TRACKBALLS IN FILM AND TV – 15 June, 2018
Kensington Expert Trackball in Ocean’s 8
A Kensington Expert Trackball can be spotted in the 2018 Ocean’s 8 film.
The wired grey Kensington Expert trackball with number 9 pool ball is used by the character “Nine Ball”, played by Rihanna.
Rihanna as Nine Ball is a technical genius whose real name is Leslie. Her nickname refers to the fact that she uses a Nine Ball in her trackball mouse. The grey ball in the Expert trackball has been replaced with a 9 pool ball with yellow stripe.
If you want to try this at home, you need to buy a US pool ball, or billiard ball, of exactly the size 55mm (2.16″). US size pool balls have reportedly not fit properly though, so you might need to do some modifications to the device for it to actually work. Good tracking results are not guaranteed, but it will look nice!
UPDATE December 2019: Kensington has created prototypes of an 8-ball and 9-ball for the Kensington Expert Wireless.
UPDATE December 2019: Kensington has created these prototypes of an 8-ball and 9-ball for the Kensington Expert Wireless.
photo © TrackballMouse.org
The Kensington Expert is one of the best selling trackballs, and one of my favorite trackballs.
Read my full review of the Kensington Expert here, or check out the Wireless version here.
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So I want to try this at home, but cannot find the exact size 55mm (2.16″) pool ball…other than Snooker balls which do not have the 9 ball. So when you say you might need to do some modifications to the device for it to actually work; can you elaborate on what those modifications would be for it to actually be functional (albeit perhaps not perfect tracking results)?
There is a function to raise and lower the height of the ball, you could probably raise it up enough to fit a 2.25″ American standard ball. It’s only a 2mm difference so that’s probably all you’d need to do. If that doesn’t work you could probably take the scroll ring off, widen it out with a rounded file or carve it out with a knife, then put it back on. The real issue is getting the correct tracking, glossy surfaces don’t work well for tracking. so sand the ball you’re using, start with a medium grit, if it doesn’t work move to a rougher grit until you get the amount of tracking you’re looking for. I’m using a ten ball because royal blue is used to symbolize technology. Don’t use a 3 ball or a 11 ball because there is a red laser in the mouse and their colors will cancel each other out.
It has a function to raise and lower the height of the ball, you could probably raise it all the way up, and it would probably fit the American standard 2.25″ ball anyway, make sure you sand your pool ball, because glossy surfaces don’t do well for tracking. Try a medium grit, then test between sanding. Keep trying with lower grits until you get good tracking. If that doesn’t work you’ll probably have to remove the scroll ring that surrounds the mouse, widen it and reinstall it. I’m going to use a ten ball in mine because royal blue is used to symbolize technology.
So, any updates on the prototype 8/9 ball? I would love one of these… I Googled it but didn’t find much. Would the balls be an aftermarket accessory or would it be a complete set?
Thanks for your message. Not yet but I’m in direct contact with Kensington and giving them feedback from visitors here. As soon as more is known or decided about the 8/9 balls I’ll post about it.
Any details re billard ball replacement for our trackballs?
Down with the 8. Any news?
A bit unrelated, but is it possible to put a larger ball (> 55 mm) in the expert mouse?
Hey, hey, hey. Just wanted to check on everyone. Hope y’all are well. And I didn’t want Kensington to think I forgot about the Nine-ball. I have an Expert Trackball wireless, and I’m that ball’s biggest fan. Please, please release it. Take care. 🤗