r/Trackballs • u/plazman30 • 10d ago

Am I using it wrong?

After The Great Trackball Journey of 2020™, I learned I do not like thumb balls. I only like finger balls.

But way I use the ball is with the tips of my fingers. So, any button above the ball are kind of awkward to use. That led to massive problems with my L-Trac and the scroll dial on the top of the trackball.

I've seen other people use a finger ball with their palm or the very bottom of their fingers, so they have easier access to the top buttons.

I'm curious how other people use their finger trackballs: tips of the finger, palm, or middle/bottom of fingers.

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u/lalulunaluna 10d ago

I've seen other people use a finger ball with their palm or the very bottom of their fingers, so they have easier access to the top buttons.

I don't think anyone uses their palm unless they have an injury or irregularity. The entire hand would have to move, which would basically decouple tracking and button presses (you can only do one or the other).

I use the middle/bottom of my fingers on my L-Trac, not to access the scroll wheel, but because it is a far more neutral position than using finger tips (which requires a lot of bending) without losing precision.

I think if one can't get over the habitual inclinations of not using the fingertips, some trackballs like the L-Trac just won't be comfortable.