Kensington Orbit Fusion review: Wait for the price to drop on this $70 trackball mouse

Kensington Orbit Fusion Source: Windows Central

Trackball devices have been effectually for a long time. Seriously, check out the history of the Canadian Navy and trackballs. Though they're not as popular as standard mice, they're still an fantabulous alternative in certain industries and, perhaps more importantly, for people who suffer from wrist pain. I made the switch to a trackball mouse — specifically the Logitech MX Ergo — a couple of years agone to reduce strain during the day, allowing me to game comfortably with my usual mouse after hours. I wasn't sure I'd similar information technology at first, but a trackball has now turned into my preferred style to point. That even holds true for certain PC games.

My MX Ergo has seen a lot of use and has begun to neglect in the left click, so trying out the Kensington Orbit Fusion was well timed. It's designed differently than what I'one thousand used to, with the trackball controlled by fingers rather than thumb. Information technology'southward taken a fleck of fourth dimension to go used to, but efficiency is now nearly on par with the MX Ergo. Here's what you need to know if you're looking to upgrade or make a switch to a trackball mouse.

Wireless Trackball Mouse

Kensington Orbit Fusion

Bottom line: The Kensington Orbit Fusion is a mid-range trackball mouse with unique curl cycle and v fully customizable buttons. It might not offer quite as much precision as a thumb-operated trackball, merely it's still a worthwhile selection for desktop PCs and laptops with a USB-A port if yous're locked into the $70 price range.

Pros

Comfortable design (for righties)
5 customizable buttons
Iii-way DPI switch
Trackball removable for cleaning
Long battery life

Cons

No Bluetooth
Trackball can exist a bit inaccurate
Right-mitt only
Not ideal for laptops with USB-C simply

What I love about the Kensington Orbit Fusion

Kensington Orbit Fusion Source: Windows Key

The Orbit Fusion is fabricated primarily from a lightweight plastic, with a sleeky band around the base for a bit of added flair. The mouse is wide and flat-bottomed, with rubber anti-sideslip pads for enough of stability when placed on a desk or arm of a chair. It'due south not as heavy as some other trackball mice, but first impression is that it's not built quite likewise as some others I've used.

The bottom of the mouse houses a AA battery garage — no, it's not rechargeable — and a slot for the USB-A dongle when non in apply. It'south a nice improver, but information technology's a shame the USB-C adapter doesn't also accept a spot to live. An On/Off switch helps prolong battery life, and there's a big opening below the trackball itself to force it out for cleaning. If yous're ever shopping for a trackball mouse, make certain it has this characteristic. Trackballs get really gross to the point of interfering with the laser tracking inside, and non being able to remove information technology is a non-starter. Luckily that'southward not an issue hither.

Kensington Orbit Fusion Source: Windows Cardinal

Instead of the usual arrow- and eye-finger clicking you might be used to, the Orbit Fusion moves the bulk of buttons to the left side for thumb control. Information technology certainly takes some getting used to if yous're coming from a traditional mouse. A large left-click is hard to miss, and a iii-stage DPI switch is recessed to prevent accidental clicks. As well in the cluster are middle-click, forward, and back buttons. Clicking is crisp across all buttons.

KensingtonWorks software and its all-encompassing customization options add a ton of value to this mouse.

The mouse works fine with just a dongle plug-in, merely adding KensingtonWorks software takes things to the next level. All buttons, save the DPI selector, are customizable with extensive options, including media tools, virtual desktop navigation, web browsing shortcuts, page navigation, quick snippets, and more than. You lot can too suit the pointer speed, mouse acceleration (with the ability to plough information technology off completely), enable ho-hum cursor for precision movements, and enable single-axis motion. As for the scroll wheel, speed, inertia, and orientation are handled in the app.

Speaking on the scroll wheel, information technology's unlike whatsoever I've used before. Instead of a vertical wheel, this is a horizontal wheel that rings the trackball itself. It has a smooth action and it doesn't interfere with pointing, nor does it accept a tendency for adventitious scrolling. A ribbed design and rubberized finish means no slipping. The free-floating design makes it feel a fleck cheap, but it works as information technology should. Overall I found the Orbit Fusion comfy to hold, though it's built for right-handed users only.

