The Ploopy Trackball(s)

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  • Опубліковано 26 лис 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 120

  • @NKCubed
    @NKCubed 11 місяців тому +53

    wow, that transparent version is gorgeous

  • @nkozi
    @nkozi 11 місяців тому +41

    Been using an Elecom Ex-G Pro for about 5 months and it's amazing. I work as a recording engineer and trackballs are 100% a necessity for the amount of mouse movements you need to do with a DAW, and I've really, really enjoyed gaming with mine as well.

    • @EIGAtech
      @EIGAtech  11 місяців тому +1

      Interesting shape and design, wasn't aware of it. Any issues with long sessions? Have you also tried classic trackballs with the trackball positioned near the index finger?

    • @fukairen9601
      @fukairen9601 11 місяців тому +3

      I used elecom deft pro for 5 years for mechanical design.

    • @binchamers
      @binchamers 11 місяців тому +1

      You always see trackballs or trackpads in studios aswell! (Also because of deskspace I think)

    • @WyvernDotRed
      @WyvernDotRed 10 місяців тому +2

      I've been using an Elecom Huge for about the same time as well, for all general use.
      It's great, I love the added precision from the large ball, though that can make it unwieldy with quick movements.

    • @CatGPT_
      @CatGPT_ 9 місяців тому

      Wow thanks for this bro. I've been using the logitech mx master 3 for its sidescroll.
      Eversince migrating to pc-based audio production a few years back, i haven't really found a good replacement for the apple magic mouse.. until now. Gna have to grab one of these elecoms.

  • @tonyshaw13
    @tonyshaw13 10 місяців тому +2

    I have been using a trackball for over 20 years now, both of the trackballs I currently have are on the 'top/finger' ball usage versions, and I defo can not see myself going back to a mouse anytime soon

  • @therick0996
    @therick0996 11 місяців тому +14

    Micro USB is a sin in 2023

  • @BronzeMantis
    @BronzeMantis 11 місяців тому +93

    Holy cow that transparent resin Ploopy looks incredible! I would love to have something like that for myself.

  • @noiJadisCailleach
    @noiJadisCailleach 10 місяців тому +17

    Every trackball mouse i've ever used:
    Thumb finger over trackball design: Easy to feel fatigue, awkward, hard for game, hard to get precise (I feel like, this is why trackball isn't mainstream/normal mouse today)
    Index & middle finger over trackball design: Never feel fatigued; Fun to flick; Ease of precision; Easy for gaming (FPS, RTS; In fact, i like gaming on it more than regular mice)
    Trackball mouse perks in general: Can work on any surface. No mouse mat shenanigans.

  • @Kraaketaer
    @Kraaketaer 11 місяців тому +68

    It's no wonder the Thumb feels fatiguing - you say the trackball is exactly where you expect it to be, but the simple fact of the matter is that having your hand splayed out flat like that shape enforces, while still manipulating your thumb with both force and dexterity is an incredibly unnatural position. Your thumb gets no support from the rest of the hand, leading to instability that you have to compensate for with brute force - which leads to fatigue (and in time, likely RSI). Think about it: there are essentially no other situations in life where you would have your hand in a position like that and still need to repeatedly move your thumb in that kind of way. Almost no matter what you are using your hands for, manipulation of the thumb typically entails a closed or semi-closed grip, both of which support the thumb by stiffening the hand and wrist through tensioning the other fingers. The sweat issue might also be somewhat related to this, given that you'll likely be (unconsciously) trying to keep your palm "glued" to the mouse in order to support your thumb, as your other fingers can't do this. In short: this seems like a poor design based on a poor understanding of ergonomics and the physiology of human hands.

    • @kouhaiii3182
      @kouhaiii3182 11 місяців тому +4

      interesting take, because trackball mice are often recommended to people who do suffer from fatigue. also add to the fact that the thumb clusters for mechanical keyboards are a popular option instead of just one long spacebar.

