Slugmouse - a mouse button emulator for hand-tracked cockpit clicking.

[SewMac]

Thanks I have it working now.

Edited August 22, 2024 by SewMac

[slughead]

Folks, all paid-up orders are shipping out tomorrow. I have a week of vacation next week, which means one of two things. If you place an order, you may get it sooner or later, depending on whether I manage to get away for a few days.

The last order was processed, built, tested, and packed in one day, a new record time! However, I can't promise that for all future orders.

Tally ho, chaps and good hunting!

Slughead

[SewMac]

More testing today, the SlugMouse[mice] are working perfectly - really happy with the build quality and blue-tooth connectivity and control functions.
The Pimax Hand Tracking Module tracking implementation in DCS is just not great, have persevered for quite a few months with  the HTM - it's just not there. Lost many, many hours frigging around with their drivers, etc and it's just not doable for me in cockpit.
My own personal end game is using the Slug Mouse for mouse click and scrolling in cockpit along with a bit of mouse/trackball help - works really, really well that way with no headaches.
Kinda happy to say goodbye to the Pimax HTM, interested to see what can be provided by VR headset manufacturers in the future.
 

  

[slughead]

1 minute ago, SewMac said:

More testing today, the SlugMouse[mice] are working perfectly - really happy with the build quality and blue-tooth connectivity and control functions.
The Pimax Hand Tracking Module tracking implementation in DCS is just not great, have persevered for quite a few months with  the HTM - it's just not there. Lost many, many hours frigging around with their drivers, etc and it's just not doable for me in cockpit.
My own personal end game is using the Slug Mouse for mouse click and scrolling in cockpit along with a bit of mouse/trackball help - works really, really well that way with no headaches.
Kinda happy to say goodbye to the Pimax HTM, interested to see what can be provided by VR headset manufacturers in the future.
 

  

I'm sorry to hear about the Pimax HTM. You guys need to push Pimax hard on this to get a resolution. An offer to help them test changes may go a long way.

[SewMac]

My experience with Pimax is tethered with frustration. The in game display quality is great, quad view foveated rendering is awesome, their software [to me] is <profanity>]. I have lost countless hours working thru the HTM connectivity [will it work today, maybe yes, maybe no]. Just over it, am moving on. Trusting/hoping the Pimax Crystal will work for the next 12 months or so, then look at what is on offer at that stage with other brands. Definitely [based on current software performance] not looking at Pimax for the next purchase.

Will be putting the HTM up for sale to recoup some of my investment.

Edited August 23, 2024 by SewMac

[TFS]

5 hours ago, SewMac said:

My experience with Pimax is tethered with frustration. The in game display quality is great, quad view foveated rendering is awesome, their software [to me] is <profanity>]. I have lost countless hours working thru the HTM connectivity [will it work today, maybe yes, maybe no]. Just over it, am moving on. Trusting/hoping the Pimax Crystal will work for the next 12 months or so, then look at what is on offer at that stage with other brands. Definitely [based on current software performance] not looking at Pimax for the next purchase.

Will be putting the HTM up for sale to recoup some of my investment.

 

This is the issue, I have a handful VR headsets, I've tried almost all of them. Pimax quality is incredible, but too much of a headache and inconsistency from the software. Hand tracking will have to be a must have in the future, after using the Quest 3, the lenses are incredible, and the hand tracking is what feels nearly perfect. I don't even use controllers anymore when moving around or using menus. It's $500.... UNREAL. They set the precedence for the future of hand tracking as a fractional cost. The CV1 was my first headset and I swore I wouldn't get in a bed with Facebook EVER after that headset, nothing wrong with the headset, I just don't care for the decisions of facebook with their user agreements or forced decisions, but the product has pushed the industry standards. Pimax is the next level, they just need to square away the QOL issues. They are being extremely transparent currently which is a fresh start. I'd like to see their super take off and include precise hand tracking and I'm back on the Pimax train. 

[Maddaawg]

46 minutes ago, TFS said:

I'd like to see their super take off and include precise hand tracking and I'm back on the Pimax train.

