TRACKBALL COMPARISON

Elecom trackball: the whole range explained

Elecom, a Japanese electronics brand, offers several very good trackball devices, divided into three categories: the EX-G thumb-operated models, the DEFT finger-operated models, and the HUGE finger-operated models, all available as 2.4GHz wireless and USB wired variations.

Published: 23 April 2016 – Last update: 22 June 2018

In this article I have listed all Elecom models, first in a comparison table, and below that a description of the differences of all the models.

Elecom trackball comparison table

Compare the Elecom trackball models in the table below.

All Elecom trackball mice listed in this Elecom trackball comparison chart have the following features, so I didn’t add those features to the comparison table.

• Compatible with recent Windows and Mac computers
• USB connection (either wired, or a USB wireless receiver)
• Plug & play
• Programmable buttons
• DPI button, switch between 750/1500 DPI (for the HUGE and DET PRO models: 500/100/1500)
• Scrollwheel with click and tilt (scroll left and right) function
• For the sensors that detect the ball’s movement, the Elecom trackball devices use gaming-grade high quality optical sensors to achieve outstanding pointer tracking.

Elecom trackball size comparison

It’s hard to judge the size of the trackballs from the photos, so here’s a size comparison image.

Elecom EX-G Thumb-Operated trackball

The Elecom EX-G models have the ball on the side of the device. The ball needs to be controlled with the thumb. It is a personal preference if you like a thumb-operated trackball or finger-operated. I personally prefer finger-operated trackballs, but if you’re new to trackballs, I would advise to try out both.

A wired (left) and wireless (right) Elecom EX-G thumb-operated trackball.

The EX-G thumb-operated models are divided in 2.4GHz wireless (DRBK) and wired (URBK) models. The differences between the XT1, XT2 and XT3 models are as follows:

(1) 6th button function for XT3
The XT3 model can have a 6th button function assigned after Elecom eliminated the deceleration function and has assigned “function assignable button” with mouse assistant to that button.

(2) Renewed Optical design
The XT2 and XT3 feature a new optical design centering on newly developed lens realizes further pointer follow ability.

(3) Artificial ruby ​​support ball
The first generation XT1 trackball featured ceramic supporting balls, but the second generation models (XT2 and XT3) have support balls made of a large-sized artificial ruby ​​with a diameter of 2.5 mm. As a result of the increased diameter, the sense of control is enhanced and less dust and dirt will fill the holes, so less maintenance (cleaning of those areas) is needed.

(4) Better accessible side buttons
By eliminating the step between the side button and the left-click and right-click, It is possible to access the side button more easily, see image below to compare the two shapes.

The XT4 model is the left-handed version, read more below.

Visually the wireless M-XT1DRBK, M-XT2DRBK, M-XT3DRBK and the wired M-XT1URBK, M-XT2URBK and M-XT3URBK are the same except for the slightly different buttons on the XT2 and XT3 compared to the XT1.

The most recent model available online is the Elecom M-XT3DRBK Wireless Trackball and wired Elecom M-XT3URBK Trackball, and I would recommend getting one of these if you’re considering the EX-G trackball.

When buying a trackball, you have decide for yourself if you prefer the wireless version or wired version, both have pros and cons. The wireless trackball takes up less space and you can place it far away from your computer or media center (if you use it to control your tv or movie player from your couch for example). The connection of the wired trackball is much more reliable compared to a wireless trackball. The wire offers a direct connection with your computer, while the wireless trackballs sometimes take a few seconds to ‘wake up’ or might lose connection for a second, which during a computer game could be a problem. Both wired and wireless versions need a USB port. The wireless trackball uses a very small USB 2.4GHz receiver while the wired models have a cable with a length of 1.5 meter (5ft).

Left-handed trackball

Elecom M-XT4DRBK, the only trackball especially made for left-handed users

Elecom is the only brand that offers a left-handed trackball – the Elecom M-XT4DRBK Wireless Trackball. (It must be noted that left-handed users can also get an ambidextrous trackball, which is symmetrical so can be used both by left- and right-handed people.)

