What is an Optical Trackball?

An optical trackball uses solid state Optical Navigation Technology in place of the traditional mechanical assembly of conventional trackballs. The only moving part in the entire assembly is the ball, whose movement is sensed directly without the need for shafts, separate encoders and opto-couplers. The optical navigation sensors employed are well-established architecture and are being utilized by other leading manufacturers (such as Microsoft) in the latest generation of computer mice.
 

The Optical Advantage

• Totally waterproof and will actually work with the ball wholly immersed or submersed in fluids such as water, beer and coffee.
   

• The integration of an impenetrable barrier between the user interface and electronics circuitry ensures that these are totally ESD protected devices.
   

• The devices will work with the ball covered in most industrial/medical contaminants
  (including ultrasound gel).
   

• Self-draining and back-flushable features have been integrated for operating environments where these may be of benefit.
   

Optical Overview