The world's most ergonomic trackball has been discontinued

I highly recommend checking out some smaller computer stores, both online and offline. Buy 2-3 of these right now.

Trackball Explorer

As Digdug said, stock up!

I wish I'd known this when I accidentally got two for Christmas a couple years ago! I would have kept the extra as a backup. First Vanilla Coke, now this. I swear Earth wants me to leave.

What I find utterly baffling is the completely rearranged insert/end/delete key layout--with a double-sized delete key, vertical orientation, and lack of a home or insert key (depending on style). I really don't understand what led them to do that.

That Logitech Trackman you linked to USED to be my beautiful trackman of choice (bigger buttons, smaller body, larger trackball for more control), but they completely redesigned it into that monstrosity. Keeping the name was just insult to injury. *sniff*

for trolling in video games

I just found out about this, I have one at work and one at home. The one at work has a broken scroll whell so I decided to find a new one to replace it. Ebay has them for $100+ and all retailer appear to be out.

This "bear claw" has always been my fav. mouse over all them other "wrist-rippers"...as I believe its also made top5 list of gaming mice at one time... I've been scouring the net for the past month it seems looking for another one. Sadly though I suppose I also will have to try my luck with an optical trackman... =( These are trully sad times

Don't buy a Logitech Trackman! I bought one, and it's a horrid piece of crap. It's completely unusable. The ball doesn't even roll smoothly; it feels like it's grating on sandpaper. The cursor jumps around like it's having an epileptic fit. I tossed mine in the trash after five minutes.

Maybe Micro$oft has intentions of releasing a Trackball Explorer 2.0? If not, perhaps they need to see websites like this. And they should definitely check out the prices these things are going for on Ebay. If they discontinued it from lack of profitability, seems like a $20 price hike might help them with that and would still beat the Ebay prices... Hell, I'd probably pay as much as $80 for another new one (I have two... best trackball ever).

I started using my Trackball Explorer at work a few years ago, and absolutely loved it. I left the job, but recently returned. My trackball was waiting for me in my new office -but they'd tossed the instructions for customizing the keys! Microsoft doesn't supply any online support for the product. Can anyone out there help me?

You can download the Intellipoint software here:

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/downloads/default.mspx

This will allow you to customize your buttons.

I have a microsoft trackball explorer, but it has recently been messing up. The cursor on screen will stop but the mouse will still be active just the cursor won't follow it's movements. I even got discouraged enough to contact micrsoft for help to no avail. I am deeply saddened at this point. The only other place i can find another one is ebay for 100+. If anyone out there knows a way to get another please help out. This mouse was ideal for gaming, graphics, and most of the other things i did on my computer. As for the logitech i don't want to even try it, it's overpriced and the button configuration is horrid. Why would microsoft ditch one of their products that was actually worth the money.

THIS IS THE BEST, ...EVER!

My computing changed FOREVER - or so I thought - when I laid my hand on the TB Explorer. Suddenly my userinterface felt different: precise, smooth, light, effortless.

I have two and both of them are crapping out, because of severe usage. MAN, what are these BureauCraps thinking? There's a MILLION mice,

1

I mean

O N E

Microsoft Trackball Explorer

in the Multiverse!

and they take it away... doGdamn...

This trackball is the best I cant believe Microsoft stopped its production...

I also find the Trackball Explorer to be the best ever. I don't understand the rationale behind the thumb operated trackballs...I don't know about you, but my thumb doesn't move as many directions as my fingertips to (I won't even go into what I think about optical mice).

I can't find anything that can even come close to comparing with this thing, we can only hope that MS comes out with an (not botched) updated model.

Mine's 5 years old and I've been trying to find a replacement (not an easy task). The rollers got gummed up & wore flat, but that's the worst, I did get them rotated & it's smooth now, but still...I want a new one (but not $150 new)! Have you seen the price of these things (even used) on ebay?!, oh wait, I see some have.

I wrote MS tech support (only contact I could find) a nice little email urging them to bring back he best trackball I've ever used, sure hope they take the hint. If I'd known about this post I'd have included a link in my email.

I suggest everyone do the same, contact them any way you can find, maybe they'll get the point if we bug them enough.

Your right. I think MS is out of their minds by discontinuing this product. There is none other like it.

Just my luck (along with y'all's) to find this site while googling for a replacement for my beloved explorer trackball. First the Jellyfish boxset, then this. Usually, ebay is my friend. Damn. I have the one at home, in wonderful condition, but the one at work is limping along a bit -- 2 of the 3 tiny ball-bearing bits inside the trackball cup have come loose (seems that the plastic surrounds fractured), so that any time I remove the trackball to clean those contacts of finger-dust, I send at least one rolling across my work surface....just to add another random element of excitement to the work day.

