ProtoArc EM01 NL Wireless Trackball Mouse

great until 6 months in...

I purchased this product with great expectation of replacing my Logitech ERGO Trackball due to the soft touch rubber falling apart after 4 years of use... and at the price this was going for back in September 2025, it checked all the boxes at the time. I dig the subtle gray color and the ball is smooth to the glide. Accuracy was on point and being able to switch DPI settings did wonders when I needed fine pixel tuning for graphics... the ability to use the trackball at a tilt was a joy to use... super easy on the wrist. It totally lived up to my internal hype and expectations... but fast forward to March 2026, I started noticing that the scroll wheel started acting sporadically. hopping scroll distances and smooth scrolling is completely nonfunctional. I review documents and scroll A LOT - sometime to traverse pages, sometimes to zoom... this EM01 can no longer perform these normal tasks and is nearly useless. I really did enjoy everything about this up until the scroll wheel started malfunctioning leaving me frustrated every time I used it. The replacement is a Nulea Trackball with the tilt stand because I like that angling option so much better than the Logi trackball 575S (which I also own)

PotoArc mouse

Trouble with mouse wheel not scrolling very jittery

0:21

Long Term Heavy Use Review

I've been daily driving this mouse as a full time software developer for nearly a year. Previously, I used a Logitech MX Ergo which I daily drove for years, but replaced because of the soft touch plastic wearing down over time. I started searching for an alternative mouse with similar ergonomics but didn't have this soft touch plastic - and came across the EM01.

This device does not have the issue with plastic wear, which I greatly appreciate. After nearly a year of use the device continues to hold up well to daily use and I have no fear that the plastics will degrade. The ergonomics of the device are great for me and I have no complaints about its usability, accuracy, or other items.

The battery life is not as good as the MX Ergo, but it is perfectly acceptable. I get weeks of use off of a single charge, and recharging it is fast. For a device that sits on a desk anyway - where there is likely a charger nearby - I consider this easily to be long enough battery life.

The mouse is a bit harder to clean than the ergo simply because the base plate does not detach easily. This is a minor point - the ball still comes out fine and can be trivially cleaned. You just can't remove and wipe the top of the plate quickly.

I'm already noticing that the left mouse click switch is starting to go bad. I get a lot of missed clicks. This makes me concerned about the quality and durability of the internal click switches.

I would normally open up the mouse, inspect the switch, and clean it with a small bit of isopropyl alcohol but I have not yet found an easy way into the mouse to perform this maintenance. The screws that hold the plastic mouse body together are behind the metal plate and I have yet to find a non-destructive way to access them. This makes the mouse a lot less repairable.

Due to the accessibility issue - it also means replacing the battery in this device is likely not easy.

Overall: Great mouse but I wish it was a bit easier to maintain and I'm worried about its longevity. For the price, that may be a worthy trade off for many - but I'd personally rather keep things working than throw them in a landfill. The use of hard plastics rather than soft touch plastics is a point in the mouses favor, but switch durability and the lack of easy access to the internals is are points against.

UPDATE: I ended up opening the mouse to repair it and can now confirm a few things. First, it was not possible to open the mouse non-destructively. I had to use quite a bit of force to pull the metal bottom plate off and access the screws underneath and caused irreversible damage to the plate mounting mechanism in the process.

In addition - I also discovered that this mouse does not use the kind of standard mouse click switches (from omron and the like) that you might expect to see. Instead they are just cheap tactile switches. It's no wonder they failed quickly. It's a shame, but likely part of how they hit this cost point was in construction and switch selection.

Teardown pic attached for those interested in such things.

DBO Scents

April 22, 2026

[TECHNICAL AUDIT] ProtoArc EM01 NL Wireless Trackball Mouse

TL;DR: 4 Stars. A best-in-class ergonomic chassis with high-utility 0–20° tilt mechanics. However, the high-maintenance Zirconia bearings require frequent cleaning (the "nose oil" trick) to combat rapid dust accumulation. Resulting in potential for a superior ergonomic experience that demands consistent mechanical upkeep to maintain smoothness.

[MECHANICAL SPECS & PERFORMANCE]

Connectivity: Triple-Channel (1x 2.4G USB Wireless + 2x Bluetooth 5.0).

Bearing Mechanics: 34mm resin trackball resting on three Zirconia ceramic bearing balls.

Ergonomics: Adjustable 0–20° metal hinge allowing for a natural "handshake" grip.

Battery: 900mAh Li-Po (Type-C) providing up to 90 days of operational uptime.

