Microsoft Trackball Explorer Review
productnumber D68-00007
“There is simply no better trackball”
Read all reviews on Amazon.com
USED & NEW FROM:
$65.00 »
SUMMARY: The Microsoft Trackball Explorer is another Microsoft Trackball classic. Not in production anymore just like its brother, the Microsoft Trackball Optical, this ergonomically shaped trackball offers a fantastic grip and layout, with many buttons, a scrollwheel at the thumb’s position and a proper ball placed in the center. This smooth operator is worth getting, if you can find one.
UPDATE: there’s a new SANWA trackball that is very similar to the Explorer, see it here.
OUR VERDICT: 
Read full review below
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$135-599 |  |
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$65-200 | |
Full review coming soon
I’m very interested to hear what you think of this Microsoft Explorer Trackball. If you are using this trackball, please share your experience in the comments below or send me a message.
Update 2023: Alternative trackball
SANWA has released a new trackball that looks a lot like the Explorer, so this is a great alternative.
Available as a Wired or Wireless (Bluetooth and 2.4Ghz) model on Amazon.
Pros
Microsoft Trackball Explorer
- Beautifully sculpted shape supports your hand well
- Scrollwheel
- IntelliEye optical technology
- 5 buttons, including 2 programmable buttons
- Cool red light around trackball
Cons
- Currently hard to find
- Scrollwheel at thumb position not ideal
See more features and specifications on the Trackball Comparison page
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$135-599 | |
Read reviews | |
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$65-200 | |
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$135-599 | |
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$65-200 | |
Does any other brand make a similar model trackball anymore? It’s too bad they’re discontinued, and the “Microsoft Trackball Optical” too.
Ploopy makes 3d printed, open source trackball mice. However, they are a bit loud and are just as, if not more pricey than a used Microsoft Trackball Explorer, but at least they are custom made. If those disadvantages I listed aren’t dealbreakers, then I would highly suggest picking one up. Other than that, there is the Elecom Huge, which is similar in layout but the shape is different.
I got mine a couple weeks ago, from a clueless guy who sold it online for 20 bucks shipped. Quite a score.
This one is a very well designed trackball. It can be very ergonomic, depending on how you are sitting. It will punish your wrist if your arm is not properly supported on the desk or armrest.
5 buttons including the clickable scroll wheel, enough to give it extra functionality. All of them are programable, not just the two extra ones.
There is no equivalent, probably the Cordless Trackman Optical comes closest.
There is a New one..
Gameball.. problaby Will be The same quality…
I’ve been using them for years and my last one is on borrowed time. I’ve been trying alternatives including the Logitech Touchpad and nothing has come close to the comfort and precision of the Microsoft Trackball Explorer. Virgil is incredibly lucky to have scored one for $20. Most I’ve seen are going for ten or twenty times that amount. I don’t understand why MS won’t restart production or let someone else have the design. Bad situation.
I’ve had one for more than 5 yrs after I first saw one. Then got another for back-up two yrs ago. Most excellent item for CAD work. If you can land one, do it. you’ll never regret getting one.(or two) 🙂
This is the best gaming input device in the world. I’ve purchased several when I was in highschool, now I’m 31 years old and still use it for first person shooters. I’ve used and destroyed several other input devices over time this one keeps ticking and is simply better for gaming and control.
Have mine for over fifteen years now, still going strong, wish I’d bought a spare… shame it was discontinued. This is a classic, and should be revived.
I have had one for almost 20 years and I still use it! I replaced the support balls last year with ceramic ones and I think I will use it for another 10-20 years,
Before I had the explorer, I destroyed two Logitech Trackman, although my wife is still using one, but of course, she does not use the computer as much as I do (graphics design, now retired) …
where did you get the ceramic support balls from please please share 🙂
On Ebay!
I would also like to find out where you got the ceramic support balls. Thanks!
I got my first one (wireless version) in 2000. Moved back to California from Florida and lost it. Purchase a the wired version in 2002, which I still have. I got another one the next year as my assistant when back to a regular mouse. I still have that one as well. I have had now issues with them other than a bi-weekly cleaning of the ball (soft or microfiber cloth) and contacts. I like the trackball use with my fingers. I just purchased a wireless trackball for a new laptop, but I like using my fingers instead of my thumb. going to have to look for a new wireless trackball for the fingers. The MSTE spoiled me for other configurations of trackball mice.
I used to own one and used it for years. I eventually sold it in very used condition on Ebay for 5x what I paid for it. Never has there been as good a mouse! Kensington is the only good one now but nothing compares to this Microsoft mouse. Not enough people bought it I guess. Sucks! If Kensington was smart they’d make a knockoff. If I was smart I’d make one!
Elecom HUGE has hit the closest mark for me.
I never had the opportunity to use Microsoft’s device, I am sure it is as sought after as a particular joystick they made that was discontinued. Makes you wonder, with two different devices like this that people swear by, why Microsoft stopped production. I’m sure it had something to do with the bottom line, but it sounds as if not enough people were open-minded enough to try a trackball, rather than it not being a good device.
