Recommendations for CAD mouse

Hi All:

Our IT guys are partial to a mouse which doesn't work worth beans in
SolidWorks.

ALL of our computers came with a Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer model
1004. This mouse has the 4-way pan built into the scroller. This is a
big problem because when you are using the scroller as a button for
rotate/pan/zoom if the button goes a little bit left or right it stops
working completely. There doesn't seem to be a way to disable it.

As a result, most of the users here under my command use SWX like
retards. Literally fumbling around because of this Microsoft
"improvement". I've personally solved the issue by using my own mouse
and of course I use a spacemouse anyway so it's no big deal, but we
need every chance to be efficient here.

So what do you use? No crazy mice please, just normal mice which work
well with SWX. I'm not sure if the IT guys are partial to Microsoft
mice but I looked at a few others and I'm wondering if anyone has tried
them:

MS Laser Mouse 6000

Huh, I guess that's it. All their other fine-looking mice are 4 way.

Todd

 

We use an older wheelmouse optical microsoft mouse that works fine, and
is ambidextrous.

Haven't had any repetitive stress issues in all the time using it over
three years.

You can find them online for $10.99

--Matt Schroeder

 

Ahh no - hate them - much better control with the old Logitech optical wheel
mouse. Plain and simple. No offense intended, by the way.

WT

 

Agreed! I use a Logitech "Cordless Click" optical mouse. It's the only thing
that will work on my wood desk as I refuse to use a mouse pad.
I just bought a 2nd one on EBay for $15.00 USD.

Muggs

 

My choice is......
Wireless Intellimouse Explorer 2.0 ( yes it does have the tilt wheel ).
But I only use the wheel for zoom in / out "autoscroll" (not as a
button), too hard to control. Instead I use the thumb button set to
"autoscrol"l so that I "grab" and tumble the model with the thumb
button. Works just fab for me.
BTW any mouse with programmable thumb button can do the same.

 

Intellimouse Optical USB
http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/productdetails.aspx?pid=004

4 Buttons - simple design and thumb buttons can be assigned with custom
keystroke
I use ENTER on left button and Open (CTR-O) on right one.
Cheap - Saves a lot of clicking. I have tried numerous new models and
went back to this one.
Note: You need to use Intellimouse 4.1 software to work with SW

Elmar

 

I had the same unpleasant surprise. Been using Logitech MX500 w/o any
problems. Only downside is the cord. Just make sure the mouse you get
does not have the right/left tilt, otherwise you lose view/model
rotation.

 

I had the same unpleasant surprise. Been using Logitech MX500 w/o any
problems. Only downside is the cord. Just make sure the mouse you get
does not have the right/left tilt, otherwise you lose view/model
rotation.

 

I was wondering the other day if all these new 'ultra' precise laser
mice would help with the overly fussy way sw has of forcing extremly
accurate clicks when dimensioning a drawing. If anyone has tried any
of these I would like to hear about your experience.

Thanks,

Zander

 

I am using the Logitech 1000 laser mouse.
Three extra buttons on the thumb side (I have <enter> <Esc> and <Ctrl-Tab>
assigned to them), no cord, battery loading in docking station at night, no
mouse pad needed.
I like this mouse!

Wim

 

AND...

If you want a truly small mouse for some good reason, like you want
minimal mass under the hand &/or you also want to use it with your
laptop, then look at:

http://www.radtech.us/Products/Default.aspx#CategoryBluetooth

I thought I would use it only when 'outside', but found it unusually
comfortable and effective on the desktop.

It is obviously not a super whing ding Spaceball or whatever, but it
does all the right stuff without needing any software or wires. It
just works.

Bo

 

Yeah, that's what I'm saying! They wrecked the mouse with that stupid
"tilt a wheel" for no good reason. Everyone here uses SWX
inefficiently because the company-supplied equipment sucks.

I do think that trackballs have their place, but I won't encourage
them. Not as a company-supplied item, and I don't like them because
when I go to someone's computer to help them out I can't drive!

If we had alot of money though, I would recommend the spacemouse. They
are awesome and don't require you to do anything crazy with the mouse.

BTW, I think it's a good idea to have a few different-shaped mice
around. Changing from time to time seems to reduce the fatique. For
Example, I'm using my 10 year old palm-sized logitech (I'm most of you
remember them shipping with HP and dell systems over the years) with no
scroller, but it's comfy and a nice change sometimes.

Thanks for your input. I'm not even sure the guys give a shit, because
the Microsuck mouse in question is comfortable, ya just can't use it
with SWX. So I'm going to request replacement.

out

 

My choice has been a Logitech trackball (thumb) on the right, Razer
Diamondback gaming mouse on the left, and lots of keyboard shortcuts.
My next trackball will be finger control, just for a change. It's worth
getting your own controls if the company won't spring for it and
someday I'll spend money on a spaceball type control. The other SW user
at work uses a 2-button mouse, circa 1995, and it's a real pita when he
asks me to come over and show him how to cut a hole in sheet metal. To
each his own.

Diego

 

Left/Rightr tilt is good option. Just make it work as middle button and use
it like that. It is lighter to use than normal middle button and you don't
need to take your finger away from left button when rotating. I never
anymore buy a mouse for sw without tilt.

Vote for MX610. This mouse has also good thumb buttons for for instance zoom
to selection and shift.