Using odd mice for CAD - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2022, 01:08:08 am
content: It's always an adventure and based on personal preference, I know.Anyone use thishttps://www.logitech.com/en-ca/products/mice/mx-vertical-ergonomic-mouse.910-005447.htmlfor PCB? I tried it in the store and it's a comfortable feeling but I wonder what it's like after a few hours of PCB?

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2022, 01:36:40 am
content: A coworker swears by this mouse for years and applied to everything including PCB, etc. I haven't used it, so I can't comment.

author: Doctorandus_P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2022, 04:35:42 am
content: As far as I know logitech, they will make this horribly expensive.If you try this for a while, then just take some EUR 5 junk mouse, remove the screw in the bottom and then glue the top bit on it at a 57 degree angle. Getting the electronics in the mouse to work with that will be a bit finicky though.A possible problem with this is that the critter may have a tendency to move sideways when you attempt to depress a button.I've seen some nice assymetrical designs, but as I'm a lefty I'll never buy one. Some 30 years ago I had a beginning RSI problem and I fixed that by placing the critter on the right side of my keyboard for some time. Quite some time later (I think over a year) I moved the mouse to the left side again because I have a faster and more accurate control over it with my left hand. RSI in my left hand never returned so I just kept it that way from then on.

author: beanflying
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2022, 04:50:47 am
content: Quote from: Doctorandus_P on July 05, 2022, 04:35:42 amInteresting as a fellow lefty I have always used a right hand mouse and just lived with it.I purchased last year a 3Dconnexion mouse for CAD and it lives on the Left side. Took a chunk of time to get the left hand driving it properly but now it works well and saves time. Ergonomically it is a little average in my 10"+ plus span hands. Still well worth the $ for CAD if your package will support it.Likewise my current cheapy Logitech mouse is undersized so it is more finger driven with the palm well off the top resting on the desk. So interested if anyone has tried this vertical one or similar.

author: Doctorandus_P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2022, 08:27:15 am
content: I was developing RSI some 30 years ago.This prompted me to switch my mouse to my other hand for at least half a year or so.After that I never bought an asymmetrical mouse, and as I'm also a lefty by nature those generally don't work well for me anyways.

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2022, 09:20:16 am
content: My first impression is that the label, "ergonomic" is at lot more marketing than real. When at rest at a table, my hands are generally flat. That is, the palm is not near vertical.Second, there is debate about advantages the non-dominant hand/limb (NDL) may have over the dominant limb (DL). I am also a lefty. During my training, it was said that the NDL is better at some fine movements when proprioception is important, such as changing a radio dial without looking at it. Of course, if you are driving an American car, the radio is usually on the right, so experience may be a factor too. I do find it awkward to use my left hand for that. When adjusting an oscilloscope or other instrument, I use my right hand in preference. A notable example of a right handed person using his left is Phil Mickelson. He is a well known American golfer who is right handed, but plays golf with left-handed clubs.From my very first experience with a mouse, I used my right hand (NDL). It just seemed natural to use my index finger to "point." Isn't that what an index finger is for? It also allows me to take notes, etc. with my left (DL) while controlling the mouse at the same time.

author: ebclr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2022, 11:13:37 am
content: I was a loyal customer of Logitech, But I was tired of the Logitech low-quality microswitch, that in a few months started to create "double clicks", besides strong support from Logitech who replaces the unit but just to recycle the problem and a few months later the double clicks come back, I want something that works for longer and I tried the Razer Deathadder with the optical microswitch technology, And I'm very happy until now no double click at all, and I'm already 3 times longer than Logitech regarding double click. The unique negative issue I see on razor, is the accompanying software that is a total trash, take a lot of resources and does nothing, It's better to not install that crap software and you will be happy.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2022, 12:46:44 pm
content: Quote from: ebclr on September 05, 2022, 11:13:37 amyeah, Logitech made a part procurement mistake for that microswitch. They didn't realize until it had propagated through a lot of products. It was an easy mistake to make though. From memory it was the china manufactured version instead of the japan manufactured version of the same part number.The china version just couldn't handle such low currents. You can fix them by changing the pullups to increase current or by changing the switch to the Japan version. (or other compatible switch)

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2022, 12:50:39 pm
content: I can recommend a 3Dconnexion spacemouse if you do a lot of CAD.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2022, 08:15:55 pm
content: Quote from: Psi on September 05, 2022, 12:50:39 pmAs I understand it, its for 3D rotations and movement. How useful is it for the 2D movement we do, or layer switching?

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2022, 08:42:36 pm
content: Quote from: tszaboo on September 05, 2022, 08:15:55 pmcorrect, it doesn't replace your pointing mouse, it's only for rotations/movement.but does mean you're switching between your mouse and your space mouse. That helps to break up RSI movement on a single device all day.

author: John B
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2022, 11:37:14 pm
content: I've gone from a G602 gaming mouse, to and MX master 2, then now MX master 3, each time the angle of the palm has increased from a flat position.Honestly I think the gaming mouse was the most comfortable, and I would have stuck with it except for the fact referenced above that both the middle mouse button microswitch and the scroll wheel went faulty and either one would have no press registered, double button presses registered, or random extra scroll.I find the flatter position is the most logical for fine finger movements. I think the elevated palm mice cause more tension in my wrists.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2022, 11:55:54 am
content: Another 'out there' option is to have 5 mice on your PC of different shapes and then swap between them every few hours if your hand starts to feel stiff or tired. But its more a preventative measure, once you get bad RSI its hard to undo it.If all you want is a mouse that is comfortable for all day use, that is entirely something you have to find yourself.Go to a really big computer store where they have lots of mice on display so you can hold them all.

author: klr5205
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2022, 12:12:34 pm
content: Quote from: Psi on September 05, 2022, 08:42:36 pmLike beanflying I also use my 3DConnexion mouse on the left side in conjunction with my mouse on the right. One thing I appreciate is that in addition to making models easier to flip around and explore, the two buttons are customizable on almost a per-window basis. So they can do different things when in the Inventor Assembly environment vs the Drawing environment etc.For 2D, they're not quite as useful, though I do still find myself using it for panning around with precision, and I have Zoom views set to one of the buttons. I do like using it to pan the drawing underneath an editing window (text, iProperties, etc...) so you can easily see your changes without having to close the window.