1) My wireless keyboard continually stops working (once a month or so), I have to take out the batteries, "type" for a few minutes to clear the capacitators and reconnect...
2) The wireless mouse battery runs out far too quickly. Half the reason is that it must be placed in a special unknown way into the charger for it to fully recharge, otherwise it stops and you have to reposition it for it to keep charging for another half hour or so
3) The scroll wheel and other crap on the left of the keyboard makes it hard to get used to... I often type one character to the left of what I want when trying to enter "1" or something because of its new distance from the edge of the keyboard (the reverse will probably happen soon when I use a normal keyboard!)
4) No manual and crappy support, only an A3 sheet with a few diagrams on connecting the keyboard/mouse

The best trackable I ever used. The only down side to this device were the little ball bearings that the ball floated on had a tendency to go flying... I once had to use a vacuum cleaner and a magnet to retrieve the little devil.

However, the fact that I was willing to go through this to fix the darn thing goes to show how much I liked it.

Shame that MS decided to stop production, but most people can't get used to the track ball which is why they probably discontinued the line. Not enough M$ in it.

I think I must have gotten one of the last ones! I've been trying to find one for my husband with NO success. He has a trackball with the ball on the side for the thumb- I find it awkward and the ball is too small. I really like my trackball Explorer!
The Logitech Marble Mouse is not bad, it rolls easily... but how come no scroll wheel?

It gets even worse, I've just installed a new optical keyboard and wirelessmouse. Whatever is in that damned software, it has rendered my trackball's scroll wheel a jerky, useless mess.

I concur with everybody on this page. I wish Microsoft hadn't discontinued this product.

yup....got mine back in '02, and I absolutely love it, been using it ever since, i was even bringing it to work and home... however, its been used heavily from years and countless raids, huntings, web surfing, droppings, lan partys, colleges, people's houses, my bookbag, my car^^.......... just shows how dumb and evil microsoft is, their best mouse product gets discontinued...

look at all of us, we found this site looking for replacements, we're all sad=(

i cant even use a mouse properly anymore......

me again....um, my frontside usb port thing was broke....so, my trackball is up and running!!!!....please post any places you can buy trackball^^

addicted to my trackball explorer.........sad....no one cares..

It's a good idea to leave feedback to Microsoft about this issue (if you manage to find Microsoft's feedback email address..). I've done so on couple occasions, wishing that if many enough people write them about bringing back the Trackball Explorer, they would bring back the product.

I have five units left on various computers (one at work..), of which one is about to break. Replacements cost upwards from $100 from eBay :-(. Sometime before Microsoft discontinued Trackball Explorer, Logitech discontinued another highly regarded trackball, TrackMan Marble FX. Those can also now be purchased on Amazon Marketplace for $400+. Clearly, there must be a conspiracy to rid the world of ergonomically designed trackballs :-/. Perhaps Kensington is behind this all...

EVERYONE needs to message Microsoft about this. I only found 1 TE available anywhere online (in new condition) and it was for $175. It would be worth it, but I fear I would only delay the inevitable, as I will eventually have to get use to using something else. I would drop $200 on trackball explorers everytime if they'd start making it again. I absolutely can't use anything else. :(

Trackball Explorer is the best ever. I have 2 - work & home - but they're getting hella old. Nothing else comes close. :( I have no idea what I'll do when I have to replace them...

I recently have had two surgeries on my right hand and found that I must discontinue using a mouse or give up using the PC. I just ordered a MTE from Amazon website listed below. I hope it is as good as everyone says, as my thumb is toast and I can not use a thumb based unit. This leaves me with very little choice. It cost me $160 for a NIB unit shipped. They had 3 left as of 4-5-07!


http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_/12-4556408-9904154?url=me%3DAUPN5C9IKNFDC&field-keywords=Microsoft+Trackball+Explorer+&Go.x=8&Go.y=12&Go=Go

I'm on my second TBE. I think I got my first about 5 or 6 years ago. When it finally died after a few years, I tried a couple of others, but gave up and went back to The Real Deal. Now this one is a few years old and can't last forever. I think I'll bite the bullet and pony up the $150 so I can have a few more years of smooth surfing.

Add me to the list of totally ticked off users of the trackball. Been using it for about 5 years and it wass by far the best ever. Hopefully MS will get enough feedback to convince them to bring back this product. Like others have indicated, I would be willing to pay a good price if I knew it would be continually available.

Unbelievable. The only pointing device I have ever liked, and now the bearings are wearing out. I know gamers don't like trackballs much, but some of us actually use our computers for work. They can keep Vista, just bring back the TBE!

