Does anyone use a trackball mouse?

I have used one for just about forever. I can't stand the way a regular mouse operates. I am also a very avid gamer. I have used my trackball for GTA Online, Planetside2, The Division, MMOs, 4X games, ARPGs like Diablo (specifically Marvel Heroes), and everything else, really. I have only ever used thumbballs, and I'm not sure I could get used to a fingerball. Logitech makes excellent trackballs, but I discovered the ELECOM M-XT3URBK, which bills itself as a gaming trackball, and I positively adore it.

Overall, the one thing you're going to have to get used to is that a four button trackball is a luxury... most trackballs are dirt simple. I can't say there are any tradeoffs to wireless, as I only use wired for gaming. But, I do use a Logitech wireless with my media computer (where I watch movies and such), and I can say that the compact design of a trackball works wonders as a remote.

I've switched to a vertical mouse a few years ago and it helped for wrist pain. It took me quite a long time (like 2 month) to fully adapt, it's probably long to get used to a trackball.

This might be offtopic, but: please, please have more than one input method for your computer at your desk, especially if you work at your computer all day. RSI is no joke, and you should start taking it seriously now. If you start to feel any pain while using your computer, that means that the damage is already being done—take it seriously. Take a break and switch up your input—just do something.

A mouse isn't the only pointer solution available to you. A regular mouse plus a trackball mouse are a great pair! If you're on macOS, get a Magic Trackpad to supplement your input—the multi-touch features are indispensable.

I switched to one last year, Elecom Deft Pro, but I only use it for work because that's where I spend 50% of my day. I have some nerve problems in my right arm due to an accident, and so long use of a mouse causes those nerves to get irritated and hurt, then I can't sleep, then I'm tired all day, then work performance drops/late to work, and then I get fired (yes actually happened I know I could have done something but whatever it's the past).

Since the switch pain has drastically been reduced, so I will always use one from here on out at work.

At home I have a g305, but I've also drastically cut back on computer time at home. Would normally spend ~6 hours on the comp a day at home. But now I'm at about 8 hours a week. I found other hobbies and have been trying to get out more.

Sorry for not answering the question, but why not go with a mouse with really high dpi instead? If it’s sensitive enough you can do a 180 degree turn in a wrist flick.

As for finger position ergonomics, I’m seeing people use these mice that are basically held sideways, with a “grab” piece pointing up you can wrap your hand around.

My dad only owned a thumb trackball mouse when I first started playing games, so the first mouse I used was a trackball. I think that for twitch shooters and games where you would move your mouse back and forth quickly it is noticably worse. When I finally got my own computer and a normal mouse, it was noticably easier to use for the fps games I played, even though I grew up using a trackball mouse.

My first trackball was a logitech marble, my second is the kingston orbit. Been using them for maybe 8 years. Last time I used a mouse was back in 2013.

• Gaming
  Any thing that requires precise clicking and fast reaction would be out of the question due
  to the way trackball operates. You are using only your fingers to move the cursor and there is little control on where your cursor would be going with flicks vs. mouse where
  you could use your arm and wrist to move which will give you a higher degree of control. Mouse will always be faster and more precise. ( provided that you have a low dpi and a giant ass mousepad )
  You will run out of fingers to roll the ball if you want to keep your cursor on a moving target. I found that I'd lose precision if I want that 180d flicks.

  Flicking doesn't really work as the light sensor does not register the pattern on the ball when
  it rolls above a certain speed. It could be due to the lower quality sensors used in trackball mouses.

• Index or Thumb:
  That is largely down to the design of the trackball itself. You either have products like the logitech m570 where the ball is placed on the side of the mouse or the more common balls in the middle of the mouse kind.

• Adjustment Period:
  I forgot

• Recommendations:
  On the low end:

  • Kingston Orbit - Has a scroll ring on it like a scroll wheel. Comes with a wrist rest.
  • Logitech M570 - Traditional mouse like profile, wireless. Dpi setting.
  • Logitech Trackman Marble - A long lasting trackball you can still buy today with reasonable price. The profile is longer than the others.

  I have not used any of the more expensive option so no comment.

• Advantages:
  You can fumble the ball like a fidget spinner. Some trackball uses a billiard balls if that's your thing. And as you said, small surface for operation. Can be used on lap if trackpad digusts you.

• Disadvantages:
  Gunks. The ball is rested on three hardened material dots. If you have a greasy hand like me the ball will attract a lot of dust which will be caught around the dots and make your ball sluggish. I recommend using toothbrush to clean them out. You will be doing this everyday as a routine.

  You will likely lose some customizations that is common place with a mouse. Extra buttons and dpi setting are reserved for the more expensive ones that I didn't cover. No fancy ass rgb.

• Wireless:
  Never used one, no idea.

I don't know about trackballs in particular, but I started using an Apple Magic Trackpad 2 as my primary input device and I'm really happy with it. Its fixed position on my desk has some of the same benefits that a trackpad would, but with BetterTouchTool I also get access to a constellation of configurable multitouch gestures.

I assume you're not using a Mac, but I believe there are some comparable products for the PC market. Might be worth a look.

For context, I've been using a trackball for almost 5 years now on my Mac. The only time I don't use it is if I'm on my laptop. I do video editing for a living and I love being able to easily scroll around the timeline and make precise selections using the trackball.

For those types of games, it should be fine. I played The Sims and SimCity with my trackball for years and never had any issues. For FPS type games, I'd recommend having a mouse on standby.

I use my thumb and I haven't had any issues at all. It took me a week or two to completely master using the trackball, but that was it. It's fun to watch other people at work try and use my computer. It's like a completely foreign object to them.

I've been using the Logitech M570 both at work and at home and they've lasted me multiple years now. You can routinely find them on sale for $30. It's wireless and works well enough. It's not bluetooth though, which is my only negative comment about it. It uses Logitech's stupid USB dongle that works on the 2.4 GHz spectrum. Most of my stuff is on 5 GHz wifi now, but it could interfere with older networks. I haven't noticed any other downsides like latency.

The biggest non-ergonomic advantage to me is being able to get the mouse across the screen very easily. Need it on the other side of the screen? Just spin the ball and it'll fly across the screen!

For FPS games, trackballs have many of the same problems as joysticks, the key one being that you have to choose between accuracy and speed. When I play games I like to use a mouse on a large surface, allowing me to keep the sensitivity low so I can easily make precise movements without sacrificing my ability to make fast movements. Joysticks and trackballs require you to choose between speed and accuracy.

If your interest is mostly for ergonomics, I would check out vertical mice. Logitech makes one or two that are pretty popular.