Triggers: Silent-click primary switches for low-profile acoustic signature.

[FUNCTIONAL UTILITY]

The Ergonomic Hinge: This is the primary ROI. For a 20-year WFH professional, the 20° tilt is a mandatory requirement to prevent repetitive strain and maintain posture.

The "Nose Oil" Protocol: A known community fix for Zirconia bearings. Using facial oils provides a temporary low-friction coating that improves trackball "glide" and prevents sticking.

Device Switching: Seamless integration between three workstations via the top-mounted selector. DPI adjustment is also handled topside.

[CRITICAL NON-CONFORMANCE: HIGH MAINTENANCE]

Dust Accumulation: Under current environmental conditions, the rollers accumulate "gunk" within days. This is a common failure point for budget Zirconia setups where the bearing tolerances are tight.

bearing Modification Potential: The unit would benefit from a "Bunker Mod"—upgrading the factory Zirconia to G5 or G10 grade Silicon Nitride (Si3N4) bearings and a dry lubricant like PTFE or Molybdenum Disulfide. Avoid graphite lube, as it is electrically conductive and can migrate into the optical sensor, causing "skipping."

[AUDITOR’S SUMMARY]

The ProtoArc EM01 NL is an excellent ergonomic tool that requires an active "maintenance schedule." If you are prepared to pop the ball and wipe the rollers twice a week, it is unbeatable at this price point. Highly Recommended for stationary setups, provided the user is ready for the upkeep.

Bad scrolling on mac

Scroll in unusable since day one i doesn't no respond as it should. I must scroll multiple times to go up or down… Im not sure if i got a bad unit..

0:25

I bought this so you don't have to. You're welcome. Do not buy !

This is a trap. I have no idea how this has high reviews. Unless they're grading it solely on "sitting on a desk, looking like a mouse"

It has good ergonomics , fits my hand. The color is accurate, but functionality is NON-EXISTENT.

The scroll wheel refuses to work. You will spend more time figthing this device than using it. Do yourself a favor and buy a reputable brand. This is essentially a very ergonomic rock. Looks the part, but underneath is just pure, unadulterated dissapointment. Do. Not. BUY !

Attached a little video of how it actually works. Not durable either. I said rock, but maybe a brick woud've been better. Low quality. Very difficult to actually use.

—-

Updating review, increasing from 1 stars to 3 stars because the support team refunded my purchase after sending them a video. The product wasn’t for me, but they stand by their product. That goes a long way in my book. I’d say if you’re tough on finances, couldn’t hurt to give this a try and see if you’ll like it, and if not, then return it. Hope this helps.

0:51

Surprisingly smooth and responsive, great for gaming and design.

I honestly didn’t expect much because this is a cheaper brand, but I’m very impressed.

I’ve been using a trackball mouse for years for engineering drawings and design work, so I’m very sensitive to input accuracy. I recently picked this up mainly because it has a DPI adjustment, and the difference is huge. The tracking is smooth, responsive, and there are almost no flicks or jumps, even at higher sensitivity.

I game with very high sensitivity in a small space, and this mouse handles it extremely well. Aim feels controlled and consistent, and switching DPI lets me fine-tune things much better than my older non-DPI trackball. The thumb grip feels comfortable (I have large hands), and my wrist stays relaxed even during long sessions.

For the price, this easily exceeded my expectations. If you’re coming from an older trackball or want something responsive without spending a lot, this is a solid choice.

0:52

The Real Value Buy over the Logi MX ERGO+

Great value for the price, it definitely competes with the Logi(tec) MX EGRO Plus, it has all the same or simmilar features (from what I have used it for) - same buttons, sensitivity button, scroll buttons, wrist angle adjustment plate, usb C connector/charging port, thumb movement is good and feels similar, and it has one improvement: you can connect it to 3 different devices (vs 2 w the logi).

Trackball Tangent: This is a great trackball mouse for those who know they like them, and for those looking to try one, this is a good buy, if you have never used one, you should expect to spend a couple hours getting used to it, and probably a month to get fully comfortable.

Benefit: If you use a laptop or tv for your computer needs, a track ball is great because you dont need a sturdy table, you can hold it on the couch or even your leg, thus allowing for mouse, or keyboard & mouse in far more situations/locations.

Note: I paid $38.69, and it looks to be even cheaper ($29) at the moment, and I thought I got a great deal.

