REVIEWS / MICE / OWNER INSIGHTS
🦉 WE READ 68 OWNER COMMENTS
Ploopy Classic Trackball: what owners actually say
Owners love the open-source repairability and large central ball, but the scrolling implementation and kit assembly requirements give some buyers pause
What owners complain about
- Scrolling is clunky SOME
Owners report the scroll wheel setup feels awkward, especially in games. One user found it 'very clunky' in R.E.P.O. and experimented with toggling hold-scroll vs. toggle-scroll modes to improve it.
- Kit assembly requires skills SOME
The DIY kit requires soldering and 3D printing. One interested buyer noted they hadn't soldered in 20 years, and another suggested Ploopy should include a simple 3D-printed jig for setting dowel length during assembly.
- Button durability over time FEW
One owner reported their mouse5/pinky button broke off after a little over 3 years of use on the assembled version, requiring them to source and print replacement parts.
- Not ambidextrous FEW
Owners note Ploopy offers separate left- and right-handed versions but no ambidextrous option, which frustrates users who want to switch hands throughout the day to avoid strain.
- DPI adjustment unclear FEW
At least one owner could not figure out how to change DPI through searching and had to ask in comments, suggesting the documentation or default setup isn't intuitive.
What owners love
- Open-source repairability
Owners consistently cite the open-source design as the single biggest draw. One owner said 'I'm confident I can repair anything that goes wrong. I already have, even.' and values that every part can be replaced or reprinted.
- Large central ball design
Users who prefer finger-operated trackballs praise the large central ball that lets them use all fingers rather than thumb-only, which some see as an RSI risk over time.
- Held up well over time
One Ploopy Adept owner reported using it daily for about a year with the device holding up very well, expressing confidence in long-term durability.
- Assembled option available
For buyers who can't or don't want to solder and 3D print, owners appreciate that Ploopy sells fully assembled units for an additional fee.
- Left-handed option
Owners note Ploopy offers a left-handed version, which is rare in the trackball market and draws praise from southpaw users.
Surprising patterns
- Owners say the open-source nature of the designs actually helps drive sales rather than cannibalizing them, as it builds trust in the product's longevity and repairability.
- The trackball is roughly the same physical size as a full keyboard, which multiple owners found amusing or surprising.
- Several owners and prospective buyers are interested in milling their own Ploopy from alternative materials like wood, treating the open-source files as a starting point for custom builds.
WHO SHOULD SKIP IT
Buyers who need seamless scrolling for gaming, want an ambidextrous design, or aren't comfortable with the idea of eventually sourcing and printing their own replacement parts may find the Ploopy frustrating.
Synthesised from 68 real owner comments across 3 platforms. Every point is grounded in the comments — no marketing, no AI guessing. How we do it →