Comments on: Why cancel good products? – The Trackman Marble FX

By: Gizmoprime

Gizmoprime — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 22:48:32 +0000

I am a tinkermister and this it a true problem. I had an FX 10 years ago and have never forgot how well it worked for me and the carpal tunnel…. Ya my hand is not loving PC games LOL. My third Trackman® Marble® is just ok.

What if I or we could DIY an FX ?

Any ideas?

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:30:24 +0000

I have a Marble FX that I have been using since that latter 90’s and I ran into the same issue when I upgraded to my new Phenom IIx4 955 motherboard that had only USB ports. After some extensive looking I found the PPA PS/2 To USB adapter for 7.99 at the local Fry’s store. I have connected my marble FX to an IOGear PS/2, 2-port KVM switch with the adapter pluged into the USB motherboard and the KVM attached to the adapter. I have not tried to program the buttons, but on both my X4 and 5600+ all basic mouse functions are there and switching between the two systems has not been a problem, the FX is completely seen by both systems. But over the years the ball has taken a beating….if anyone has an extra one they are willing to part with please let me know.

By: JokersBox

JokersBox — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 01:02:33 +0000

I’ve had my Marble FX for about 10 years now. My suggestion to anyone have button issues is to take the base off and use a can of compressed air. Mine worked like it was brand new after I did this. Just be sure to hold it upside down while you take it apart so nothing falls out. I hope that Logitech will start making this design again.

By: Andreas

Andreas — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:02:41 +0000

I’ve been using the Trackman Marble FX at work from almost when I began my work as a programmer. That is every day use since around ‘97-98. The left button was troubling me for a time, a few years ago, but just blowing hard under the button seems to clear out what ever was there. I’m still using Windows XP at work.

I’ve just plugged in a new (used) Trackman Marble FX that I found in an ad, I got it in the mail today. It worked immediately, just plugged it into a simple PS/2-USB adapter I already got for my old “normal” mouse and keyboard. Here I’m running Windows 7 on an Apple Mac Mini (using Boot Camp). I almost never use the OSX, and if it’s correct that the Trackman does not work in OSX, I guess I never will use OSX again, but I’m not sorry… (I like the Apple quality hardware.)

It feels good to have the best trackball at home too, now. The left button is (of couse) not perfect… I did not expect it… will try to blow it clean somehow, anyway it works quite ok, and now this will also be a backup unit if my faithful old servant at work would ever fail.

I was so surprised when I discovered that Logitech had stopped producing it in favour of other trackballs not as ergonomic.
If I could wish something for a new version, I would like it just a slight bit larger. My fingers would be even more comfortable if there were about 5 mm longer between the resting place of the hand and the farther side of the ball (or if the ball was slightly larger). No need to make it wireless, this is a very stationary item, but a USB version would be good.
But even today without any improvements I rank this as the best. Nice to see that there are so many of us!

By: Dan Clark

Dan Clark — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 18:27:42 +0000

I sadly lost my Logitech Trackman Marble FX mouse just recently. I had to have purchased one of the first ones that they ever made and now it finally died. I knew for a while that they discontinued it and was hoping that they would bring it back. Now a very short time after it has broken I have had to cancel my online gaming account due to RSI while using a older ’standard’ mouse. I have tried all other Trackman mice and feel that they are a waste of plastic and circuitry, while the balls make great toys for the cats.

Damn you Logitch for canceling the best Trackball you have ever made.

By: Per Larsson

Per Larsson — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 01:12:38 +0000

Oh how I wish they would introduce the Marble FX again, but this time with USB and no silly “wireless on a trackball” shenanigans.

When I recently got a new computer I didn’t bother to check wether it had PS/2 ports or not. I just forgot about it. Turns out it has a PS/2 connector for the keyboard, but NOT for a mouse. Yikes! I’ve gone through three USB-to-PS2 adapters, all with the same result, ie. the red button didn’t work.

When I finally found a Chesen PS/2 Keyboard+Mouse PCI card, how could I resist buying it? Unfortunately it turned out to be a USB-to-PS2 adapter on that card as well, so, still no luck.

A few years ago I almost gave up and bought the little lumpy cordless trackball from Logitech. It looks kind of similar, but as it turns out is very uncomfortable to use. The ball is too small, the buttons are misplaced and above all, the resolution is way way too low. While my Marble FX glides elegantly over the screen, the little cordless lump gives a very ugly staircase effect when doing anything but straight horizontal or vertical lines. Also, the real dealbreaker is the misaligned sensor. All moves are about 45 degrees off counter clockwise. This can be helped somewhat with Mouseware but not entirely.

Oh my am I ranting or what?

Please, please, if anyone from Logitech reads this; bring back the old design of the Marble FX, but with a USB connector. Don’t change anything else. Don’t move the buttons. Don’t change the size of the ball.

By: Thom Puckett

Thom Puckett — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 19:42:30 +0000

I personally love this “mouse”. Mine finally died after some 12+ years. I am using a MS trackball that has some angle on the hand but I really do miss the trackman. Everyone should write to logitech like I have a couple times and request they bring this line back.

By: Shawn Grey

Shawn Grey — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 00:58:30 +0000

Logitech is busy producing gaming mice, tons of them, MX500, MX501, MX502, … Super-Ultra MX999.

I have to admit, I never experienced the FX, but if it is even better than the TrackMan “Cordless” (LOL!), which I love from an ergonomic perspective, I’ll fall in love with it. Hopefully they’ll manufacture updated versions of these in the near future. I doubt it.

By: Brian Willy

Brian Willy — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:57:12 +0000

The TrackMan FX really is the best mouse. I happen to have wireless USB version and it’s been w/ me for almost a decade.
What on Earth is Logitech so busy doing that they don’t bring this mouse back. All they need to do is a quick Google search to see what people think (and want). Logitech, are you listening? Do you want to make money and new customers? Let’s go!

By: ken osborn

ken osborn — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:10:32 +0000

I’ve been using the Logitech TrackMan Marble FX for several years and must agree there has not been another product that compares. I’ve used a variety of ‘marble’ mice, tablets, and the traditional mouse. I’ve suffered from severe tennis elbow and only the TrackMan works on a long term basis for me.

The reason: the TrackMan allows you to place your hand in a neutral position putting much less stress on the tendons attached to your elbow. There are other ergonomic features of the TrackMan, but for me that is the most important. Of course it may be I’ve not had other problems, such as carpal tunnel, because of my use of the TrackMan mouse.