For anyone interested in open hardware mice, I have to recommend Ploopy:
https://ploopy.co/Plug-and-play, flash your own firmware if you like. Current models ship with QMK (open firmware), although I believe my older trackball didn't, I'd have to flash it.
I have both a left-handed trackball (rare!) and a right-handed mouse from them, I like to alternate.
Two obvious complaints:
- They're really expensive
- They're 3D-printed, which means manufacturing isn't polished. My trackball had a sticky mousewheel, which I ultimately had to buy a replacement for and swap out. My mouse has some rough edges I haven't filed down yet, and the 3D-printed texture may not be for everyone.
The good news is that it's easy to make replacement parts and repairs yourself!
Still, I wish they would make mass-produced versions with more conventional and precise manufacturing techniques, just with the option to 3D-print your own parts if you feel like it / need to. Maybe that would bring the price down while also improving build quality.
Plug-and-play, flash your own firmware if you like. Current models ship with QMK (open firmware), although I believe my older trackball didn't, I'd have to flash it.
I have both a left-handed trackball (rare!) and a right-handed mouse from them, I like to alternate.
Two obvious complaints:
- They're really expensive
- They're 3D-printed, which means manufacturing isn't polished. My trackball had a sticky mousewheel, which I ultimately had to buy a replacement for and swap out. My mouse has some rough edges I haven't filed down yet, and the 3D-printed texture may not be for everyone.
The good news is that it's easy to make replacement parts and repairs yourself!
Still, I wish they would make mass-produced versions with more conventional and precise manufacturing techniques, just with the option to 3D-print your own parts if you feel like it / need to. Maybe that would bring the price down while also improving build quality.