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geekhack Community => Input Devices => Topic started by: Chloe on Sat, 13 December 2008, 17:36:05

Title: 3DConnexion SpaceNavigator
Post by: Chloe on Sat, 13 December 2008, 17:36:05

I really like the look of this thing:
http://www.3dconnexion.com/

Title: 3DConnexion SpaceNavigator
Post by: lowpoly on Sat, 13 December 2008, 17:44:27

I have one since last week. It's quite heavy which is necessary for pulling up. You use it with your left hand so you can use that and the mouse at the same time.

Also works with Google Earth and Virtual Earth.

Title: 3DConnexion SpaceNavigator
Post by: lowpoly on Sat, 13 December 2008, 17:45:26

Now the only thing I need is that Griffin volume thing.

Title: 3DConnexion SpaceNavigator
Post by: Chloe on Sat, 13 December 2008, 18:02:55

It looks (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=4rPdU0xpQSM) quite small, I don't really use any 3D apps though. Maybe with AutoHotkey it could be useful to me. I have desk room for something else on the left.

Title: 3DConnexion SpaceNavigator
Post by: wellington1869 on Sat, 13 December 2008, 18:11:58

would be any use with non-3d apps?

Title: 3DConnexion SpaceNavigator
Post by: Chloe on Sat, 13 December 2008, 18:23:58

It looks like it comes with some mapping software:
http://www.kbdmania.net/board/icon/member_image_box/4878/app.jpg

Title: 3DConnexion SpaceNavigator
Post by: Chloe on Sat, 13 December 2008, 19:12:14

Does it come with its own mapping software? I saw this but it looks like the OS:
http://www.kbdmania.net/board/icon/member_image_box/4878/app.jpg

Title: 3DConnexion SpaceNavigator
Post by: D-EJ915 on Sat, 13 December 2008, 22:13:18

that one sucks ass imo, although I'm used to the old spaceballs so I'm probably biased.  You weren't able to use them as a sort of mouse-like controller before which would be the bomb and a trackpoint-of-god sort of thing but alas...

Title: 3DConnexion SpaceNavigator
Post by: lowpoly on Sun, 14 December 2008, 13:56:19

I had a SpaceMouse for many years and IIRC that one could be used as a mouse. Back then I tried it and didn't like it. May have been the driver or I wasn't ready for it. The SpaceMouse is the same thing in a bigger case with more buttons.

Didn't find the mouse option with the new controller software.

Title: 3DConnexion SpaceNavigator
Post by: lowpoly on Mon, 15 December 2008, 08:06:44

I think you can use it as mouse or joystick:

http://www.3dconnexion.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1059#1059

Title: 3DConnexion SpaceNavigator
Post by: FunkTrooper on Tue, 16 December 2008, 18:50:15

i'm not liking the whole licensing bit, as shown on this page. http://www.3dconnexion.com/3dmouse/spacenavigator.php
looks like you need a license just to use the thing. that really sucks. i'd steer well clear of it. i would really fear what sort of horrible, closed-source, badly written drivers are required to make it work.

Title: 3DConnexion SpaceNavigator
Post by: Chloe on Tue, 16 December 2008, 21:17:59

I don't like the idea of a license either. I don't see why a HID needs one.

Title: 3DConnexion SpaceNavigator
Post by: lowpoly on Sat, 20 December 2008, 17:35:11

The license is needed for the software driver if you use it commercially. For private use you buy the cheaper personal edition (which you could upgrade for $40 to commercial).

That's fairly common with shareware too.

It doesn't use the HID driver.

Title: 3DConnexion SpaceNavigator
Post by: hotswank on Thu, 05 March 2009, 10:53:23

Quote from: lowpoly;14869

I think you can use it as mouse or joystick:

http://www.3dconnexion.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1059#1059

Have you tried it as a Steering wheel in race games like Need for Speed, Colin McRae Dirt, Race Driver, GTR etc.?