Thinking about buying a trackball.

admars · 13-07-2008, 14:05

I'm about to open myself up to smutty jokes here...

I'm right handed, work in IT, and use the PC at home in the evenings/weekends. Recently my right shoulder started to ache a bit, and my right wrist has been a bit painful. Both at home, and at work I use a Microsoft Intellimouse explorer mouse and mousemat with wrist rest.

I asked the facilities bloke at work to do a desk assessment for me, and asked him to "spy" on me, a I thought if we arrange a time to do it, I'll sit in a perfect text book position, and then when he leaves go back to bad habits.

He said every now and again I slouching a bit, but that's normal, but apart from that my posture was fine, and equipment all looked to be set up correctly, at correct height and level.

I was on the PC at home about 1hr this morning, and wrist and shoulder started to ache (as they're doing now, so I'll watch some tv in a minute when I've finished typing this)

SO I was thinking maybe I should try a trackball. Searching through the forums I see a couple of people have mentioned them in the past, just wondered if many people do use the, and have found the ease aches and pains.

I'm thinking the only sensible thing to do is go to comet/staples/pcworld, have a look, try it at home, take it into work, and if I get along with it, tell the boss to buy me one of the same. I assume like mice, different people prefer different makes and models. However quick look online and Logitech seem to be the only recognisable brands out there.

Any suggestions and recommendations appreciated.

Cheers

Al

JediMaster · 13-07-2008, 14:16

I use the Kensington Optical Expert Mouse http://uk.kensington.com/html/7843.html got it online a few months ago to use on my Dell, but I still use my Belkin Mini Optical mouse for 99% of the time. Still hard to switch to a TrackBall. Its great for some tasks, but it was only bought for some aplications so its ok.

**Rob** · 13-07-2008, 14:20

A couple of people in my office reckon they are a great alternative where they are risking an RSI type thing with their wrist, hand. Personally I find them impossible to use, so I leave the standard mouse attached too. Swings and roundabouts really.

Most of it is about posture and taking reasonable breaks from the PC. I doubt a trackball can help shoulder pain, that's more down to posture and if you slump or hunch yourself over your keyboard.

homealone · 13-07-2008, 14:39

I've never tried a trackball, what I do to try & avoid wrists & shoulders getting sore is to use my right hand at work & my left hand at home.

One thing I found a help when I did suffer from a sore wrist & shoulder was using a powerball http://www.amazon.co.uk/b/ref=amb_li...d_i=B000OT8J9G

Berealwith · 13-07-2008, 14:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by admars

I'm about to open myself up to smutty jokes here...

I'm right handed, work in IT, and use the PC at home in the evenings/weekends. Recently my right shoulder started to ache a bit, and my right wrist has been a bit painful. Both at home, and at work I use a Microsoft Intellimouse explorer mouse and mousemat with wrist rest.

I asked the facilities bloke at work to do a desk assessment for me, and asked him to "spy" on me, a I thought if we arrange a time to do it, I'll sit in a perfect text book position, and then when he leaves go back to bad habits.

He said every now and again I slouching a bit, but that's normal, but apart from that my posture was fine, and equipment all looked to be set up correctly, at correct height and level.

I was on the PC at home about 1hr this morning, and wrist and shoulder started to ache (as they're doing now, so I'll watch some tv in a minute when I've finished typing this)

SO I was thinking maybe I should try a trackball. Searching through the forums I see a couple of people have mentioned them in the past, just wondered if many people do use the, and have found the ease aches and pains.

I'm thinking the only sensible thing to do is go to comet/staples/pcworld, have a look, try it at home, take it into work, and if I get along with it, tell the boss to buy me one of the same. I assume like mice, different people prefer different makes and models. However quick look online and Logitech seem to be the only recognisable brands out there.

Any suggestions and recommendations appreciated.

