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Q: Left-handed trackball ( Answered 4 out of 5 stars,   1 Comment )
Question  
Subject: Left-handed trackball
Category: Computers > Hardware
Asked by: gerbil-ga
List Price: $20.00
Posted: 04 Dec 2003 11:41 PST
Expires: 03 Jan 2004 11:41 PST
Question ID: 283534
I use a Logitech Trackman as my pointing device at work.  This
trackball is designed for the right hand, but, due to an injury to my
right shoulder, I need to switch to using my left hand.  Apparently,
Logitech does not make a left-handed version of the Trackman.  I want
info about pointing devices designed for the left hand that are as
close to the Trackman as possible.  In particular, I want the "mouse"
to be stationary, and all motions of the cursor to be controlled with
the thumb of the left hand.

Thanks,

Kynn
Answer  
Subject: Re: Left-handed trackball
Answered By: clouseau-ga on 04 Dec 2003 12:49 PST
Rated:4 out of 5 stars
 
Hello gerbil,

Thank you for your question.

Sorry to hear of your injury. Although it doesn't appear there is an
exact trackman type left handed mouse, there are a number of
recommended trackball devices for lefties. I have been able to locate
left handed trackball devices for you as follows:

Ergo Right or Left-handed trackballs
http://ergopages.com/trackball.html?ga3-1

Logitech Marble Southpaw Friendly
http://www.shopping.com/xPR-Logitech_20302309~RD-70805786244

The reviews of the Logitech Marble on Amazon says "awesome for left handers":
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00000JBUC/103-7145662-4680663?v=glance

As does this review at Electronics Patron:
http://electronicspatron.us/B00000JBUC.html

Ergocube - an entire page of left handed mice and trackballs
http://www.ergocube.com/lefthandedmice.html

Although expensive, I thought the Roller Mouse here just might be of
interest to you:
http://www.ergocube.com/rollermouse.html

"...The Roller Mouse is an alternative to a computer mouse and a
remarkably simple solution to daily use. Its ergonomic design places
mouse cursor control just below the spacebar of any rectangular
keyboard making working faster, safer, and more comfortable for right
or left handed users.

Designed for comfort and speed.

The Roller Mouse is positioned in the optimal work zone, between the
shoulders. It's success in helping people work faster, safer, and more
comfortably has made the Roller Mouse as standard in Sweden, the
world's leading ergonomics nation. It is recommended by 4 out of 5
health professionals in Sweden!..."


Keytools has a page on alternative Mice and although none are exactly
what you wish, might be worth a look:
http://www.keytools-ergonomics.co.uk/mice/default.asp


Another pricey, but quite interesting left handed trackball design by Quill:
http://www.ergoboy.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=E&Product_Code=016-BLS-TheQuill&Category_Code=

You might find that one particularly interesting!

Another ambidextrous trackball from Kensington:
http://store.pcpowerzone.com/ketumoprowi.html


Although I was able to locate a few more off brands or Mac only left
hand friendly trackballs, by far the Logitech Marble gets the nod from
left handed users in every review I read. And it is one of the most
affordable of the above choices, though a few I have mentioned above
should be looked at "just in case" you take a liking to their designs.

I also checked Usenet groups for discussions on left handed trackballs
and found folks to agree that the left handed models are no longer
available and they are using the symmetrical versions like the
Logitech or Kensington designed to be used with either hand. Typical
of these discussions is as follows:
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&threadm=378226B8.C86687AE%40americasm01.nt.com&rnum=31&prev=/groups%3Fnum%3D100%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DISO-8859-1%26q%3DLeft-handed%2Btrackball%26sa%3DN%26tab%3Dwg

"Can anyone tell me where I can buy a left handed trackball.  NOT a
mouse.  I would like to buy it online, but it doesn't really matter as
long as I can see it online before I buy one...

Kensington makes a 4-button trackball which is great for left or right
handed use.  I have used it with both hands, and it's fine.  It is a
little pricy, tho... at Office Depot they sell them for almost $150. 
I know they have a picture of them at www.officedepot.com . Just type
in a keyword for a search and you can see a picture..."

There are numerous discussions which all seem to come back around to
the Logitech Marble or the Kensington. Hopefully one of the baove
devices will suit your needs.


Search Strategy:

left-handed trackball

I trust my research has provided you with options to solve your
left-handed trackball need. If a link above should fail to work or
anything require further explanation or research, please do post a
Request for Clarification prior to rating the answer and closing the
question and I will be pleased to assist further.

Regards,

-=clouseau=-
gerbil-ga rated this answer:4 out of 5 stars

Comments  
Subject: Re: Left-handed trackball
From: missy-ga on 04 Dec 2003 21:05 PST
 
Hi gerbil, 

I own this one:

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm?page=products/details&CRID=6&CONTENTID=5003&countryid=19&languageid=1

...and would happily bite anyone who tried to take it away from me. 
Though I typically mouse righty, I suffer from CTS in my right hand,
and often switch my trackball to the left side to let my right hand
just relax in its brace.

It functions very smoothly, has survived my braindead cats knocking it
off th edesk, and it just feels *nice*.

Hope you find one you like!

--Missy

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