Note 2: If they are close in price when you are shopping, get the purple or yellow/gold ball version, those have proper amounts of flair (I messed up and got the grey version :( )

Purchased 8/11 worked good until last week

this is working fine the first two months I had it and all of a sudden I noticed the point started to become real jittery and it wouldn’t respond to the track ball as it used to

0:07

Nice, very nice Trackball

I’m a Trackball user from 1980 and I’m fortunate for you to make a nice product. The feel is spot on and very ingenious to implement the angle. On my windows 11 pc plug it in and it just works. Picture Perfect nice product. Also it helps with carpal tunnel, wrist issues. Trust me I’ve been using a track ball for over 30 years.

Better than Logitech?

This ProtoArc EM01 is great. Quiet clicks, the scroll wheel isn't any louder than my M575s but is louder than my MX Master 3s. I wish it was solid metal like my MX Master 3s, but at half the price, it punches above it's weight class.

I wear mens size large gloves and the EM01 is much more comfortable. The M575s I feel a slight squeezing of my hand, same for the 3s which is why I'm trying trackball now. At the end of a long day this starts to irritate. The M575 is great, but for me the EM01 is a better ergo fit. Larger curve so the hand is more spread out. 20° tilt so you the change up the angle for sitting or standing. DPI select for precise control.

The M575s would be great for someone who wears (mens) medium gloves or has narrow hands.

This mouse misses on three points from being perfect.

1.) the plastic scroll wheel feels cheap, a metal wheel like the 3s would be better

2.) quiet scroll/freewheel feature of the 3s is something I have come to love

3.) side scroll for spreadsheets and website design would be a huge benefit. Some trackball mice have a side to side click on the scroll wheel for this feature.

In my opinion, better than the M575s, similar the the Logi Ergo Plus (in store demo but no quiet clicks) just missing a couple premium features and this could de-throne Logi

0:55

ProtoArc EM01 NL Ergonomic Wireless Trackball Mouse Review

First Impressions:

I don’t usually care or take notice of packaging as it’s usually only dressing for me, but this one’s gave me pause and I actually marveled a bit at how it was presented. Small touches like the envelope. While it did include marketing material for the company it also had a picture and message from the designer.

The colors of this work well to help you not to quite so consciously take note of the mouse’s width. One thing I’ve been painfully aware of with my recent foray into computer mice replacements is getting those that of getting those that are sized for your hand. Easier to remember for gloves but getting used to this for mice will hopefully become second nature soon. It looks sleek and the touch of color after the brand name is a subtle touch.

Pros:

Comfort-

I bought this one because, despite how I like the Nulea M501, I regularly had pain using it so when I saw that this one had an option to change its angle, I was immediately intrigued. Just two days in but I’ve none of the pain or discomfort I had with said Nulea when used at the 20 degree angle, so it’s already ahead of the game. Granted, comfort/pain are highly individual. The ProtoArc also feels noticeably soft which is nice. Even for my unsophisticated self, this was a pleasant surprise.

Utility-

I suspected that the ability of it to angle wouldn’t be robust but so far it’s done great and has been consistent. Another pleasant surprise! After connecting it to my laptop via Bluetooth it did so consistently. The click buttons are markedly quiet. I’m not one who really cares about the loudness of a mouse but it’s a nice feature to have, now that I have it. I almost forgot to note that I regularly play the game Strands online and it was virtually unplayable without immense discomfort and pain with the Nulea but I can do so with one, which is a big change for me! Oddly enough I ended up using my middle finger to use the scroll-wheel and it just felt right and natural, though that could change, of course.

Edit: On my first off-day of full usage I use my index finger for the scroll wheel. I will give it at least a week but as I used the Nulea for a while I’ve acclimated to trackball mouse usage versus traditional.

Cons:

Utility-

Despite using several, if not all, DPI settings, I found that the cursor was quite jumpy so I had to use the lowest setting to make this usable. You also have to dislodge the trackball for cleaning by inserting something through the hole in the plate at the bottom. Not a huge deal but with the Nulea, it can be removed much more easily and without anything other than your hand.

Edit: Having spent more time with it I finally have both hand position and DPI so that it's much more consistent.

I had to read the manual to get how to connect it to my laptop via Bluetooth as, unlike the Nulea 501, they input methods noted by number rather than text shorthand so it’s harder to intuit. Not a huge deal, just less intuitive. One is for the dongle while two and three are for said Bluetooth.

Edit: Now that I’ve had a full off-day of using it, the cursor issue is annoying and persistent despite my changing both the mouse angle and DPI. I swapped out the included trackball with the native Nulea one and the latter doesn’t work as well.

