ProtoArc EM06 1000 Hz polling rate possible?

To the em06 owners. Any success on setting the polling rate to 1000hz via driver settings? I would like to buy the em06 it its possible to archiv 1000hz with 2,4G dongle.

Thank you

https://redd.it/1xd9z5l
@reddit_trackballs

ProtoArc EM06

Hi, I’m one of the testers selected to try out the ProtoArc EM06. I’ve always used thumb trackballs, although I’ve also tried models operated with the middle, ring, and index fingers. So here’s my review.

Quality and First Impressions

The first thing I want to highlight is that the product’s quality is impeccable. I had no issues with the finish; the wrist rest is comfortable, and I think the ability to configure it via the website is excellent.

At first, the ball didn’t roll very smoothly, but, interestingly, I actually liked it that way because it offered a pretty interesting middle ground. However, with use, it’s become smoother, and I actually like how it feels now, too.

Things I’d Improve

I don’t necessarily consider these to be flaws, but there are a few aspects I think could be improved.

First of all, the ball pops out very easily. Although I partly feel it’s my own fault for forgetting about it, I think it would be a good idea to incorporate some kind of lock or retention mechanism. It’s happened to me that, when I lifted the trackball to clean it, the ball accidentally fell out.

On the other hand, I’m still getting used to having to click to scroll. Personally, I don’t find it very practical, so I’d love to see a more streamlined method that they could implement in the future.

As for the buttons, they feel great when pressed and are very quiet. I’ve seen some complaints about them, but honestly, I haven’t had any problems with them.

Ergonomics and Hand Size

I have small hands, and although I don’t have too much trouble reaching the buttons, after a while I feel some tension and discomfort in my hand.

I experience something similar when using the trackball: there’s a gap between my hand, the wrist rest, and my fingers, so it feels like my hand isn’t resting naturally and is left hanging a bit.

This might simply be due to the size of my hands, so I wouldn’t consider it a universal problem. Still, it would be great if a solution were considered in the future to better accommodate different hand sizes.

Conclusion

If I haven’t mentioned any other issues, it’s because, so far, I haven’t felt the need to: overall, everything has worked great, except for the points I’ve already mentioned.

I work in 3D design for medical implants and also do audio and video editing, so I’ll continue using the EM06 for different tasks to see how it performs in my workflow.

I’ll update this post as I gain more experience and can share new details.

For now, good luck to everyone who’s testing theirs too!

https://redd.it/1xdm490
@reddit_trackballs

First trackball (m512)

Got the Nulea m512 as my first trackball (was on sale) and a week in I think it's okay, recently switched the ball for a sanwa 55mm and my only gripe is the lack of customizability with the keys.

I know there's a couple ways to do it on windows but what about linux? Also is modding it worth it or should i ride it out and look for something later on like a elecom or the tb900? I see some guy here always raving about it after changing the bearings and switches.

https://redd.it/1xdrzh0
@reddit_trackballs

Ploopy warranty: worthless

https://redd.it/1xds9to
@reddit_trackballs

Need to find a high polling thumb ball for the EU

Hi all, as mentioned, I'm looking to try to find a higher polling, thumb based track ball available in the EU (Sweden in particular).

My wrists, tendons and metacarpal bones are pretty shot from years of gaming, typing, hobby stuff and martial arts, and in order to reliably keep writing books, and to keep gaming for that matter, I've found that I can use a regular mouse less and less.

I already have a vertical ish solution, but that only helps so much.

Things I need:

A tented or vertical mouse if possible (although I can always build or print something to tent it for me)

Thumb trackball, rather than wrist-motion or mid-fingers

Scroll ring or wheel.

High enough polling and at least reprogrammed DPI (if not fully customizable) options.

I need to be able to easily navigate documents, editing-timelines, and I'd really, really love to at least be able to play mid-speed shooters like Helldivers and Space Marine on it (I don't need to be a super twitch pro gamer in Rivals, Overwatch or Apex style games, I barely play those these days.)

If possible, it'd also be fantastic if it fits an actual medium/medium small hand (size 7.5 to 8), rather than the absolutely HUMONGOUS trackball beasts that are out there.

Is there anything like this on the EU market or anything similar?

https://redd.it/1xe4zs5
@reddit_trackballs

Best trackball options for small hands?

I need to switch to a trackball because I'm losing function in my right hand; less movement is going to be better for me. However I have small hands; I have actually been using a kid's mouse for the last couple of years.

What are the smallest trackball options? I don't have very demanding requirements: left click, right click and scroll in addition to the ball.

Thanks!

https://redd.it/1xe9a44
@reddit_trackballs

KenCTL: an open-source Linux config tool for Kensington trackballs
https://github.com/parzival0037/kenctl

https://redd.it/1xf16ua
@reddit_trackballs

Adesso T50 Stiction City?

I got one of these and tried it out, but it's stiction city! I put it in the box after about 30 seconds. :( Are they really this hit or miss?

https://redd.it/1xffzkv
@reddit_trackballs

Kensington TB900...

What the heck is going on here? YouTubers and reviewers have devices to make content with. Pre orders (when did this even happen) have shipped, been canceled, still arrived, and all other manner of confusion has ensued but you still can't order it. It's not listed on their page dedicated to all of their trackballs but the TB800 still is, and the link you can find if you manage to roll a 19 on your Kensington D20 finally was fixed so you can request to be notified when it becomes available. Which didn't work since I somehow missed the 9 units that went on pre-order. And still, through all this, I still am willing to give Kensington 3 figures in order to get one in hand. So, can anyone illuminate the crowd here with a little insight into what Kensington are up to and when this device will finally manifest?

https://redd.it/1xflrtz
@reddit_trackballs

The Nulea trackball had one thing I didn't like. The multi device button was on the bottom. I switched between PCs at work quite frequently so I relocated it to an easier position.

https://redd.it/1xfnzgz
@reddit_trackballs

Will the Kensington TB900 Be My Last Trackball Purchase of 2026?