    • @MadMaxBLD
      @MadMaxBLD 11 місяців тому +7

      It also looks way bigger than other models such as a Logitech MX Ergo. When I put my small hand on my Ergo, it covers the whole shell of the device and my fingertips end where the buttons end. That feels comfortable. In the video it looks like the guy has bigger hands than mine and yet he can't reach the tip of the buttons. Not sure why Ploopy felt they needed to make the shell so big.

    • @EIGAtech
      @EIGAtech  11 місяців тому +9

      Very interesting insight, and it all sounds reasonable. I was thinking gamepad thumbsticks are one example of similar precision being demanded from thumbs, but there you do have a semi-closed grip. Still, this design is not new, you have devices like the Logitech MX Ergo using a thumb trackball, so it is likely a problem not unique to the Ploopy Thumb.

    • @Kraaketaer
      @Kraaketaer 11 місяців тому +5

      @@kouhaiii3182 Both of those are true, but neither of those other options generally enforce repetitive forceful and dextrous thumb use with a flat hand. When typing on a keyboard your fingers will be quite bent, and most trackball mice I've seen are small enough and/or rounded enough to have a more natural grip than this. There's also of course a massive difference between intermittently pressing a few keys with your thumb and having it near-constantly be in motion, with the added support from bent fingers making that even less fatiguing.

    • @Kraaketaer
      @Kraaketaer 11 місяців тому +3

      @@MadMaxBLD yeah, it looks way too big and way too flat to be ergonomically sensible.

  • @AK-vx4dy
    @AK-vx4dy 11 місяців тому +3

    I can confirm my quite old experience from times when mouses had a ball and world still experimented with diffrent devices - this was just after trackball hype and just before touchpads (in simple laptop kind).
    On my presonal machine i have proper trackball (not trackball in mouse) but at work as IT guy i used many kinds of mouses.
    After some time switch was natural, my brain by assesing what my fingers touch easly changed from one to another without concius thoughts about it.

  • @cryptkeeper5
    @cryptkeeper5 11 місяців тому +6

    Switched to a trackball a few months ago and I way prefer it, but the first day or two was a little challenging. Definitely think I'll pick up a Ploopy at some point

  • @WyvernDotRed
    @WyvernDotRed 10 місяців тому +2

    6:38 Full agree on preferring finger operated trackballs.
    After having tried an M507 trackball to see if I'd like the input, I got an Elecom Huge for my desktop.
    Which is a great mouse that works for all general use and the games I do play.
    It's huge ball does have significant momentum, which can make it unwieldy for quick buttons, but I like the precision this size allows for.
    For remapping the keys, I use sezanzeb's input-remapper project, which works for pretty much any device on Linux machines.
    Ploopy trackballs are on my radar for if the Elecom Huge becomes unavailable.
    I love the way that transparent one looks, perhaps I'll treat myself to one of those in the future.

  • @fiskfisk33
    @fiskfisk33 11 місяців тому +6

    that flexible non flexible pcb is genious!

  • @jaystink
    @jaystink 10 місяців тому +1

    It's likely that reason the sensor doesn't come pre soldered is that it's the only through-hole component on the board. All of the other components are placed and soldered to the board by a machine, but through-hole components must be done by hand. Kits are cheaper because you pass on the manual labour to the buyer (many of whom enjoy this sort of thing).

    • @EIGAtech
      @EIGAtech  10 місяців тому

      That makes sense and I do agree overall, but soldering just one component doesn't feel that justified to me. Usually kits like these, for example an ergo split keyboard kit will involve a lot more soldering, for pretty much every component.

  • @WDMurphy
    @WDMurphy 4 місяці тому +1

    OMG, I've already found my "final" trackball but that resin-clear one looks wonderful, I kind of want one lol."

