3Dconnexion SpaceNavigator SE (Standard Edition) 3D Navigation Device USB ( 3DX-700028 )
by 3Dconnexion
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of 3Dconnexion SpaceNavigator SE (Standard Edition) 3D Navigation Device USB ( 3DX-700028 )
Customer Review: Great tool for 3D work
Summary: 5 Stars
Note to the uninitiated: this is not a replacement for your regular mouse, nor is it a gaming device (with one or two exceptions). Its usefulness is pretty much limited to 3D modeling programs.
I mainly use this with Sketchup and sometimes with Google Earth and Adobe Acrobat. It's great for smooth navigation and getting the exact view you want in tight spaces. I don't end up flying off in to empty space or getting lost inside a wall like I sometimes did using the mouse. It doesn't take long to learn to maneuver with multiple simultaneous pans and rotations. Once you've used it, you miss it in other applications. It works pretty well for panning around large documents in Adobe Acrobat, and I wish someone would make a Firefox plugin for it. They do provide an SDK for anyone who wants to add 3D nav support to their software. Check their website for the full list of supported applications.
This model is the consumer end of their product line. If you're going to be using this professionally, skip straight to the 3D connexion SpaceExplorer 3D Navigation Device with USB Interface ( 3DX-700026 ) or the 3Dconnexion SpacePilot PRO - 3D motion controller - 31 button(s) - wired - USB. You'll want all those buttons so you don't have to move your hand between your navigator and your keyboard constantly. I couldn't justify the cost just to mess around with Sketchup, but I have no doubt they'd pay for themselves quickly in a professional setting.
This one only has two buttons, but they're both fully programmable on a per-application and per-user basis. (I've found them most useful for X-ray mode and Zoom Extents in Sketchup.) Your options for controlling the various axises (beyond sensitivity adjustment and reversing) are application dependent.
While it wouldn't hurt to make it just a hair heavier, it is pretty heavy and stays put when you pull up pretty well. The included software installed painlessly and automatically does the necessary configuration as you open or switch between programs so you don't have to tell it which profile to use.
Customer Review: Solved a pan issue with Sketchup
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased the 3Dconnexion Space Navigator on the advice of a co-worker and a Mac-Sketchup user forum. It seems the high powered Mac that I have has a particular issue with a particular software which I use extensively. It is a 3D modeling software, Google Sketchup, and while in the program I would attempt to pan/zoom/rotate, etc., tasks performed often while designing in 3D, my normally high powered Mac would grind to a slow crawl. After reading on the Internet, via a Mac user forum regarding Sketchup, the moderator suggested using a 3D mouse to eliminate or help my problem. I purchase one(3Dconnexion's Space Navigator) and true to its claims, was a plug and play setup. Sketchup recognized the Space Navigator immediately and I could pan, zoom, rotate, tilt to my hearts content without any slowdown in processing speed. The Space Navigator is extremely sensitive and does its thing with just the slightest of touches. As I use it more and more it has become almost just a thought I have and it happens on screen. The unit is heavy and sits where you place it with no movement about the desk surface. I also tried it out with Google Earth and it is like flying, making you airsick if you move too fast. Although it does take some skill to keep from crashing. It makes the images move seamlessly through 3D space. I now cannot imagine not having this wonderful little tool. It also allows my right hand to continue to use my wireless mouse to change commands, so now you are working with both hands and having a ball! I don't know if this works with gaming software, since I am not a gamer, but I would imagine if it did it would be fantastic. 3Dconnexion does have on their website all of the software programs which will respond to this magical device so check it out. Sketchup users, this is the cat's pajamas!Customer Review: The coolest thing since...
Summary: 5 Stars
This was an easy 5-star to give. The SpaceNavigator gets as much use as my mouse. Yeah, really. You wouldn't think so until you get one to go along with 3D development environments (SecondLife, Maya, Google Earth, others). If I had to summarize what it's like to use, it's like a complete flight-simulator in your left hand. Push down, you go down; pull up, you go up; twist it and you turn; push left right back and forth and you go those directions. You can even control the rate of motion. After using it for a day in a 3D environment it's almost like thinking and you see the motion happen in front of you.
For SecondLife users, you can move your avatar naturally. None of that "bumping into doorways" thing. Click the side button and you start moving the in-world camera like you've got it in the nose of a helicopter. For users of 3D modeling systems, you gain that same easy camera motion for looking at your models and scenarios. Google Earth is a fun free thing that uses SpaceNavigator and you just fly yourself around.
What's crazy fun is to use the mouse and the SpaceNavigator simultaneously.
I've used it with photoshop, but frankly it's a bit robust a tool to use with Photoshop. Perhaps a bit like getting a swiss army knife when the only thing you really need is a screwdriver.
There are games available that take advantage of the SpaceNavigator, but they aren't any that I own currently, so I can't comment on how it works with them yet. Maybe later I can come back and add a video review that shows the SpaceNavigator in action.
Customer Review: Great Product
Summary: 5 Stars
Purchased Space Navigator through Amazon and use it daily with Blender 3D and Adobe Inventor. If you use hotkeys for 3D modeling routines (and you should), you need this. Even if just used for simple rotation, translation and scaling, it is a time saver. I use it in addition to a digital tablet. It is not replacement for a mouse but will increase your productivity by concentrating a bunch of functions into one device.
Pros:
Big time saver (after you get used to it).
Did not slow my computer (with Inventor and Blender and Google Earth).
Excellent customer service - failed unit was quickly replaced, no questions asked.
Cons:
Heavy if you carry it around in a bag with other items (like a digital tablet).
A little fragile - mine failed after about 5 months possibly from note being stored in a case. I now store mine in the plastic bubble case it came in.
Make sure that the application you want to use it with has a driver, some are not supported (POVRay, Rhino3d).
Customer Review: This is a job specific tool
Summary: 5 Stars
1st make sure you read all other reviews. They all have pertinent information. I'm a mechanical product developer for the aerospace industry. Using Solidworks for 3D modeling and Mastercam for programming CNC machining centers, I find the Space Navigator priceless. I do own the Space Pilot, and the Space Traveller and the Space Navigator. All are worthy of their intended capability. So if you need to design/model intriquete parts where you need to explore inside cavities to confirm interaction of mating parts, this is the tool that does make it easier and faster than any other tool in the CAD industry. If you want to play with one for anything other serious CAD modeling, buy the cheapest one and get it out of your system. There's no need for this device unless you're needing 3D solid model control. As far as the differing prices, I'm equally satisfied with my $59 Navigator as I am with my $499 Space Pilot. If you need this tool and don't need the customizable features, spend the $50+.