Better Trackball for Kensington Turbo Mouse

[olePigeon]

I finally did (and discovered) what everyone else did in the 1980s and 1990s - replace the OEM trackball in their Turbo Mouse with an American billiard ball. I did this for my Kensington Turbo Mouse 5.0. I don't know if it's true for the original, Pro (2.0), 3.0, and 4.0.

I bought a classic 8 ball because it was cheap. Under $9 shipped from Amazon.

The OEM trackball is 119.5 grams / 4.22 ounces and is 57.15 mm / 2 1/4" in diameter. So I can confirm the trackball is exactly the same size as a regulation American billiard ball.

However, my regulation 8 ball is 169.25 grams / 5.97 ounces, making it noticeably heavier. I like the extra weight, as I find that it prevents the trackball from jumping, which can happen with the original ball.

 

[sstaylor]

Back in the day, someone sold a package of Turbo Mouse compatible balls that had different colors and different weights ranging both lighter and heavier than the OEM ball. I liked the heavier ball.
I'm happy to know that a standard billiard ball will fit.

 

[Nixontheknight]

Back in the day, someone sold a package of Turbo Mouse compatible balls that had different colors and different weights ranging both lighter and heavier than the OEM ball. I liked the heavier ball.
I'm happy to know that a standard billiard ball will fit.

or you could use The Iconic 7 Ball!

 

[joshc]

Welcome to the 8-ball club @olePigeon

 

[CC_333]

I'll join the club eventually, but I like standard mice (mouses?)

or you could use The Iconic 7 Ball!

7 ball??

c

 

[MBongo]

I'd forgotten that I had these downstairs.

Still, none quite large enough for the Turbo.
So I'll now likely get myself an 8 ball.
Thanks!

 

[mg.man]

Welcome to the 8-ball club

For anyone in the UK - these can be had here --
https://www.clubking.co.uk/shop/sno...alls/black-no.8-ball-standard-2-1/4-inch.html.
I've ordered a couple and they work great!

 

[Skate323k137]

Kensington Magic 8-Ball mouse

 

[jmacz]

I picked up some American standard cue balls, they are supposed to be the same weight as the other balls, which is heavier than the stock Kensington ball. They work great in my turbo mouse 3, 4, and 5.

 

[mg.man]

American standard cue balls

Needs to be American "billiard" size, which is 2 1/4" for the early Kensingtons. American "pool" size is 2" = too small.

 

[jmacz]

Needs to be American "billiard" size, which is 2 1/4" for the early Kensingtons. American "pool" size is 2" = too small.

Yes, meant to say American billiard size.

 

[3lectr1cPPC]

7 ball??

65scribe reference, I think

 

[mg.man]

Yes, meant to say American billiard size.

No worries, just wanted to make sure any new "converts" have a positive experience!

 

[joeventura]

Would love to be able to hook one of these to my Mac Plus

 

[cheesestraws]

Would love to be able to hook one of these to my Mac Plus

the trackball? there's a mac plus version.

 

[joeventura]

the trackball? there's a mac plus version.

Really? Never seen one on Ebay, etc. If you have a link I'd love one!!!

 

[cheesestraws]

Really? Never seen one on Ebay, etc. If you have a link I'd love one!!!

It's called the Kensington Turbo Mouse Plus. I have one which I use with the Lisa, pics here: https://68kmla.org/bb/index.php?threads/kensington-turbo-mice-a-tale-of-two-trackballs.36554/

Note that the very first generation of Turbo Mouse is basically a rebadged Affinity trackball and if it's like the other Affinity trackballs isn't very good. There's one of those on eBay at the moment, if you want to actually use it as a trackball I'd avoid it. You can tell it because it has rectangular buttons at the bottom and a captive ball. I'd wait for the one that looks like the one on my thread, which is basically the same as the early ADB ones with a different interface on the back.

The other option is that you can get a PC one and rewire it. I haven't done this for the Plus but I've done it for the Acorns which also use quadrature mice - can send you details for what I did if you want to get a-hackin'.

 

[joeventura]

It's called the Kensington Turbo Mouse Plus. I have one which I use with the Lisa, pics here: https://68kmla.org/bb/index.php?threads/kensington-turbo-mice-a-tale-of-two-trackballs.36554/

Note that the very first generation of Turbo Mouse is basically a rebadged Affinity trackball and if it's like the other Affinity trackballs isn't very good. There's one of those on eBay at the moment, if you want to actually use it as a trackball I'd avoid it. You can tell it because it has rectangular buttons at the bottom and a captive ball. I'd wait for the one that looks like the one on my thread, which is basically the same as the early ADB ones with a different interface on the back.

The other option is that you can get a PC one and rewire it. I haven't done this for the Plus but I've done it for the Acorns which also use quadrature mice - can send you details for what I did if you want to get a-hackin'.

Is this one?

Vintage Kensington Model #62358 Turbo Mouse Plus | eBay

<p>Vintage Kensington Model #62358 Turbo Mouse Plus</p><p>Check the pictures for more physical details </p><p>Good condition </p><p>Works great 👍 </p>

www.ebay.com

 

[cheesestraws]

Is this one?

I just DMed you about that one I think so, yes - the seller has the cable the wrong way around, the mini-DIN goes into the back of the trackball and the D-type goes into the back of the Mac. The D-type on the trackball is for a passthrough mouse.

That said, it's possible that that one is a mislabelled serial one, since we can't see what the plug is, and I don't know whether that's the right model number. But the odds are fairly good...

 

[joeventura]

It arrived and it works.... sort of.
As you know there are three rollers inside, and X and a Y axis and then there is a third that sits at about 7 oclock.
It seems to not want to turn, it is inside two rubber grommets and Im wondering if its supposed to spin freely because it seems locke dup 100% to the axle it runs on.
Anyone have any knowledge?
Also. there is a set of config switches inside, anyone know their purpose?