I use my Trackball Explorer for gaming all the time.

The message I receive is "a usb device has malfunctioned..." and of course the mouse is the only thing that does not work. I paid $75 for my trackball back in 2000 or 2001 and would gladly pay that much again for another one. I have tried the Kensington Turboball, but the scroll button is in the wrong place. After a bit, the track ball doesn't respond as well.

I don't believe that mine ever really rolled - were they really rolling bearings, or just contact points? They've all three worn flat and I've finally given up on using the thing, which is a shame. I remember how fast and far the trackball spun when I first unwrapped this baby in the Staples parking lot about 5 years ago - I couldn't wait to take it home and actually plug it in! The smoothest operation was gone after a few months, however, and tech support emails to Microsoft resulted in them sending a replacement ball (which is still in a padded envelope somewhere - the problem with the metal contact points was already beginning). I tried a Logitech Wireless Trackball for a year or two, saving the MTE for occasional use - if only Microsoft would re-issue theirs with as durable of contact points as Logitech's "rubies". In the meantime, can anyone offer hints on reconditioning the metal contact balls? Is there really a way to rotate them within the plastic, or is my best freind destined for the trashcan? Thanks!

I took the whole thing apart and used a 1/16" drill bit to get at the bearings from the back side. Once they popped out, they went back in with a fresh rounded face for the ball to glide on and still (to my complete surprise) fit snug with no glue required. Close to new feeling! It's incredible! I wrote it up here. Good luck!

I have several TE's. Since I am doig nCAD, the ball does miles. THe little balls go flat and the roller gets sluggish. I don't think the balls ever rolled. So keepinmg everything very clean helps. I wash the ball with detergent. Logitect ball bearings to do seem better and actually roll forever. I am considering a transplant on one of the really dead TE's. Re Logitec wireless TBs, the whole thing is too small for male hands and the middle button click is very stiff even with the spring removed. Can stuff up your pinkies with heavy use. So buy up SH TE's whenever you see them Cheers- Cursor speed freak.

I just used the Contact form (https://support.microsoft.com/contactus2/emailcontact.aspx?scid=sw;en;1214&WS=mscom&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.microsoft.com%2fen%2fus%2fdefault.aspx) to ask about this product's future -- it really sucks that they quit making the best trackball ever! Please contact them and let them know that there are people who'd spend twice the original retail for another brand new one (considering used ones are going on ebay for three times the original price! ! !)

After five years of rolling and clicking bliss, my TE just kicked the bucket. And the only new one I can find was $240. Just wanted to add one more voice, pleading to the folks over at Microsoft, "Bring back the best trackball ever."

I developed severe wrist pains very early in my college years and turned to the Microsoft Trackman Explorer for relief. I never looked at mice the same way again.

Now on my second TBE in 6-7 years I'm starting to see the same performance issues that led to my first one crapping out. I'm dreading having to find a new device and would like to add my voice to the please to bring back this great trackball.

I wouldn't dream of spending the $240 others have mentioned. That's just price gouging at it's worst.

I too am in the same boat, but did pony up the $150 for one on ebay (company paid for it). I sent feedback to MS, but don't expect them to do anything..

I prefer a trackball to all other types of mice. I have a MS Expr Trackball but my 3yr old son lost my ball. The bear claw part works fine, but I need a ball, any suggestions on where I can find one? Anyone got one they would sell?

rymo's link isn't working, I wish it was, I have something to add...

I had one of the balls spec'd & they're 5/64", so a 1/16th" drill bit is barely smaller, use something smaller, say a 1/32" bit to avoid accidently pushing the ball too far in under force. I have found 2 variations of the TBE, the most common has things held in place by plastic bits, the other, less common has things screwed in place (I wish it were the more common type). I'll can't confirm if the balls are the same size in both until I get a smaller drill bit.

5/64" balls are more expensive than if they'd have been 1/16", after purchasing them, I found some much cheaper on ebay. If you're handy, and pay attention to how it comes apart, you should be able to perform this procedure, just be careful with wiring and plastic bits.

It's the best (i.e., least painful) trackball or mouse I've tried by a country mile (with the exception of the also discontinued not quite as good Logitech Trackman Marble FX). I use mine at work, which leaves me with a poor subsitute at home.

Is there any other one with the ball on the right that hasn't also been discontinued? Why did Microsoft replace what isn't broken - the cult of the new??? Some issue with the patent? A dispute with Logitech? Where Microsoft's sense of public service?

PS. I should have acknowledged the new Logitech trackballs mentioned above. Has anyone else tried the Logitech Marble Mouse?

