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oh, and a followup. I was looking at various standing desks and wanted to know if I should prioritize stability (some have 4 legs and better designs) since I'd be using a walking pad. Have you had any issues with your cheaper flexispot?

Just tried it and having trouble functionally while it's flat; I'm assuming you'd need tenting for it to work? I'll fiddle with this style a bit more and see if it sticks.

@@lefnire you shouldn't, at least I don't, and I have slightly larger than average hands, so in the same ballpark as yours. It's almost the same angle as you would approach for a vertical mouse, with the medial pinky (i.e., the side that isn't next to another finger,; maybe some people call it "outside") more or less resting on the table Maybe you're pronating more than I'm trying to describe? with this grip you're mostly pressing with the sides of the fingers, not the pads/traditional pressing surface of the fingers Just trying to help. May not work or be comfortable for everyone, but it works well for me with the adept. Makes the top inner 2-3 buttons a little less accessible without moving the arms a little, but it's really comfortable for regular use. The ball is rolled mostly within the MCP to PIP joints' area. So approximately upper palm to first half of the fingers

@@jammies701 thanks for all the details! I'll give that a shot for a while

@@lefnire hope I'm not over explaining, but after seeing this recommendation on the ploopy subreddit or discord, it started working for me a lot better. I tried it out and found another way to describe it. For your left hand, if you hold your hand flat (palm down) and line your middle finger up to the left of the ball, you should have some of your pinky side palm resting kind of to the left of the device. Then, supinate 25-35°, holding that wrist position, you can adjust a little forward back and side to side so your thumb hits mouse button 1, and your middle finger is touching mouse button 2, which should be the left top in this scenario if using default mapping. Also, I tend to prefer using a palm rest for this device

Not an official kickstand, just a few attempts with various wedges and random stuff around the house. I didn't find it as "valuable" as kick-standing the keyboard. I don't know why exactly, but just from my experience it doesn't seem to be as necessary ergonomically.

Interesting info! 125hz isn't the end of the world, but man let's hope they bring back 250/500 in a future update. That's a huge selling point for Pro - though I guess I understand why they didn't advertise it now, maybe they were already experiencing some challenges with it on launch.

So you're right, trackballs in general are worse for gaming and media editing. But remember that the primary purpose is ergonomics - help with RSI / CTS. So there's a camp for whom they don't get a choice (me); but for everyone else, it's a trade-off consideration. What I can say though is that I edited this very video with the Ploopy. It's not crazy editing, but it's still a helluva lot of click-and-dragging (I use Descript).

I'd be interested how Expert fares ergonomically for the points you've given. BTW, I think SlimBlade wouldn't work at all for 3d because my assumption is you need all 3 freedoms - cursor, scroll, buttons - and SlimBlade is either/or on cursor vs scroll

I'm telling you. I've gotten push-back in my videos about hover. I've tried wrist-rest, no rest-rest, and hover; and hover has definitely resulted in the least pain. It also allows better precision, since moving one part of your hand doesn't impact another part (eg clicking doesn't move the ball).

Yes indeed! Shipping makes the difference. Nonetheless, it's cheaper than the competition for a better price. I'm leaning ploopy these days

Yeah. I'm not using it every day, because I'm exploring other options to review (I'm leaning really heavily into Urevo, since they're cheaper and I'd feel better recommending a cheaper, but equivalent product). There is one hitch with Egofit: pet hair. I don't know what it is about the structure of intake to the motor, but it clogs with hair and dust fairly easily, so you have to take off the face plate and vacuum / clean out all hair and debris. It manifests as jerky motions when it gets clogged up. I haven't experienced this with my other treadmills, so it's worth noting.

I am learning that lesson at this very moment. I have no idea how to remove these

Oh I never thought of console gamers! I'll be there's a huge correlation between thumb-ball users. Yeah I've had a few replies directing how to use MX Ergo correctly; I've tried adjusting, but no matter what it just wrecks my thumb RSI. I'm gonna try to stop throwing it under the bus though, since it seems a *lot* of users really like it.

