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Trackballs provide a break from grasping and dragging a traditional mouse around the
table. They also require less room to use than a mouse as they don't need table
space to run around on.
 CH
Products
970 Park Center Drive
Vista, CA 92083
(760) 598-2518, Fax: (760) 598-2524
sales@chproducts.com
http://www.chproducts.com/pcgear6b.html
TRACKBALL PRO is a great alternative to the traditional mouse and saves valuable desk
space. It's also a professional pointing device for desktop publishing, CAD/CAM, and
games. It's especially well suited for mouse based applications like Microsoft Windows.
Using TRACKBALL PRO is effortless, fluid and fast. Movement control is heightened by our
four button design which offers maximum click and click-lock versatility. With the
smallest movement of your fingertips or palm, the cursor accelerates across the screen or
zeroes in on a precise point.
(see website for more manufacturer product
information)
(Information last checked: Nov'97)
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Evergreen Systems International
4740 Calle-Quetzal
Camarillo, CA 93012
(805) 445-6492. Fax: (805) 445-6494
http://www.trackballs.com/
Evergreen Systems International is a manufacturer of high-resolution
industrial/military grade trackball pointing devices. These devices replace the mouse in
computer systems where rapid, accurate pointing functions are desired (CAD/CAM, graphics,
workstations, kiosks, etc.), and in industrial/military computing and control environments
where a mouse cannot be used due to space limitations, harsh environments, or other
factors. All Evergreen products are manufactured in the USA at our plant located in
Camarillo, California.
(see website for more manufacturer product
information)
(Information last checked: Mar'00)
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ITAC Systems, Inc.
3113 Benton Street
Garland, TX 75042
(800) 533-4822 or (972) 494-3073
Fax: (972)494-4159
http://www.mousetrak.com/
- Compatible versions for PC, Mac, Sun, SGI, DEC, HP, and more
- Estimated price: $99 - $199 (US and Canada only)
- Available from: Pricing-Online Ordering
The most highly evolved mouse available today. Designed for use in ergonomic
workstations by the most demanding power users.
- Elevated integrated hand support for maximum stress reduction.
- Six large keys positioned to fall under the fingers.
- The four most heavily used mouse actions on keys next to the ball (helps those with
small hands.)
- Click, Double-Click, and Click & Drag without complicated driver setup.
- Extremely light ball movement force reduces user effort.
- Advanced users can reprogram the keys for single stroke Click, Double-Click, or Click
& Drag for any of the three industry standard mouse keys without special drivers.
- Can be configured for left or right handed users.
- Reliable stainless steel shafts and bearings.
- Evolution is big, in fact, it is so big that it uses nearly half the space required for
your old mousepad.
(see website for more manufacturer product
information)
Specialization drives evolution! The Personal Mouse-Trak is specialized for Microsoft
Office applications. The center button is dedicated to the two things users do most, left
button Click and Drag or left button Double Click. It makes using office applications
simple.
- 60% less tiring than a wrist and elbow powered mouse.
- Integrated soft foam hand support.
- Click, Double-Click, and Click & Drag without complicated driver setup.
- Middle button is preprogrammed for left button functions only.
- Reliable stainless steel shafts and bearings.
- Less than 1% of ITAC's mice require warranty service.
- FCC Class B and CE Mark certified.
(see website for more manufacturer product
information)
- Compatible versions for PC, Mac, Sun, SGI, DEC, HP, and more
- Estimated price: $149 - $199 (US and Canada only)
- Available from: Pricing-Online Ordering
Productivity tool specialized for professional CAD and UNIX users who need to be able
to work continously for hours on end.
- 60% less tiring than a wrist and elbow powered mouse.
- Integrated hand support reduces the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Middle Button is programmable for either auxillary click, left click-and-drag, or left
double-click.
- Click, Double-Click, and Click & Drag without complicated driver setup.
- Includes a unique "scroll feature"
- Extremely light ball movement force reduces user effort.
- Fingertip controls reduce wrist and elbow fatigue.
- Reliable stainless steel shafts and bearings.
