The only hesitation I have on the 8800 is its trackball substitute for the trackwheel that I've gotten used to over the years. I can see that the trackball will make it easier to use the berry with the left hand only -- difficult to do with the trackwheel. But what kind of experience have people had with the trackball, after being trained on the wheel? Do they miss the wheel?

I had the same worries, really. I'm pretty attached to my 8700 and didn't want to make the move to the pearl-nav style. But after messing about with an 8100 for a bit, I'm pretty excited to be upgrading. Just think about typing with a QWERTY keyboard and not having to readjust your hands to navigate the trackwheel - the pearl's at thumb's reach waiting for you.

I bought the Pearl just for the hell of it because I saw it at a good price. I had no intention of keeping it long term...but after navigating with the trackball I loved it (except the suretype). I think the trackball is far easier to use than the wheel...in fact I can't stand the wheel now. I'm really looking forward to the QWERTY/trackball combo.

I think it boils down to what you were used to. It is not an instant favorite of mine but I think I will get the hang of it and will like it. Though I didn't really play with my Pearl that long, enough to really say I prefer the trackball, it wasn't bad at all.

Pearl was my first blackberry ever, and I've had an 8700c now for about a month and the trackball is the winner hands down. It's soooo much easier to navigate with than the scroll wheel.

I tried the Pearl for a few weeks and the trackball was not as bad as the SUreType keyboard.

What I do not like about the trackball was it did not have any tactile feedback. No clicking, you could feel to let you know that you have moved the cursor. You HAVE to look at the screen to seen what you are doing. I also would move the cursor when I was trying to click the trackball. If my thumb was dry it would turn the ball less, if damp, more.

I guess I will have to get used to it and I am sure I will. It is nice to be able to move both up and down plus left and right! Time will tell but I will adjust!

I received mixed feedbacks on Pearl's trackball from my 7130/7100 users.

After using it for a day, most did not like the trackball and opted to stay with their current devices. Some chose to learn to get use to the trackball because they liked the size and the camera. Only 1 said he prefered the trackball over the wheel.

Personally, I prefer the wheel over the trackball.

The trackball is WAY better than that trackwheel thingy! It's so much more comfortable, I can navigate much quicker. It's nice to be able to move the cursor any direction without having to use two hands. Overall I give the trackball a big

Trackball all the way. Had a BB for a long time and would never go back.

I have been a long term BlackBerry user and to be honest I thought I would have missed the trackwheel but I don't. The trackball is so much better!! It's easier to navigate and I can use the device in my left hand now if I want also. I think anyone who uses a Pearl or the forthcoming 8800 will love the trackball.

I prefer the wheel. Trackballs are for Centipede and Missle Command. If BB wants to stay with the trackball, at least make it bigger and a bit more rugged.

what about using in dusty places? how would you clean it? the track ball is nice but comp mice get miss up and dirty all the time and are a pain to keep clean.

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8700/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

I see the keyboard as more of an issue than the trackball. The 7130c has a terrific keyboard, so much better than the 8700. After seeing the sculptured keys on the 8800 it too may be as cumbersome as the 8700 keyboard.

I echo your concern about no tactile feedback. If unable to 'click' to select within a menu, it's less than perfect. May be able to adjust and accept it as it is since the trackwheel is certainly less than perfect also.

Since I use a trackball-based mouse at my main computer, (which I wouldn't trade for any other mouse), I can also appreciate the maintenence concern. Between skin oil accumulation, dust, etc which makes for a nasty combination, this is a spec/design issue that RIM should be able to address with a better material for the trackball itself. Many plastics can be brought to a high/semi-high polish, but be resistant to allowing fingerprints (oils). Let's hope this is within RIM's plans.

I am sure that Trackball durability was a major concern to RIM and I, like you, hope they did their homework. They are sure going to have alot of them out there very soon. I do think that the trackball will cause problems for those who like to toss their device in their pocket.

I am looking forward to getting used to the trackball and I do understand how nice it will be to have 4 way navigaton but I sure got used to my trackwheel!

Optical trackball for the dusty places!

Good topic guinda35. Being a 8700c user that would be my biggest challenge in converting to a 8800. Then again when I first bought my 8700c I wondered how the heck I'm gonna get use to the trackwheel. Glad to see others who have used both post and provide opinion.

Thx

Wirelessly posted (blackberry 8700c: BlackBerry8700/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

My gf has a pearl I really like the ball for example its easy to navigate emails, easier to just select things (rather then getting the menu). But with the 8700 I like the size and how it fits in my hand and how I can use the wheel.but I do not see a problem getting use to the ball. I figure it will be similiar to the first time I got my 8700 took me a week to get use to it.

I'm a bit concerned about the lack of tactile feedback on the ball and how resistant it is to oil and dirt/dust. I solely use trackballs on my PC's but they're optical (Logitech Trackman)... I'm also hoping that RIM did their homework on this.

im a long time bb user and not too long ago upgraded from the 7290 to the 8700 only b/c after playing around with the pearl for about 1 min i had enough and no way i was going to switch to a ball... plus i need a full qwerty pad vs the suretype... im hoping the 8800 keyboard will be better then the 8700 and will give the trackball another try