@@lefnire Could be a correlation for sure. To be honest, I am more accurate pointing and clicking with a thumball (+ Windows OS stock mouse acceleration software turned on about halfway) than I ever was with a regular optical mouse. Granted, I converted to trackballs about 15 years ago, so maybe I’m not a generalizable example if applied to someone who may be switching fresh.

Not yet. It's highly lauded, same or better sensor and bearings. I likely won't get to it, the main reason is it has too few keys for my taste, and a less ergonomic design. I only review mice I plan to use (or hand-me-down), and I use the heck out of middle-click and back. I know it has an jack for expanded buttonry, but that's a bit rabbit-hole for my taste. From what I understand, the two king-of-kings are Ploopy Classic (which I *do* plan to review) and X-Keys L-Trac. L-Trac with a 57mm ball and mega-ultra sensor + bearings is as good as it gets, if you don't mind the form factor and few buttons.

@@lefnire I found the settings for a 3D printed, angled, X-Keys L-Trac base. You can print either a right or left handed model. Came with two cutouts for two extra keyboard switches of your choosing. I've never held a soldering iron before, but after buying two mono cables for next to nothing on eBay, I was able to solder everything in place. For anyone who's never seen this trackball, it comes with two small sockets at the rear for two extra external switches. By default, without any tinkering, those two switches will provide 'forward' and 'back' on the Brave browser. I must look into getting them configured for Emacs too. There's a YT video that explains everything. Best thing is that it's impossible to get the wiring wrong. Just two soldering points for each switch, and it matters not which way round you do it. There's even recesses on the bottom to attach rubber bumpons. My only complaint: I can never remember the name of it. X-Keys L-Trac does not roll off the tongue.

I'm 99% the answer is no. I've seen it mentioned around, in Discord or such, but I think it may be people building it into the device DIY (since Ploopy is first and foremost an open source device). But yeah, if you order from their website pre-built, there's no option for that.

If you're down with this form factor, then it's wonderful for gaming. GameBall & Ploopy Classic are typically used for gaming due to polling rate & dynamic bearings. Adept less-so due to form-factor, but it's got the bearings and polling rate, and same size ball as Classic (bigger I believe than GameBall); so in theory, this could be top-3 gaming trackball mouse

@@lefnire I just run with the theory that "what's good for gaming is good for the office" since at least with mice, I can go way longer if my pointing device is fast and accurate - less backtracking and extra movements to fix screwups - I like the idea of the form factor since it looks like it would fit perfectly beside a keyboard so the travel distance between the two is minimized compared to an ergo shape or a standard mouse, though I haven't tried this shape yet

@@nathanfranck5822 very true on the travel distance. Since it's sort of flush against the keyboard, you just slide on over. I personally prefer this form factor all around. I bought into it for ambidextrous ergo, to heal my right hand but also not rule the right hand out, but accepted it as a compromise. But now when I try other form factors I prefer this one. So it's all about "what you're used to."

Love it, I didn't think of the positive spin!

If you think the X-Keys L-Trac is an average sensor, then the Expert and Slimblade are slop. Or am I mistaken?

@@penguinsushi8442 In comparison to a PMW 3360 sensor it is Average. Average is not a bad thing though. So, I'm not sure how you're trying to approach this... I guess I'll approach it as a debate.. So, Just on a scale of the last "x amount of years the first slimblade first launched" of the internet.. How many people use the slimblade for games like FPS Shooters? How many videos could you find even demonstrating players using the slimblade for fast movement, fast but super controlled fps shooters at even a decent skilled level? That answer is none. I have not made that decision, people have.. Anyways, down to the technical science of the sensor I will also say yes, the PMW 3360 sensor is better and superior in precision and polling rate(response time) then a slimblades PAW 3220. That being said, I use both X-Keys L-Trac and the Ploopy Adept for both gaming and work. While only using the slimblade for work and to dink with.. It's not responsive enough with polling rate(sensor related), not the best shape for quick ergonomic fast button presses, and the static bearings which can hinder pin point accuracy at any given time make other Trackballs (Ploopy, X-keys L-Trac, and Gameball) a far better choice especially in the gaming world.

