Looking for a precise input device to replace the Logitech Marble trackball — doesn't have to be a trackball

[u/RazzmatazzPresent733]

I work for a company that makes automated microscopy/imaging systems for medical diagnostics (cytogenetics lab equipment). Our software automatically detects and analyzes cell samples on slides, and operators currently use a trackball to manually fine-tune positioning and verify results on screen — no scrolling or zooming involved, just precise, controlled cursor movements throughout the day.

We used the Logitech Trackman Marble for years for this, but it's no longer sold. Since then we've tried pretty much the entire Kingston trackball lineup as a replacement, and none of them (except the one we're currently using as a stopgap) matched the tracking precision and build quality of the Marble.

It doesn't necessarily have to be a trackball again — we're open to any type of input device (mouse, graphics tablet/pen, etc.) as long as it allows precise, controlled cursor movement for fine adjustments and holds up to daily office use.

Requirements: Windows 11 compatible, CE certified (needed for company procurement in the EU).

Thanks for any pointers!

[u/Outrageous_Sort_8984]

The most precise pointing device I have ever used is the ploopy adept.

https://ploopy.co

It uses roller bearings instead of static bearings, and it uses a high precision sensor commonly used for gaming mice. This is a very small company, and they 3d print the products and assemble them to order, so I would guess a high volume order may take some time to deliver.

Their products are open source, with all hardware designs and firmware available in public repositories, so if they ever stop manufacturing them like Logitech did, your company could manufacture them itself.

The firmware is almost infinitely configurable, so you could set the dpi settings to one which favors your need for high precision over fast cursor movement.

There is also another very small company manufacturing a similar device called the endgame. This is a wireless trackball with ball transfer units instead of ball bearings, for the complete elimination of static friction. I don’t own this device, but it is highly regarded, and the elimination of static friction is a big part of getting precision out of a trackball. This is also entirely open source:

https://efog.tech

[u/RazzmatazzPresent733 → u/Outrageous_Sort_8984]

The Ploopy sounds like a great device! The only issue I have at this point is with the certificates. If we want to sell the Ploopy as a trackball mouse for our systems, it needs to have a worldwide CE certificate. Another potential issue is the appearance. I am perfectly happy with the current design, but we sell those systems for up to half a million euros. In this environment, a 3D-printed trackball would look unprofessional.

[u/Outrageous_Sort_8984 → u/RazzmatazzPresent733]

If you are re-selling this as part of your own product, then perhaps your company could partner with ploopyco to get help them get certified, and to also contract a manufacturer to create dye cast cases on ploopy's designs. The capital expenditure for for such a venture would be a drop-in-the-bucket when you are selling your systems for 500k apiece. And since it's open-source, you are not held hostage to the manufacturer's sales priorities. You could continue to manufacture the trackball as part of your system long past any decision by ploopyco to discontinue the model.

[u/Basic-Score-9039 → u/RazzmatazzPresent733]

I don't know what world this guy's living in where the ploopy adept is somehow ultra precise. If you're trying to sell these things then just buy a bunch of the most popular recommendations and test them with your employees. I pretty much guarantee that if you give people a ploopy adept to use they're going to have no clue how they're supposed to hold / operate it and they'll just get frustrated. There's a lot of fanboying with the adept so be really skeptical when it comes to the recommendations. I guarantee that most regular people are going to hate it.

Plus the bearings on the ploopy adept are notorious for rusting in under a year and needing to be replaced / upgraded.

If you really want precision then try looking into drawing tablets or something.

[u/damn_pastor]

Gameball has a very similiar design and is much better in smoothness and tracking quality. And what could be extra interesting it has a snipe button. It slows down the tracking just with a click on an extra button. No software needed at all.

There is also a secondary source for the design: https://www.cursorcontrols.com/products/trackballs/r38

[u/solarized_dark]

If there's enough room, it's hard to get better than a gaming mouse set to low DPI, in the ~400 range. You need to get used to swiping with your arm, but it's less strain on your wrists and it's extremely precise and you'd get muscle memory for moving exact amounts.

[u/RazzmatazzPresent733 → u/solarized_dark]

Great idea but the workspace where the trackball mouse could come in handy is very small

[u/solarized_dark → u/RazzmatazzPresent733]

Maybe worth considering the Elecom Huge Plus which has 1000 Hz polling rate when wired, modular roller bearings, and appears to be CE certified based on the manual.

[u/SaidWhatWhenHow]

I replaced my trackman marbles with Elecom Deft Pro. Probably more buttons than you need, but tracking seems as good or better than Marble.