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Cursor Controls F38 Rugged Trackball
Cursor Controls F38 Rugged Trackball is built around an aluminium body and stainless steel shafts designed for precision and durability in harsh environments such as military, marine, and aerospace applications. Its reinforced construction offers impact resistance and electromagnetic shielding to maintain steady pointer control under continuous vibration and shock. The trackball integrates patented anti-vibration technology to minimise unintended movement, improving accuracy during intensive field use. The device is sealed to resist 100% humidity when installed correctly, suitable for continuous-duty operation in demanding conditions.
With USB and PS/2 interfaces featuring auto-selection and a rear-mount design, it offers flexible integration into ruggedised keyboards and custom console systems. Certified to CE and RoHS standards, the F38 trackball supports reliable long-life performance with low maintenance requirements, aligning with industrial and defence operational needs.
F38 Features
- Smooth Operation In Rugged Environments
- IP65 Sealing Rating
- Patented Anti-Vibration Technology
- Various Top Plate Configurations
- Backlit Option Available
- USB Or PS2
- Various Colours Available
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Product Type
Manufacturer
Ruggedness
Mounting Format
Country Of Manufacture
United Kingdom
Certifications
CE, RoHS compliant
Custom Options Products
Cable Type,Cable Length,Interface,Trackball Colour
Housing Colour
Black
Humidity
100% Humidity Resistant (when properly installed)
Interface Filter
USB & PS2 (Auto Select)
Mounting Filter
Rear Mount
The Cursor Controls F38 Rugged Trackball is designed and engineered for use in demanding environments where reliability, durability are essential. The F38 supports a wide range of industries and operational applications.
Common deployment industries include: Aerospace, Defence And Military, Industrial Manufacturing, Marine And Offshore.
Across these sectors, the F38 is typically used in applications such as Aircraft Cockpit And Avionics Support Systems, Industrial HMI And Machine Interfacing, Marine Bridge And Vessel Control Systems, Robotics And Autonomous System Control, SCADA And Control-Room Access, Secure Communications And Command-And-Control.
These examples demonstrate the versatility of the F38 across both industry sectors and real-world operational use cases. Its suitability extends well beyond the scenarios listed above, making it a flexible solution for a broad range of requirements.
For further information, or to assess whether the F38 is appropriate for your specific application, please contact us.
The Cursor Controls F38 Rugged Trackball comes with a 18 Month Limited Warranty With Option To Extend against defects in workmanship and materials, effective from the date of shipment (unless otherwise agreed in writing).
To receive service under this warranty, the eligible product, Cursor Controls F38 Rugged Trackball, must be presented to RUGGED in the United Kingdom.
For more information about the Cursor Controls F38 Rugged Trackball or to arrange repairs and services not covered by the warranty, please visit the warranty section on our website.
Do you need further details about the Cursor Controls F38 Rugged Trackball, or would you like to discuss a customised solution or demonstration?
At RUGGED, we recognise that every project has its own unique demands. If you have any questions about the Cursor Controls F38 or need a custom Rugged Trackball solution designed specifically for you, our team of technical experts are ready to assist you.
Alternative Products
Explore alternative products offering comparable features, performance, and build quality to the model you are currently viewing.
Our related solutions provide variations in configuration, functionality, and form factor to suit different application requirements. Each option has been selected to meet the same high standards of reliability and performance.
Browse the related products below to identify the most suitable fit for your deployment.
P38-Compact
- IP51 sealed for dust and moisture resistance
- Compact design for OEM keyboard integration
- Photo-optical encoders up to 200 RPM tracking
- USB and PS2 auto-select interfaces

- IP51 sealed design for dust and moisture resistance
- Over 10 million ball revolutions for long life
- Rear panel mounting for seamless integration
- TTL quadrature interface with photo-optical encoders

F38-Switch-Module
- Impact-resistant aluminium housing
- Anti-vibration patented technology
- Stainless steel shafts and bearings
- CE and RoHS certified for industrial safety

- 57mm thermoset phenolic ball for precision
- IP40-rated dust protection for industrial settings
- PS/2 and RS232 interfaces for flexible integration
- Photo-optical encoders for consistent tracking