- Less than 1% of ITAC's mice require warranty service.
(see website for more manufacturer product
information)
Comments
I've heard really good things about ITAC's products, especially from the Unix
users where the pointing devices have not always been all that great. I've been
waiting for them to come out with a more stylized version, as their trackballs have been
rather clunky looking. Their palmrest is actually higher than the ball, so it should
make for comfortable use as long as the worksurface is not too high to start with.
I'm a fan of large buttons, so I'll hold judgement on the multiple, smaller buttons that
the Evolution has until I hear some feedback from users. -KSW-
Miscellaneous
ITAC's Product Comparisons
(Information last checked: Nov'97)
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Kensington Microware Limited
2855 Campus Drive
San Mateo, CA 94403
(800) 535-4242, Fax: (415) 572-9675
info@kensington.com
http://www.kensington.com/products/
Kensington's line of trackball products have earned the largest number of awards in the
industry's history. That's because of our commitment to combining the best hardware with
the most up-to-date software features. Now, by matching our easy-to-use software with a
new 4-button design, the best just got better. The new Expert Mouse and Turbo Mouse allow
you to get more fingers in on the action. And its flexible, symmetrical trackball design
fits any size hand.
Thanks to the large, weighted ball, precise cursor manipulation soon becomes second
nature. And its four easy-to-click buttons are logically situated for effortless use by
any number of fingers you like.
Computing just got easier with the award-winning MouseWorks software.
It's easy single-click solution to all your repetitive tasks. Clicking less means you work
faster and save time.
(see website for more manufacturer product
information)
Everything you want in mouse plus the benefits of a trackball. Orbit looks like a
mouse. Feels like a mouse. And is as easy to use as a mouse. But Orbit is a trackball. So
there is less hand and arm movement. More comfort and control. And because Orbit stays in
one spot, you save valuble desk space. Orbit is clearly one of the hottest new input
device products on the market - but don't just take our word for it, check out Orbit's awards and
reviews.
(see website for more manufacturer product
information)
Comments
Kensington trackballs have long been a favorite of Mac users, and more recently PCs
also. I currently (11/97) use an Expert Mouse, find the ball movement
smooth (with an occasional cleaning), and I just love the new styling and four, large
buttons. My main issue with the Expert and Turbo Mice (besides the fact they are not
mice <g>), is that they have no built in palm supports. They are supposed to
be coming with a card for a free wristrest - I'd encourage sending it in, or using another
favorite wristrest, if you have lazy wrists (like me - yes I know better . . .)
and rest them on the table. -KSW-
(Information last checked: Nov'97)
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Logitech
6505 Kaiser Dr.
Fremont, CA 94555
(800) 231-7717 or (510) 795-8100
http://www.logitech.com/
- Compatiblity: PC and Mac
- Estimated price: $79.94 (PC), $99.95 (Mac)
- Availablity: Retail (Where
to Buy)
Logitech's TrackMan® Marble trackball offers unmatched reliability, precision and
performance in a comfortable design. Patented Marble® technology replaces mechanical
motion recording with optical tracking to enhance precision, reduce wear and ensure smooth
tracking. Resistant to dust and dirt, the thumb-controlled trackball doesn't require
regular cleaning, and provides fast, precise cursor movement. Since it's a trackball, it
doesn't take large arm movements to get cursor motion. Customize the three buttons for
personalized performance, double-click, draglock or give other commands with a single
button click. Or, assign a button to scroll easily in Windows® 95 and Microsoft®
Office® 97, or on the web.
(see website for more manufacturer product
information)
- Compatiblity: Windows 95, Windows 3.1 and DOS
- Estimated price: $49.95
- Availablity: Retail (Where
to Buy)
Save desk space and gain comfort with the TrackMan trackball. Rotate the trackball with
just one finger. The innovative rounded sloping design places the buttons under your
fingers - two on top and a handy side thumb button. Since it's a trackball, TrackMan stays
put, and you get efficient cursor motion without any large arm movements on your part.
