FAQ / Summary of best bets for Input (In this Thread)

**Un_discovered** · 12-20-2006, 10:57 PM

I have a Sony Ericsson Z800i, which supposedly does the same thing, but I can't seem to get it to work.
So you should probably try it and make sure it DOES work :P

**Bizarro** · 12-26-2006, 09:41 AM

Anyone try one of these for USB?
Smart Cat Touchpad

**Un_discovered** · 01-04-2007, 02:44 AM

Yeah, a few people have moulded touchpads into their centre consoles and what-not.
I'm sure if you look around you'll find a couple.

**Mastiff** · 01-04-2007, 02:48 AM

I have three of these in my car: http://www.ergonomictouchpad.com/ Basically the same functions, without the plastic frame and the special drivers, which makes them easier to integrate in the car.

**Bizarro** · 01-05-2007, 02:52 PM

I was thinking more of the
Smart Cat 4
Smart Cat Pro with 4 buttons and 4 programable hotlink "buttons". It looked like it might make one handed selecting menu items easier.

**Chairboy** · 07-06-2007, 08:37 AM

I've used a ShuttleXpress in my car for years. It's epoxied to the front of the cup holder that folds out on my center console, and does everything I need right now. The jog dial is proportional fast forward/reverse. The software is good, I was able to configure it to press the fast forward key 5 times a second when the jog dial was partway forward, 20 times a second when it was further, etc. In MediaEngine, this gives me very precise and poweful skipping in audio tracks. I can skip 5 seconds or to the end of the song with a flick of the wrist, it's great.

I use the center dial to scroll up and down songs, the buttons are Escape (for going up a level in ME), Previous track, Enter, Next Track, and the Browse button. I can control 99% of my carputer without touching the screen.

**bambam** · 08-03-2007, 06:14 AM

Originally Posted by Fred

Hi all,

in my opinion this device is the best input option for in-car use:

http://contourdesign.com/shuttlepro/...ombo_image.htm

You can program nearly any action on the buttons and the jogwheel and use it blind (which may not be the optimal way to drive a car, however

).

Totally agree with you. I am finishing up a custom "shell" for this and will be mounting it my car. The device is amazing and able to be "programmed" for whatever program is in focus. I don't use the touchscreen anymore.

**bambam** · 08-03-2007, 06:27 AM

I've got a few other devices from ebay that I love.

There are certain occasions when I need a keyboard so I bought one of these

and it works amazingly well and has a great range. I have the dongle on my carpc located in the rear hatch area and it works flawlessly.

I bought it off of Ebay here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWN:IT&ih=007

I also bought this touchpad mouse because of it's size

and it does work as advertised and looks awesome on my console. It blends right in and can hardly be seen. I bought it here and highly recommend it.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWN:IT&ih=018

Just my $0.02

**phillypharm** · 01-25-2008, 08:31 AM

anyone know if there's a program out there to use a pda as a touchpad for a pc? also if there's a program for an onscreen keyboard (ala iphone) for the pda that will let you input text on a pc? i think this would be ideal as it would leave a small footprint and key two birds with one stone