Cursor Controls P38 Trackball

  • TRACKBALL
  • DUST RESISTANCE
  • USB
  • OPTICAL TRACKING
  • CUSTOMISABLE
  • OEM
  • PRECISION INPUT

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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Product Type

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.

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  • 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

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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 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.

    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.

    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.

    Cursor Controls devices serve defence and military, aerospace, marine and offshore, emergency services, energy and utilities, healthcare and medical, industrial manufacturing, oil and gas and pharmaceutical sectors. Typical applications include aircraft cockpit and avionics support, marine bridge and vessel control, SCADA and control-room access, secure command-and-control terminals, medical workstations and industrial HMI. The common requirement across these sectors is precise, reliable cursor control in environments with vibration, contamination or strict hygiene needs. Backlit and halo-illuminated models also suit low-light control rooms and night operations. Sector suitability and environmental ratings vary by model, so check the listed industries and certifications on each product page.

    Cursor Controls offers both, depending on the model. Many trackballs use contactless laser tracking, which reads the ball surface optically and removes mechanical encoders and rollers, reducing wear and maintaining accuracy across long service life and varied ball surfaces. Models such as the X50, X25-Halo and Z50 use laser tracking, while mechanical and optical variants are also available within the wider trackball range. Laser tracking is well suited to sealed, continuous-duty and contamination-prone applications because there are fewer parts to clog or wear. The tracking method, resolution and output options vary by model, so confirm the technology on the specific product page.

    Yes. Cursor Controls offers backlit and halo-illuminated trackball variants for control rooms, cockpits and night operations where the operator needs to locate the device without flooding the area with light. Halo models such as the X25-Halo use an illuminated ring around the ball to aid visibility without distracting glare, and backlight colour is often a selectable custom option. These illuminated variants retain the same rugged ABS polycarbonate housing, sealing and laser tracking as their standard counterparts. Backlight availability, colour options and any minimum order conditions vary by model, so confirm the illumination specification and choices on the relevant product page.

    Cursor Controls supports OEM integration with selectable options including cable type, cable length, interface, trackball colour and, on illuminated models, backlight colour. Touchpad models add custom logo and case colour options. OEM trackballs offer selectable electrical outputs and tracking forces so a device can be matched to the host system’s interface and feel. Rear-mount designs are made to seat cleanly into a customer’s panel cut-out. This flexibility lets integrators specify a pointing device tailored to a console, keyboard or vehicle system rather than adapting around a fixed product. Available options and any minimum quantities differ by model, so confirm the specifics on the relevant product page.

    Cursor Controls is a UK specialist focused solely on rugged pointing devices, so its trackballs, touchpads and scroll wheels are engineered for environments where a consumer mouse would fail. Sealed ABS polycarbonate housings, IP68 ratings on models such as the X50 and X25-Halo, contactless laser tracking that avoids mechanical wear, and tolerance to vibration, temperature extremes and electromagnetic interference make the devices suitable for defence, marine, aerospace, medical and industrial use. Removable top rings simplify cleaning, and OEM versions integrate cleanly into custom consoles with selectable interfaces. You get a purpose-built, integration-ready device rather than an adapted office part. Exact ratings vary by model, so confirm on the product page.

    Cursor Controls is a UK manufacturer of rugged pointing devices, principally trackballs, alongside touchpads and scroll wheels, designed for harsh and mission-critical environments. The range covers panel-mount and OEM trackballs from compact 25mm units to larger 50mm and 60mm formats, sealed touchpads, and modular scroll wheels for integration into consoles and keyboards. Many trackballs use contactless laser tracking to eliminate mechanical wear. Its devices serve defence, aerospace, marine, medical, industrial and control-room applications where reliable cursor control is essential. The specialism is durable, integration-ready pointing hardware rather than complete keyboards. Sealing, tracking technology and mounting differ by model, so confirm details on the relevant product page.

    Cursor Controls builds trackballs in industrial-grade ABS polycarbonate housings with sealed construction that resists dust and moisture, and several models are rated to IP68 for dust-tight and immersion-grade protection, such as the X50 and X25-Halo. Many use contactless laser tracking, which removes wear-prone mechanical parts and maintains accuracy over long service life. A removable top ring allows cleaning and decontamination without breaking the seal. The devices are also built to tolerate vibration, temperature extremes and electromagnetic interference for continuous-duty use. IP rating, tracking technology and mounting vary across the range, with some models semi-rugged rather than fully sealed, so confirm the rating on the specific product page.

    Cursor Controls offers both finished panel-mount trackballs and OEM modules intended for integration into a customer’s own console, keyboard or control panel. OEM units, such as the X and Z series, typically use rear-panel mounting so the ball sits flush in a host enclosure, with selectable electrical outputs, interfaces and tracking forces to match the target system. Panel-mount and desktop formats suit standalone fitting. Both share the same rugged ABS polycarbonate construction and laser tracking options. The choice depends on whether you are building the trackball into your own product or fitting it directly. Mounting style and interface options vary by model, so confirm on the product page.

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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.

    How Can We Help You?

    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.