Olympus trackball

[Archie]

Seems there's some attraction to the old devices here... My new addition to the collection: https://forum.trackballs.eu/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=109

[Burton]

Replenishment is really worthy. Congratulations on a wonderful purchase!

[Archie]

Thank you! Actually, I'm still using it till now: really well-made device.

[rhaberkorn]

It looks awesome. Actually, I think it would harmonize well with the brutalist style of my keyboards.
What about resolution? This is a shutter-wheel trackball. Is it usable on high resolution displays?
The membrane keys are probably not ideal, though.

[Archie]

Resolution is noted in the review: 216 ppr / 49 cpi. Low by modern standards, but numbers are not exclusive property here: with freely spinning ball, different usage technique is used. You can flick the ball in desired direction, and stop it when the pointer has reached intended zone. In fact, quite usable even on modern systems.

As for buttons - I'm using ones belonging to my notebook's touchpad instead. Sounds bizarre, but actually convenient.

[rhaberkorn]

As for buttons - I'm using ones belonging to my notebook's touchpad instead. Sounds bizarre, but actually convenient.

Doesn't that mean you need two hands to operate it? You wrote so in your article.
Anyway, I will try to get one and see for myself.

[rhaberkorn]

The Measurement Systems XCL-25C is also made of metal. How do they compare to one another?
Somehow, I just need a vintage trackball made out of chunky metal.
Industrial trackballs (the ones that are usually installed into public terminals) might also be an option. Unfortunately they sell for ridiculously high prices.

[Archie]

Doesn't that mean you need two hands to operate it? You wrote so in your article.

It's just one of possibilities. Of course one-hand usage is possible as well.

The Measurement Systems XCL-25C is also made of metal. How do they compare to one another?

Approximately, like an elephant to guinea pig. Giant MS with 2.5" ball have cast aluminium case, not stamped steel like Olympus. Bearing systems and movement feel are also totally different.