Cursor Controls P38 Trackball

This product has reached End of Life (EOL) status and is no longer in production. Manufacturer support, updates, and spare parts may be discontinued.

All information is provided for reference only. Availability cannot be guaranteed.

Please contact us to discuss current alternatives or recommended replacement models.

The Cursor Controls P38 Trackball is built around its sealed ABS polycarbonate housing, supporting industrial and professional environments where consistent pointer control is essential. It is designed for back-of-panel mounting within OEM keyboards and control consoles, providing installation flexibility with horizontal mounting up to 60° rear elevation on sealed variants. The trackball features a thermoset phenolic, polyester, or stainless steel ball withstanding up to 200N downward pressure, ensuring durability under continuous use.

Ingress protection of IP51 on sealed versions offers dust and water resistance vital for field and industrial applications. The photo-optical encoders with LED transducers deliver high-resolution tracking output, supporting up to 482 pulses per ball revolution, enabling reliable, precise pointer movement. The device complies with CE and RoHS standards and offers a lifecycle exceeding 2 million ball revolutions in sealed variants, optimising durability and lowering maintenance demands in continuous duty settings. USB and PS2 interfaces provide versatile connectivity options for integration into existing systems.

P38 Features

  • Optional Sealing To IP65 (Nema)
  • Anti-Vandal Options
  • Backlit, Translucent Or Stainless Steel Option
  • Quadrature, Sun, RS232 Or USB Or PS2

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Manufacturer

Certifications & Standards

Ruggedness

Mounting Format

Country Of Manufacture

United Kingdom

Case Material

ABS Polycarbonate

Certifications

CE, RoHS compliant

Custom Options Products

Cable Type,Cable Length,Interface,Trackball Colour

Housing Colour

Black

Humidity

30% min, 95% max, non-condensing

Lifetime

>10 million ball revolutions - non-sealed
>2 million ball revolutions - seal life

Storage Temperature

Storage Temperature -25C to + 85 C

Temperature Rating

Operating Temperature 0C to +70C
Storage Temperature -25C to + 85 C

Ball

Thermoset Phenolic, Polyester or Stainless Steel 38mm

Ball Load

200N Maximum downward pressure (20Kg) @ 20C

Ball Rotation

Continuous and reversible in any direction

Ball Speed

200 RPM maximum

Housing Material

ABS in black

Interface Filter

USB & PS2 (Auto Select)

Mounting Filter

Rear Mount

Mounting Position

Horizontal to 30° (non-sealed versions)
Horizontal to 60° rear elevation (sealed)

Power

Quadrature format 10ma typical
Protocol format 20ma typical

Resolution

(Quadrature) 241 pulses per ball revolution
(Protocol) 482/241 ppr - switch selectable (other options available upon request)

Tracking Force

8gms Nominal continuous no seal (IP40), Polyester 25gms Nominal continuous - Felt seal (IP51), Polyeste

Transducers

Photo-optical encoders with LEDS

The Cursor Controls P38 Trackball is designed and engineered for use in demanding environments where reliability, durability are essential. The P38 supports a wide range of industries and operational applications.

Common deployment industries include: Construction, Defence And Military, Energy and Utilities, Industrial Manufacturing, Logistics And Supply Chain, Public Sector, Rail And Transport, Security And Surveillance.

Across these sectors, the P38 is typically used in applications such as Broadcast And Media Control Consoles, Industrial HMI And Machine Interfacing, Process Control And Shop-Floor Monitoring, Robotics And Autonomous System Control, SCADA And Control-Room Access, Secure Access, Authentication, And Control Terminals, Security And Surveillance Operations.

These examples demonstrate the versatility of the P38 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 P38 is appropriate for your specific application, please contact us.

The Cursor Controls P38 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 P38 Trackball, must be presented to RUGGED in the United Kingdom.

For more information about the Cursor Controls P38 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 P38 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 P38 or need a custom 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.

    • 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
    • Sealed IP68 ingress protection
    • Impact-resistant ABS polycarbonate housing
    • USB and PS/2 auto-select interface
    • 100% humidity resistant when properly installed
    • Contact-less infra-red optical tracking
    • IP68 sealed enclosure for washdown
    • Back-of-panel mounting compatible
    • CE and RoHS certified
    • IP68 dust-sealed and waterproof design
    • Over 1 million ball revolutions testing durability
    • Solid-state optical navigation technology
    • USB and PS2 interface auto-select
  • 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.

    Speak to a Product Specialist
  • Frequently Asked Questions

    • If you are unsure which product is best suited to your requirements, you can contact us directly for expert guidance. Share details such as your use case, environment, compatibility needs, and budget, and we will help you select the most appropriate solution.

    • 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

    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.

    Rugged Limited offers a variety of trackball designs, some of which are specifically engineered for environments where operators need to wear gloves. Our industrial trackballs can feature larger ball diameters and specific dome designs that facilitate easy and accurate manipulation even when wearing protective equipment. These design considerations ensure that productivity and precision are maintained in demanding work settings where gloves are a necessity.

    Many of our standalone and panel-mount trackballs are also available with IP65 sealing, meaning they are protected against dust and water ingress, which further enhances their suitability for harsh environments encountered across various industries.

    Trackballs are versatile pointing devices designed for a variety of applications, especially in settings where durability, precision, and space efficiency are critical. They are commonly used in industrial, marine, military, and medical environments.

    Key uses for a trackball include:

    • Industrial Control: For operating machinery and process control systems where gloves or harsh conditions are present.
    • Marine Applications: Ideal for navigation systems, sonar, and communication on ships and boats, offering stability in moving environments.
    • Military Systems: Employed in command and control centers, vehicles, and field equipment due to their robust construction and reliable performance.
    • Medical Equipment: Used in diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring systems, providing hygienic and precise input.
    • Public Access Kiosks: Found in ATMs, information kiosks, and public terminals due to their tamper-resistant design.

    Unlike a mouse, a trackball remains stationary, which saves desk space and offers a stable platform for input, making them particularly suitable for situations where movement is restricted or the user needs to maintain a fixed posture. Many rugged trackball units are also designed to be resistant to liquids, dust, and vibrations, ensuring reliable operation in challenging conditions.

    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.

    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.

    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 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.

    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.

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    We're here to assist and guide you with any enquiries you may have.

    Simply complete the online form or reach out using the contact details provided below.