Well, it's not like you have anything to lose by trying. Just clean it off again if it doesn't work 😀

I'd use a silicone or PFAE grease, those works well with most plastics. Don't overdo it, you don't want excess grease for debris to stick in, a minuscule amount is enough. PFAE grease is preferable in that respect by the way, it's usually less sticky.

Edit: after a closer look on your pictures I got to ask if you've really taken the roller assemblies apart and cleaned the spindles and bearing surfaces thoroughly? If not, try that first. Snap a few more pics from different angles before, makes it a lot easier to get everything right with springs etc when you put it together again 😀

Yeah, I haven't taken the shell apart yet, and I'd need do that to get directly at the roller assembly. However, after using it a bit more, it's not really as bad as I originally implied. Increasing the sensitivity further, and using the option to do the same with the cutemouse driver makes it much more usable. And I can still get a fair sized "flick", so it's not braking that quickly.

Although using it more extensively is a bit harder on the index/middle tendons in my hand than the marble mouse I'm used to. I may just order an original white model marble mouse to fulfill my "retro trackball" desire instead. We'll see.

zerker wrote:

Yeah, I haven't taken the shell apart yet, and I'd need do that to get directly at the roller assembly. However, after using it a bit more, it's not really as bad as I originally implied. Increasing the sensitivity further, and using the option to do the same with the cutemouse driver makes it much more usable. And I can still get a fair sized "flick", so it's not braking that quickly.

Although using it more extensively is a bit harder on the index/middle tendons in my hand than the marble mouse I'm used to. I may just order an original white model marble mouse to fulfill my "retro trackball" desire instead. We'll see.

Oh, so you're into trackballs? Really used to love Logitech's thumb operated models back in the days, used one of these for like five years or so, and then another five years with one of these.

Never got used to those index/middle finger operated ones though. I'm in fact still using that type on a regular basis, got a few of them hooked up to the alarm/control system terminals at work. Four years with them, and they still feel totally awkward. If Logitech still sold any non-wireless thumb operated models, I'd order a bunch immediately, I'm even checking their site now and then to see if they've started making them again.

If you haven't already, you should really pick up a thumb operated model and try it out. You might have slightly lower precision in small movements, but for daily use, they're far better in my opinion. Once you get the hang of it, you can do those "flicks" across the desktop with remarkable precision. I even used mine for FPS gaming with success 😀

kaputnik wrote:

Oh, so you're into trackballs? Really used to love Logitech's thumb operated models back in the days, used one of these for like […]
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zerker wrote:

Yeah, I haven't taken the shell apart yet, and I'd need do that to get directly at the roller assembly. However, after using it a bit more, it's not really as bad as I originally implied. Increasing the sensitivity further, and using the option to do the same with the cutemouse driver makes it much more usable. And I can still get a fair sized "flick", so it's not braking that quickly.

Although using it more extensively is a bit harder on the index/middle tendons in my hand than the marble mouse I'm used to. I may just order an original white model marble mouse to fulfill my "retro trackball" desire instead. We'll see.

Oh, so you're into trackballs? Really used to love Logitech's thumb operated models back in the days, used one of these for like five years or so, and then another five years with one of these.

Never got used to those index/middle finger operated ones though. I'm in fact still using that type on a regular basis, got a few of them hooked up to the alarm/control system terminals at work. Four years with them, and they still feel totally awkward. If Logitech still sold any non-wireless thumb operated models, I'd order a bunch immediately, I'm even checking their site now and then to see if they've started making them again.

If you haven't already, you should really pick up a thumb operated model and try it out. You might have slightly lower precision in small movements, but for daily use, they're far better in my opinion. Once you get the hang of it, you can do those "flicks" across the desktop with remarkable precision. I even used mine for FPS gaming with success 😀

I have to agree across all points made. Thumballs is much better for longer periods. Yes, you may feel that the accuracy is not good but that only applies when you are not used to using it. I guess, for longer uses it definitely proves easier and would feel more natural. Still it will just come down to personal preference in the end.

I've gotten really comfortable with my marble mice; I own four of them 😀. Maybe I'll mess with a thumb ball one of these days, but I've got no particular burning desire to switch at the moment.