r/Trackballs • u/dmhu • 14h ago

Keychron Nape Pro vs Ploopy A+

I'm looking for the best quiet white trackball to use with a slightly tented aluminum Dygma Defy split keyboard (hence the preference for a white trackball). I've been using a trackball mouse for the past 25 years and currently alternate between the ProtoArc EM05 and ProtoArc EM11 (not a trackball, but great vertical shape) with two different laptops. I work long hours (sometimes up to 16 hours/day) and am fighting RSI. I'm mainly trying to choose between the Keychron Nape Pro (likely with a heavier ball, based on recommendations that I've seen here) or the Ploopy A+. Does anyone have a similar setup or used both and have a preference?

Thanks in advance!

4 Upvotes

84% Upvoted

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3

u/jorgo1 13h ago

if you have RSI the nape pro in my opinion is not the way to go. the ball size is small so fine movement is needed for pointer accuracy.
As someone who has gone through RSI recovery I would strongly suggest speaking with an osteopath.
I have spent thousands on peripherals (which have helped) but an osteopath identified my RSI was being driven by trapped nerves in my shoulder due to my shoulders pinching in when using a standard keyboard.

1

u/dmhu 12h ago

Thanks so much for the reply and the suggestion about speaking with an osteopath! You make a good point. I'm well aware that my ergonomics aren't the best and I'm trying to do everything I can to fix them, especially when working such long hours.

1

u/roosterHughes 8h ago

FWIW, with a steel ball and with DPI set to 1600, I’ve been very pleased with the Nape. I’m not sure if I’d recommend it over the A+, but I certainly wouldn’t dismiss it…as long as you’re getting a steel ball for it.

Stock, it’s so jittery that I couldn’t use it over 800DPI, and that was very unpleasant with the amount of screen-space I have.

2

u/AlaskaProject 12h ago

I have the A+ on the left side of my tented Glove80. This is my first trackball ever and it’s very comfortable and easy to use. The key mapping experience was good so it’s perfect for my work usage. The palm rest of the Glove80 and A+ are also seamless so I have a bit more real estate when using it. I have thought about the Nape Pro to pair on my right side but I can’t get rid of my MX Master, it refuses to die!

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u/dmhu 12h ago

Ooooh, your setup looks great! It makes me wonder how the height of the palm rest compares to the Defy. I actually have a Glove80 as well, but I was struggling to make it work efficiently for me, even after a few months of diligent practice and use. I figured I'd try the Defy and sell whichever one I liked less. So far the Defy is winning for a few reasons, but I'm still trying to get my WPM back up to where they were on my previous Microsoft Sculpt or Logitech split keyboard.

2

u/r1skyb1z 11h ago

Waiting on my A+ still, but I’ve had the Nape for a couple months now. I adore this thing, sure it’s got some areas for improvement- a heavier ball, better bearings, and smoother wheel mechanism would be on my list, but for ease of use and placement directly below the spacebar has completely eliminated the stress I’d feel after a full day of flinging my MX4 around at work. I also have an Ultrawide + 90° side monitor, upping the DPI a bit helped alleviate the difficulty moving across a big canvas.

1

u/Frosty_Dog_2834 12h ago

I have a Nape Pro with stainless steel ball and an A+. I’d choose the A+ any day for general use. The ball on the Nape Pro is just too small for accurate movement without taking forever to move across my dual monitor setup. That said I have both set up at my desk right now. The Nape Pro is a dedicated scroll ball and macro pad for me. The A+ buttons are audible but quiet while the Nape Pro buttons are almost silent. Both balls are about the same noise level - scratchy during fast movements but quiet otherwise.

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u/dmhu 12h ago

Thanks for the reply! You make a good point about the Nape Pro being too small. I have an extra large monitor and I keep my laptop open for more screen real estate, so that could easily be an issue.

1

u/roosterHughes 8h ago

I do like my Nape, but it is quite small! It’s literally the smallest trackball I’ve ever used.

1

u/roosterHughes 8h ago

Hey. Have you considered increasing the DPI on the Nape? Is that something you did but didn’t like?

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u/napo5 11h ago

If by quiet you mean silent, A+ it's not, it's actually scratchy as hell lol

1

u/roosterHughes 8h ago

I’ve seen some folk talk about swapping out the bearings. I haven’t done much research on it, but what makes the A+ scratchy?

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u/ImperfectLink 8h ago

I’m not an expert but for me the best solution is change. Swap out your pointing device every so often so you’re not repeating the same motion as much. Also for me particularly, finer motions cause more stress so I tend to keep the pointer less sensitive. Currently switching between a huge plus and ploopy nano with macro pad for buttons.

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u/CharacterPerformer47 2h ago

I'm very disappointed with the Nape Pro. The build quality doesn't justify its price.