Inside the space navigator - Page 2

guizai · 03-14-2007, 11:49 PM

I've got mine working as a mouse. Check out the development threads. inh has a direct link to that post. As a mouse it's pretty hard to use cause it's very sensitive to inputs. Push it to the side and the pointer is off the screen.

MobiTekLink · 03-15-2007, 03:06 PM

Hmmm,,, that sucks... Do you know any device that would serve me better? I just need a fancy mouse type trackball thingie for a car. I've looked at the powermate, some trackballs, but I cant find anyone that wants a simple mouse type device. THis things looks awesome but unfortunately you say it sucks as a mouse.

turbocad6 · 03-15-2007, 04:49 PM

I'm using it as a mouse & it's not bad really... one big problem I see with the navigator is it is impossible to use one axis without "acidently" moving another... some guys are dreaming of using each & every axis for indevidual things but in my opinion it's just not possible, but as a mouse & twist for page up/down, it does the job nicely... the software I'm using is configurable so you can adjust it to be quite usable I think.... I use it every day as a mouse & it's decent...

MobiTekLink · 03-15-2007, 08:12 PM

Yeah, Im looking to modify my software as well to do that.
I recently drove the Audi A8L (W12, haha!) and it's MMC system is awesome, it has 4 buttons around the turn-knob and you push to choose. The 4 buttons are for choosing functions like audio, navi, sat radio, and settings (??)
This would be what I would want in the end,, its simplicity was extraordinary.
I think Im gonna concentrate on something similar.

turbocad6 · 03-15-2007, 08:54 PM

he he, that's kinda what I have in mind too, I've been playing with a lot of OEM systems & learning from there erogonomics....

you wanna see sick, I was playing with an 04 rolls Royce silver spur the other day.... now that's a sleek system... when I first sat in the car I was like "what, no navigation even?" cause you don't see anything... at first..

theres a little chrome knob that you press & the whole center wood bezel with a clock in it rotates to reveal the screen.... then I'm like, "well is it touchscreen? how do you control it?" well theres yet another button & out of the center console comes a knob.... sick system... I like stuff like that for inspiration

A central control center that can do a lot, but all be by feel alone & look aesthetically pleasing & look high end rather than thrown in tacky...

I've used a lot of different things for my central control's through several installs, I've always got the ergonomics down, but the cosmetics are another issue... a mouse & a shuttle isn't exactly elegant & high end looking, no matter how you finish it off

....

I'd say get the navigator, it won't disapoint & is cheap enough that you gotta at least play with it

turbocad6 · 03-15-2007, 09:05 PM

the "universal" software here is what I use... I've noticed he's updated it recently, so the few minor shortcomings may be no longer there even. overall this is a nice piece to play with....

MobiTekLink · 03-15-2007, 10:14 PM

I know that RR's system,,, the Audi's is similar that it has a button to flip the screen around and reveal the screen.
Im more into touchscreens but I think this could work out for some installations that can't be used as touchscreens.
I ordered mine from Amazon and I'll be getting my grubby hands on it LOL

turbocad6 · 03-15-2007, 11:13 PM

I had an A8L in recently too, but it was an older one maybe... the screen popped up & out with a lot of chrome trim... looked pretty slick, popped out on ign & retracted when ign off.. think it was an 04, haven't had a new one yet...

I want touchscreen & controls... I've never been able to live with just the touchscreen as an only interface... way to frustraiting for me, I gotta have a mouse at least.. & hot keys, & ideally an easy access convienient keyboard too, but I still like to be able to just poke something sometimes

I think your going to like the navigator & use it all over, it's become my favorite so far... I want to get one of the haptic controllers & modify it to do x & y axis too... that will eventually be the "ultimate" controller, but is still lacking in software development so far, & then I'd still have to do my custom mods to it... wish I knew how to write software, but for now the navigator is cool... gonna get the haptic & start to play with it too...

guizai · 03-16-2007, 01:44 AM

yeah the navigator is nice to have, no look , no reach to the touchscreen. I thought the feel of it would be nicer in terms of x/y movements but it's still good. Just wish I could change the lights to orange.

Defiler · 03-16-2007, 07:20 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by guizai

yeah the navigator is nice to have, no look , no reach to the touchscreen. I thought the feel of it would be nicer in terms of x/y movements but it's still good. Just wish I could change the lights to orange.

Oh, I'm sure you can. I have the same thoughts on the color orange. Someone will do it and post about it I'm sure.

MobiTekLink · 03-17-2007, 02:21 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by turbocad6

I had an A8L in recently too, but it was an older one maybe... the screen popped up & out with a lot of chrome trim... looked pretty slick, popped out on ign & retracted when ign off.. think it was an 04, haven't had a new one yet...

I want touchscreen & controls... I've never been able to live with just the touchscreen as an only interface... way to frustraiting for me, I gotta have a mouse at least.. & hot keys, & ideally an easy access convienient keyboard too, but I still like to be able to just poke something sometimes

I think your going to like the navigator & use it all over, it's become my favorite so far... I want to get one of the haptic controllers & modify it to do x & y axis too... that will eventually be the "ultimate" controller, but is still lacking in software development so far, & then I'd still have to do my custom mods to it... wish I knew how to write software, but for now the navigator is cool... gonna get the haptic & start to play with it too...

Froogled haptic and couldnt find it... You have a link??

I rarely get out to windows anymore, If I do I use my Scorpius P-20 keyboard and that has all I need with my touchscreen.
Im looking forward to ******* with the Space Navigator,, should be home by Tuesday.. haah..

guizai · 03-17-2007, 11:52 PM

Turbo6 is talking about this product:
http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=95509

available in the mp3car store.

MobiTekLink · 03-18-2007, 06:20 PM

Oh yeah,,, haha... I read that post. Seems kinda cool if turbo can find a good knob for it ...

MrJamieR · 03-18-2007, 11:01 PM

I have had a chance to play with the controller in both the A6 & the Q7. I thought they were both very slick and great to use. The exception is entering a location for the Sat Nav. It's just too slow without a keyboard.

The Audi uses the letters arranged in a circle. A letter is secreted by rotating the knob to the required letter & then pressing down on the knob. After each selection only valid letters remain available. So it does get quicker as you go but it's slooooow.

The feel of all their controls is still the best. I don't know how they do it but everything feels (and for that matter sounds) exactly as it should

MobiTekLink · 03-19-2007, 09:12 AM

I did hate the Navi, but I kinda hate all OEM navi solutions; maybe Im too used to iG.
I did like the fact that you can still use the thing while you drive, unlike the MB and others; I was using the navi while driving at a 100mph