"Wedge". I think I've seen that elsewhere too, I'll adopt it. Interesting about the low-voltage, I didn't realize there was something more behind the malfunctions; figured it was the rare case of hulk button-mashing. I believe the Ploopies are 1000Hz as well - I forgot to mention that in the video, big "forget" as it pertains to gaming (with GameBall, L-Trac, and Ploopy Classic being the main gaming contenders). L-Trac was definitely high on my list, and I'd love to try it sometime. Glad to see we've had similar experiences with axes, Ergo, etc - validates some of my trackball journey. Noted on X-Mouse. I gave it a whirl once, and thought "woa... maybe tomorrow" - GTK it's worth it.

@@lefnireIf you are up for another peripheral, a separate trackpad that can go on the left or right of your keyboard might be useful for you. However, you don't get the curved shape of the Slimblade with your palm (ball being high point of tent). With the L-Trac, you can connect additional buttons via the rear jacks, people have 3D printed side mounts for wedges that house key switches etc. I do wish the L-Trac was as level and tented/curved as the Slimblade, the main reason why I can't use it without a wrist rest. Your other trackball videos have brought important clarifications to my trackball journey, thank you! Also, your channel is a diamond in the rough, covering any and all complaints a user could have ergonomically and just general usage. Subscribed! :D

I watched the Huge bearing-replacement videos and thought "above my pay-grade." I need to just accept that I'm more weenie when it comes to DIY than the average person, and stop making it sound systemic. From your Expert complaints, it sounds like Adept would be perfect if it had wireless / Bluetooth.

GameBall has a "virtual" scroll wheel around the ball. It's a surface which senses your finger swiping around it (no physical scroll wheel). L-Trac has a physical scroll wheel.

I don't know about this. What is it?

@@lefnire I don't know why my comment was deleted. Earthing is basically an ESD connection that goes either directly into the dirt or the connected to the grounding line of the building. It empirically reduces the base voltage of the body, which happens normally when your feet are directly touching the earth without insulation.

@@chisaomusician7752 that's so interesting. I looked up a video on it, very awesome idea!

@@lefnire Yeah! If you decide on using a outlet ground make sure to test that it is grounding properly and it's a good idea to buy a saftey pass through, which can be found online.

I'll definitely get one. Gotta save up though

I used the Razer DeathAdder actually, and seriously regret not showing that for this video (I just grabbed the first one I saw, just for reference)

@@lefnire I personally have WAAAY to many ultra lightweight gaming mice at home. At work though, I figured I should get ahead of RSI before it starts so I'm starting to look at trackball mice

@@CrimsonRegalia good on you for getting ahead of it! For work I will always favor SlimBlade Pro. But if you want something that also can be used for gaming, I don't recommend SlimBlade; I recommend Ploopy Classic or GameBall. Ploopy Classic is more ergonomic than GameBall, while still boasting better smoothness / precision than static-bearing mice like SlimBlade - so if you want one mouse for all options, that's the best pick. But GameBall, while less ergonomic than Ploopy Classic (by a lot), is more smooth / precise than Ploopy. For that reason it makes a better dedicated gaming trackball mouse, if you have a secondary trackball for work (that's what I do: SlimBlade + GameBall).

See if you can get the Urevo 2S Lite, very neck-to-neck with the Egofit M2. If you can't get 2S Lite, try (in order): 3S, Spacewalk E3, Spacewalk E5. The Urevos are fantastic runners-up to Egofit, and I've heard most of them are available in Europe (likely through Amazon)

How about "Urevo S2 Lite"? (look it up on Urevo's website to know what the photos should look like on Amazon). If no, then uh... I'm not sure, kinda tie between Egofit M1 and GoYouth.

Ok, good to hear that confirmed. I got a sense Urevo was popular in Europe for a reason, seems like that's why

It's fine, I use it. There's no profiles (you can't have right-hand / left-hand profile swaps), and maybe it has fewer options than alternatives. The next step up is XMouse (Windows) or SteerMouse (Mac) which are better, and compatible with pretty much all mice (including Kensington). Just a bit more learning curve.

That's 1 mile per hour. Too slow for my comfort, but I just wanted to show in the video you don't need to break a sweat. I think 2mph is a comfortable speed for most people, but I actually average 3mph. Only thing with 3mph is you need gym clothes, you'll sweat.