated trackballs since the grey ball "Trackman mouse T-PA1-9MD" mechanical trackball.  Now, according to Google, there's no mention of this part number on the Net.  Its 74LS14 chip has a 1989 date-code, so that means I have been using these wonders for 21 years.

The thumb operated trackball is so superior to mice and any other trackball configuration that I believe mice and other such trackballs should be BANNED.  Why should people in their workplaces be allowed or required to use RSI-generating input devices when a far superior alternative exists?  Mice stress the entire arm and shoulder.  The thumb-operated trackball just gives the thumb a workout.

The simplicity of a wired Trackman Wheel can't be replicated with wireless, batteries and the like.  I plug an older version of the wired Trackman Wheel (bone-coloured case, red ball, "Trackman Marble Wheel") into my Acer netbook, with a suitably shortened cord, and all is well.  There's no batteries to replace, no interference, no dropping of the link etc.

I will still evangelize on behalf of these trackballs, as I have since 1990.  These devices to have contributed considerably to my productivity and health.  But now I must look like a bit of a kook when I add that the manufacturer no longer makes the wired version.  How hard can it be to continue with the wired version? 

http://www.firstpr.com.au/ergonomics/

- Robin Whittle, Australia

[rir]

I want to echo the original poster;   I also don't often comment on products.

It was surprising to go out to buy five Trackman Wheels and find that the line is being decimated.  Being the IT guy for a small company, I am not interested in unnecessary complications: batteries to fail or pointing devices interfering or not syncing.  So rather than simply spending money on a proven winner, I'm researching options. 

The Trackman Wheel is a great pointer, I would expect that Logictech would be moving toward making

a left-hand version, not reducing the line.  Everyone who I have gotten to try a T-BB18 has converted.  For years, this has seemed to me to be a marketing failure.

I, personally, have a M570 wireless version, bought May 2011, and find it to be of the same good quality as

the wired versions.  It is not clear to me whether the device should be shut off when not used; the power switch is so small and inconvenient, I have my doubt.

The M570 is slightly smaller, it is a subtle difference which I only sometimes notice.  The M570 is perhaps

1 cm shorter in length.  I have two machines on my desk at home and both pointers at hand--many people won't notice the size change.

Blue balls!  Ha, who would've thought.

rir