Anyone use/like the trackball?

LowMileLude · 08-04-2004, 06:57 PM

I'm thinking about getting one of these:

http://www.kensington.com/html/2200.html

Mold it into my center console or hide it away when it's not in use...

That, along with a mini keyboard should handle anything I need right?

GruvThang · 08-04-2004, 07:30 PM

that thing is HUGE!

Yuriy · 08-05-2004, 04:38 AM

It's not huge, but it's damn expensive!
I used a trackball before, it cost me $8 at Office Depot.
I don't think you'll be using your mouse a lot while driving.
Me - I switched to numeric keypad for controlling the cursor - very convenient once you're used to it.
My car doesn't have a mouse(or similar device) in it anymore.

MatrixPC · 08-05-2004, 10:14 AM

I have a trackball mouse but not that big and definitely not that expensive.
Bought it for 10 bucks at local computer fleemarket.

Small enought to put in an ashtray/trashpin. Since I drive stickshift/manual, that is very handy.

[EDIT] It called "Finger" mouse instead of trackball mouse[/EDIT]

LowMileLude · 08-05-2004, 10:29 AM

Yeah, I know it's expensive. I like the look of it I could probably find a cheaper one w/ similar build/look.

I use a key pad all day at work

Is that enough to do imputs for windows/winamp?

Yuriy, I just checked out your build, nice AND cheap

I started adding everything up and I'm like... aw damn this is gonna be more and more money.

god_of_cpu · 08-05-2004, 10:51 AM

It seems expensive, but then again, its relatively cheap compared to how much your insurance premiums going to go up after you get into an accident while using that thing while driving.

If all your doing is controlling winamp, what can you do with a trackball that you can't do with a remote control / keypad?

Yuriy · 08-05-2004, 11:12 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by LowMileLude

Yeah, I know it's expensive. I like the look of it I could probably find a cheaper one w/ similar build/look.

I use a key pad all day at work

Is that enough to do imputs for windows/winamp?

Yuriy, I just checked out your build, nice AND cheap

I started adding everything up and I'm like... aw damn this is gonna be more and more money.

Thanks

Yeah, numeric keypad is more than enough to control WinAmp and emulate mouse at the same time (by pressing num lock to switch modes). Or better yet - get a remote! Get a cheapo one that comes with an IR receiver and then you'll be able to use any remote with your carputer.
I used to use numeric keypad only, to control WinAmp and mouse, now I use remote to control WinAmp and keypad to emulate the mouse (remote can do that too, but not as smooth).

wi77iam · 08-05-2004, 11:37 AM

Those big trackballs like the Kensington are usually just sitting in that depression where they roll around and are not restrained by anything. If you flip it over, the ball falls out. I can see you slamming on the brakes and that ball starts flying around inside your car.

LowMileLude · 08-05-2004, 11:48 AM

As long as my songs are all in one list I can use my steering wheel controls (if I understand, correctly, how the guys did Aux-in hack on my car) so I would just need the trackball to select lists and to help do my navigation.

They have a cheaper model that would work too.
http://www.kensington.com/html/4771.html

wi77iam... good point. I woulda been ticked off if I bought it just to find out... it wouldn't stay put in my car.

I still like that belkin Nostromo N50 SpeedPad
http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/input-devices/30603-belkin-nostromo-n50-speedpad.html

I don't know if I could hack it in such a way that I could use it like a keyboard/mouse though. I'd also see if I can swap it over to right hand...