  • @pgtmr2713
    @pgtmr2713 11 місяців тому +2

    A trackball is way easier on the wrist. I use Logitech ERGO M575 and M570. They're wireless, doesn't seem to effect performance for me. They just work well. I don't have any others to compare to. The M575 has a better feel to it. The trackball and keyboard can share a dongle, which works great for battery powered devices. A trackball can also be installed on something and won't require removal for use, to move it around. Say if you're building a cyberdeck. My oldest one is at least 6 years old at this point. An occassional cleaning and they're like brand new. The ones I have the trackball has to be pushed out from the bottom for cleaning. The ball won't just fall out on it's own if flipped over. What I'd really like is one that is super small. The trackball itself being about the size of a marble with the reliability of the Logitech. My first trackball was built into a Compaq laptop in 94, it wasn't laser, but it was still amazing. It was about the size I described, had the buttons on the side of the laptop.

  • @Retread268
    @Retread268 Місяць тому

    The track balls don't get enough love. All mice need device change buttons on top of the device for easy system switching. With a regular mouse, I kept hitting my keyboard and getting errant left mouse clicks. It killed enough work, I went with a ProtoArc track ball. I would like to play around wtih index variants. Anywho, good vid, deserved another comment for the algorithm

  • @Derkenblosh2
    @Derkenblosh2 11 місяців тому +6

    You can print a ploopy classic with a BTU and it's the ultimate mouse imo

    • @EIGAtech
      @EIGAtech  11 місяців тому +2

      Have you had issues with gunk getting on the BTUs and slowing down the feel?

    • @losinggeneration
      @losinggeneration 4 місяці тому

      ​@@EIGAtechI've been using a BTU Ploopy Classic for 8 months without much issue. I've wiped it out a few times, but have never deep cleaned the bearings.

    • @EIGAtech
      @EIGAtech  4 місяці тому

      @@losinggeneration Rugged!

  • @AviatorXD
    @AviatorXD 11 місяців тому +6

    man your videos are clean, keep it up!

  • @gentronicus
    @gentronicus 9 місяців тому +3

    what a name

  • @BillyAltDel
    @BillyAltDel 11 місяців тому +1

    Drag-scroll -- in Windows you can just middle clock (scroll click?) to enable that. No need to dive into the drivers.

  • @PetrSUsername
    @PetrSUsername 4 місяці тому

    Transparent print looks really great.

  • @neobscura
    @neobscura 9 місяців тому +1

    Trackball are awesome if you're prone to RSI or had RSI. Since I switched to an Ergo MX I don't ever feel wrist pain. And to be honest while I don't do competitive shooters I play any game just as comfortably (more I'd even say as I don't need to constantly move around the mouse)

  • @dohnuts4405
    @dohnuts4405 10 місяців тому +1

    My family have a similar trackball mouse when the original Warcraft came out. I loved that thing. I want to get this for nostalgia, but I spent over a grand on mice last year.

    • @EIGAtech
      @EIGAtech  10 місяців тому +4

      You sir need a cat.

    • @emmigosa
      @emmigosa 8 місяців тому

      @@EIGAtech That's an underrated joke LOL

  • @zach_ry
    @zach_ry 2 місяці тому +1

    I just wish more trackballs adopted higher polling rates and better sensors, 125hz is just :(

  • @JessicaFEREM
    @JessicaFEREM 10 місяців тому

    the problem for me with trackballs is that they're EXPENSIVE for a good one. you can get a good normal mouse for $30 but trackballs are at least double
    there is the gameballs, and the gameball thumb is likely to ship very soon for about $70

  • @Wagonball_Z
    @Wagonball_Z 10 місяців тому

    i had a trackball once,it was one you control with your index finger and it had thumb buttons. with a little practice it can be superior to a normal mouse

  • @BillyAltDel
    @BillyAltDel 11 місяців тому +3

    Can we get your modified files so we can get a clear printed resin as well? Looks amazing

    • @EIGAtech
      @EIGAtech  11 місяців тому +3

      Added printables link to description 👍.

    • @jafizzle95
      @jafizzle95 10 місяців тому

      @@EIGAtech The link doesn't seem to work. Takes me to PCBWay homepage. Tried clicking the link, copying the link (to get around UA-cam's redirect) and manually typing in the url but it goes straight to the homepage every time.