The scroll-wheel does feel quite a bit scratchy (again comparing it to my Nulea 501 but also my Zelotes F-17), and it seems like I have to scroll on it quite a bit to progress on a page. It’s also quite loud by comparison. Not a big deal but a con all the same.

There’s also no on-board storage for the USB dongle which is weird, given that my most recent computer mouse purchases (Nulea M501 and Zelotes F-17 do). Naturally, the other pairing options mitigate against potentially losing said dongle but it does come off as odd. With all the thought put into packaging/presentation and even the ability to change the angle, why not have on-board storage as well? This seems like it was an after-thought.

I’ve also accidentally engaged the right click a few times now, unintentionally. Not a huge deal but if this persists I can see how this could be annoying.

Concerns-

The plate at the bottom does give me pause as it is a little tacky to the touch but I just hope it holds up.

Edit: As I feared, the bottom plate did pick up some random debris.

Initial Rating-

4/5 (as I can’t speak to longevity yet)

It works consistently and is comfortable which is nearly all of what I’m looking for in a mouse.

Humble Insight-

When shopping for mice, please check that it’s good for your hand size. This may help prevent you having to return it due to sizing issues alone. Do measure your hand and check the charts. I had to skip on the ProtoArc EM11 NL vertical mouse as it’s described as being for small-medium hands.

There are plenty of people who have used trackball mice for years but if you’re new or have returned to them, give yourself some time to get used to using them. You may have to try ones that have larger trackballs (it seems most have ones that are 34mm but there are bigger ones), have it placed in the middle, or where your thumb is, etc. Try out different configurations to see what works best for you!

You can also have dedicated mice for different needs so don’t feel like you have to have one that does it all.

I read one review that mentioned separate batteries corroding their mice. Fair! I suggest using rechargeable ones, on average as they don’t do that due to their delayed discharge. Plus given the low power a mouse uses, even said rechargeable can last for a long time. I still have yet to charge my Zelotes F-17 one that I bought in late July despite using it regularly.

alejandro j gonzalez

October 4, 2025

Good ergonomics

I have other trackball style at home but having the ability to have it cant to one side is awesome. Only negative is that unlike others have a spot for the wireless usb reciever. This one does not but if your just using the Bluetooth then it doesn't really matter.

10/10 recommend!

I had the logi ergo m3 with the same tilt feature forever. I didnt want to pay $120 for it again when it finally gave out. Tried other mouses in the interim and drove me crazy having to physically move my mouse across the desk. Its less than half the price of the logi and its smoother than the more expensive one. I love the purple trackball, so far the battery life is good and its easy to charge. It feels like a luxury ergo mouse at a much better cost.

Feels good, looks good, sounds good!

Nice and smooth, ball looks amazing! Buttons are a little TOO easy to click, scroll wheel is a little noisy compared to the rest of it. Fits my hand great, and feels comfortable even after a long day at work with my arthritis and carpal tunnel issues.

Been using it a week, I'm hoping for a nice long battery life between recharging. So far so good!

Excited to use this mouse

0:16

Michael S. Novak

August 3, 2025

Easy to use

I bought this to replace a trackball that was not Bluetooth compatible. I really like it and was less than the one I had been looking at. This great for me as I am taking college classes.

AMA B

July 28, 2025

for Multi-Device Power Users with Incredible Battery Life and Ergonomics

Incredible Battery Life and Ergonomics

I always like to give a product at least three months of consistent use before writing a review, so I can speak to its long-term performance. After using this ProtoArc trackball daily, I can say it's a fantastic piece of equipment, especially for anyone juggling multiple computers. The ergonomic design and adjustable angle have been a lifesaver for my wrist during long work sessions.

Functionally, this mouse has been a reliable powerhouse. The trackball is smooth, the connection is flawless, and switching between my devices is seamless. But the battery life is what truly blows me away. In the entire three months I've been using it, I have only had to charge it once.

My long-term experience has been overwhelmingly positive. If you want a comfortable, reliable mouse with a battery that lasts forever and streamlines a multi-device workflow, this is an excellent investment.

Great alternative to Nulea/Logitech

Really nice so far!

I've gone through two similar Logitech mouses, and two Nulea mouses, and all of them have developed a problem with the scroll wheel not working after about a year of use. This scroll wheel is designed slightly differently, so we'll see how it holds up. No problems so far after a few months of use. The mouse is comparable to Logitech and Nulea and is very comfortable and good quality. Great price as well!

