New, updated 2010 Trackbar version, now with Alumina clickable roller bar wrapped in black silicone
Centered six-button mouse
No need to reach -- everything is located front and center
Automatic voice recognition system that works with computers using either Microsoft VISTA or Apple Mac OS X Leopard
Works with both PC and Mac
Programmable buttons for the PC
What the Manufacturer Says
The Trackbar Emotion™ 2010 is a centered pointing device that eliminates the need to reach for your mouse. Reaching for a mouse repeatedly throughout the day, or holding the arm in a reaching posture for long durations while doing mouse intensive tasks is a leading cause of arm, shoulder and neck pain, discomfort and injury for many computer users.
The 2010 version of the Trackbar Emotion mouse has an Alumina clickable roll bar wrapped in black silicone, is plug-n-play and will work in both PC and Mac environments without additional software.
Automatic voice recognition systems are built into Trackbar Emotion, which works with computers using either Microsoft VISTA or Apple Mac OS X Leopard. Consult your computer software manual or the manufacturer for further instructions how to activate this software. Microsoft XP has this software, without charge, on their website. You may download and install this on your XP system and enjoy this voice feature.
Product Specifications
2 high-powered dual optical sensors (2 x 1,000 dots-per-inch)
1 USB port, 1 microphone port
Delivered with 1 USB cable and 1 microphone cable
Six Programmable Buttons
Clickable function on the roll and a clickable scroll wheel
Weight: 300 grams (10.6 ounce)
Height: 32 mm (1.26 inch)
Depth: 105 mm (4.13 inch)
Width: 280 mm (11.02 inch)
Color: Dark blue with silver buttons
Color sleeves available by special order in Red, Light Red, Blue, Purple, Dark Purple, Green, Neon Green, Yellow, Brown & Orange
Languages Available: English, Spanish, French, Korean, Japanese, Swedish, Finnish, Norwegian, and Danish
System Requirements
Plug-n-Play in Microsoft Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, XP, VISTA & Windows 7 (disclaimer: downloadable softward does not currently work with Windows 7)
Plug-n-Play in Macintosh OS 9, 10.2, Leopard and later
Optional Removable Sleeves
Personalize your Trackbar emotion by adding a removable sleeve - select from these colors:
I have been using this device for a few years and can say that for me it does not induce the pain other pointing devices do. I hooked up my old trackball to play some games, which only thing this device isn't great at. My problem is the whole arm, wrist elbow, and shoulder get sore and achy if I have to reach out to the side of the keyboard every time I need a click. I compute all day, and it amazes me to think how often I would be making that reach to the side movement without the trackbar. Using the trackbar as my sole pointing device, I have no joint or muscle pain--this entire motion is eliminated.
That said, the device is not perfect. I am disappointed to see the 2010 edition's only improvement seems to be a rubberized scroll bar. A clean, well lubed trackbar doesn't require extra rubberized grip all that much, they float side to side and spin effortlessly. In fact, the device is so sensitive that it really could use some intelligent acceleration software. I haven't been able to test the software since I upgraded to a 64bit OS. But when I was using it, the programmable buttons were not all that programmable. Standard browser & click commands were available, but not other macros or more complex button-press effects like drag or paste. Chording of the buttons is also an entire functionality of the device out of access because poor or nonexistent software. Separate button schemes for separate programs is also fairly standard for pointing devices, but not present here.
The device is so sensitive I have trouble using it with a single hand. I jitter all over the place, and need both hands to steady the pointer. This isn't an issue typically, as both hands are in "position".
This should be cordless (though the provided cord is sufficiently long), is very difficult to open up and clean, & needs better resistance as the bar nears horizontal limits. The resistance is so weak that picking up the device and letting the bar slide can result in a dangerous crash. Weak springs are employed--magnets would be better.
I wish they would lower the price so they could sell all of this model, and implement some serous improvements. This pointing device WILL remove pain from certain individuals, but needs better software, a few key design improvements, and needs to feel more solid and resilient in general for the price. Don't wait, though, this is what is available for people with pain stemming from repeated trips between keyboard and pointing device, and it works.
This product did not work for me as my soreness was caused by mouse clicking.
This product still requires clicking, plus the amount of arm muscle needed to move the roller ball made the pain worse.
If your problem is mouse clicking, I recommend a footpedal combined with the Ergotouch.
would be nice to have a linux config app
the side automotion can be annoying on dual screen setup
otherwise very much as advertised and i am getting used to its quirks.
Love it, Love it, Love it!
I broke my right elbow two years ago, and operating a standard mouse all day every day got to be impossible.
By Friday afternoon, I couldn't move my arm at all.
Two days on the track bar and I amd good as new, and Friday is just another work day.
I also use a lapboard, so the keyboard and trackbar are in my lap to minimize elbow movement.
These tools have been a life saver for me.
My boss thanks you, too!
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