I don't see hand tracking listed as a feature of the Super. They list the MR plate as compatible, but it doesn't yet exist as a product, and I don't know that it includes hand tracking. I have a PointCtrl on order that should be ready around the first of the year along with the Super, so I may get one, but I don't want to give up hand tracking. I feel like the Slugmouse is a better choice between it and PointCtrl because of its ease of use and cableless design but I won't really know until I have both in my hands.

Edited August 23, 2024 by Maddaawg

[TFS]

20 hours ago, Maddaawg said:

I don't see hand tracking listed as a feature of the Super. They list the MR plate as compatible, but it doesn't yet exist as a product, and I don't know that it includes hand tracking. I have a PointCtrl on order that should be ready around the first of the year along with the Super, so I may get one, but I don't want to give up hand tracking. I feel like the Slugmouse is a better choice between it and PointCtrl because of its ease of use and cableless design but I won't really know until I have both in my hands.

 

I agree, I am holding out for the stats on what there MR plate will be capable of. Otherwise the next release from meta will probably be huge. They have so much data now, so much experience and feedback. Just their software is meh. But a Quest 4 or a quest 4 pro could be crazy. I already wonder how a headset could look better than it does now. Hand tracking should be a future staple in headsets, as with inside out tracking, and display port connectivity and pcvr priority. That's where the money throwing customers are lol. 

[SewMac]

@slughead, I tested the SlugMouse functionality this afternoon while practising with Mavericks, end result is I can most definitely 100% recommend purchasing them.

After months of frustration with the Pimax Hand Tracking Module I put it in the drawer today and uninstalled the UltraLeap Software - will be selling off the Pimax HTM as it's no longer required.

Using the left hand SlugMouse with my hand on the throttle at all times gave me full cockpit control of any switch, push button and dial. I moved the mouse cursor [if it was on the other side of the cockpit] with my trackball to get into the general vicinity of the switch, then simply moved my head to position the cursor on the relevant switch. Super quick, intuitive and accurate when using the 4-way hat switch.

My 2 cents worth

Edited August 25, 2024 by SewMac

[slughead]

Hey @SewMac! It's great to hear that you're getting good use out of Slugmouse, regardless of how you use it. As they say, if it works for you, that's all that matters.

[dureiken]

Hi
I've just bought and tested this jewel and it's clearly a must-have for those who don't have a scale 1:1 cockpit and want to use different aircrafts. It works really, really well once you get the hang of it. Even if it's a bit expensive, the salesman is great, the packaging nickel and the products top-notch. No regrets at all !

[slughead]

Hey, fellow pilots and Sluggers! If you are using Virtual Desktop, you need to enable hand-tracking on the "INPUT" screen of Virtual Desktop for hand-tracking with HTCC to work. I realise this contradicts the instructions on the HTCC website, but something has changed in Virtual Desktop to necessitate this.

[Maddaawg]

20 minutes ago, slughead said:

Hey, fellow pilots and Sluggers! If you are using Virtual Desktop, you need to enable hand-tracking on the "INPUT" screen of Virtual Desktop for hand-tracking with HTCC to work. I realise this contradicts the instructions on the HTCC website, but something has changed in Virtual Desktop to necessitate this.

Yep, imagine my surprise months ago fiddling with everything and then finally clicking on that as a last gasp effort to work in VD. Works so well too.

[slughead]

2 minutes ago, Maddaawg said:

Yep, imagine my surprise months ago fiddling with everything and then finally clicking on that as a last gasp effort to work in VD. Works so well too.

I can certainly imagine the frustration and then the elation once you got it working. 

[slughead]

All current orders are shipping out in the morning! There is no backlog, no waiting lists, and with some luck, I'll have some spare time to fly this weekend!

Enjoy your Slugmice's fellow pilots!

[TFS]

We must never lose support for HTCC in DCS, this product changes everything.

