Comments on: SpacePilot PRO: The Next-Gen 3D Mouse to Rock Your CAD… and More

By: Dave Moore

Dave Moore — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 21:41:25 +0000

Thanks. I'm looking forward to the complete review.

By: Josh M

Josh M — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:08:17 +0000

Hey Dave, this was going to be in my review, but I'll fill you in. The base app uses 4-5MB. The LCD and each program represented on it uses about 2-5MB. THe LCDMon process runs at 17-20MB. I have 8 total processes running for this thing for a total of approx 45MB. You can kill the LCD process and it wipes the other 7 out.

For what I run, this is kind of low, it's comparable to Autocad or the PDM program I use. I'd most likely shut down firefox or outlook before this when using it on large assemblies. Hope this helps!

By: Dave Moore

Dave Moore — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:39:38 +0000

Is anyone using the SpacePilot PRO? If so, how much computing overhead does it take? RAM? CPU%?

By: Dezignstuff SolidWorks Blog » The Demise of Blogs

Dezignstuff SolidWorks Blog » The Demise of Blogs — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:17:23 +0000

[...] http://www.solidsmack.com/spacepilot-pro-3d-mouse-cad-google-earth/2009-04-16/ [...]

By: Robin Capper

Robin Capper — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 07:25:42 +0000

Bruce, You share my concerns about non-std controllers. I wrote a post today about just that will be on-line tomorrow. Considered the little navigator one but then realised would need to lug it around or get two.

By: Die ungewöhnliche 3D PC Mouse für den PC » Welt der Gadgets

Die ungewöhnliche 3D PC Mouse für den PC » Welt der Gadgets — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 06:23:30 +0000

[...] Quelle Bookmark bei: [...]

By: 3DConnexion SpacePilot PRO 3D Mouse | FunStylers

3DConnexion SpacePilot PRO 3D Mouse | FunStylers — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 20:47:56 +0000

[...] [SolidSmack] [...]

By: Brian

Brian — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:54:35 +0000

I was just talking to someone here at work the other day about this… This is about the only downside I see to having a 3D controller.

By: Rod_Uding

Rod_Uding — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:35:28 +0000

Looking at the pictures and reading all the good stuff this thing does makes me want one. On the other hand it seems like they have taken a simple idea and added too many bell and whistles.

It would be great to have one for a test drive for a week or so to see how it works before shelling out a good chunk of money for one.

By: Not another SpacePilot PRO review

Not another SpacePilot PRO review — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 07:42:00 +0000

[...] Josh Mings at SolidSmack had a play at SolidWorks World and will get one soon. [...]

By: Bruce Buck

Bruce Buck — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 03:14:08 +0000

I've struggled alot with this one. I won a Space Pilot back at SWW'07. I loved it. I felt it indeed helped me save time and navigate my parts and assemblies.

But I always found myself feeling hindered when going back home to work on something, or working on someone else's workstation. They didn't have one, so I was left with trying to remember the "old" way.

So I decided at that time to sell it, and just get used to the keyboard/mouse. I figured, every computer will have those two things, so I should be good to go.

The new design and features definitely look like something nice enough to look into using again, but I'd have to buy at least two of those puppies to really make it work for me.

By: 3DConnexion SpacePilot PRO

3DConnexion SpacePilot PRO — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 01:34:43 +0000

[...] 3DConnexion has recently announced their “most powerful 3D mouse ever”, the SpacePilot PRO. It has a color LCD display, improved Navigation for MCAD, five new dual-function QuickView Navigation keys, and one-touch 32 view access. Other features include a soft-coated wrist rest, smoother fingertip control and a symmetrical layout. Each purchase of the SpacePilot PRO comes with a 3-year warranty and retails for around $499 a pop. [SolidSmack] [...]

By: Jeff Mirisola

Jeff Mirisola — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 19:45:25 +0000

You can not only lock rotation, but pan/zoom so things don't fly off your screen. If you'd read my post, Chris, you'd know that. Just kidding, Josh. I'm still jealous that you got a sneak peek at SWW.

By: Josh M

Josh M — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:53:50 +0000

Chirs, I just updated the post with some pricing info. It's coming in at $499 - $100 more than the SpacePilot. The buttons are a lot nicer than on the Explorer for sure. I'll look into the locking, but you can still center rotation.

Accessing the LCD controls was pretty straightforward. I tried doing a couple things via the screen when I tested it at SWW and I'm wondering if they added them in. I'll see when I get it in later today.

As for Outlook, that kinda sucks, but since I try to limit email usage while I'm working, I would probably not use that as much. We'll see though once I get it in. The customization of that LCD screen is going to be very interesting to test.

By: Chris Serran

Chris Serran — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:35:55 +0000

Any word on MSRP?
Did they remove the button to lock the rotations like on the current Pilot and Explorer? I find it's a really handy button and use it quite often, especially with sketching.

I still think the SpaceBall was the best laid out device so far, followed by the SpaceExplorer. I just have trouble switching between using an Pilot at work and Explorer at home.

How did you find the accessibility of the controls for the display screen?