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geekhack Community => Input Devices => Topic started by: burann on Tue, 01 February 2011, 07:21:21

Title: Pointing device to go with my HHKB ?
Post by: burann on Tue, 01 February 2011, 07:21:21: Hi,

I work +8 hours a day with computers and the last 20 years is taking out its toll, I start to feel pain in my wrists.

The first thing I did was get myself a real keyboard a HHKB Pro2 that have helped allot. The next thing to optimize is the mouse, currently using a "normal" cordless mouse from Logitech.

Ideal I would find something that fitted in-front of my keyboard so I could navigate with my thumbs, but it seems that at least the trackballs I found are to big or to "high".

So I have to reach out and ask the pro's , is there any trackballs that can fit in front of a HHKB pro 2 ?

Price is no concern.
Title: Pointing device to go with my HHKB ?
Post by: urlwolf on Tue, 01 February 2011, 16:58:35: I'd recommend a rollermouse, a filco trackpad or a trackpoint. No external trackpoints that I know of, and barely any mech keyboards, but you could get a desko (check reviews here) from didjamatic.
Title: Pointing device to go with my HHKB ?
Post by: sadbox on Wed, 02 February 2011, 08:02:18: I have had some mousing pains in the past and they have seemed to all but go away by switching to a trackball, but YMMV.
Title: Pointing device to go with my HHKB ?
Post by: Mazora on Wed, 02 February 2011, 08:30:37: urlwolf: whats the advantage of using a filco touchpad ? I find it quite expensive, just wondering !

Thx
Title: Pointing device to go with my HHKB ?
Post by: hasu on Wed, 02 February 2011, 10:47:07: How about mousekeys embeded in home position? I have lived with it for months and feel good.
On my HHKB with custom firmware I can move pointer by vi cursor(h,j,k,l), click by space.
You can probably do this with AHK script.

BTW, This is my DIY thumb trackpoint :)
I had used it for several days and then gave up. I found my thumb is not so clever.
(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=8213&stc=1&d=1267915779)
Title: Pointing device to go with my HHKB ?
Post by: urlwolf on Wed, 02 February 2011, 11:50:14: Quote from: Mazora;288761
urlwolf: whats the advantage of using a filco touchpad ? I find it quite expensive, just wondering !

Thx

Well, it's something you can place under your keyboard :). It's quite good quality. Maybe the magic apple thing is a better buy now, it's bigger... I dunno. I like the filco.
Title: Pointing device to go with my HHKB ?
Post by: ricercar on Thu, 03 February 2011, 17:14:19: TrackPoints and Trackpads are horrible for thumbs. They are designed for index fingers.
Title: Pointing device to go with my HHKB ?
Post by: theferenc on Sat, 05 February 2011, 12:33:04: I use a CST LTracX with my HHKB, though I use it immediately to the side, rather than under the keyboard.

I find that it's a very good combination for development purposes.

Also, welcome to geekhack!
Title: Pointing device to go with my HHKB ?
Post by: bionicroach on Sun, 06 February 2011, 14:08:07: Welcome to geekhack!

I'd second the RollerMouse recommendation. I've been extremely happy with mine. Particularly if cost is not a concern. (The only bad thing about them is they run around $219 new.)

http://ergo.contourdesign.com/products/rollermouse/default.aspx (http://ergo.contourdesign.com/products/rollermouse/default.aspx)

You can sometimes find used ones for a good price on ebay, and they do seem like they would last quite a while as long as they weren't abused / spilled on /etc, so I wouldn't be too worried about buying used.

If you contact Contour directly, they also offer a 30 day free trial (pre pay with credit card, refund if you don't like it). That way you're only out the shipping if it doesn't work out for you.
Title: Pointing device to go with my HHKB ?
Post by: lootbag on Sun, 06 February 2011, 17:58:49: Quote from: theferenc;290350
I use a CST LTracX with my HHKB, though I use it immediately to the side, rather than under the keyboard.

I find that it's a very good combination for development purposes.

Also, welcome to geekhack!

+1 here.
I use the L-Trac-X with all my keyboards.
It is particularly nice with the HHKB because my mouse and keyboard footprint become very small and compact!
Title: Pointing device to go with my HHKB ?
Post by: theferenc on Mon, 07 February 2011, 08:01:22: You would desecrate a Stickley chair? Good for your wife not letting you.

I love my computers and input devices, but...you gotta draw a line somewhere. Turns out mine is destroying a piece of Stickley.
Title: Pointing device to go with my HHKB ?
Post by: sadbox on Mon, 07 February 2011, 14:00:36: Quote from: lootbag;290938
+1 here.
I use the L-Trac-X with all my keyboards.
It is particularly nice with the HHKB because my mouse and keyboard footprint become very small and compact!

I use my L-Trac-X next to a Filco Tenkeyless. It's awesome at work to actually have space to the right of my keyboard and mouse to place a notepad.
Title: Pointing device to go with my HHKB ?
Post by: Surly73 on Tue, 15 February 2011, 11:38:05: It may not be well suited to the tiny HHKB, but if you're trying to solve real pain there are ideas like the roller mouse which moves mouse function to a long roller which is at the bottom of the KB:

(http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/images/rmpro2-690x450.jpg)

My only form of true RSI has been pain in my LMB knuckle which comes and goes. At the time my only option was to find something which moved left click to a thumb - this was hard to find. I ended up with a Kensington Expert Mouse to use when this knuckle flares up.
Title: Pointing device to go with my HHKB ?
Post by: Carefoot on Wed, 02 March 2011, 00:04:48: Quote from: ripster;290951
I've got two of the CST trackballs. If my wife would let me I'd embed it into a Stickley Mission chair and plug into my netbook.

Looks huge next to the HHKB [strike]Killer[/strike] "Alternative".
Show Image
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5219/5416283617_e269a2322a_z.jpg)

Is there any tutorial on setting up a PC like that, because it looks kind of neat and tidy I like it.

Quote from: urlwolf;288836
Well, it's something you can place under your keyboard :). It's quite good quality. Maybe the magic apple thing is a better buy now, it's bigger... I dunno. I like the filco.

I can't find any video of the filco touchpad and I am very interested in one but because I loved the build quality of my Filco ten keys less (which I ultimately sold in Korea to a pro gamer by the name of Oak)...

I found it for sale here http://leopold.co.kr/?doc=cart/item.php&it_id=1249275844 but still I lack any video of it, I want to try it badly >.>
Title: Pointing device to go with my HHKB ?
Post by: Brodie337 on Wed, 02 March 2011, 03:51:46: Quote from: Carefoot;303249
Is there any tutorial on setting up a PC like that, because it looks kind of neat and tidy I like it.

If you're referring to the caseless PC, google around for "Tech Benches" and see what you come up with.
Title: Pointing device to go with my HHKB ?
Post by: Carefoot on Wed, 02 March 2011, 20:01:03: Quote from: Brodie337;303305
If you're referring to the caseless PC, google around for "Tech Benches" and see what you come up with.

I see. Thanks :)

Reminds me I have another mobo in my closet I can do something with.