  • @Decenium
    @Decenium 2 дні тому

    wonder if you cant just drill some holes in the Thumb top body, to let it air a bit.

  • @kissalude9032
    @kissalude9032 2 місяці тому

    The big thing that is making me lean towards Ploopy is the possibility of easily replacing parts. My Elecom's have developed a vicious double click problem and if I could just swap out the pcb or a switch that'd be much better than buying a whole new trackball. Right now it's a toss up between this and gameball.

  • @RinoaL
    @RinoaL 10 місяців тому +1

    We are now in an era where a brand name can be anything.

  • @jiggilowjow
    @jiggilowjow 2 місяці тому +1

    ploopy thumb ftw!!!!

  • @raitisrudko5993
    @raitisrudko5993 10 місяців тому

    High quality videos. U deserve more subs.

    • @EIGAtech
      @EIGAtech  10 місяців тому

      Thanks! Appreciate the thought.

  • @sooo0kie
    @sooo0kie 9 місяців тому

    When you click it and spinning that ball I felt like pushing your hand over to a mouse already.

  • @FlameForgedSoul
    @FlameForgedSoul 11 місяців тому +6

    5:06 It's fatiguing because you're wrist is hovering roughly 2.5cm over the desk with nothing supporting it. Trackballs are already the Devil, this incarnation seems like a love letter to 90s raver footwear.
    Edit: That transparent print is lovely.

  • @lordofthe6string
    @lordofthe6string 2 місяці тому

    I think you're wrong about wireless mode not being worth it, because in some situations (like my setup as someone with mobility issues) it's a requirement not just a nice feature. If they aren't thinking about it, then I don't think they should be making trackballs.

  • @PierreMyre
    @PierreMyre 10 місяців тому

    Thanks for this, was looking to replace my (censured) Logitechs Ergos (2x) and other Logitech thumb trackballs... (buttons fail, cheap hardware on Logitech)

  • @BrendanThompson
    @BrendanThompson 10 місяців тому

    sorry, around the 7:30 mark you mention having to lift your finger off the ball while clicking? why? i've been using an elecom finger ball for about 5 years and have never needed to do this?

    • @DaleHooton
      @DaleHooton 10 місяців тому

      I had a similar issue when I first switched to a trackball. Not anymore though. I think it stems from the muscle memory of the index finger twitching when wanting to left click, moving the ball.

  • @ssjaken
    @ssjaken 10 місяців тому

    is this a reference to Gloopy productions?

  • @C4RP3_N0CT3M
    @C4RP3_N0CT3M 5 місяців тому

    Any updates on that clear resin version? I'd really like to do this myself, but am not sure how to go about doing this? Did you manage to fix the heavy clicks?

    • @EIGAtech
      @EIGAtech  5 місяців тому

      The clear resin build is more of a showpiece for me, but the easiest way to make it work is to use regular non-transparent FDM printed buttons (like black maybe), otherwise the feel will be off simply because of the different material properties.
      It won’t be fully transparent but I think it’s 80% of the effect for 20% of the work.

  • @redserjogha
    @redserjogha 8 місяців тому

    What revision this PCB is? Where can I get gerber files for PCB manufacturing?

  • @MrTechblackdog
    @MrTechblackdog 10 місяців тому +2

    I am a fan of Trackball (that are good!*). I started using trackballs over 25 years ago.
    On the poopy mini, Try setting it your 'ring finger left click & pinky right click' & other 2 finger move the ball.
    Thumb trackballs are ok- but are not great if used for a long time in a day or a work-day. just over works the thumb.
    *some are BAD for they are ----
    the software that don't work right!
    Some the parts are just junk! AKA Don't work right / at-all.
    some have what looks-like a lot buttons - BUT ONLY are 2 buttons - left & right click only!
    A lot Don't have changeable "DPI" WTF??? why!! & 'BAD DPI' !

