Wireless SpaceNavigator :)

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Hypersonic
Posts: 265
Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2010 5:58 pm

Re: Wireless SpaceNavigator :)

Post by Hypersonic »

Hi UtaSH!

I have an Android phone, I believe all Android devices have micro-usb receptacles.

Ya, I forgot about the demo that was written for Android last year
viewtopic.php?f=22&t=5339
From the point of view of the host this is simply a USB device, the fact that it gets data wirelessly is in-consequential to the host.

The Java demo I believe uses the Android Java USB API, which in turn utilizes the Linux USB Driver. However, I don't think Java applications can share data, and even if they could it would be a hassle to have a driver app open all the time.

At it's core Android is Linux
http://unix.stackexchange.com/questions ... l-as-linux
And 3D Connexion does support Linux
viewforum.php?f=22

If 3DConnexion could integrate their Linux driver into Android's driver base that would simply rock! Since the Linux driver is already written it shouldn't be much work. A Java API could be written to expose it to the apps. I'm sure Google would go for it, I'm sure they'd love to manipulate Google Earth with a 3DMouse on Android smartphones and tablets!

The corded adaptor version is a pain to deal with. I wonder if there's a flat version out there that sits flush against the device that you could plug in the full size USB radio to. Maybe a flat version that integrates a splitter so you can charge it without removing the USB radio.

Using the FULL<->MICRO cable Android can make use of USB(FULL size) keyboards right out of the box
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-con ... -keyboard/
Imagine doing the same with the wireless 3DMouse!
Lazy Gun
Posts: 6
Joined: Fri Jun 01, 2012 11:18 am

Re: Wireless SpaceNavigator :)

Post by Lazy Gun »

Lazy Gun wrote:Main issue for me, is the battery replaceable?
Is the battery replaceable?
Alexdcd
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Oct 20, 2013 4:02 pm

Re: Wireless SpaceNavigator :)

Post by Alexdcd »

Next wireless version should incorporate Bluetooth!

I have a nice elegant laptop and hate having little dongles poking out, regardless of their dimensions, as they just get damaged.

I would definitely buy a Bluetooth version, currently using a Spacenavigator on desktop workstation.
Lazy Gun
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Joined: Fri Jun 01, 2012 11:18 am

Re: Wireless SpaceNavigator :)

Post by Lazy Gun »

Lazy Gun wrote:
Lazy Gun wrote:Main issue for me, is the battery replaceable?
Is the battery replaceable?
No wonder the silence is deafening, just found this:
So, NOT replaceable then? Anyone from 3Dconnexion care to comment on this? This is a deal-breaker for me, I will stick with wired version...
UtaSH
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Re: Wireless SpaceNavigator :)

Post by UtaSH »

Hello Lazy Gun,

sorry for not responding earlier. You are right with your assumption: the battery is not replaceable.
Lazy Gun
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Re: Wireless SpaceNavigator :)

Post by Lazy Gun »

UtaSH wrote:Hello Lazy Gun,

sorry for not responding earlier. You are right with your assumption: the battery is not replaceable.
I would have bought one of these IF the battery had been replaceable. I simply will not buy stuff with sealed batteries - 18 months later you end up throwing it in the bin.
Hypersonic
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Re: Wireless SpaceNavigator :)

Post by Hypersonic »

I was wrong about apps sharing data: http://developer.android.com/training/b ... aring.html
Perhaps a background service could act as a driver, collecting data from USB or Bluetooth and distributing it to various apps.
http://developer.android.com/training/r ... index.html
Hypersonic
Posts: 265
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Re: Wireless SpaceNavigator :)

Post by Hypersonic »

While I do appreciate the idea of replacing batteries as they don't perform as well after years of use, I don't see why it would be a deal breaker in this case. I mean 160hours (4 x 40hours/week) seems many times more than ample, even years later perhaps it might go down to 100hours, still more than ample. I believe they relied entirely on the battery mass to give the device it's needed anchoring weight, which would explain it's long life. A 2Dmouse doesn't have this luxury, as they work better being lighter, so there is some compromising going on with 2Dmice.

