Havard Havard Havard Havard-Havard von Havard (![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} wisedonkey) wrote,@ 2008-03-04 18:29:00 |
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Day 1 Review: ITAC Systems mouse-trak
My current trackballs, a Microsoft monstrosity that's actually quite comfortable to use, and a Logitech Trackman Wheel, are starting to wear out in various annoying ways. I've searched high and low for replacements, but it turns out most folks don't care for trackballs. What the market doesn't want, the market doesn't get. Microsoft no longer produces trackballs, and Logitech's remaining trackball isn't all that comfortable. For nearly 20 years I've known about the ITAC Systems MOUSE-TRAK trackball, but never felt it was worth spending $150 to $300 on the thing. Additionally, they don't even have scroll wheels, which are apparently a necessity in this day and age. Despite the fact that the MOUSE-TRAK does not have a scroll wheel and despite the fact that it looks like it was designed in the mid-1980s, I decided to give it try. I was torn between the Professional and Industrial models. While the black case of the Industrial model is rather sexy, it's not worth doubling the price. So I dropped $150 on the ugly gray Professional model.
This morning a FedEx driver showed up with a package. I quickly ripped into the package, unfurled the cord, ripped out my old Trackman Wheel, and plugged in the new toy. As one would expect in this day and age, it worked just like any other standard USB mouse, which means it Just Plain Worked™. At first, the layout of the buttons felt foreign, and with no scroll wheel I was certainly in a panic. Within minutes, the buttons felt natural and weren't a concern. It didn't really take long to unlearn the habits of using a scroll wheel.
After one day of use, I'm certainly considering purchasing another for permanent use at the office. While it's an incredibly ugly chunk of plastic, it's a comfortable and sturdy chunk of plastic. Is it worth the price? It could be. My current trackballs weighed in at $60 and $70 each and wore out in less than five years.
My current trackballs, a Microsoft monstrosity that's actually quite comfortable to use, and a Logitech Trackman Wheel, are starting to wear out in various annoying ways. I've searched high and low for replacements, but it turns out most folks don't care for trackballs. What the market doesn't want, the market doesn't get. Microsoft no longer produces trackballs, and Logitech's remaining trackball isn't all that comfortable. For nearly 20 years I've known about the ITAC Systems MOUSE-TRAK trackball, but never felt it was worth spending $150 to $300 on the thing. Additionally, they don't even have scroll wheels, which are apparently a necessity in this day and age. Despite the fact that the MOUSE-TRAK does not have a scroll wheel and despite the fact that it looks like it was designed in the mid-1980s, I decided to give it try. I was torn between the Professional and Industrial models. While the black case of the Industrial model is rather sexy, it's not worth doubling the price. So I dropped $150 on the ugly gray Professional model.
This morning a FedEx driver showed up with a package. I quickly ripped into the package, unfurled the cord, ripped out my old Trackman Wheel, and plugged in the new toy. As one would expect in this day and age, it worked just like any other standard USB mouse, which means it Just Plain Worked™. At first, the layout of the buttons felt foreign, and with no scroll wheel I was certainly in a panic. Within minutes, the buttons felt natural and weren't a concern. It didn't really take long to unlearn the habits of using a scroll wheel.
After one day of use, I'm certainly considering purchasing another for permanent use at the office. While it's an incredibly ugly chunk of plastic, it's a comfortable and sturdy chunk of plastic. Is it worth the price? It could be. My current trackballs weighed in at $60 and $70 each and wore out in less than five years.
