WHY use a trackball? The computer mouse has become so common that many people seldom stop to think about another option.

But even on an office desk, it has its drawbacks - you need a lot of space (be careful where you put your coffee!), and over a long period of intense use it can be tiring on the arm.

In an industrial or medical environment, a trackball has the edge - improved accuracy and less fatigue; a fixed, space-saving housing, and integration with a number of different outputs.

Quite simply, trackballs are pointing devices used mainly for screen-based movement. They look a little like an inverted ball-operated mouse - the ball is facing upwards, and is rotated with the fingers, thumb or palm.

Found in security systems, computer-aided design workstations, medical applications, and broadcast equipment, as well as in marine, military, and transport environments, trackballs are often chosen when an more rugged solution is needed.

And if reliability is what you need, look no further than the range offered by CTI Electronics.

Their trackballs are rated for over 10 years of reliable service (100,000+ hours in industrial standard testing) - but they are still working hard in workplaces two decades after installation - without any need for repair - because of the high quality materials that they use.

The special dual optical encoders - with gold coated pipes - mean that signal loss is not lost over the decades as the LED intensity changes. The ball of the trackball is made of high density mineral material that withstands the kind of expansion and contraction that can be found in extreme temperature environments. 

CTI’s trackballs they have a standard operating temperature of -25⁰C to +80⁰C - a range not achieved by any other manufacturer worldwide.

They’re available as desktop mouse pointers, panel mounted industrial trackballs (quadrature) and trackball mouse pointers, and their industrial trackballs are in service in the military, aerospace, medical, process control and other applications where precision is critical.

Selecting the right device takes into account how often it will be used, the speed of the cursor, and the size of the targets. Sealing options are also available, depending on what environment the trackball will need to withstand.

Other factors to take into account are the need for friction dampening - to prevent unwanted movement of the trackball in environments such as helicopters and aeroplanes which have a high level of vibration - and whether or not the user will be wearing gloves.

Nexus can help you choose the right trackball for your needs, working with you right from the design stage if needed.  Just call or email and we can talk through your requirements and configure a product that works just for you.

All the trackballs offered by CTI via Nexus meet the standards set by the medical and military industries. They are suitable for harsh environments, have a range of custom options, and deliver a long life cycle.

To view all our CTI Trackballs, visit http://nexuscomponents.co.uk/Products/Keyboards/Trackball-Mouse-Pointers