    • @why6212
      @why6212 10 місяців тому

      The Logitech Trackman Marble was the best! The non-thumb trackballs had amazing precision on fps games

  • @-iIIiiiiiIiiiiIIIiiIi-
    @-iIIiiiiiIiiiiIIIiiIi- 11 місяців тому

    Dis dude could be a hand model.

  • @newdmitrij201
    @newdmitrij201 10 місяців тому +1

    ploopy from doawk

  • @w500nm
    @w500nm 7 місяців тому

    Have you tried the xkeys l-trac?

  • @mr.cantillasz1912
    @mr.cantillasz1912 11 місяців тому

    now make a vid about playing minecraft using trackball,this looks cool.

  • @artem_kyselov
    @artem_kyselov 11 місяців тому +1

    That is sick!

  • @shawnromwell9613
    @shawnromwell9613 10 місяців тому

    usb C tho? I know I could just solder one on but I'm lazy...

  • @randyrandy2460
    @randyrandy2460 10 місяців тому +1

    i cant with the name!

  • @golfmc78
    @golfmc78 10 місяців тому

    What is the default way to change the dpi. Without changing the firmware?

  • @CSLFiero
    @CSLFiero 9 місяців тому

    I use an elecom huge. A big ball can be very accurate. I even play fps.

  • @Batoutta
    @Batoutta 11 місяців тому +1

    What keyboard are you using in this video??

    • @EIGAtech
      @EIGAtech  11 місяців тому

      It's the TOTEM, I have a video on it: ua-cam.com/video/YwsutNf1WRA/v-deo.html

  • @BlatantThrowAway
    @BlatantThrowAway Місяць тому

    What are the polling rates?

  • @ThylineTheGay
    @ThylineTheGay 10 місяців тому +2

    Balls

  • @jammies701
    @jammies701 10 місяців тому

    Nice vid mate

  • @alanandfriends-s2o
    @alanandfriends-s2o 10 місяців тому +2

    dunno if it's just how it's filmed, but that silver and gold one looks like someone wiped their ploopy all over that mouse.

  • @Kara_Pabuc
    @Kara_Pabuc 10 місяців тому +1

    Is there way to make trackball clickable?

    • @rush9612
      @rush9612 10 місяців тому

      It would probably lose too much precision. On mine even lifting up a finger causing a little bit of movement

  • @zenmaster24
    @zenmaster24 10 місяців тому

    do they sell just the electronics so you can 3d print your own shell?

    • @EIGAtech
      @EIGAtech  10 місяців тому

      Unfortunately not. Afaik the reasoning is that the 3D printed parts account to a fraction of the price.

    • @zenmaster24
      @zenmaster24 10 місяців тому

      @@EIGAtech not sure i understand - 3d printed parts dont equate to much of the overall cost/profit, so they would make almost just as much as selling the parts?

  • @hempstead.studio
    @hempstead.studio 11 місяців тому

    this was rad

  • @starmars5
    @starmars5 10 місяців тому +1

    From the thumbnail, it looks like a snake!

  • @lifebeyondrepair
    @lifebeyondrepair 11 місяців тому

    ❤❤❤

  • @tylerishere0322
    @tylerishere0322 8 місяців тому

    I thought it was the head of a snake

  • @franksonjohnson
    @franksonjohnson 11 місяців тому

    What’s the keyboard at 5:08?

    • @EIGAtech
      @EIGAtech  11 місяців тому

      It's the TOTEM keyboard from this video: ua-cam.com/video/YwsutNf1WRA/v-deo.html

  • @defish9402
    @defish9402 5 місяців тому

    poopy ploopy

  • @Omabatfartsbruh
    @Omabatfartsbruh 11 місяців тому

    hehehehe
    plooper

  • @CameronMcManus
    @CameronMcManus 10 місяців тому +1

    Looks like a snake 🐍

  • @MajatekYT
    @MajatekYT 11 місяців тому

    Y'know what would be cool? A trackball mouse... That also works as a normal mouse so you don't have to choose between a trackball mouse or a non-trackball mouse if you want to do short bursts of FPS gaming. Personally I'd design it to be ambidextrous and smaller than most trackball mice so that you can throw it around with your fingertips. Love the transparent, uh, Ploopy. Hilarious name. :P

    • @lmaoroflcopter
      @lmaoroflcopter 11 місяців тому

      I've used a logitech thumb trackball for FPS gaming now for the last 25 years. You very quickly get used to it.

