Home > Consumer Reviews > Logitech Cordless Optical Trackman - 910-000810

It is the best trackball on the market that I know of. I started using a trackball after I got hand swelling and other troubles from over-using a normal mouse. Once you've got used to this one, moving the ball with the index and third fingers gives a very fine control, and you can set it to accelerate quite well to navigate around the screen. The ball moves smoothly with minimal physical effort, and it doesn't often need cleaning if you use it with clean hands. The back and forward buttons and the scroll buttons are all very useful. I don't use the lock button, but I occasionally use the wheel, which I have set to auto-scroll when pressed. Like all trackballs, it saves desk space, and you can hold this one on your knee quite well when you've got to use a laptop in awkward locations.

I've used this trackball for quite a few years. I have read others suggesting that there is a built-in obsolescence in the click button mechanism. Well, mine has lasted quite a few years of fairly heavy usage. I sometimes think it's starting to go, and then I realise I've just got to move the usb wireless connector thing to a better position and it'll be working fine again. It's lasted long enough now that I will steel myself to spend the rather substantial sum to purchase a new one when this old faithful eventually does stop working.

Just received my Cordless Optical Trackman and it took less than a minute to get it to work. Didn't have to use the CD for the buttons to work , but it does come with it.

Bought this to pair with a 11 inch notebook. The ball and base is quite big next to it, and the receiver is half the size of the base, with is rather disappointing knowing some mouse receivers are less than 0.5 square inch - not very mobile friendly.

Still getting used to the buttons as the layout is different to my old Logitech Marble Mouse. Default setting of the buttons are: (moving let to right)
1. Big black one - Main Left click button
2. Arrows pointing up/down - equivalent to cursor arrows when going through a directory or the forward/back buttons of your internet browser
3. Scroll wheel and button
4. Small arrow buttons on top and bottom of the scroll - another way to scroll without using the wheel ( bit awkward to use)
5. Black patch on the right of the ball - right click button.

The ball doesn't fall off when the base is held upside down but can be released by pushing lightly underneath.

The layout suggests that the ball be controlled by the third and fourth finger while the scroll whole by the index finger. Still getting used to this as well.

So far so good. Will update if anything significant comes up.

I don't think I'll ever use another mouse again - I love the Trackman! It's comfortable, customisable and easy to use (though users of conventional mice may take a few days to get used to it of course). Having dropped it a few times I can safely say it's pretty sturdy, and it is still working well after nearly a year (unlike the last trackball I tried). It really is fab, and I especially love that you can customise some of the buttons as browser 'back' and 'forward'!

Two minor niggles:
The usb wireless receiver part that you plug into your computer includes a long cable which seems quite unnecessary - it would have been better in my opinion if this was a usb-stick type device. And after many months of use, the soft rubberized coating on the black parts of the trackman has started to peel - purely a cosmetic thing but a shame nonetheless.

Highly recommended.

I love this mouse! I've had two previously and am about to buy my third. To use it, you don't have to move your hand/arm just your fingers, so although it is a big mouse (more a rat I suppose) it doesn't require much desk space. I found it very easy to get used to and wouldn't like to have to go back to permanently using an ordinary mouse. although when I have to use one at work, I don't find the change over a problem. Admittedly, I don't use ALL the buttons but those I do use, I've tailored to do exactly what I want. I suppose it's one of those, you love it or you hate it things. Marmite anyone?

Having used the Logitech Wireless TrackMan Wheel Mouse for a year or so and found it excellent I bought this.

I found it a very expensive mistake - the TrackMan Wheel Mouse allows thumb control of the Trackball which is great for fine control. The Trackman under review requires the use of the third and fourth fingers whilst your thumb fights to control three buttons. After three days I still could not get the fluidity I achieved with the Trackman Wheel Mouse after 1 day and it almost got thrown out of the window. I have now reverted to the original Trackman and productivity is up to 100% again !

If you've used and like the Trackman Wheel Mouse I'd recommend sticking with it.

I have no idea why Logitech should "update" their good Trackman by placing every control in a different location - perhaps they just like making life hard for their customers.

So, from my experience with this item, it's a big "thumbs down" !