I can speak to the Elecom Huge. This trackball lives up to its name. It is quite hefty, has pads on the bottom and it does not move unless you move it.
The trackball feel is VERY smooth. I have used expensive trackballs for Photoshop work previously and the action of the trackball really is superior. It is smooth as silk.
I am a gamer and it has so many buttons, I can’t find a use for all of them. The DPI is switchable on the fly and that makes it great for aiming in FPS and Armored games. The scroll wheel tilt is very functional as an action, it has a solid “click” feeling when tilted. My only complaint about the device is the software is a bit esoteric, there are functions that are not described anywhere (it has an “Allocate Gesture function). For the life of me, I cannot determine what this is used for.
For the price, I was VERY surprised at the build quality an overall feel of the device. I would recommend them to anyone. I had to make the transition from using my thumb to my forefinger, but that took just few days.
Have you tried the Kensington Expert mouse? If Yes, how would you compare it to the Huge?
Have you heard of the Ploopy? It is supposed to be a 3D printed recreation of the Microsoft Trackball.
Both of my MS Trackball Explorers are probably 15 years old. I use one at work and one at home. The one at work has a nick in the ball which is causing issues with it getting stuck while rolling. I just picked up the Elecom HUGE but haven’t unboxed it yet.
I have about six of these and I buy used ones on ebay for parts when I can – by far the best mouse ever made. I had huge problems with my hands until I purchased this mouse and have been a die hard fan since.
I used to use this for playing World of Warcraft in battlegrounds especially. Finally lost interest in playing WOW (as has most of the old chums) and, after having only used it for a couple years, put the mouse away so it would wear out while I waited for a “worthy” game to appear. Never found another game I liked as well and the mouse just gathered dust. Figure I’m gonna sell it before computers become incompatible with its type and speed of connection entirely. I’ll probably overcharge cause 1: Who doesn’t like money and 2: Part of me doesn’t want to give it up even though I know I’m not going to use it anymore. Glad this new Japanese mouse has taken up the torch (in case someone finally makes a decent MMOrpg again)
I’m contemplating of getting the Microsoft Trackball Explorer over the Elecom Huge or the Kensington Expert.
The reason being that there are so many die hard fans of the device and all the reviews are really good. It seems that even for the Elecom Huge review, this is used as a benchmark.
I’m not here to review. Just to say good bye to the greatest mouse ever made. The floor plate cracked on mine today, and while I’ve got enough tape that there is resistance on the buttons it isn’t the same. I feel like the hand I’ve used for business and play and all of my writing as an author has broken. I got mine fall of ’02 if I remember correctly, and today I failed it and now it is no more. Like my keyboard, almost all the marking are worn away, the silver on the hand rest had rubbed away to white, and there is 17 years of dust and dead skin and dried sweat in the insides now that I can see them. I’ve had this device for more than a third of my life, and I will miss it.
I’ll probably get the Elecom Huge. In the mean time, a generic, pathetic rodent scurries and undoubtedly craps where my hand has lived for so long. But the Elecom won’t be the same.
I’ve been using mine for almost 20 years. Still going strong (although I’ve done the ball bearing mod). From Windows 98 to Windows 10, I’ve not found a better mouse. I’ve got a few as backup, but I’ve still not needed to replace it with one of those yet. I managed to buy the spares for less than about £40 quid a piece, and scored one for a £10.00 (rubbish eBay advert).
I finally had to give up my Explorer trackball because of the buttons starting to stop working intermittently. I replaced it with the Adesso iMouse T-50. The advantage is that you can adjust the sensitivity of the ball up/down and the four buttons are programmable on Linux!
My trackball explorer finally died! One of the light is dead and the main button is clicking when it feels like it … It’s became an ordeal to use it!
I looked for a replacement:
a) Logiteck Trackman … I used one before the MS Explorer, but I find it anoying not to have the scroll wheel, and the small buttons to replace it oare not always responding (difficult to activate, too small!)
b) Elecom DEF Pro … Many programmable buttons and a large ball similar to Explorer, but the form makes it awkward to handle ( too high and short, does not provide support for the wrist.)
c) Adesso iMouse T50 … Four programmable buttons, clickable scroll wheell and a huge ball! I love it, it’s even better than the explorer with Your Ordersall the button on top instead of on the side. You can even adjust the response of the ball from slow to fast with 5 speed levels! It is sold also by Kodak under the name iMouse Q50…
HI Rene,
Did you ever test Kensington Expert Wireless Trackball?
The single best reason I prefer using the MS Trackball Explorer is the downward click action of the primary button. Thumb downward, not inward. The Elecom is nice, but the inward click direction of the primary button is uncomfortable for me. This seems to be a common design among other finger-operated trackballs.
So it’s back to the MSTBE! Mine’s getting so old the paint has worn off the palm rest! Fortunately I’ve laid in a few spares, so I’m good for cannibalizing parts if necessary!