Elecom Deft Pro: A Compact Finger-Operated Trackball (w/ Elecom Huge)
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- Опубликовано: 5 июн 2024
- Today we run through the Elecom Deft Pro trackball mouse - a unique trackball borrowing its design from the venerable Microsoft Trackball Explorer. Everything from usability, durability, and build quality are covered in this comprehensive review.
Full write-up here: bytethority.com/reviews/eleco...
If you'd like to purchase an Elecom Deft Pro, please consider supporting the channel by using our Amazon affiliate link: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
To buy the upgraded ceramic bearings that I used for this video, check out this link: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
Build Quality: 1:12
Usability and Issues: 7:08
Side-by-side with Elecom Huge: 10:10
Summary: 12:09
New videos uploaded weekly! Let me know what you think in the comments below! 
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A channel for ergonomic weird and quirky keyboard and weird and quirky ergonomic mouse and trackballs. A channel that I only realised how much I need.
Hey, little update. I think I know I don't find a mouse that is perfect in all aspects. They don't exist.
But, nowadays they don't need to exist. You can build your perfect mouse.
So, I remembered I loved the Elecom EX-G Pro. The only issue was ergonomics. It's awfully flat. The only mouse that hurt my hand after only 30 minutes using it. I think it's because I was so used to the Logi MX Ergo angle.
I also kept my Huge and the Deft Pro, and build with a 3D printer, bases to give them angles. But finger trackballs are not my thing, honestly, not for my area of work. I gave the EX-G Pro another chance - better rpice since the first time as well, and build a base for it as well.
Done. Perfect mouse. Scroll wheel better than the Deft Pro, smoother than the Huge, perfect height, perfect angle. I even swapped the ball with the Logitech MX Ergo (RIP) to have a nice black theme. Of course, I did the bearing swap. And that is the funny part. It's the easiest mouse to do it. You just need to remove the base screws, pry open the base a little and remove the ball housing all together. It's a separate part! From there, remove the cable, remove 4 screws, bearings out, bearings in, done.
Now I have a mouse that looks dope, clicks well, smooth ball, smooth bearings, and fit my hand in such a perfect angle and height!
I want to give you this feedback and if you want, I can send you pictures and the 3D models. I even can send you for free the bases for any of the Elecoms so you try. For the Def Pro is 20 degrees, for the Huge and 30 degrees, and for the EX-G Pro is 20 degrees as well.
Review the Ex-G Pro, and if possible, with the base. You will love this sucker.
Cheers, brother!
good video as always. loving your content, looking forward to what you have planned.
had this for over a year, absolutely agree with you that the shape is too small if you want to fingertip operate it, and I too remapped the third button as R click
P.S. I really enjoyed this video. It was really well done, and in depth enough to be informative while keeping me interested. Sorry for the long-winded previous comment, lol.
I have an Elecom Huge wired (the wireless kept dropping signal which made it useless), and did a bearing replacement on it. I got the 2.5mm zirconium ceramic bearings, and they were worse than the synthetic rubies. I then got some steel ones because I noticed my trackball explorer has steel bearings (much smaller as well). The steel bearings are vastly superior to the ceramic ones for me, but I think the sticking/friction issue is due to their size
Since they're a bit bigger there's more surface to them, and with more surface area comes more friction. Even when they roll freely in their sockets they're having to overcome the plastic in them. For that I plan to try some dry lubricant to see if it helps even more. I have a sneaking suspicion the problem might be completely fixed with the proper lubrication.
Also, consider that trackballs aren't mice, and should not be held like one. I've had all shapes and sizes of trackballs, and the only truly uncomfortable one I used was the Kensington Expert mouse Pro in the early 2000's due to it's trackball being centralized in the housing, and no wrist rest. I only had it for a short time since it was a loaner, but I never got used to it.
Try using an elevated wrist rest, and backing your palm off of the body like a claw grip. I think it's how it forces your wrist down on the desk that's causing the discomfort. The huge has more palm surface so you can rest your hand on it which, in turn, keeps your wrist at the same level as the mouse. The deft pro is too small for that.
I just swapped the bearings on both my Elecom mice, the Huge (wired) and the Deft Pro. Still not sure which one to keep, most likely both, as I got them as Amazon renewed units, but I have still one month to decide - when you get some renewed units, the return window is 3 months instead of 1. Bought them in September 20th.
One week after, I bought the bearings, just now I swapped because I was getting pain in may hands of the terrible ball movement.
I noticed your link didn't get to the same product I got. It does, same material, store, brand, but different precision grade. So I looked up and mine was G5, yours is G10. The difference is $1, so I would recommend using the G5, as they are more precise.
love this mouse, had it for years and bought a second as a backup. The bearing swap was a pain, but otherwise it fits my hands perfectly. I wear a men's small size glove for reference. Also, I sometimes use it with my left hand and my fingertips have access to the thumb cluster. I wouldn't want to use it all day like that though. I only have to 2 main complaints, both to do with the software. 1. is that I also have the elecom relacom and sometimes its a little weird swapping between both. the software sometimes asks me to choose between them, and its dropdown menu only gives me item numbers or something instead of the names printed on the devices. Also, you can't create complex macros in software, you're limited up to 3 button macros with no timing.