While dongles are not ideal, at least it is wireless, which we haven't had before. http://www.3dconnexion.com/products/spa ... eless.html mentions "3Dconnexion 2.4 GHz wireless technology" Most wireless accessories are 2.4Ghz, heck even Bluetooth and WiFi use 2.4Ghz (although WiFi also has a new 5Ghz option.) I suppose the communication protocol between the puck and dongle is custom made, but from the point of view of the host it is a USB device.

A Bluetooth solution would remove the need for dongles. There are generic Bluetooth profiles that can be used
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth_ ... _.28GAP.29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth_ ... .28GOEP.29
Perhaps later a custom (probably more efficient) profile could be created with the Bluetooth Special Interest Group
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth_SIG

Bluetooth/WiFi is ubiquitous, it's difficult to find a device that doesn't support these. What I look forward to is using it in a vehicle with Google Glass, I wrote about it a while back:
https://sites.google.com/site/3dmouse6d ... er-console

It seems likely that the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oculus_Rift is going to adopt Android (and Bluetooth/WiFi along with it.)
http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/arch ... droid.aspx
http://www.theverge.com/2013/10/18/4853 ... un-android
It would be a shame not to be able to interact with this using a 3Dmouse!
rstadie
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Re: Wireless SpaceNavigator :)

Post by rstadie »

Lazy Gun wrote:
UtaSH wrote:Hello Lazy Gun,

sorry for not responding earlier. You are right with your assumption: the battery is not replaceable.
I would have bought one of these IF the battery had been replaceable. I simply will not buy stuff with sealed batteries - 18 months later you end up throwing it in the bin.
Actually I don't expect you will be faced with that issue. Lithium-ion batteries are expected to have 80% of their original capacity after 300 cycles.

Assuming you get one month of battery life out of your 3D Mouse this would mean one full cycle every month.
This means theoretically after 300 months (25 years :shock: ) you still have 80% of the battery capacity left 8)

This isn't a smartphone which you need to recharge every day - and remember - there is still a 2 year warranty on the whole thing - so I suggest not throwing it away after 18 months :wink:
Robert Stadie
Lazy Gun
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Re: Wireless SpaceNavigator :)

Post by Lazy Gun »

rstadie wrote: Actually I don't expect you will be faced with that issue. Lithium-ion batteries are expected to have 80% of their original capacity after 300 cycles.
A fair point, but what if the battery dies after two years? I reckon I'll wait until someone uploads a youtube video showing how to dismantle the wireless spacenavigator and replace the battery :wink:
rstadie
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Re: Wireless SpaceNavigator :)

Post by rstadie »

Lazy Gun wrote: A fair point, but what if the battery dies after two years? I reckon I'll wait until someone uploads a youtube video showing how to dismantle the wireless spacenavigator and replace the battery :wink:
I believe you will have to wait a while until someone gets to this idea :wink:
In case you want to do it I will probably tell you in a private message how to
a) Loose your warranty in a few easy steps :twisted:
b) Get to the battery of the device
Robert Stadie
ben_r_
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Location: Sacramento, CA

Re: Wireless SpaceNavigator :)

Post by ben_r_ »

Ive got three of them and LOVE em! I think they did a great job on these and they are highly recommended!
michaelprichard
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Location: Carlisle, MA

Re: Wireless SpaceNavigator :)

Post by michaelprichard »

Just reviving this thread as I couldn't find a definitive answer on the possibility of a true Bluetooth version which doesn't require a USB dongle. I've migrated all CAD activities to a machine that no longer comes with full sized USB ports (Macbook) and thus have to carry around a dongle to use the wireless SN despite the presence of 2 radios already in the machine (Bluetooth and Wifi). I find these little dongles annoying and antiquated; surely a BT version of the product could be produced? Are the dongles just a way to avoid paying royalties on the BT stack or are they designed to address power/latency/driver concerns?
samairakh
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Joined: Thu Jun 06, 2019 4:41 am

Re: Wireless SpaceNavigator :)

Post by samairakh »

Next remote variant should consolidate Bluetooth!
I have a decent rich workstation and abhor having little dongles jabbing out, paying little respect to their measurements, as they simply get harmed. I would purchase a Bluetooth rendition, right now utilizing a Spacenavigator on work area workstation.
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