If you do use a trackball explorer, I recommend setting both thumb and finger buttons to left and right click pairs.

However, I recommend using mousekeys (Control Panel - Accessibility Options... enable mousekeys) as your main method of clicking whatever mouse you have. A lot of mouse problems come from gripping the mouse. Using the keyboard to click allows you to relax your mouse hand.

I'm left-handed and recently tried out a friend's Trackball Explorer. Even using my right hand this was the best mouse I've ever used! That tells you a lot about how well-designed and comfortable it is. If Microsoft pulled this model because trackballs weren't moving off the shelves fast enough, they might want to consider that people have become more receptive to alternate forms of mice of late, primarily because of their implementation in laptops. They also might want to consider web postings such as these.

The world (including the army of former and current T.E. users) is definitely ready for Trackball Explorer 2.0. What are you waiting for, Microsoft?

I have one TBE at home and one at work. Both are the newer type with two screws in the bottom. (The older ones have one screw.) They are both about 3 years old, and get used a lot. The USB connector began to be sensitive to movement, and pointer would stop moving. I cut off about a foot of cord with the USB connector from a worthless mouse, cut about a foot off of the TBE cord, and spliced it on. Its not pretty, but works great. My other TBE is getting flakey, and obviously has a loose connection or fatiguing wires in the TBE end. I will eventually crack it open, cut off about a foot of wire, and reapply the connections. There is one fellow who buys them used and cannabalizes them to make good-as-new ones. He sells them on ebay, and I believe he is providing a good honest service. Price is about $140, but he has no trouble selling them. I do wish MS would bring it back to market.

I have had a few of these in the past, not knowing they were going to discontinue them I was pretty hard on them. now I have one that I paid 50$ for it DOA. no joke! thankfully I was able to repair it. the problem with it was with the extremely thin usb cable. they almost always fail right where the wire goes into the trackball. when the one I use now arrived I replaced this cable with a nice fat one. works like a charm! Now if only Microsoft would find this page and take our comments seriously. Bring back the Trackball Explorer!

p.s. I use a little bit of silicone based lubricant to keep my TBE slippery. the stuff I use it made for lubeing up Rubiks cubes for speed cubing, but I think Armorall is the exact same stuff. just spray it, wipe it, Let it dry and enjoy.

oh yeah, here is a couple pics of my first TBE http://me.256k.net/casemod/uvalan/AngryMods+021.jpg http://me.256k.net/casemod/uvalan/AngryMods+020.jpg

I should mention, before I had the trackball explorer, I had a logiteck trackman FX and LOVED it. the only thing that was missing was a scroll wheel. that one is still in use by my mother who also has arthritis issues and can only use a relaxed hand position when using her PC. I have replaced the cord on that one, as well as replacing the microswitches for the left and right mouse buttons a couple times. (Ive replaced the switches in my TBE as well) New microswitches can be purchased through radio shack or mouser. I am using a logitech cordless optical trackman right now, and hate it. it constantly quits, and I am forced to unplug&replug the receiver, about once a day. what is the point of having a cordless trackball anyway? when it ust sits in one spot its whole life. anyway. the design of the cordless trackman is lame. scroll mouse is in a lousy spot and the thumb buttons are too small to quickly locate. if logitech would redesign this one the right away, I would buy stock in them. *laugh*

It's mentioned above that the earlier TBE models had one screw on the bottom and the latter models had two. That's interesting to me because usually it's the newer versions of products that minimize assembly points (perhaps for quicker disassembly?) Anyone happen to know what internal differences -- if any -- these two model have?

Afters years of strong service, my TBE has decided to act up on me. Seems like one of the ball bearings decided to go from wearing away to poking away, and has scratched my once smooth trackball. Hopefully I'll be able to get a replacement trackball, and just rotate the ball bearings, and it'll work fine again.

Along with everyone else, I also hope that a new version shows up one day. I've discovered that the TBE is perfect for my laptop, as it can be used anywhere (No need for space to shove it around). The only thing that'd make it better in my opinion is to make it wireless.

*Sigh* If only.

I have one its still working -have had it for about 7 years.ITs starting to move a little sluggishly.I alwasy take out the ball and clean it thoroughly with a neeedle to get the crud out from around the little ball bearings. I ahve one that pops out and I have to eyeball that thing so I can retrieve it if it falls out. I can't believe MS discontinued this mouse.I love it and would gladly pay $100.oo for another new one but that's a pipedream. E-bayers have realized how desperate we TBE addicts are and how much we are willing to pay for these things! Can someone please give some go or a short url link to write to MS to re-issue this mouse?