Around this time last year, I remember how excited I was waiting for the ELECOM HUGE Plus to finally arrive.

Looking back, 2026 has been a pretty exciting year for finger-operated trackball enthusiasts, with impressive new models like the Ploopy A+ and ProtoArc EM06 making their debut.

Ironically, the Kensington TB900 EQ, which I thought would be one of the first to become widely available, is now the one we're still waiting for. It's already missed its expected release window, and there's been little to no official news or updates since then.

At this point, the waiting almost feels endless.

I'm still hoping the TB900 will finally become widely available before the end of the year, so I can wrap up 2026 with one last trackball purchase.

Fingers crossed that Kensington gives us something more than another round of waiting!

https://redd.it/1xfniom
@reddit_trackballs

First steps advice

To preface my rambling; I know much of this comes down to personal preference and it might even be moot to ask for advice, but it probably doesn’t hurt to ask.

To validate my trackball curiosity I got the cheapest trackball I could get my hands on (a white-label Amazon branded thumb trackball). I got pretty decent with it within a couple of weeks of incidental use so now I’m considering a more serious trackball.


Somehow I like the idea of a finger trackball like the Ploopy A+ or Protoarc EM06. My idea is based on feelings mostly, but what is the main difference in usage? Do finger trackballs provide more fine pointer control? That is the one thing that keeps being a bit of a challenge for me using the thumb trackball; selecting a piece of text feels clumsy.
So far I don’t have any thumb pains (yet) and I like the support the mouse-shape provides my hand. How do finger trackballs like the EM06 fare with reports of hand cramps or other injuries? Do they differ much in usage compared to other finger models like the Elecom Deft or EM03?

https://redd.it/1xfrntx
@reddit_trackballs

First split keyboard with a trackball: Keyball44 vs Go60 vs Voyager?
/r/ErgoMechKeyboards/comments/1xfsh7h/first_split_keyboard_with_a_trackball_keyball44/

https://redd.it/1xfshhn
@reddit_trackballs

Kensington Orbit and ExpertMouse Speed keeps resetting

contacted support twice about it still no solution after all we tried. I'm on windows 10. ( also use macbook but that's a different story for another time ).

I set the speed , at 4, works fine, and then after some time the speed becomes like it's at 6 or 7, I have to re open kensington app where the speed is still displayed at 4 , and set the speed to 3 or 5 and back to 4 again for it to reset to 4 again.

I also disabled sleep for usb and enable maximum power for everything.

https://redd.it/1xfy9aw
@reddit_trackballs

Just got the nape pro! First foray into trackballs. Any suggestions for button setups/accessories?
https://redd.it/1xfz7ro
@reddit_trackballs

Thank you to whoever made this model. No more sticky mx ergo!
https://redd.it/1xg2f3p
@reddit_trackballs

Unlocking 1 kHz polling on the Kensington SlimBlade Pro (firmware patch + flasher)

[https://github.com/astralaster/slimblade\_unchained](https://github.com/astralaster/slimblade_unchained)

I've been messing with the SlimBlade Pro for a while and finally got 1 kHz polling working on the wired interface. Figured I'd post in case anyone else has been annoyed by the same thing.

The actual fix is embarrassing. The wired mouse loop is paced by USB SOF frames and the rate comes from one divider byte in the firmware image. Stock is slow, set it to 0x01, done. Everything else was working out how to flash it without bricking a $120 trackball.

**What I ended up with:**

* Python script that carves the firmware container out of Kensington's official v4.49 updater and patches it, with both image CRCs rebuilt so the bootloader accepts it. You pick a rate — 125 through 1000 Hz. Uses the official file, nothing redistributed.
* Rust flasher that checks the SHA-256 you name on the command line, enters the loader, proves the target responds before erasing anything, then verifies all 3,748 pages as it writes. Prints write/verify: 100% and bcdDevice=0449 when it's happy.
* Rollback is the same command with the stock image, hash is published too.

**Caveats, because these matter:**

* **Linux only** for flashing right now — it talks hidraw/usbfs directly. The patched image isn't Linux-specific, but the flasher is.
* **Wired mode only.** Wireless/BT uses a different path and this doesn't change it.
* It's a real write to real firmware. It's plain loader commands with verification, no emergency-recovery black magic, so the realistic risk is unplugging it mid-flash. But it's your hardware and your warranty, not mine.
* Verify with measure\_rate.py — and remember the thing only reports on motion, so you have to keep spinning the ball. A still ball looks like 0 Hz no matter what you flashed.

Credit to SirTremain for the original firmware RE work; I did the rate hunt and the flasher with an AI assistant (deepseek) helping me read the disassembly.

https://preview.redd.it/j15ofp7q6wxh1.png?width=2048&format=png&auto=webp&s=d93c30e35fbee9bc064a1c0298802045aff7db3d

https://redd.it/1xgc0kg
@reddit_trackballs

First Trackball, a Huge Plus, a stick issue?

Just got a Huge Plus. General hand feel is pretty great. Middle mouse button is a bit stiff, especially since it's sideways and not down.


However the ball is I think suspiciously not smooth. Up and down is like butter, but right and left have an unusable amount of mechanical stick. Trying to be precise from a stop is impossible, jumping around a centimeter when the stick lets go.


I heard some things about wear-in and the bearings feel fine individually. I have a hard time believing this is "normal" is it?

https://redd.it/1xgdj8l
@reddit_trackballs