Cheers

Al

yep i have been there and had to have an operation. Buddy my best advice is to get it sortted quickly.....i used a trackball and had a risk accessment at my place of work to, they went out of their way to help. my gaming days are over now. and i have to take my hours very carefully on the pc now. But please go to the doctors and get his advice too. I think as time goes on we will see more and more of this due to sitting wrong and not taking enough rest between our pc sessions....if you need any help or more advice pm i will do my very best to help...

oh added this is what i used for a year while things settled down. http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=172438

admars · 13-07-2008, 17:38

Hi,
I'm using the mouse left handed, feels wierd. and will try to limit ho wmuch I use PC at home. Also next week I'll move away from my computer at lunch time rather than surf the internet while eating my sarnies.

I've just been into town to see what was available trackball wise on high street, to actually play with one.
I saw that Logitech trackball in Staples, unfortunately it was boxed.
PCWord had a Kensington one, not that one in the earlier post, a more basic one, again that was boxed, had loads of mice unboxed you could play with.
I did see those powerball things round Christmas time, was tempted to get one, so do they actually work? It seemed like a Christmas novelty gimic/gadget gift thing.

Thanks for your help and suggestions.

Cheers

Al

homealone · 13-07-2008, 17:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by admars

I did see those powerball things round Christmas time, was tempted to get one, so do they actually work? It seemed like a Christmas novelty gimic/gadget gift thing.

Thanks for your help and suggestions.

Cheers

Al

I can only speak for myself, but I found that my powerball strengthened my left wrist with regular use, which helped overcome problems I was having using a mouse for extended periods.

I found the important thing was to use it for regular 'gentle' exercise, especially at first & not to overdo it by trying to beat any records.

Delta Whiskey · 13-07-2008, 17:56

I've been using the 'marble mouse' for about five years now - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-904.../dp/B00005QKHF - it's the only one I found which was suitable for left handed people like me.

JediMaster · 14-07-2008, 10:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by admars

Hi,
I saw that Logitech trackball in Staples, unfortunately it was boxed.
PCWord had a Kensington one, not that one in the earlier post, a more basic one, again that was boxed, had loads of mice unboxed you could play with.

Trouble with with the Trackball I have (& most are the same) the Ball is loose, so if it was "Open" in PC World some little brat would nick the 4" ball & play football with it

PC World & Currys have a 28 day returns policy (you can open the item & use it & still return it). So maybe try one for a few weeks & return it if no good. Or buy it online much cheaper if it is lol

greencreeper · 14-07-2008, 13:15

I worked on using my mouse in my left hand. So now at home I use the mouse in my right hand (because I can get greater accuracy in games), and at work I use the mouse in my left hand. Still fairly accurate is my left hand, but not enough for head shots

hoggie · 14-07-2008, 23:05

love my trackball, best thing ever.
takes some time to get used to but you will never want to use a mouse or touchpad again.
Pcworld £20.
PS.after a couple of weeks i found using a mouse was hard work lol

admars · 15-07-2008, 18:19

I may give it a go, my wrist has been fine yesterday and today, so maybe I had slipped into some bad habits, but by concentrating on making sure my desk setup at home and work was correct I've helped it.

For instance today I noticed I had my bum quite far forward on my chair, and was slouched, so I got up had a walk, and then sat correctly, where as 2 weeks ago I probably would have stayed like that all afternoon. yesterday and today for lunch I read a magazine in the kitchen/rest area, rather than surfed the internet, does mean I have a lot of catching up in the evening to do, especially as I've stopped turning on the computer to check mails etc before I go to work. Reminds me of using dialup, i.e. watching how much time i spend online and when I do it

Finger crossed I "nipped it in the bud", if problems come back then I'll visit my doctor. I think I'll order a trackball anyway and give it a go, nothing to lose, and I'm still trying to use the mouse left handed at home. That one in hoggie's pic is the one I saw in pcworld. Looks like it only has 2 buttons, I find it annoying enough using a mouse with 2, when used to 5!

Cheers all

Al