Customer Reviews

Kensington Turbo Mouse Pro USB Trackball with 6 Direct Web Buttons USB for Windows or Mac - 64214

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is Kensington's old Turbomouse, updated for the Web era. I use it on my OS X Mac, and I'm pleased to report it works just as well as the three other Kensington trackballs I've used over the last 12 years. They never break - they just go obsolete when Apple changes their connector.

This one is fully USB for modern computers, and shares the same easy configuration and good software as its predecessors. The heavy ball with progressive speed control is so good and so easy to use, you'll wonder why the mouse was ever invented. And with a proper wristrest, this thing is the carpal tunnel savior - it's so kind on the wrists; you have barely to flick your fingers to do all your mousing. And if you're a gamer, especially Quake or Unreal, you'll love how this improves your aiming accuracy!

What's new? Well, this trackball has 4 easy-clicky buttons, and you can set what each does - all the same (single-click), or different. I have mine set to singleclick (lower left), control-click (lower-right), double-click (top left), and I don't use the top right one, because my fingers don't naturally fall there.

There's also a rubberized scroll wheel, which is cool mostly for reading text. It's positioned right to roll it with your middle finger.

There are 6 'web buttons' across the top - you can set 'em to load various URLs, open apps, or pretty much do whatever you like - but I don't use 'em. Don't need 'em.

The unit is fully ambidextrous and has great ergonomics. It is heavy and sits on non-skid feet, but it does need a flat surface to rest on. There is also a wireless version available - but why?? I don't see the point - it's not like you ever move your trackball anyway. It sits there, so you might as well plug it in and save on the RF transceiver, which I hear is prone to interference from microwave ovens anyway.

Replacement balls are available; I've seen red, blue, silver, grey, and transparent ones full of glitter or plastic fish. The unit is fairly easy to clean, but it was easier when you could take off the backplate screws and get inside. Junk just tends to build up on the ball's contact wheels and they need to be scraped every so often. And you won't want to use this trackball while you're eating pizza with your mouse hand - it'll become slippery and start skipping.

In short, this is the only mousing equipment I'd ever consider using - the Cadillac of trackballs - and I highly recommend you buy it right now!

I use one of the older Kensington trackballs at work and absolutely love the thing. I felt confident in buying this one despite some of the reviews knocking the lighter trackball and its effect on the movement of the cursor. I'm writing this review just a few minutes after installing the new mouse, and I have to agree with the critics. The trackball is lighter, and although the up-down movement is good, the side-to-side is quite spotty. I'm going to work with the Turbo Mouse Pro and see if it loosens up a bit for me and the movement becomes more fluid.
Otherwise, it's pretty nice. The scroll wheel works well, the buttons are a nice feature, and it's even kind of cool looking. I really want to believe in this product, so I hope it improves as I "work it in". I'll get back to you later on this.
UPDATE: I've been using this product for a few weeks now, and the movement is not as smooth as I would have hoped. It moves up and down okay, but gets hung up on the side-to-side motion unless I press down pretty hard or wiggle the ball back and forth. I'll use it for awhile longer, but I don't think this is going to change. If you can deal with this quirk, this is a pretty good product. If not, consider this a "ZERO STARS" item and don't buy it.

The Turbo Mouse Pro is a great trackball! It works well, is easy to configure (on both the Mac & PC - I have one on each) and is very well made. The Kensington company has excellent tech support and when I had a problem, they went above and beyond the waranty to make sure that I was a satisfied customer. I highly recommend purchasing from them.

I had always read trackball reviews telling that whom ever touched one of them wouldn't miss mice in a lifetime, and yes, that's the truth.

It helps to keep good ergonomics as you're working and more precise (i don't mean DPIs here) in use. I'm not sure if every trackball comes with a wrist pad but if not, you should definitely get one or it will cause nothing but pain.

For specifically this product my comments are as follows.
-Included wrist pad is a nice touch.

-I'd prefer web buttons to be easier to push, since I'm not going to be using them as the name implies but for keyboard macros.

-Scroll button is useless because you have to lift your wrist to reach it but included ball scroll function is great (you press scroll button once and ball starts to slide the page up and down) but it doesn't deal with every program as expected. (works with explorer but not firefox)

-You may assign plenty of functions or your own keyboard stroke combinations through the mouseworks software but the software has some limitations with accepting some key combos. And some weirdness is one combo may work on mac os x but not on xp.

-A minor issue: Four plastic stop pads under the mouse tend to slip easily. You better remove them as soon as you start using the mouse and stick them back with a more powerful glue, otherwise you won't notice how they disappear.

And that's it, I'd recommend this product to anyone interested. And don't be afraid on the first weeks if it's your first trackball. It might seem a little hard to control the cursor but be sure the struggle will be worth it. Just don't dispose your loyal mouse at start, use them together, it will help a lot.

I hesitated to spend $100+ on a trackball, but I've had no regrets since I've been using it. It is worth every cent.

I don't use the 6 "quick buttons" on the top of it, nor the scroll button, since they are hard to reach, but the four basic buttons and the smooth and heavy roll of the trackball are indispensable.

I especially like the tactile "click" that each of the four main buttons give when they are pressed. This is a minor point, but it makes using the trackball feel solid instead of mushy.

I didn't like the blue plastic ball that came with it, so I dropped a billiard ball in and it is perfect. Very smooth, very heavy, very precise. (This is via USB on Mac OS X.)

I love this mouse and the Kensington Expert Mouse. I don't want to use anything else. I've used them for years and only have had one give me problems a couple of years after purchase. The 5-year warrantee is amazing. I called and told them I was having problems getting the curser to move in a particular direction. It was that easy. Didn't have to say more. They sent a replacement for free immediately and didn't have to return the old one. I have one for my home computer and both computers at work. I have recommended them to others and now they are loyal users. I just ordered another one today. It's like a cell phone. You can't imagine life without it once you use one.

I purchased the wireless version of this mouse years ago and still use it as the mouse on my desktop at home. I tried different mice for my desktop at the office over the years and decided to get another Turbo Mouse. I opted for wired version this time.

Simply put, if you are into the trackball mouse, this is it for you. The extra Quick Launch buttons are a great addition and are extremely useful.

I love the direct launch buttons. The ball mechanism innards work beautifully when not dirty. I had no complaints other than having to clean it frequently. BUT, it developed a problem common to them and I was no longer able to move the cursor vertically. I followed online blog suggestions. Took it apart. Cleaned every crevice and cranny twice and reassembled it. Didn't work so I'm opting for the optical version (7) which we use on another computer. It doesn't have the direct launch buttons but is dirt free and tracks beautifully. The scroll ring works better. Sadly, I had to throw this one away. Great features but seriously flawed when compared with later technology. The Kensington Orbit Optical 64327 is an inexpensive version to consider. Moderately priced it is equally smooth and has three functions you can program into it.

I have been using Kensington Trackballs for over 15 years. Kensington steps up to the plate, they stand behind on their products. Customer Service is Outstanding. If the product does have a defect, they will replace it just by an email or phone call.

For first time users, my advise is to read the online manuals and just relax your when you place your hand upon the trackball. This is the best tool, besides your computer you will ever use! You won't need to be running your hand all over the desk lifting it up etc like the old mouse movements you were doing. The trackball stays in place. It practically does the work for you.

Enjoy the additional six buttons, they are great short cut tools as well. Your wrist will thank you for the change.
Have fun!

I had to return the trackball mouse to the store.
All of the DirectLaunch buttons simultenaously activated on their own every couple of minutes.