Track ball vs mouse

[brianhood]

What do you guys use? Ive read that there are benefits from using a trackball when working with pro tools. Are there benefits from a physical standpoint as well? less strain on the wrists?

I'm considering trying a switch. I'd also like some recommendations on track balls if you guys have any

 

[GarethSE]

i remember back when trackball mice were the "normal" ones

i use a "normal" one haha. i dont think i could ever go back.

 

[C_F_H_13]

trackball all the way.

 

[James Murphy]

i was all about trackballs for years... Kensington Turbo Mouse Pro mostly... but the Apple Magic Mouse has converted me 100%. it's not exactly a "normal mouse", but close enough.

 

[Pedro Teixeira]

i was all about trackballs for years... Kensington Turbo Mouse Pro mostly... but the Apple Magic Mouse has converted me 100%. it's not exactly a "normal mouse", but close enough.

I tried one the other day at an Apple Store, do you know if all it's usability works in Windows or is it pretty much useless? (sorry for the off-topic)

 

[James Murphy]

yes it will work as a basic point and click (and right-click) mouse with Windows, but the fancy touch stuff won't work, at least not until somebody authors Windows drivers for it... it's still a great mouse even without the touch stuff though.

 

[monolithsound]

James, I've been thinking about pickup one of those up, as that my mouse is crapping out. Any issues with the multi-touch not responding well all the time?

 

[James Murphy]

works great for me ... but i imagine it's like any touch technology, in that the moisture, etc. of your fingertip is a factor. basically if you have troubles with touch screen technologies in general, you'll probably have issues with the magic mouse. some people's body chemistry makes currect touch technologies frustrating for them.

 

[AdamWathan]

I tried a Magic Mouse a few weeks back briefly, felt a little small and I was worried it would be uncomfortable during long sessions so I didn't grab it. How are you finding it ergonomically James? I'm still really interested in getting one. Does the sideways scroling work with Pro Tools properly or do you still have to use shift + vertical scrolling?

 

[ze kink]

Normal mouse all the way for me. Though I sure would like to ditch my Logitech V470 because it's almost unusably jumpy and laggy in OSX (though works absolutely fine in bootcamp for some reason). Perhaps the Magic Mouse, or then I'll go oldschool with a comfortable wired mouse.

 

[JeffTD]

Kensington Expert Mouse... the rest can suck it. I love this thing.

 

[Splat88]

I can't use a trackball without getting frustrated within 30 seconds. I've been using my stock Microsoft mouse since 2000 come to think of it!

 

[Jordon]

Trackball. Looking at grabbing a Kensington Expert Mouse pretty soon. Currently using your run-of-the-mill Logitech Trackman Wheel. I come from a CAD/Solidworks background, so I find I can be more accurate with the trackball, and I get less fatigue in my hand/wrist.

 

[brianhood]

For you trackball users, what do you use in place of the scroll wheel on the mouse? I'm not sure if I could do without that in my current workflow...

 

[Jordon]

The Logitech Track Man Wheel that I currently use has a scroll wheel. Some of the Kensington models have a ring that rotates around the ball that can be used as a scroll.

 

[Charlie E.]

James are you using Snow Leopard?
Cuz I recently got a Magic Mouse and it's almost unusable on both my Mac Pro and Macbook Pro that have Snow Leopard installed.
The tracking is just way too slow.

However I tried it on my sister Macbook which is running Leopard and it seemed to track a lot better.

 

[Nebulous]

What do you guys use? Ive read that there are benefits from using a trackball when working with pro tools. Are there benefits from a physical standpoint as well? less strain on the wrists?

I'm considering trying a switch. I'd also like some recommendations on track balls if you guys have any

I use a normal mouse at work and at home.
Recently I've started to notice some cramping in my hand/ wrist and pain in my elbow in my right arm. I'm pretty sure this is from working with a mouse and hour long drives over the December period to and from work.
It would make sense to me that using a mouse (for that many hours a day) may cause strain. I may have a look at some trackballs, at least for use at home.
Thanks for starting the thread!

 

[updog]

James are you using Snow Leopard?
Cuz I recently got a Magic Mouse and it's almost unusable on both my Mac Pro and Macbook Pro that have Snow Leopard installed.
The tracking is just way too slow.

However I tried it on my sister Macbook which is running Leopard and it seemed to track a lot better.

The problem shouldn't be in Snow Leopard. Remember that Magic Mouse is shipped with new iMacs with SL.

 

[jval]

kensington expert mouse, can't imagine going back.

 

[JonWormwood]

I've got a logitech marble mouse I hate. but i should learn to love it.

If it had fucking scrolling....