Mouse alternatives?

[Kaisha]

I'll make this quick.

I been lazy lately, lounging in my seat while playing FFXI with the keyboard out on my lap. Mainly wondering what my hardware options are for dealing with mouse-related controls that dont involve a flat surface.

The only thing in the market I'm aware of is Apple's Magic Trackpad, but I'm unaware of what their driver situation is for that on Windows, and it's also a tad large to clip/tape to my keyboard. Even something like a nipple-mouse the old laptops of the heyday used to come with would work.

[EDIT] Trackball's in general are too big also, unless there is a micro-variant somewhere.

[Invincible Beard]

Have you considered a TrackBall mouse? I currently use one on my everyday activities such as playing FF14 and web browsing.

[Ghostsix.Midgard]

http://www.gamemanx.com/wp-content/u...ed-ps3-360.jpg
or Oldeschool
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0...1.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

[Isiolia]

You might want to look at things that are typically marketed for doing presentations and the like.

There are gyroscope based mice, and have been for a while.

http://www.gyration.com/index.php/us/home.html
http://www.cdwg.com/shop/products/Tr...o/2306957.aspx

etc

There are also cheaper options that basically put a d-pad of sorts onto a clicker for Powerpoint. They don't always offer cursor control, but I've seen some pretty small ones that do. IE http://www.amazon.com/Keyspan-PR-US2.../dp/B00006BAH2

While you can get other USB trackpads, I think the market is kind of sparse for wireless ones other than Apple's - that aren't built into a keyboard anyway.

[Senji]

Dont know about you, but my optical mice work great for casual things on my knee/armrest.

[Kohan]

Finger mice would suit you.

http://www.amazon.com/Fingerprint-To...4814443&sr=8-6

http://www.amazon.com/One-Finger-Mou.../ref=pd_cp_e_2

[Kaisha]

Have you considered a TrackBall mouse? I currently use one on my everyday activities such as playing FF14 and web browsing.

I couldn't find one small enough for my purposes when I created this thread

*console controllers*

I've tried analog sticks for mouse control in the past. It's sluggish and slow for precision, even after extensive tweaking.

You might want to look at things that are typically marketed for doing presentations and the like.

There are gyroscope based mice, and have been for a while.

http://www.gyration.com/index.php/us/home.html
http://www.cdwg.com/shop/products/Tr...o/2306957.aspx

etc

There are also cheaper options that basically put a d-pad of sorts onto a clicker for Powerpoint. They don't always offer cursor control, but I've seen some pretty small ones that do. IE http://www.amazon.com/Keyspan-PR-US2.../dp/B00006BAH2

While you can get other USB trackpads, I think the market is kind of sparse for wireless ones other than Apple's - that aren't built into a keyboard anyway.

Gyro mice seem cool, price is a bit out of something I'd be willing to pay though for what I'd be using it for.

Dont know about you, but my optical mice work great for casual things on my knee/armrest.

I lounge back with my legs up on my desk and keyboard in lap, would be hard to keep a mouse still on me, and FFXI is friggen picky about mouse movement interrupting the interface. -.-

Finger mice would suit you.

http://www.amazon.com/Fingerprint-To...4814443&sr=8-6

http://www.amazon.com/One-Finger-Mou.../ref=pd_cp_e_2

This is a lot more inline with what I was looking for. Those type of mice seem to be non-existant in any Canadian market for some reason though. Amazon reviews aren't too hot for those either, but it gives me some ideas.

Has anyone ever had experience with those pen mice? If those work on any surface fine (like say....my shirt >.>), it may fit the bill also since I could just lay it on its side to prevent any undesired mouse movement.

[Kohan]

This is a lot more inline with what I was looking for. Those type of mice seem to be non-existant in any Canadian market for some reason though. Amazon reviews aren't too hot for those either, but it gives me some ideas.

http://www.amazon.ca/USB-Optical-Fin...4903667&sr=8-2

http://www.amazon.ca/GTMax-Handheld-...4903667&sr=8-1

Given the price range, I'm not terribly surprised at the reviews. Looking across Amazon.ca and Amazon.co.uk, though, the first one appears to receive a reasonable amount of praise for an inexpensive piece of plastic.

I would recommend a higher quality one if I could, but I am unaware of any.

[wyrmtung]

Maybe get a lap desk so you have a flat surface to use your mouse?

And regarding your comment about the Apple Trackpad, it's not compatible with non-Macs.

[highhigh]

Finger mice would suit you
2

look cool stuff.

[Kerberoz]

...the fuck do you use a mouse for in XI?