 

Any one hesitant needs to really consider this, if you have the funds, do it. I've gotten so use to it that using the mouse feels wrong, just odd. I've gotten so quick and I can even reach for somethings during standard flight without thinking and just putting my hand where this common switch is and it works (granted it's always within view when looking at my mfds during targeting) 

 

Can't reccomend enough. 

[84-Simba]

Hi guys !

My Slugmice are on the way but I don't have Bluetooth built-in the Mobo.

So ...

Is anyone here using a dongle or an antenna ?

Which one should I order and do you have a reference of ones you are using successfully ?

Thank you very much !

[slughead]

8 hours ago, 84-Simba said:

Hi guys !

My Slugmice are on the way but I don't have Bluetooth built-in the Mobo.

So ...

Is anyone here using a dongle or an antenna ?

Which one should I order and do you have a reference of ones you are using successfully ?

Thank you very much !

Hey Simba!

This one works well and has a good range. I tested it out to 5 metres. It was plugged into the top of a PC. Plugging into the back of a PC may restrict range or connection reliability due to the amount of metal between the dongle and the Slugmouse. Tested with Windows 11.

TP-Link Nano USB Bluetooth 5.0 Adapter for Multiple Devices, Long Range Bluetooth Dongle/Receiver for Windows 10/8.1/7, Plug and Play (UB5A) : Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

All the best,

Slughead

Edited September 7, 2024 by slughead

[84-Simba]

Thanks Slug !

I ordered one right away.

[actually_fred]

On 8/23/2024 at 3:56 AM, slughead said:

I'm sorry to hear about the Pimax HTM. You guys need to push Pimax hard on this to get a resolution. An offer to help them test changes may go a long way.

This is just an ultraleap dev unit (https://www.ultraleap.com/product/stereo-ir-170/) in a custom case; any improvements here need to come from either Ultraleap or Eagle Dynamics.

That said, install the latest drivers for it from leap motion rather than the obsolete ones that Pimax link to.

[slughead]

All orders have been shipped! Six this week are winging their way around the world! I think I'm going to get a free weekend! Enjoy your Slugmice, fellow pilots!

[84-Simba]

Hey Slug !!

I haven't been able to test them this week but I sure plan to get them working this week-end.

I hope ...

Meanwhile thank you for all your answers and advices.

[slughead]

Hey, fellow pilots! I'm working on a version of the Slugmouse called the Slugpad. It's essentially the same product but will provide gamepad button presses instead of mouse clicks. This would allow the buttons to be mapped to virtually anything. For example, the device can be seen by the Open Kneeboard (which doesn't support mice), which you can use to switch pages and tabs. You could also map the gamepad buttons (DX input) to mouse clicks in DCS. It may not support fast repeat, i.e. when you hold down the up or down button, it may not repeat quicker to emulate mouse wheel scrolling. You can't have it all, I guess. So, if you want something to flip pages in Open Kneeboard or just ten extra buttons, Slugpad is for you!

[84-Simba]

First flight today and this thing definitely needs time to adapt.

But it works pretty great and is very useful in the Apache.

Thank you @slughead !!

Very nice piece of work you did here

[Maddaawg]

17 hours ago, slughead said:

Hey, fellow pilots! I'm working on a version of the Slugmouse called the Slugpad. It's essentially the same product but will provide gamepad button presses instead of mouse clicks. This would allow the buttons to be mapped to virtually anything. For example, the device can be seen by the Open Kneeboard (which doesn't support mice), which you can use to switch pages and tabs. You could also map the gamepad buttons (DX input) to mouse clicks in DCS. It may not support fast repeat, i.e. when you hold down the up or down button, it may not repeat quicker to emulate mouse wheel scrolling. You can't have it all, I guess. So, if you want something to flip pages in Open Kneeboard or just ten extra buttons, Slugpad is for you!

Would this be a BT configuration of buttons something like PountCTRL? By up and down buttons you mean dial knobs like on the FA-18 altitude warning or dimmers? I could always use some dials on my HOTAS. What about the new one on the left hand and Slugmouse on the right, for dials.

I'll be looking forward to seeing your progress.