I have this now for years. I have VERY large hands with long fingers, ( my doctor even remarked on that). I have found using this mouse fine with no problems. I even bought these updated bearings but so far have found no reason to fit them. Cleaning inside the ball cavity with attention to the bearings definitely helps. The mouse has continued to work fine for me, that is living in a heated house and 2 years living on a boat in English climate. If the large is too small for you perhaps you would share what you have found that fits your requirements?
Being 6’5 with xl-xxl (xl doesn’t quite fit, xxl too big 😑) finding the right mouse has been a pain in the ass. 😅
Thanks for the info.
I'd love to see you review the normal elecom deft. It's much cheaper than the pro however it seems quite similar.
Nice review! I wanted to like this so much, but it was just way too small, but somehow felt big. Comfy to hold, but moving the ball completely messed that all up
5:00 Wobble :) it's a tilting scroll wheel just like the Logitech MX Ergo has. This has two main competitors: Logitech MX Ergo (thumb trackball) and Kensington Orbit Fusion (finger trackball) all the three have almost the same price, very hard to decide.
Cool but what do you think about vr controllers as mouse and keyboard?
What if try to use a separate palm rest together with the Deft Pro? Would that improve usablility?
I like the fact that Deft pro can connect through BT, unlike the Huge. It's an advantage if you want to use it with the phone/tablet or save the USB ports.
Thank you so much for the review. I have large hands and want to switch from a traditional mouse to a trackball mouse. Which would you recommend? I know you recommended the HUGE out of the two mentioned here, but is there another you would recommend over the HUGE? thanks
Thanks for the feedback! The trackball mouse that I feel confident in recommending to others is the Logitech MX Ergo.
It does have the potential for some Omron double-click switch issues (but almost all trackballs these days have that possibility), but overall it's a very solid trackball. I've had 2 MX Ergos, and I have not found another trackball that fits my hand so perfectly. If you're ok with a thumb-operated trackball, that would be my vote!
Thanks for watching!
@@techbytes4988 thanks for the rec. I tried the Ergo out and really liked it. I also tried the Kensington SlimBlade and like that even better. Good video, keep it up!
I have xl hands and the key to ergonomics is not trackball size, it is arm support/positioning and trackball angle. Experiment with books to hold your arm at a specific height and desk/chair height. No trackball is nearly big enough to actually fit into big hands.
7:20 The reviewer is placing the his palm too high and this is why the ball and buttons don't end up at the end of his fingertips. They way he is holding it, even somebody with very small hands would have trouble using the trackball (unless he/she is a toddler or very small child). The area of the palm that correspond to where your knuckles are above (don't know the technical term) should rest on the area before you reach the top of the "hill". Also another thing I disagree with him (but this is more personal preference) it's the idea that every single part of your palm should be supported by the trackball. I think the main part that needs support is again, the area right below your knuckles (basically where your fingers start). You actually need some space between the trackball and the rest of your palm to A) give you some maneuverability as moving your fingers requires some freedom of movement on that area (wish I could explain better in words) and B) your palms will get sweaty very fast without that space in between.
Another thing I would recommend as an long time user of this model is to try to rest your palm at an angle. I know it's "logical" to try to hold it so it's aligned with your forearm in a straight line but I actually find it awkward. It's best to hold it at a 140-50 angle, this will make holding it more comfortable, specially for your ring and little finger, which will make them more aligned with the buttons on the right side of the trackball.
Finally, and this is nothing against the reviewer as he should review the product by itself, without any "accessories", but I recommend to get two doorstops (the bigger and steeper the better) to place the trackball on so it ends up leaning at a 30-40 degree angle. I've seen online people 3D printing a dedicated stand but I don't have a 3D printer so... Then place the doorstops and trackball on a mouse pad with wrist support, or just use a wrist pad if you prefer. Not only does this make the trackball much more comfortable to use and hold but also (I feel) it makes the movements on the ball more responsive. I will try to see if I can post links to pictures of this set up as I don't think I've done a good job explaining it in words.
im excited to try this mouse bc i have small hands and the Logitec that i use is uncomfortably large for me
I just wish someone made something like the Logitech Cordless TrackMan FX still. Vertical and fingertip operated. That seems not to exist anymore.
But I saw someone made a stand for current Logitech Cordless TrackMan to make them vertical, I guess I need to go for that, but I don't know for which fingertip trackball yet. 🙂
Slick design.
san you tell me if one button can be programed for the " enter " function
Thank you. I have been a trackball user for over 20 years (preferring Logitech Trackman) and was going to get one of these for gaming because of the 8 buttons, Logitech has only 4 buttons. However, after watching this video I know it would be useless for my needs.