What I dislike about the Kensington Orbit Fusion

Kensington Orbit Fusion Source: Windows Central

The Orbit Fusion is like shooting fish in a barrel to set up up, like shooting fish in a barrel to customize, and does its job. However, there are some features and design choices I dislike. Coming from a mouse with the trackball under thumb was a considerable modify, but I tried to keep that in mind and give a off-white evaluation while testing out the Orbit Fusion.

I do a considerable amount of photo editing, and I still adopt a trackball under the thumb if only for the precision information technology affords. The Orbit Fusion works well for most everyday work, but clicking exactly where I want doesn't always get according to program. Keeping a finger or two on the trackball and hitting the left-click with my pollex oftentimes also involuntarily moves my fingers, which in plow moves the cursor. Not a big deal in most cases, but not suitable if you're working with an app where precision is key. That includes a lot of games.

Kensington Orbit Fusion Source: Windows Central

This issue has gotten better equally I've trained myself to keep fingers still or lift them off the trackball when clicking, but overall it just doesn't feel as intuitive. I found that I'g nonetheless moving a lot more of my hand when using this mouse compared to the MX Ergo (or any thumb-operated trackball), and if you're i whose wrist is easily afflicted, you might want to consider something else.

Having the mouse rely on a 2.4GHz receiver for connectivity is normal, but not also offering the choice for Bluetooth is an annoyance. Many Ultrabooks are moving away from USB-A, and in my case I was stuck using the USB-C adapter to connect the mouse to my laptop. The adapter is included in the package (which is great) but it causes the adapter to stick out manner besides far to the point where an accidental turn or knock could seriously damage the port. This is a mouse best paired with a desktop PC or laptop that'south nonetheless holding on to USB-A.

Should yous buy the Kensington Orbit Fusion?

Kensington Orbit Fusion App Source: Windows Central

Afterwards getting used to a finger-operated trackball, I mostly enjoyed my fourth dimension with the Orbit Fusion. The lack of Bluetooth connectivity was a scrap of an badgerer, but using the mouse with a desktop PC or laptop with USB-A completely removes the consequence. The mouse is congenital well — though doesn't feel quite as premium every bit some other, more than expensive options — and the AA battery keeps it going long enough that you won't mind swapping out the bombardment when it finally dies. KensingtonWorks software really adds a lot of value hither, allowing you to customize every attribute of the mouse.

I'll even so revert dorsum to a thumb-controlled trackball for precision piece of work, simply anyone used to this way might not accept the same issues I was having. And in that location's also the roll wheel'due south loose feeling, which seems to take gotten worse as I've used the mouse. There's a scrap of a gritty experience to it, no doubt as grit and droppings falls between the band and the bodily wheel.

If you're seriously considering a trackball mouse and accept an extra $15 or $20 to spend, consider checking out a couple alternatives. Kensington's Proficient Wireless Trackball costs nearly $85 and is very well rated. It's a finger-operated trackball, includes Bluetooth connectivity, and has the aforementioned style of ringlet wheel.

And for those who prefer the under-thumb trackball, Logitech's MX Ergo is an easy winner. It costs about $ninety but makes upwards for the cost in premium feel, multiple connectivity methods, long rechargeable bombardment life, and overall comfort and precision.

The Orbit Fusion is nevertheless relatively new, and so yous might desire to wait for a cost drop before shelling out. Spending about $lxx when in that location are so many great alternatives, including enough made by Kensington, might not be the best movement unless yous're absolutely set on this price range. Be sure to have a expect at our wide roundup of the best wireless mice for more than options.

Wireless Trackball Mouse

Kensington Orbit Fusion

Deep customization options

The Orbit Fusion trackball mouse is scrap on the expensive side for what you're getting, but those locked into the $70 price range should discover information technology'southward a perfectly capable pointer.

We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.

Tiny Tina's Wonderlands offers classic Borderlands action

seizing the means of product

Tiny Tina'southward Wonderlands offers classic Borderlands action

Gearbox recently gave u.s. the opportunity to get hands-on with Tiny Tina's Wonderlands ahead of its release, and fans of the franchise should have no worries. From what little was available to play, it's the same Borderlands that people know and beloved with some fantastic additions.

These are the best Netgear routers available now

Buyer's guide

These are the best Netgear routers available at present

Dear Netgear and want to improve your home cyberspace? We've rounded upwardly the best routers available now, whether yous're looking to game, set upwards a mesh network, or just enjoy lag-free cyberspace in your domicile.