[tuscanphoneco]

Does anyone know either:

• Is the trackball on the Bold removable like it is on the Curve / Pearl / 8800?
• Are the trackballs the same as on the older models?
• Are they going to jam up and get dirty the way they currently do?

I support 30 users who are all addicted to their 8320s. The only common problem we have is that the trackballs get dirty and I have to clean / replace them every few months. That's not a big deal (BlackBerryTrackballs.com is a great site if you need one rushed to you) but I'm worried that they'll jam up on the Bold and I won't be able to replace them. If so its going to be a hassle going back and forth to AT&T trying to get warranty swaps....

[rposeidon]

Ya that is my whole thing as well. I had to totally get rid of my Curve because of problems with the trackball. I would love to get the 9000, but just won't be able to if the trackball is the same.

[tuscanphoneco]

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my 8320. At first the trackball thing was a MAJOR problem but once I realized how easy they are to replace it didn't slow me down anymore. Once you replace it the whole thing is as good as new!

It seriously couldn't be simpler, you just pop out the ring, take the old one out, drop a new one in and replace the clip. The only thing you have to be careful about is putting the ring and ball in in the right direction but the instructions I got with mine were really clear. Ive ordered from a bunch of sites online but BlackBerryTrackballs.com is the best. They are super-accommodating if you need it rushed to you and they made a deal w/ me because I ordered 25.... I'd definitely recommend them...

[JEGO82]

I think the trackball is a bit smaller. It looks like it can be removed, don't really know for sure and yes..it gets dirty, mine is getting black-er by the day :(

[jgudnas]

saw a BB disassembly video for the bold pre-release.. not sure where it is now, although i am sure someone on here can find it..

anyway, the trackball is removable, and uses the same design as prior models (8800, etc), but you have to completely disassemble the bb to get to the trackball, so no easy way to swap, unless you are comfortable with taking BB's apart (and have a torx 4 bit, or is it a 6..)

one thing i do notice is the bold wheel surround is chromed though, so if you put a standard 8800 wheel in, it might look a little funny..

[supergirl]

Will try that out...thanks

[rposeidon]

Well so much for me getting a Bold... I don't have the time nor patience to totally disassemble a BB just to swap a trackball out... I am seriously disappointed now!!!

[Shaun]

From what I have seen so far (8310 vs 9000), the Trackball on my Curve was smooth and small(er) amounts of dirt and debris would cause it to act funny. The Bold trackball has more "texture" to it, and is more reliable when it gets dirty or their is debris present. I also think the trackball on the Bold is more responsive in general, either from the texture, lens or software. Just my 2 pennies.

[akim911]

My bold trackball is soo black :(

[JvKintheUSA]

Originally Posted by akim911

My bold trackball is soo black :(

Buts is it still working like when it was new?

[BlitzSix]

Originally Posted by shaun27612

From what I have seen so far (8310 vs 9000), the Trackball on my Curve was smooth and small(er) amounts of dirt and debris would cause it to act funny. The Bold trackball has more "texture" to it, and is more reliable when it gets dirty or their is debris present. I also think the trackball on the Bold is more responsive in general, either from the texture, lens or software. Just my 2 pennies.

From my experience, in terms of texture and the actual trackball it seems exactly the same as my curve. It does not seem to have more texture.

I personally like the curve's trackball MUCH more. The bold's doesn't stick out nearly enough, it's almost flush with the phone so you can't scroll as quickly with it as you did with the curve. Very annoying when you are browsing etc. That's pretty much my old problem with the phone, but it's quite irritating. Luckily I don't browse much, but still..

[JG in SB]

I don't get it. I have had an 8800 for nearly 24 months and my trackball works fine, and is not black with dirt. I use it pretty heavily. Often times while eating (reading the news during lunch etc.) I have never made an effort to clean my trackball....not once. Why do so many people report this issue, but I am not seeing it?

[guinda35]

Originally Posted by JG in SB

I don't get it. I have had an 8800 for nearly 24 months and my trackball works fine, and is not black with dirt. I use it pretty heavily. Often times while eating (reading the news during lunch etc.) I have never made an effort to clean my trackball....not once. Why do so many people report this issue, but I am not seeing it?

Same-same with me and my 8800 trackball of 24 months. What's the deal with those guys? Was there a bad batch of 8800 trackballs or something?

[muck]

the bold is a lot easier to pull apart than previous models. everything comes out very easily.
6 screws and everything virtually pops out.

[richard371]

Still a bad design. I am always popping the ball out on 8800s and 8310s to clean them.

[TexasSOT]

My trackball works good but I just got it yesterday so i'll kepp a heads up. my Pearl although never did give me any problems either as I herd and saw form many others.