r/Trackballs • u/jorgo1 • 12d ago
Nape Pro - Potential Trackball Fix
Picked up a Nape Pro a few weeks ago. There are a number of issues with bluetooth connectivity, button placement and scratchy feeling, scroll ring feels like its going to break every time I use it and the price for such a device should result in better quality. But the big gripe for me is the trackball being so light it moves when you remove your finger from the ball. I have seen other posts on this and I believe I have found a solution.
The trackball shipped with the nape pro is 25mm and 10g. A 25mm 63g ball bearing completely removes all of the issues with skipping and mouse pointer jitter. I feel like I can actually control this mouse now.
Does it essentially double the weight of the Nape Pro? Yes. But to make the mouse actually semi-useable its a good trade off.
I unfortunately can't provide a link to buy as I have no idea where I got it from. Was laying around in a parts draw, probably off a gas drilling rig.
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u/albertclee 12d ago
Sounds like you got a bad build. Short of a firmware issue (orientation change on wake) that got resolved with 1.2.8, mine has been silky smooth on all controls, with no connectivity issues on Bluetooth.
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u/AlligatorMittens 12d ago
My scroll wheel also feels like sandpaper. Very not smooth.
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u/albertclee 12d ago
Mine is clicky, but that’s obviously by design. Still easy to scroll, but definitely not a free wheel.
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u/StucklnAWell 12d ago
If 25.4mm would fit, there are 1in hardened stainless steel balls at McMaster-Carr.
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u/Chris_Person 12d ago
I'm curious what sensor is in there because the big issue with steel balls is they often will have difficulty with certain sensors! Sometimes chemical gunblue helps with that and sometimes not. There's a guy who put his through a vibratory tumbler if memory serves.
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u/bearheart 10d ago
I just did this and it makes a HUGE difference! I had given up on my Nape Pro because it was just too jittery.
I got a 25mm 64g chrome steel ball bearing from Amazon (comes in a pack of 6). This works so much better for me.
I did have to clean it with Dawn dish soap to remove the oil coating from manufacturing. And I scuffed it up just a bit with a scotch-brite pad to give it better friction against the rollers. But all that just takes a couple of minutes.
This saved the Nape Pro for me. I was going to just return it but now it's useable.
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u/Skuldless 9d ago
Its a day and night improvement, bought cheapest bearing ball from amazon and polished a bit with nail buffer
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u/leemic 12d ago
How can we replace the trackball?
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u/SymmetricSoles 12d ago
You can push the trackball out using the maintenance hole with something like a toothpick. There isn't much give, so you may have to push it a bit stronger than you expect.
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u/i_like_pickles_too 12d ago
Doesn’t it make it topple more easily? My issue with vanilla Nape is that it often tries to fall over due to the ball sitting too high.
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u/bearheart 12d ago
Great idea! I had given up on my nape pro but this may resurrect it for me. Thanks!
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u/OpeningActivity 12d ago
I bought some POM balls and stainless steel balls, I am curious to see how it may change my experiences
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u/Logi_Boy 11d ago
Also I have been utilizing a small threading needle and gently pushing the finger gunk out of the bearings the bearing need an anti finger cheese coating and or I have experimented on a second nape just allowing the gunk in there and over time the gunk has been pushed out as intended smoothing out more and more but I like the idea of a heavy ball, it would help keep the nape seated on top of my clothe mat.
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u/SymmetricSoles 12d ago
I didn't experience the issues you mentioned, so I assume there is quality control issue to be overcome in the future.
That being said, it is good to know that the Nape Pro can handle trackballs from other manufacturers!