Having trouble finding what you're looking for?
Selecting the correct solution for your specific application and operating environment requires careful consideration.
At Rugged, our engineering and product specialists can advise on specifications, environmental suitability, mounting requirements, connectivity, and lifecycle planning to ensure the right fit for your deployment.
With extensive industry experience and a focus on reliability and performance, we help you select a solution aligned with your operational requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
RUGGED offers free technical support for the lifetime of products you purchase. This includes help with setup, troubleshooting, and integration. Support is available online or directly from the technical team
Trackballs excel in applications requiring precise control, operating like an upside-down mouse where the user moves the ball to control the cursor. This design eliminates the need to move the entire device, which is particularly beneficial in environments with limited workspace or for users who need to maintain a fixed arm or wrist position. The smooth, consistent movement of a trackball allows for highly accurate cursor placement and manipulation, making it ideal for tasks that demand fine motor control. Many professionals prefer a rugged trackball for its durability and sustained precision in demanding conditions.
Trackballs are exceptionally well-suited for industrial environments, offering durability and precision critical for demanding applications. They are designed to withstand harsh conditions, including exposure to dust, dirt, liquids, and extreme temperatures, which are common in industrial settings.
Rugged Limited offers a range of industrial trackballs engineered for reliability and long-term performance. These devices typically feature robust construction and often incorporate sealed designs to protect internal components from environmental contaminants, ensuring consistent operation and minimal maintenance. The enclosed nature of a trackball also means that fewer moving parts are exposed, further enhancing its resilience in tough working conditions.
Furthermore, the stationary nature of a rugged trackball allows for precise control without requiring significant desk space, making them ideal for integration into control panels, kiosks, and compact workstations where space is limited. Their ergonomic design can also reduce operator fatigue during long shifts, making them a practical and efficient choice for various industrial applications.
Rugged Limited offers a variety of trackball solutions, and many of these are designed with USB connectivity. USB is a common and versatile interface that ensures broad compatibility with different systems, making it a convenient option for integrating a trackball into various setups.
A USB-connected trackball delivers a stable and consistent connection, crucial for applications requiring precise cursor control and responsiveness. This connectivity method simplifies installation as USB is often plug-and-play, allowing for quick setup without complex configurations.
When selecting a trackball, checking the product specifications for its connection type is always recommended to ensure it meets your specific requirements.
A rugged trackball is specifically engineered to operate reliably in challenging conditions. Unlike a traditional mouse, a trackball allows for cursor control by manipulating a ball with your fingers or thumb, which is advantageous in environments with limited space or where precise, stable control is crucial.
These devices are built with robust materials and often feature hermetically sealed designs to protect against dust, dirt, liquids, and extreme temperatures. This makes a rugged trackball ideal for use in industrial control systems, marine applications, military equipment, and public-access kiosks where durability and consistent performance are paramount.
Trackballs are versatile and can be found in numerous applications, particularly where durability, precision, and hygiene are paramount. They are commonly integrated into industrial machinery, enabling operators to control complex systems with accuracy. In medical settings, the sealed nature of a trackball prevents the ingress of contaminants, making them easy to clean and sterilise, which is essential for maintaining hygiene standards.
Furthermore, trackballs are frequently used in marine and aviation environments due to their ability to function reliably in conditions with vibration and limited space. They are also prevalent in public access kiosks and ATMs, offering a robust and vandal-resistant input method. The compact and sealed design of these input devices makes them suitable for environments where a conventional mouse would be susceptible to damage or would not perform optimally. To explore a range of robust input solutions, including the rugged trackballs, Rugged Limited offers dependable options built for demanding use.
An Industrial Trackball is essentially an upside-down ball mouse. Instead of moving the entire device, the user rotates a ball set within a housing to control the cursor on a screen. This design provides several advantages, particularly for industrial applications, as the device itself remains stationary.
Rugged Limited offers a range of rugged trackballs that are designed to withstand harsh operating conditions. These Industrial Trackball units are typically built to a high specification, featuring robust materials and sealed constructions to protect against elements such as dust, water, and vibrations. This makes them ideal for environments where a traditional mouse would quickly fail.
The precision and compact footprint of an Industrial Trackball also contribute to its suitability in critical applications, allowing for accurate cursor control even in spaces where desk real estate is limited or in situations requiring stable input without the need for a flat surface.
Trackballs are often considered easier to clean than conventional computer mice due to their design. With a trackball, the ball is usually removable, allowing for simple cleaning of both the ball and the internal housing. This design minimises areas where dirt and debris can accumulate unseen. In contrast, mice typically have optical sensors and crevices that can trap dust and grime, making thorough cleaning more challenging.
This ease of cleaning makes a trackball a practical choice for environments where hygiene is a priority, such as medical facilities, industrial settings, or public access terminals. Rugged Limited provides trackball solutions that are designed not only for durability but also with maintainability in mind, ensuring they can withstand rigorous use and remain sanitary with minimal effort.
Rugged Limited provides a selection of trackballs that are indeed designed for panel mounting. These robust devices are engineered to offer reliable cursor control in challenging industrial and public access applications.
Our panel mountable trackball units often feature a stainless steel or robust polymer construction, making them resistant to harsh conditions such as dust, dirt, and moisture. They are typically sealed to NEMA 4X or IP65 specifications, ensuring protection against environmental factors.
When selecting a trackball for panel mounting, it is important to consider factors such as the material, sealing, and the specific interface requirements for seamless integration into your system. To explore our full range of solutions, including panel-mountable options, you can visit our rugged trackballs page.







