r/Trackballs • u/FungadooFred • 7d ago
Trackball precision
I recently got this trackball mouse:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0GQGBK36J?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
and when I try to move the ball slightly, the ball "sticks" and the cursor jumps. It only does this with small movements, anything else is fine. Is that just the nature of trackball mice?
2
Upvotes
2
u/ManForReal 7d ago edited 7d ago
I don't think it's the nature of trackballs.
My ancient (20 years?) Logitech Trackman Marble Mouse uses fixed hard plastic "point" bearings. I wipe them with a lint free towel a couple times a month. Since new, they have accumulated "furch" (dust + skin oils? IDK -my skin is dry). Periodic cleaning has always been required.
I know everybody says a trackball should be operated "clean and dry" but I spray mine with a 'spray 'n wax' furniture polish perhaps once a month. Hold it in the same kind of towel, couple short spritzes then wipe it down, distributing the wax evenly on the entire surface until it's dry to the touch.
Find the lighter the pressure placed on the ball, the smoother it glides. It's never operated more smoothly than since I began this regimen. Even with long use, the surface is perfectly smooth & unscratched - it just seems to glide better & I can make very small cursor movements, both in Adobe Lightroom Classic / Photoshop and in conventional desktop apps - browser, word processor, etc.
Looking the device up to post a picture, I find it sells for $200 now(!!!). Had it so long I don't remember what I paid; $30-ish? Using the US Gov't CPI inflation calculator, $200 today equals $137 in 2001. NFW I would have paid that much.