The EX-G models all have 5 buttons, although the XT3 model can have a 6th button function assigned after Elecom eliminated the deceleration function and have assigned “function assignable button” with mouse assistant.

The scroll wheel acts as a button as well and can be tilted to the left or right to scroll horizontally, for example in an Excel sheet.

The EX-G XT2 and XT3 models have 2.5mm artificial rubies for ball bearings so that the ball rolls smoothly and don’t pick up much dirt, although they are not as high-grade as the CST2545 metal ball bearings.

Elecom DEFT and DEFT PRO finger-operated trackball

The DEFT finger-operated trackball have the ball on the top of the device and it needs to be controlled by the forefingers (middle finger and index finger). There are wireless (DRBK) and wired versions (URBK) of the regular DEFT. The new (May 2018) DEFT PRO has built-in Bluetooth and a USD 2.4GHz option as well as an optional USB cable, making it a Wired AND Wireless trackball.

Of the regular DEFT, there are two model numbers: DT1 and DT2. The only difference between DT1 and DT2 is the switch. DT1 is OMRON 500 million times endurance, and DT2 is OMRON 1,000 million times endurance. Also DT1 series is retail model, and DT2 series is online model, although some DT1 might end up online anyway via places like eBay or Amazon.

Wired (left) and wireless (right) Elecom DEFT trackballs

Visually the wireless M-DT1DRBK and M-DT2DRBK are the same, and the wired M-DT1URBK and M-DT2URBK are also visually no different from each other.

The Elecom DEFT models have 8 buttons (together with the Logitech Cordless Optical TrackMan the most of any trackball), and a tilt scrollwheel which can be used to scroll horizontally, for example in Excel documents.

Just like the latest EX-G models, the Elecom DEFT models also have 2.5mm artificial rubies for ball bearings so that the ball rolls smoothly.

DEFT PRO
The Elecom DEFT PRO M-DPT1MRXBK Trackball was launched in May 2018 and compared to the DEFT DT1/DT2 features a larger ball and is slightly bigger in general. The ball is now red and according to Elecom the new design and color make the ball and sensitivity much more precise.

The DEFT PRO has a DPI switch, scrollwheel with tilt function. The DEFT PRO features a lot of buttons which are programmable. There is an OFF / LOW / HIGH setting and a DPI switch (to toggle between three DPI settings) at the bottom. A red light in between the Fn3 button and Bluetooth/USB Wireless switch on the side blinks red if you switch the DPI (one blink for the lowest DPI, two blinks for the middle DPI setting and three times for the highest DPI setting). Having the DPI switch underneath the device is not very practical if you switch often, but for most people that leave their device on one setting it’s fine.

Elecom HUGE Wireless Trackball

The HUGE models were introduced in 2017. I was able to test the Elecom M-HT1DRBK HUGE Wireless Trackball before it was released and you can read the full review here.

The Elecom HUGE trackballs are once again divided in Wireless and Wired models. The first obvious feature of the HUGE is that it is much bigger than the EX-G and DEFT models. It’s really a world of difference: where the EX-G and DEFT are similar size to a regular computer mouse, the HUGE model is almost double that size.

The HUGE trackball is forefinger operated, has an incredible 10 buttons (8, plus the scrollwheel tilts left and right) and a nice, soft wrist rest that cradles the hand. The EX-G and DEFT models have a DPI switch that toggles between 750 and 1500 dpi, while the HUGE series has a very accessible button that switches between 500, 1000 and 1500 DPI.

With all those customizable buttons, DPI switch, and accurate ball, the HUGE trackball is for people with medium to large hands, and interesting for gamers, designers, programmers and other professional users.

For more details on the HUGE model, read the review of the Elecom M-HT1DRBK HUGE Wireless Trackball.

Elecom trackball Reviews

I’ve tested the Elecom M-HT1DRBK HUGE Wireless Trackball, a great new addition (August 2017) to the Elecom range. I’m currently still testing the Elecom DEFT PRO, Elecom M-XT3DRBK Wireless Trackball and the wired Elecom M-XT3URBK Trackball, and will post full reviews of these Elecom trackball devices soon (follow @TrackballMouse on Facebook to be notified when the reviews are posted online).