Handheld thumb trackball

**Rockhammer** · 02-06-2008, 04:27 PM

Anyone else using one of these?

http://www.amazon.com/USB-Type-Finge.../dp/B000I97FAQ

I've been doing the car PC thing for several years and I've tried several different input devices and I just keep coming back to this one.

I know everyone else likes touchscreens, but really think of all the disadvantages:

Increased glare
Reduced brightness (~50%)
Calibration and recalibration
Questionable reliability (hardware and drivers)
Poor control for fine operations
Hand hides what you are trying to control
Constantly cleaning finger smudges off the screen
Having to route another cable to dash
Increased cost

Now I will admit, I haven't tried any of the newer touch screens, but my early generation Lilliput really put me off.

**muldrick** · 02-06-2008, 08:08 PM

I used one of those for a while. It was ok. Couldn't beat the price, and recently saw them at Walmart for like 4 bucks or so.

I then switched to this Targus

**Rockhammer** · 02-06-2008, 11:29 PM

Nice. Too bad its not bluetooth for that price.

**Enforcer** · 02-06-2008, 11:35 PM

Originally Posted by Rockhammer

Anyone else using one of these?

http://www.amazon.com/USB-Type-Finge.../dp/B000I97FAQ

Be using one for years (well the PS/2 version anyway.

And the 'cloaked' version

**Rockhammer** · 02-07-2008, 10:14 AM

nice. best use of an ashtray I've ever seen. So I'm guessing you leave it in there and have remapped the default mouse 1 to the default mouse 2? Cause I don't see how you can reach the finger-trigger button.

btw, you are lucky to have a ps2 version. The more crap connected to usb the slower the boot.

**Enforcer** · 02-07-2008, 11:12 AM

It's quite cool, because you press the top of the ashtray and the lid sort of slides and turns to the right on a little spring thing.

I have switched the axis upside down because , well the mouse is in upside down, but have not switced the buttons so they are still reveresed, but I hav e got used to it. I did have them the right way around , but found sometimes windows 'forgot' that setting and reverted back to normal.

I did intend (read still do) to mould it so the curves and the back bit with the whole are gone, but have never got around to it, and it's been there over three years.

**Rockhammer** · 02-07-2008, 04:59 PM

I really like that. Hidden when not in use, no visible wires and it's not going to get lost under the seat or fly around in a turn. I really would think about casting a custom housing for it though. That would definitely be the finishing touch..

**MatrixPC** · 02-08-2008, 10:47 AM

Originally Posted by Enforcer

Be using one for years (well the PS/2 version anyway.

I had 2 and been using them for years too. Really like it. Got it for 10 bucks each for USB and $8 for PS/2.

**TheLandYacht** · 02-09-2008, 03:22 PM

Been usin something called a "phaser" by IOGEAR for a couple years now.
http://www.iogear.com/main.php?loc=product&Item=GME322R

The batteries (2 AAA) tend to last for about 2 months with EXTENSIVE use.