Rommel Medina

July 10, 2025

Worthy for the price

At first, it was difficult to get to use, but then I realize that move the pointer with out any move of the mouse was so cool, I just moving my fingers over the mouse.

Everything You Want In A Track Ball Mouse!

I found the ProtoArc Wireless Trackball Mouse to be my new favorite computer mouse! As soon as I unboxed it, every step after felt like a premium product. The packaging was super protected, clean, and stylish in its own sort of way. It is the easiest mouse to connect and use after the small learning curve of a trackball mouse. It is also so comfy, the perfect size, easy on the hand, and I have had no strain whatsoever when using it over long periods of time. Overall, I give this computer mouse a 5/5 stars!

Make sure you get a new product.

Received a used product. Make sure you open your package right away. The upside down connector and packaging was all damaged.

Work Mouse

I do not recommend this mouse. It is hard to control. The curser is jumping around on me. Do not recommend to be used at work. Very disappointed after having a mouse like this for several years but had worn out the tips in the ball rolls over.

Works fine, but poorly made

This mouse works fine, quickly connected to my Mac and seems to be no worries on that end. The concern is that for less money I could have got a Logi that is built much better, as previously, but i wanted to give this a try. This one is janky, pick it up and it rattles around like there's loose plastic inside as you can hear in the video. Worse yet, listen to how obnoxiously loud the scroll wheel is when ya use it. All in all, save a few bucks and get the far superior Logi, that's what I am doing after returning this.

0:07

Product Broken on arrival

The left mouse button got stuck down when it was clicked. Returning.

-10☆ for the delivery driver! But really nice mouse.

The mouse, luckily was not damaged. I could hear the driver as he parked with that annoying reverse beep that these trucks have. I could hear him speaking, laughing and conversing.... I am assuming on the telephone. There are 6 steps up to the front porch. It approaches from the side with a 4'-5' tall wooden railing that wraps around the porch. From the base of the steps to the door is 10'. On my steps there was an old Trump '24 sign that I removed from the front lawn. The driver saw it, made a few derogatory comments, scanned it and threw the package at the door, laughed and walked away.

I opened the door by this time, he looked back, laughed, got in his truck and left. Once I finally opened the package, I saw the box.

The mouse seems ok, the ball is very, very loose, I'm not sure if that is how it is supposed to be, I doubt it. But, overall, it feels nice. Has a great feel in the hand, I have larger hands so a normal mouse just feels tiny and almost toyish. This fits much better, along with the adjustable angle. The ball does have play when moving and requires a 2nd motion. I'm assuming this is from the drivers actions. I can't blame the mouse or the company. I live in St. Louis, MO. We are not exactly known for our hospitality, manners or the value of life for that matter. I know that large companies do the same (United Health is a great example) but from top to bottom, we must be better.

A complaint has been made. Considering that my current time with the mouse is only a day, I might be requesting a new one.

So Me So I

October 18, 2024

scrolling wheel was the dealbreaker

Got introduced to trackball mouse earlier this month and wanted one myself. I like the 20 degree tilt better than flat on surface. Trackball is responsive and no noticeable lag on screen. I like my DPI at 1600 and switching settings was easy. While I appreciate the muted clicks on right and left button, dealbreaker was the scroll button. The clicking sounds from scrolling were too distracting (see video). Unfortunately, this trackball mouse is not the one I'm seeking so it will be returned.

1:12

Not horrible, but could be better

This thing started out great. Smooth, precise, responsive. Now, after about a week and the ball sticks, causing the pointer to jump. At high speeds it is still smooth but when I slow down to make a selection, the "stickiness" and jumpy pointer makes me miss my target almost every time. Working in CAD precision is often needed to select multiple points, and that is nearly impossible with this. I have reached out to ProtoArc to see what ideas they have.

It is pretty comfortable to use. Doesn't cause wrist pain, arm pain, nothing.

Buttons are silent.

DPI is adjustable.

I've seen reviews about programmable buttons not working. This one doesn't have any programmable buttons so....

Protoarc responded fairly quickly. They suggested I remove the ball and clean it. Which I did. They asked me to send them a video. Which I did.

I have been using for almost two months and it hasn't improved. Return window closed. I'm stuck with it unless Protoarc wants it back.

See the short clip I have uploaded and you will see the cursor jumping around. Not making this up.

0:09

High Precision, Ergonomic Trackball Mouse

I decided to get this ProtoArc mouse because it most closely resembles my Logitech Trackman in form and style, and I needed a backup on-hand because my Trackman Marble PS/2 is now over 20 years old.

