Trackballs Anyone?

[Michael Carter]

Since I'm building an unsupported aircraft and I don't think I'll ever truly wean this cockpit from the mouse, I've decided upon a trackball.

I'm going to mount this in a removable, flush mounted tray within the left bay of the RT box where the radar controller, second transponder and trip computer resides. The radar controller will be moved on top of the trackball tray and the other two modules will be moved to the right RT bay or the center bay over the radar display.

It will be removable when I want to use it for regular computer use, but look like a part of the cockpit when in the left RT bay. 4"x7" in size, and I'm going to repaint the case in gray.

$79.95 from TrackBallWorld.com

http://www.trackballworld.com/media/products/ss_size1/40-150.jpg

[zenandzen]

Nice idea.
Does that mean you miss out on the scroll wheel function of the typical mouse ?
Of course if you never use that function then all will be fine.
Worth thinking about for my own use.
I have a Glide point touchpad (not sure if you can get them now) that some laptops have & was thinking of using it instead of making a mousing area for the usual rodent.
Now you have me thinking trackball.
Good idea.

[Kennair]

I use a Logitech Marble mouse at work as there is no room to move a standard mouse around. It took a little while to get use to the trackball itself but after that no problem. It has two Left & Right mouse buttons and two up/down buttons that can be configured for scrolling.

Ken.

[Deesystems]

Why not go both, Dual mouse/trackball

Look for a dual use input controler, when your not flyin you can use it as a regular mouse.

The Kensington SlimBlade™ Trackball Mouse works where other travel mice can't. The trackball gives you control even when there's no room to move a mouse, then switches to mouse mode with the push of a button. Bluetooth connectivity offers up to 30 feet of range and doesn't use up a USB port.

99.99 us.
http://images.acco.com/KENSINGTON/K72281US/K72281US-17678.jpg

http://us.kensington.com/html/13880.html


Glide point touchpad can be found here
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?CatId=1919

Dee

[Michael Carter]

I would prefer the trackball for general use as well as the sim. I have very limited room to run a mouse around.

I've never used a scroll mouse so I doubt I'd be missing anything.

[AndyT]

I never figured out why people don't use a trackball for all their mouse needs. I've been using one for as long as I can recall. I really don't like regular mice. And all my TBs have scrollwheels built-in.

LONG LIVE THE TRACKBALL!
:roll:

[Paul G]

I 'discovered' the joys of the ball as well. I was struggling with a micro mouse on a sloped surface which was getting just too frustrating. Then I bought the Logitech trackball which would be a very substantial mouse if it was one. I think there's a bit of a learning curve but I wouldn't trade it back for even the most fancy mouse. I love it!