    • @MajatekYT
      @MajatekYT 11 місяців тому

      @@lmaoroflcopter Unfortunately I had an accident that fractured my aiming/dominant hand's thumb, so prolonged sessions of gamepad FPS gaming becomes quite uncomfortable. My injury aside, it'd be neat if a trackball mouse was also a normal mouse as gestural movement via a trackball is great for reducing RSI, but not as accurate as being able to use your whole arm to precisely aim or select things in a graphics application.

    • @lmaoroflcopter
      @lmaoroflcopter 11 місяців тому

      @MajatekYT I'd disagree. It would become irritating as your ability to accurately pinpoint and swiftly move to a coordinate would be dramatically affected, given the conflicting input from a thumbball and the base unit if it acted like a mouse.
      As I said, I've used one exclusively for 25+ years and am just as accurate as any of my friends at playing FPS who use mice.
      Playing with a trackball is nothing like playing with a game pad, I'm crap at playing fps with a controller.
      Give it a go, and I bet you'll have no issue. I have RSI from being a data entry clerk many years ago. Adopting a thumb trackball and natural keyboard completely eliminated the pain.

    • @MajatekYT
      @MajatekYT 11 місяців тому

      @@lmaoroflcopter As I already said, I fractured my thumb. Any thumb-based inputs just aggrevates my thumb. I can't use trackball mice competitively that require thumb movement. This is why I would like to see, even as an experiment, an optical mouse with an additional trackball so that I can game at a decent competitive level and then eliminate RSI while checking my socials without needing two discreet pointing devices.

    • @luimu
      @luimu 11 місяців тому

      ​@@MajatekYTIf you fractured your thumb, just don't get thumb trackball then? Having trackball that also acts as mouse is very bad idea since it would need to be light to be able to move around but moving around the mouse would destabilize the trackball experience. Trackballs need to be grounded, while mice need to move. This is clear conflict which you can't easily solve.

  • @addo9697
    @addo9697 9 місяців тому

    who is void?

    • @EIGAtech
      @EIGAtech  9 місяців тому

      youtube.com/@voidkb the "unseen"

  • @Kero_81
    @Kero_81 10 місяців тому

    ooh accidentally theres an l in its name. :D

  • @isbestlizard
    @isbestlizard 2 місяці тому

    Why name your product after shit?

  • @davidleeashkenazi8992
    @davidleeashkenazi8992 5 місяців тому

    Poopy😊

  • @vhiria2856
    @vhiria2856 9 місяців тому

    heh, poopy

  • @notsafeforw
    @notsafeforw 11 місяців тому

    Did they really have to call the company that? Seriously? Out of all the possible names they could have chosen, they chose the one that sounds most like a 5-year-old's euphemism for going to the bathroom.
    I want to buy one, but I don't know if I could stomach the slitted-eye self-judgement I'd render on myself every time I saw the logo.

    • @EIGAtech
      @EIGAtech  11 місяців тому

      I find it pretty funny and playful, or look at it this way, it’s definitely a name that stays with you.

    • @luimu
      @luimu 11 місяців тому

      You are totally overthinking it. Then again I'm not native english speaker so it doesn't sound even remotely weird to me.

  • @eggbag4182
    @eggbag4182 10 місяців тому

    Do they not realize the word ploopy is associated with shit

  • @pabloeskibar8076
    @pabloeskibar8076 11 місяців тому +2

    kinda meh tbh

  • @CentiZen
    @CentiZen 11 місяців тому +3

    really bad name

  • @JohnDuthie
    @JohnDuthie 11 місяців тому +2

    overpriced hobby project