Upon opening the box, I was impressed by the premium 'Apple presentation' packaging, and pleasantly surprised by the quality of the unit. Lots of literature inside, including a nice card from the designer.

This mouse has an excellent fit and finish, with a smooth trackball and nice quiet left/right buttons. As some users have noted, the wheel seems a bit less refined and makes a bit more noise, but I have to mention something here: my Logitech did the same thing when new, but eventually quieted down... so keep in mind it may just require some extended usage before the detents on the wheel smooth out.

The base of the unit snaps to either a horizontal orientation, or tilted by 20 degrees. I find the normal flat position to be more comfortable and familiar. However it needs a method to 'lock' the base in the desired position, because I found that it suddenly flips to the other position if I rest my hand on the outer edge. I deducted a 1/2 star for this issue.

Although it is generally plug-n-play, I would suggest looking at the manual & instructions to become familiar with the function of some of the other buttons and how to fine-tune things for your usage.

Connectivity is good and works well enough with Windows, Linux, and Android Tablets... but I do not have any Apple devices, so I cannot comment on compatibility of this unit with any of those products.

Battery longevity is subjective, and the notion of 'standby' time is open to interpretation. I suppose they mean the mouse switch is turned on, but no actual usage is occurring... so does the mouse go to 'sleep' and turn off the radio until the ball is moved? That's not really clear. Either way, the battery is not replaceable (per se) so the overall lifetime of the built-in battery is unknown.

That brings up one thing I wish this could do, and that is to function via just the USB cable instead of relying on the battery/transceiver to power and connect the unit to your computer or device. I deducted another 1/2 star for this oversight.

Ultimately, I think this is a nice trackball mouse, and feels very much like my Trackman with regard to ergonomics and functionality. I'll need to use it for awhile to decide if it's suitable as a 'daily driver' and full-time replacement, and will try to update this review in the future to provide a 'long-term' overview.

A very well built well thought out trackball with multi-device connectivity

I have not used a trackball for many years. I decided to try this one from ProtoArc and have been very pleased so far. It has some pretty impressive features that appeal to me. It has a 900 mAh rechargeable battery, which is pretty good for a mouse type device. You can quickly switch between cursor tracking sensitivity of 1000/1600/2400 DPI on the fly. This is great when you desire varying DPI depending on the task at hand. It works with Windows 7 or higher, Mac OS 10.10 or higher, iOS/iPadOS 13 or higher, and Android OS (no specific version provided).

One of the great features I truly enjoy is the ability to sync with up to 3 different devices and quickly switch between them (2 via Bluetooth and 1 via 2.4G with provided USB transceiver). I’m currently testing it with Bluetooth to my iPad Air 5 via Bluetooth and my gaming PC via 2.4G. I’m not experiencing any lag, stutter or other issues and the switching time between devices is very quick , ~ 1 second. This multi-device connectivity is a must for many users today and is a requirement for me. Pairing the trackball is quick and easy.

I recommend going to the ProtoArc website and downloading their user manual for detailed instructions and specifications. It provides more detailed instructions than the included printer manual, which is actually pretty good.

Using the trackball is very comfortable in that your are not moving your wrist or arm. You simply use your thumb on the trackball to move your cursor around the screen with all requisite function buttons available to various fingers of your hand. Using a trackball is also very convenient when you don’t have a very large area to move a mouse around, like on a pullout keyboard shelf or tray, or while traveling, such as on an airplane with a limited size seat-back tray.

At 2400 DPI your cursor will fly across the screen. This might make holding your cursor steady to click on an object a little difficult. Experiment with the different DPI settings to find the one that suits your needs for the time. And, don’t hesitate to experiment with switching the DPI settings around for various tasks while you’re working.

The ball moves very freely and quickly without any friction, almost too easy sometimes. The scroll wheel moves with noticeable friction indents for tactile feedback, and pressing it gives you the typical Windows multi-dimensional window scrolling using the trackball instead of sliding a typical mouse.

Another nice innovative feature of the ProtoArc trackball is that it can tilt 20° to the right giving you a different angle for your hand on the trackball. This could be helpful if you are working at a standing desk or a height adjustable desk.

So far I really like this trackball. The only very minor comment is that the 2.4G USB transceiver is very snug going into a USB slot and needs to be forced a little - just make sure you are not plugging it in backwards before applying force.

This unit is sturdy and well built from quality materials and I do recommend it.

0:03