About 8 years ago, I was starting to get severe carpal tunnel pain through the bottom of my wrist when clicking w/ my index finger so switched to a Logitech trackball. Pain is gone because I now L/click w/ my thumb.

The other advantage is that the trackball doesn't require any space to move around which was always a problem when using a mouse in confined spaces.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104249&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-NA-_-NA

Had one of those until the buttons stopped working.

Got a Logitech Wireless Trackball M570. It is 'handed'. Using the ball with my thumb took a little getting use to but I now like it better than the previous larger ball.

Always have used a ball of some kind ever since I found one. Having to move the mouse around and then pick it up and move it some more was annoying.

Still looking for a touch screen monitor of about 24" at a good price (aka cheap). I think I can save time with DSA and all of the mouse here, click, mouse there, click etc. Don't know how much help it would be Vegas.

Paul Masters

The only time I had to pick the mouse up is when it fell off the table.
JJK

LOL!

Nick you are a funny guy :-)

@Bryan K

I have always had a question about the trackballs and scrolling and moving events on the timeline, with the mouse you click and then move the mouse.
I tried to do that with a trackball once and it was very awkward is it something you need to get use to or is there a trick.

Also how do you zoom the timeline when you have no middle scroll wheel, that is where a Wacom tab bugs me. I am always zooming in and out ( that is one of the main reasons I really love vegas)
Paul B

The Kensington trackballs use a ball about the same size as a billiard ball which makes it very easy and more precise to move events. The scroll ring is also more precise than a scroll wheel. Once you get the hang of it, you'll find that you can use the tips of your fingers, the sides of your fingers and the palm of your hand to manipulate the ball. It's kind of hard to describe, but it becomes second nature. I also find that over time, you develop a feel for the mass of the ball which will allow you to instantly "flick" the cursor to any part of the screen you wish. I'm using two 26" monitors at 1920x1200 each and after using a large trackball for years, using a mouse drives me nuts. It works equally as well for left-handed or right-handed use.

Reply by: Editguy43 Date: 12/5/2012 10:51:54 AM
I have always had a question about the trackballs and scrolling and moving events on the timeline, with the mouse you click and then move the mouse.
I tried to do that with a trackball once and it was very awkward is it something you need to get use to or is there a trick.

Actually I haven't used a mouse for so many years that I've never had a need to use a scroll wheel. I zoom in and out via the up/down arrows.

As John mentioned I really like how you can just flick the ball and scroll cursor from one end of a dual monitor to the other end.

ditto John & Byron's comments re mice - I use Logitech Trackman Marble, which includes an excellent scroll-wheel - I even bought quite a few spares in case they stop making them! Before trackballs I used trackpads. Main reason is Trackballs work fine when placed anywhere on top of mixing consoles; mice are useless in that situation.

"Standard Microsoft optical mouse for right hand, Shuttle Pro for the left. Standard keyboard in the middle."

Paul, what are typical uses of the ShuttlePro functionality in Vegas?

Piotr

PS. Please disregard; I confused the device with one used for CAD manipulation :)

Thanks Nick for the Razer DeathAdder suggestion. I have the leftie variation of it. Not many left handed mice out there. I like the 2 handy thumb buttons on the side.

I had brief look at the Contour ShuttlePro 2 and wasn't sure if it goes on the desk or on the floor. You can't teach an old dog new tricks, I think I'll stick with the mouse.

Ok Piotr, but if anyone is interested in what we seem to be using the Shuttle Pro for in Vegas, just do a search, there are a few threads about it and our custom functions.

Paul.

LightAds the knob in the middle works just like an old jog and shuttle on a VHS player. You can use it to shuttle(?) back and forth along the timeline, while the inner one is used to go frame by frame (jog?). I use it quite a lot but I could live without it.

As for the ShuttlePro 2 buttons, at various times over the years I have programmed them to do things, but ended up never using them at all. The smaller Contour ShuttleXpress probably would have been enough for me, if it works in Vegas(?).

A search for "ShuttlePro" in the subject threads brings up plenty of useful discussions.

Nick.,

I have both the Xpress and Shuttlepro and they work fine in Vegas. The good thing though is they work in After Effects, Premiere Pro, DVD Architect. It's a great thing.

Dave T2

I use an old school Microsoft Trackball Explorer, honestly cripples my editing when I don't have it. Unfortunately Microsoft discontinued them but you can find them online at a few places and eBay they cost an arm and a leg. I have two at the moment and am perpetually tempted to by a couple more just to keep on hand before they disappear completely.

- Ray
Underground Planet

I use the Microsoft Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 3000. I like it because the scroll wheel CLICKS, and most of the newer mice just free roll. I like to have that positive feedback when I'm scrolling or zooming in and out of the timeline.

I too use the Microsoft Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 3000, but I decided to give one of those fancy schmancy Kensington Trackballs a try, since all the trackball snobs rave about them, sort of like owning a Mac. Gave it a real effort, spent about three weeks, but just never could get it right. It seemed my thumb was never quite "there" to click, the way my forefinger was always right on the mouse. So anyway, gave it up.

In my despair, I bought a Logitech Performance MX mouse. This thing is from another planet, fast, precise, smooth as silk. I feel like I'm back in my college days, playing Defender, got my ShuttlePRO v2 in one hand, my Performance MX in the other, basically saving the universe.

However, I did give my Optical Mouse 3000 a coveted space on the book shelf.

I don't know why people by cordless mice. It makes no sense to buy batteries for something that can be run by a cord.

I agree. But to each their own I suppose. One thing is for sure, a corded mouse will always have a slight upper hand simply because it's actions aren't being transmitted to a receiver first. I use a corded gaming mouse, even though I've never used it for games. They seem just seem better built and more precise, not to mention having more options.

+ 1 for the Logitech Performance Mouse & CSP.

Grazie