Video summary
A Japanese first-impressions stream, recorded as the reviewer opened a newly arrived EM01. He introduces ProtoArc as a brand formed in 2021 by a manufacturer that had spent years building OEM peripherals, then places the EM01 beside a Logitech MX Ergo and an M575 for a direct comparison.
His observations: the shape, tilt angle and palm profile are very close to the MX Ergo, with the seams and thumb-side edge finished slightly differently. The body is plastic rather than rubber-coated, the main switches are a quiet type, and there is no tilt wheel - the wheel is instead wider and thicker, which he rates highly for feel. DPI steps are higher than he expected, around 1600 at the upper end, and the three connection channels plus USB-C charging are conveniences the older Logitech models do not offer.
The ball rolls noticeably more smoothly than on an M575, which he calls the strongest part of the mouse, and the price landed around 7,000 yen including shipping from overseas. His verdict: a very good trackball and easy to recommend, especially to anyone who likes the MX Ergo shape but wants current connectivity; his only complaints are that it copies the Logitech design closely and that the default sensitivity is high.
See the current EM01 NL Trackball Ergonomic Mouse, or browse our trackball mice collection.
