SpaceExplorer axes seem combined, can't control properly

Questions and answers about 3Dconnexion devices on Windows.

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styg
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Joined: Tue Jul 07, 2015 4:39 am

SpaceExplorer axes seem combined, can't control properly

Post by styg »

Hello!

I am a new 3D mouse user so I am not exactly sure if my unit is behaving normally or is actually malfunctioning. I recently bought a SpaceExplorer and have been trying to get the hang of it, but it just doesn't seem to respond correctly when I try to go in a single direction/axis. I have recalibrated and have tried 3DxWare64_v10-2-6_r1934, 3DxSoftware64_v3-18-0_r1786, and 3DxSoftware64_v3-16-3_r1447 to no avail.

I am using the forward/backward zoom direction option, no Dominant option. When I bring up the "feedback meter" in the Trainer app here is what I observe:

Sliding forward/backward: Pan U/D responds as well as an equal and opposite amount of Zoom.
Sliding left/right: Tilt responds the most, but also some Roll and Zoom.
Sliding up/down: Pan U/D responds the most, but also Zoom and Tilt.
Tilting about up/down axis: Roll responds the most.
Tilting about left/right axis: Seems 'dead' , but Tilt and Pan U/D seem to respond equally and randomly.
Tilting about forward/back axis: Tilt responds the most, but also Roll.

In general it just seems to be detecting other directions other than the one I want, making it impossible to use. Does anyone have any experience with this? Advice?
styg
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Joined: Tue Jul 07, 2015 4:39 am

Re: SpaceExplorer axes seem combined, can't control properly

Post by styg »

Also I am running Windows 8, 64 bit.
UtaSH
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Re: SpaceExplorer axes seem combined, can't control properly

Post by UtaSH »

Hi styg,

as you are new to the device I recommend to try the "Dominant" mode. Start the Viewer (from 3D Mouse Home) and see if the object moves in the direction that you want it to move.
Let me know what you find out.
styg
Posts: 5
Joined: Tue Jul 07, 2015 4:39 am

Re: SpaceExplorer axes seem combined, can't control properly

Post by styg »

I tried Dominant mode, but it didn't really help. The worst example is when I try to slide left and right, all it does is Tilt. I cannot get the object in Trainer or Viewer to simply slide left and right, no matter which direction I manipulate the cap in. Or when I twist the cap for the Spin direction, I mostly just get Roll.

I think my unit is defective :(
styg
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Re: SpaceExplorer axes seem combined, can't control properly

Post by styg »

UPDATE:

I got to try a new SpaceMouse Pro Wireless from a vendor, and it works much better than the SpaceExplorer I got off of eBay. Lesson learned: buy your sensitive electronics new and skip the hassle of eBay transactions :roll:
mtripp
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Joined: Tue Dec 17, 2019 1:31 pm

Re: SpaceExplorer axes seem combined, can't control properly

Post by mtripp »

I am having the same problem I am not new to using a 3D mouse. Installed the Space navigator today on windows 10, (64 Bit) and the Roll command is having issues it like the mouse is damaged. The meter in the training shows Pan U/D when I try to roll. Is this an issue with my computer or the mouse?
UtaSH
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Re: SpaceExplorer axes seem combined, can't control properly

Post by UtaSH »

Hi mtripp,

which application are you using? Do you have the same issue when you navigate in the 3Dconnexion Viewer?
mtripp
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Re: SpaceExplorer axes seem combined, can't control properly

Post by mtripp »

I am using Inventor 2019. But My issues also show in the 3D Connexion viewer. The training window for 3D Connexion is where I was able to see that the Roll left and Right seem to be not working properly. In the training you can turn on the feed back meter to see what functions are getting inputs. When I try to lightly roll left or right Pan U/D and Tilt both get way more input than the Roll. I have tried turning on the dominant setting but that made things worse. I have used a 3D mouse at my previous job for over 5 years so I don't think it is operator error. How do I tell if it is a bad mouse or a bad driver?
Note: I also just updated my computer to windows 10 (64 Bit) before I got the mouse so unfortunately I do not know if the mouse worked before that change.

Cheers,
Matt
UtaSH
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Re: SpaceExplorer axes seem combined, can't control properly

Post by UtaSH »

Sounds like a defective device. :(
When did you buy it? Is it still under warranty? note that the warranty does not apply to second hand bought devices (e.g. ebay) - it is only valid for the "original purchaser".
mtripp
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Re: SpaceExplorer axes seem combined, can't control properly

Post by mtripp »

I do not know when it was purchased. The company that I work for bought it. I will let my IT department know that they need to look into seeing if it is still under warranty.
Do you happen to know what the typical warranty is on these?

Cheers,
Matt
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Re: SpaceExplorer axes seem combined, can't control properly

Post by UtaSH »

See the link in my previous post for information about warranty for all our devices.
If it is a SpaceNavigator the warranty is 2 years.
luping
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Re: SpaceExplorer axes seem combined, can't control properly

Post by luping »

mtripp wrote: Wed Dec 18, 2019 7:00 am I do not know when it was purchased. The company that I work for bought it. I will let my IT department know that they need to look into seeing if it is still under warranty.
Do you happen to know what the typical warranty is on these?

Cheers,
Matt
Try WD-40 Specialist Electrical Contact Cleaner Spray to clean the SpaceNavigator.
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