Not sure if it was mentioned in the video but couldn't find it - what size is your hand? Do you have a measurement for length? Thanks!
From the tip of my middle finger to the base of my wrist is right at 7.5 inches (maybe slightly over that).
Hope that helps! 😀
My problem with the Huge is the angle, it's flat and not natural. My hand does not like that anymore. And the problem with the Deft Pro is the slope/ size, if it was a bigger, longer slope, it would be perfect.
The problem with both is the button cluster, feels such a after thought, position, angle, ergonomics, all wrong.
Oh, gosh, should I try the Kensington thumb operated again? I would need to swap berrings.
In the end of the day, would you prefer HUGE over Kensington Slimblade Pro/Expert wireless?
i have all mentioned prefer huge the slim blade hurts your palm the pro hurts your finger scrolling tried them all, and still looking for the right or perfect one, it seems Microsoft explorer was the one, might try a Gavi next
Any link to the replacement bearings ? Do you have a guide on how to replace the bearings ?
I just updated the description with a link to the bearings I used in both of my Elecom bearing swaps. It looks like the inventory is running low on the exact set of bearings, but any 2.5mm ceramic bearing set should work. I don't currently have a guide out there, but that's a great idea for a future video! :) Thanks for watching, and I'll see if I can whip up a bearing replacement tutorial!
After seeing the review comes to mind, gosh, why is so hard to do a mouse that is ergonomic? Use clay, big hands, done. Follow the natural position and rotation of the arms, and hands. And use better materials.
What disappointed me on the Deft Pro was the stupid decision of using plastic clips to hold the ball cup. Why? One of them is very hard to release. Made the whole bearing swap more difficult. While on Huge they used screws, even 2 inside the cup itself. But again, materials, cable connectors, cables position, everything inside it's NOT very Japanese level quality.
I am more happy now after the swap, but still not 100%, as the market still needs to bring something that is ergonomic, precise, and durable.
Great video as always.
How do you do a bearjng swap?
I wish Elecom would make a HUGE Pro. Keep it the same except have higher quality everything. I’d pay $100+ for the HUGE if they had an absolutely smooth trackball and better feeling plastic/buttons. I love and hate my HUGE. Even ceramic bearings couldn’t fix the ball. Friend suggested steel so I am trying that next
Let me know how the steel bearing swap goes! I've considered it a few times, but haven't gone forward with it yet. Curious to hear how it works for you!
@@techbytes4988 I will report back! They will be coming in on Wednesday, so it could be Wednesday or Thursday that I do it. My friend said that he loves the steel on his Deft Pro but the downside is they wear out and need replacing, he said for him, every 8 months
@@techbytes4988 ball bearings reporting back. Steel > ceramic > stock. The steel is WAY better than the ceramic replacement. Even if I had to do this 1-2x a year it would be worth it. SOOO smooth!
@@classicrockonly Thanks for following up! Really glad to hear that they worked out for you! I'm definitely going to have to give them a try!
@@techbytes4988 I think you will be pleasantly surprised! I bought the "uxcell 2.5mm chrome steel bearing balls g3 precision". Came in a pack of 50 for I think $6
your review is too negative, I own both the deft pro and the huge and I like both and my hands are medium to large, I just don't follow the design of the mouse as you do. I also have the kensignton expert wireless but I just hate the software and the scroll ring has an issue.
then the first one I tried from elecom was the deft pro I found the issue of the large hand but I adapted, tried a kensignton pad for a while but I'm using the deft pro without a pad and I'm comfortable. And I haven't found the need to change the bearings, I'm still using the ruby ones.
I also have a huge, and it is cool, I prefer it over the deft pro but the scroll wheel has an issue, while I scroll the thing I'm scrolling jumps or has a setback, I'm going to disassemble the mouse and see what happens.
I'm hoping that Elecom eventually combines the Deft Pro's connectivity features into a Huge (maybe call it the Huge Pro?). The easy to loose 2.4MHz dongle for the wireless Huge almost seems like a planned obsolescence feature... I'd really like a BlueTooth option on my Huge.
I wanted to love this one... but the placement of Fn3 for me was mind boggling- like.... why is it placed so far back where you have to contort your thumb, for me, anyway.
The size and bearing swap are not for me. Would rather use a device that is nice enough from factory and large enough to replace my M$ trackball.
Deft vs. Deft Pro.. difference?
I'm not entirely sure about the internals, but the button placement is pretty different between the two. The Deft has a much smaller right mouse button, and the 3 function buttons are tucked away on the top left next to the ball. Honestly, I think I would prefer a Deft for gaming in MMORPGs since the Deft Pro RMB placement makes it difficult to rotate the ball while holding down the button. Looks like the Deft is around $35 on Amazon, so I may grab one to do a full review/comparison on it.
Thanks for watching!
the main difference is ball size(44mm vs 34mm), which make Pro one's cursor movement more accuracy and the button placement is more conveniently