Hello,
We had a client here yesterday who had a 3d mouse. The boss said it looked like it would be helpful for me and I should get some info. I'm looking at the SpaceNavigator. Is that a good choice for the money?
Hello,
We had a client here yesterday who had a 3d mouse. The boss said it looked like it would be helpful for me and I should get some info. I'm looking at the SpaceNavigator. Is that a good choice for the money?
I've got a SpaceExplorer, and I love the thing. I don't use it as often as I should, but when I do it really comes in handy. I tend to use it only for rotation and the mouse wheel for zooming, but I'm trying to work out of that habit. 3DConnexion will send you a trial one that you can use for a couple weeks. That's what I did, then I just bought the trial one from them at a discount
They're not going to spend that much money, but thanks for replying.
I have one, the SpaceNavigator. It bogs my system down a lot, and my workstation isn't exactly "lacking power". I also tested a SpacePilot for a month and had the same performace issues. They are nifty, but seem to be too much "show" and not enough "go" for me at least...so it sits in it's box (plug it in and everything slow down too much).
I have 3 of them and love to use them I have the larger Space Explorer and the Space Navigator and the older Space Explorer. I would not buy the more expensive unit at all,I hardly use the extra programing buttons and they are kind of hard to get used to. I use it primarily to zoom in and out and rotate the model. I use it both in Solidworks and Inventor and have a hard time if I am using a computer that does not have one. I think it does increase your productivity but some may not agree.
I did have some issues with it turning off dynamic highlight in Solidworks and they did send me a software fix for that. Just do a search for 3D Connexion & Dynamic Highlight and you will find it. But once you disable the dynamic highlight from turning off it may affect your display during rotation and zooming if you have a lower end video card you will notice it more.
I've noticed the same dynamic highlight bug. Annoying, but I also haven't looked for the fix yet
Here is the link to the fix. I posted it a while back.
sweet, thanks. Just ran it. Hopefully it fixes it
I use my SpacePilot a lot! When I sit down at a different machine, I find myself reaching for it many times. I prefer the SpacePilot not so much for the buttons as I use mostly hotkeys, but for the fact that it doesn't walk around on the desk. It also has a much better feel to me.
WT
Thanks Wayne, but I can just imagine the stunned looks followed by uncontrollable laughter if I asked for a $400 mouse.
Check out eBay or send me an email.
WT
I personally can't stand the things. I've tried a couple and never seem to find them useful. I don't typically do much 3d sketching, meaning I'm usually trying to get my view to a Normal to a face or plane position. Using a 3d mouse to attempt to get the part in a normal position is not easy for me, two clicks with a mouse and I'm there. I don't need the extra buttons. Like Wayne I use hotkeys, so the extra buttons don't do me any good. I think as a presentation tool, they are very useful. Your boss can grab the thing and spin the model around and zoom in and out as he/she cares too. But as a day to day tool I find the mouse to be just as functional or even more so, for rotating the model, zooming, and generally maneuvering around the model.
I have the Space Explorer. I can't live without it now that I've used it for a little over a year. I end up traveling with it and taking it home on weekends.
Philip,
1 click and I get a normal view to the face I need, if it is the regular top, left, right, front plane. 2 clicks without moving my hands if it is a view normal to an odd face that I need. You can also set the any button on the thing to a function of the keyboard. So if you don't use the Alt button very often you can reuse it to something you do use. I also love the 2D function for panning in sketches.
I was never a hot key user before I had this so that's probably why I don't have problems with shifting my left hand back and forth between the keyboard and 3d mouse. I just leave it on the mouse.
I have 2 space pilots. 1 explorer , and just caught a space pilot pro. I am lost without them. I bought them all on ebay. The space pilot I got for $100.00 The space pilot pro was new and I bought it for $275
I have a Space Pilot Pro. It makes a good desk ornament; they are quite attractive and a good conversation piece.
There aren't many folks in the middle on this topic. I use a Space Pilot and would struggle without it. The other three guys in the department won't use it at all. I think the key is to get the sensitivity dialed in right from the start, and give yourself a little time to get used to it.
Philip Blair wrote:
I think as a presentation tool, they are very useful. Your boss can grab the thing and spin the model around and zoom in and out as he/she cares too.
I've never seen anyone walk up to a 3D mouse that wasn't accustomed to one and have the model move as he/she wants it to. Most often it's "Oh, that's different." Just stand by the 3DConnexxion booth at SW World for awhile and you'll see what I mean!
It's kind of fun to show someone what it does by going to model locatinos effortlessly. Then let them take a turn and what usually happens is that the model flies off the screen. No, here, watch - effortlessly. I know, small things in life can be humorous. :-)
But seriously, I use mine a lot of the time and you would have to shoot me to get it away from me.
WT
Steve,
Where did you get your SpacePilot Pro (new) for $275?
I have one SpacePilot now and am really intneresred to get the pro version with that price, $275
Thx
Ebay. Made offer on a buy it now. they execpted it
I haven't been in eBay for a while - just checked it out - Not aware of the price going down a bit recently - few months ago it's in the range of $350 +
Thx anyway, steve
Chris
Maybe you could sell yours to Chris above.
Thanks Wayne, but I work for a state agency; I hate to think about the paperwork it would take to get something from eBay.
look at the buy it nows that have multiple available and make a offer. It took 3 tries to get that price
I have one (I forget the name but the hockey puck looking one) and to be perfectly honest I'm iffy on it. I only use it on occasion, mostly one assemblies where the physical size makes it a pain with the mouse. I've played with the settings but I just cant get it where I like it. It's always either too fast or too slow. I also don't like that when i use it I end up physically moving or rotating it, it's just too small... I think one of the larger ones that you rest your wrist on would be much better.
I think I'm probably in the minority on this.