The Huge Plus packs a massive 52mm trackball, 10 buttons, and months of battery life

[Shawn Knight]

In a nutshell: Japanese consumer goods company Elecom has introduced a new version of its Huge trackball mouse boasting multiple improvements over the original. If you've got a penchant for peculiar pointers, this oversized trackball is certainly worth a look.

The Huge Plus, as the name suggests, features a super-sized 52mm trackball paired with high-performance bearings from MinebeaMitsumi that are easily removable for maintenance. They are also swappable, should you choose to go with different bearings. The trackball works alongside an upgraded gaming-grade optical sensor sporting adjustable DPI settings (500, 1000, 1500) and a 1,000 Hz polling rate.

The contraption ships with a cushioned palm rest that's said to support your entire wrist and palm, and features 10 programmable buttons for enhanced customizability. Elecom went with silent-click switches, but says they don't scarifice in the tactile feedback department. The built-in lithium-ion battery is good for up to five months of use between charges (in L mode), or can be operated in wired mode via USB cable for non-stop action.

Elecom's latest is compatible with Windows 10 and Windows 11 as well as later versions of macOS, Android, iOS, iPadOS, and ChromeOS. In addition to the aforementioned wired operation, the trackball works over 2.4 GHz wireless and Bluetooth 5.3, and supports switching between three different devices. The wireless receiver can be stored in the base of the body for easy transport.

Trackballs never really made a huge dent in the mousing market, but there does exist a subset of diehard users that swear by them. Logitech's Ergo series remains a popular choice among trackball enthusiasts, and Kensington offers dozens of options across a range of unique form factors.

The Elecom Huge Plus trackball is priced at $129.99. It is already listed on Amazon but isn't in stock just yet. More affordable options are out there, including from Elecom itself. As is often the case, however, you get what you pay for. If an oversized trackball sounds appealing, your search may start and end with the Huge Plus.

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The Huge Plus packs a massive 52mm trackball, 10 buttons, and months of battery life

 

[Username00]

I recall when the Microsoft Trackball Explorer being my favorite - until it died (along with PS/2). Never found a suitable replacement - and eventually (kicking and screaming) made the switch to a regular mouse - settled on the Logitech G602 and G604 series. Now those are EOL, but at least I have some backup spares when those get the click of death.

In a perfect world, I'd like to see an index trackball with 6-8 dedicated programmable single-click buttons for the thumb (along with the other 2 left/right click) - and it not cost more than $100. Still waiting... *sigh

 

[yRaz]

I recall when the Microsoft Trackball Explorer being my favorite - until it died (along with PS/2). Never found a suitable replacement - and eventually (kicking and screaming) made the switch to a regular mouse - settled on the Logitech G602 and G604 series. Now those are EOL, but at least I have some backup spares when those get the click of death.

In a perfect world, I'd like to see an index trackball with 6-8 dedicated programmable single-click buttons for the thumb (along with the other 2 left/right click) - and it not cost more than $100. Still waiting... *sigh

Kensington Expert mouse. I was a big fan of the Logitech Trackman marble, but its DPI was too low. I ended up replacing it with a g500. I miss trackballs but I hate the thumb trackballs.

 

[kaosken]

The Microsoft Trackball still bringing $50 used on eBay. Someone has a new one still in blisterpac for $200.
So, maybe this contraption will succeed.

 

[amghwk]

I became a thumball junkie once I got used to it. I even play Diablo II and FPS games with it.

I used to use Logitech's M570 thumball mouse. But I prefer silent mice.

Then I found the Chinese brand called JOMAA. They make both the M570 and MX Ergo variants like thumball mice. And JOMAA's mice all come with silent buttons.

And the MX Ergo - like version from JOMAA, is much, much, much, much more cheaper than Logitech.

I became an instant convert.

Trackballs are also good. And they can help you perfect your....errr...fingering.... *cough* *cough*... techniques..

 

[jeffbert]

I have 3 Kensington Orbit Fusion wireless, just in case the 1 croaks. The software allows different functions for different apps. 5 programmable buttons.