Track stick cap life expectancy

[Guest]

[Stuart]

After a few months, my first track stick cap is about worn out.  It's been years since I've used a track stick, and I never wore one out, mainly because I couldn't stand them and didn't use them much.  I've found the one on the O2 to be very easy to use, mostly I think because I use my the thumb and not a finger.

I ordered a three pack of spares when I got the O2 thinking that would last me forever based on previous experience.  Now I'm wondering how many a year I'll go through.

How often do you replace the track stick cap on your OQO?

[sandydlc]

I've only had my OQO since last December, but my track stick cap is still doing fine.  I think it really depends on how much you use your OQO, and when you use it, how often you use the track stick over the pen.

And how rough your hands are...

[Flyingsolo]

Never had a Thinkpad trackpoint cap wear out on me in years of use- quality difference?

In passing, if you need to clean the track stick cap (as when, like me, you are dumb enough to turn it snow white by rubbing a screen wipe over the keyboard ), a little piece of fresh BlueTack or the generic equivalent rolled over the cap will remove fibres and grime.

[9a6or]

I've increased its sensitivity a bit so it takes less force to use it. This should prolong its lifetime.

[Stuart]

I actually lowered the sensitivity so I'd have more control.  Maybe that's part of why it's wearing out faster.

[9a6or]

Talking of the trackstick cap, mine was off centre in its hole so I'v had to offset it (by less than half a millimeter) by inserting a carefully sized piece of rubber strip along two neighbouring sides of its square hole. A high precision job so not for the faint at heart but I didn't want to return the OQO just for this. I'm cursed by my perfectionism...

[hxpii]

Is there an easy way to replace the cap? Mine is bald but still functions. I just don't want to try to take apart the device and get into trouble. Cheers. 

[9a6or]

hxpii,

With long enough nails just grab the cap as deep as you can and lift off. Wiggle a bit if it won't budge. I think use of tweezers is recommended somewhere in docs but that might scratch the cover plate.

[sandydlc]

Is there an easy way to replace the cap? Mine is bald but still functions. I just don't want to try to take apart the device and get into trouble. Cheers. 

It's actually easy to remove.  Just make sure that you save the little plastic connector that the cap attaches to!!  You should be able to pry it off with your fingers, but I think I did use some tweezers that grip and lock and that pulled it up.  Try fingers first!

[j0]

I have mine set on high sensitivity.  And it wore out after only a week.  I'm not going to replacing it every week, so I just used it in the worn out shape.

[9a6or]

...Just make sure that you save the little plastic connector that the cap attaches to!! ...

Sandy, I don't have a plastic connector. What is its function? My cap is sitting on top of a black metal bit with a square cross-section and a little hole in the middle. Don't take it off just to check though.

[sandydlc]

...Just make sure that you save the little plastic connector that the cap attaches to!! ...

Sandy, I don't have a plastic connector. What is its function? My cap is sitting on top of a black metal bit with a square cross-section and a little hole in the middle. Don't take it off just to check though.

Oh, I suppose it could be metal.     It's been a few months since I've seen one.  When I bought my husband's used OQO, the track stick was completely worn down and I gave him my spare.  We took it off and almost discarded the piece underneath that connects to the OQO.

[stuartguthrie]

I have mine set on high sensitivity.  And it wore out after only a week.  I'm not going to replacing it every week, so I just used it in the worn out shape.

Yeah, I tend to wear mine out after about a week too, but I only replace it once a month otherwise it gets a bit too expensive having to buy new caps all the time. I wonder whether hand moisture also has something to do with it.

Stu

[sandydlc]

Seriously - that's strange!  My hands are very soft and not sweaty, so I guess that helps, but I wonder if it also matters how you use it and how often.