Scroll in Windows 95 and Office 97. Use the included MouseWare software to customize
buttons with one-click commands, such as draglock, double-click, cut, paste, and other
frequently used commands.
(see website for more manufacturer product
information)
Comments
The Marble Trackball has a very smooth ball movement and its
shape fits my hand very well (but I'm not saying I am the norm). I have
heard good words from Marble users and have had little difficulty with it myself.
For long-term use there is a concern by ergonomist-types that there could be a potential
problem with overuse of the thumb. The thumb is the strongest digit of the
hand, but not necessarily known for its precision. I personally had no problems
navigating programs with the Marble, but found myself pressing too hard on its palmrest
and causing fatigue. Thus, it is important to watch how the pointing devices are
used as well as their design characteristics.
The TrackMan is a little closer to what ergonomists are looking
for in a trackball. Its larger, centered ball allows it to be manipulated with the
index and middle finger, which are better fit for the fine ball movements used on
trackballs. Not having yet used this device, I'm unsure which fingers are used with
the two top buttons. However, I would avoid constant use of the weaker ring and
pinky fingers. As the trackball is not picked up, use of the thumb button makes a lot of
sense. -KSW-
(Information last checked: Nov'97)
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 Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399
800-426-9400 (Microsoft Customer Service)
http://www.microsoft.com/products/hardware/inputdev.htm
IntelliMouse Trackball has been designed to leverage the success of the IntelliMouse by
incorporating the wheel technology in a trackball format. Utilizing the finger instead of
the thumb to manipulate the trackball, the IntelliMouse TrackBall is ergonomically
designed for greater user comfort. The trackball format allows users to conserve desktop
space by allowing the user's hand to remain in a stationary position. IntelliPoint
Software Features
(see website for more manufacturer product
information)
Miscellaneous
Microsoft's Ergonomic
Guidelines Webpage
(Information last checked: Nov'97)
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MicroSpeed
2495 Industrial Pkwy West
Hayward, CA 94545-5007
(510( 259-1270, Fax: (510) 259-1291
http://www.microspeed.com/
http://www.microspeed.com/newsite/index.html
The WinTRAC trackball gives you increased productivity and a new degree of control over
your Windows applications without having to learn obscure commands. Highlight the menu bar
and select actions without moving the cursor from the current working location via the
TrackWHEEL. WinTRAC is AWARE of the windows application that is currently operating. The
included WinTRAC utility provides application sensing so the WinTRAC will automatically
change its PROFILE as you move from one window to another. Thumb through a document on
your favorite word processor; flip between detailed and consolidated reports on your
favorite spreadsheet; and select a drawing tool without repositioning the cursor in your
favorite graphics program. Default application specific PROFILES are included for the
Windows versions of WinWord, Excel, Write, and Paintbrush. An ICON on the desktop will
both remind you of settings for specific applications as well as allow you to taylor those
settings or create new ones to meet your own specific needs.
(see website for more manufacturer product
information)
(Information last checked: Nov'97)
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 Mouse Systems Corporation
47505 Seabridge Drive
Fremont, CA 94538
(510) 656-1117
info@mousesystems.com
http://www.mousesystems.com
PC Trackball II - The award winning PC Trackball II glides through
your applications with a smooth and solid feel. Praised for its "smooth
operation". The PC Trackball II gives you the comfort and control you've been looking
for. With it, you'll navigate through your most demanding applications with sure-footed
ease.
The PC Trackball II's sleek ergonomics make it the optimum choice
for hours of comfortable use. Its outstanding accuracy, comfort, and space- saving design
means you'll be more efficient and productive.
Our trackball software turns your pointing devices into smart
pointing tools. You can customize the way you use your Mouse Systems products.
A3 Trackball - Programmable 3-button trackball for your Mac! If you're
looking for greater control, pinpoint accuracy and absolute comfort, get your hands on the
A3 Trackball. You'll be amazed at its smooth fingertip control and high resolution
accuracy. Plus, the A3 Trackball's sleek, ergonomic curves support your hand naturally for
hours of comfortable use.
(see website for more manufacturer product
information)
(Information last checked: Nov'97)
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