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

[slughead]

My mistake. HTCC does not appear to work with VD.

[dlmetzger]

2 hours ago, slughead said:

My mistake. HTCC does not appear to work with VD.

Thanks for the info.  I’ll look to see if link is working better.  I have a Q3 and have found VD works better compared to link and cable. 

[VR Flight Guy in PJ Pants]

It is a must to have the hands turned off...

 

[Maddaawg]

On 3/4/2024 at 2:04 PM, slughead said:

If you move your head whilst keeping your hand in the same position, the cursor will move. That's just because the camera sensor is moving in relation to the hand. So, it looks like the hand is moving. I expect pointctrl performs the same.

I was looking at how the Slugmouse worked and the movement between head and hand position is going to take some getting used to. Are there any settings in Oculus, DCS or HTCC to minimize the target movement? While trying to flip a switch for instance, the cursor will move around the switch until I get just the right combination head and hand to over hover the switch in the exact location needed.

If not, can the Slugmouse cursor be eliminated, and I just aim with my head and click the Slugmouse?

[slughead]

This isn’t a Slugmouse thing. The slugmouse just provides the mouse button clicks. This is a DCS / HTCC thing.

Try the VR controller setting in HTCC instead of tablet mode. Also I believe there is a way to have a fixed cursor where your head is pointing but I’ve not looked into that.

Alternatively, practice makes perfect.

[Maddaawg]

1 hour ago, slughead said:

This isn’t a Slugmouse thing. The slugmouse just provides the mouse button clicks. This is a DCS / HTCC thing.

Try the VR controller setting in HTCC instead of tablet mode. Also I believe there is a way to have a fixed cursor where your head is pointing but I’ve not looked into that.

Alternatively, practice makes perfect.

Ok, thanks

[actually_fred]

On 5/19/2024 at 6:52 AM, slughead said:

My mistake. HTCC does not appear to work with VD.

Virtual Desktop works; I've just updated https://htcc.fredemmott.com/hardware/oculus-hand-tracking/README.html#virtual-desktop

[slughead]

Just now, actually_fred said:

Virtual Desktop works; I've just updated https://htcc.fredemmott.com/hardware/oculus-hand-tracking/README.html#virtual-desktop

Excellent! Thanks for your continued support of HTCC.

[slughead]

That'll be where I was going wrong with HTCC and VD. I was certain I had it working and I guess I turned this on afterwards.

[VR Flight Guy in PJ Pants]

Soon after I posted the above, I think I have figured out the solution to "big hand" problem

 

[slughead]

7 hours ago, VR Flight Guy in PJ Pants said:

Soon after I posted the above, I think I have figured out the solution to "big hand" problem

 

Alternatively, you could turn off the hands.

[VR Flight Guy in PJ Pants]

53 minutes ago, slughead said:

Alternatively, you could turn off the hands.

Yes, but one comment I got in demonstrating the use of HTCC/SlugMouse, it is hard to tell it is at work. So I use this solution -- a little distracting when play, but good for demonstration.

[slughead]

Just now, VR Flight Guy in PJ Pants said:

Yes, but one comment I got in demonstrating the use of HTCC/SlugMouse, it is hard to tell it is at work. So I use this solution -- a little distracting when play, but good for demonstration.

I think they meant they can't see the cursor in your video. Maybe suggest they use a PC, not a phone, to watch the video with. 

[VR Flight Guy in PJ Pants]

Well, it is just a find, no biggie. But thanks for the support. Cannot really play without it right now, especially when bombing is involved.

Edited May 23, 2024 by VR Flight Guy in PJ Pants

[brown12633]

I am interested in this but I am a bit worried regard longevity regards the ring not being a full circle and snapping over time from use. Also is there any plans for it to work using Virtual Desktop?

[slughead]

5 hours ago, brown12633 said:

I am interested in this but I am a bit worried regard longevity regards the ring not being a full circle and snapping over time from use. Also is there any plans for it to work using Virtual Desktop?

HTCC works with VD. Fred confirmed this just a few posts back.

Longevity is similar to anything made of plastic. If you don’t misuse it, there is no reason for it not to last.

Edited May 24, 2024 by slughead

[brown12633]

On 5/24/2024 at 2:18 PM, slughead said:

HTCC works with VD. Fred confirmed this just a few posts back.

Longevity is similar to anything made of plastic. If you don’t misuse it, there is no reason for it not to last.

 

Sorry I missed Freds update. I just thought a full ring would have been better. Do you have anyone who has bought it yet as a review or two would be nice.

Edited May 26, 2024 by brown12633

[Maddaawg]

3 hours ago, brown12633 said:

Sorry I missed Freds update. I just thought a full ring would have been better. Do you have anyone who has bought it yet as a review or two would be nice.

 

Mine both broke within 2 days. Plastic can be very strong, but not 3D printed plastic as it is not the same as injection molded plastic. 

My first break was my fault as I dropped it off my finger (loose fit) and it hit the aluminum extrusion holding my flight stick to the desk. That was about 12" and it landed in a corner where the vertical and horizontal mounts come together, so it didn't bounce elsewhere. It cracked right where you would expect. So, I superglued it and that seemed to work.

The second one broke in my hand while on my finger being used. I squeezed it to hold it from moving and it snapped. It was at that point I decided to test the flex of the broken piece and there was none as it just snapped. There is virtually no tensile strength and leaving that gap is asking for it to flex and break in your hands or break with a short fall.

I have now completely covered it along the tangs in epoxy. I hope this holds otherwise my $200 USD was a waste.

The first image shows one superglued and the other with its fresh break. The first one only cracked which then made it useless as it acted like a hinge. The second is after supergluing and in the last is full epoxy.

The other projects I have seen of this look to have thicker design at the tang.

[slughead]

Indeed, 3D-printed plastic is not as strong as injection-molded products. For the limited quantities of this product, injection moulding is not viable. That said, to break the lower ring section, I had to make a fist so tight that I was digging my nails into my palm. There should never be a need or reason to do that with the Slugmouse. If extra grip is needed, you only need to close the gap between your index and middle finger lightly.

It is important to get the fit right, either by having your fingers measured by a jeweller or buying a set of ring gauges. It’s best to avoid measuring fingers when cold, as that is when fingers are at their smallest. Be mindful that fingers are at their largest in the evening, so that is a good time to measure, as it will help to ensure the ring will fit comfortably all day. If your measurement leaves you between two sizes, it’s best to go for the slightly larger option.

[brown12633]

As with all things in design they can be a work in progress. Would it not be a good idea to either 1.Adapt the design and make the ring a whole 2. Design it with fixings for velcro as above, as this would reduce your work in having to make different sizes. or 3. offer DIY option as well as the built one at a reduced cost so if one does break the buyer can just print another. This is a good product no doubt and quite cost effective with 3D printing. But as seen durability is always going to be an issue with 3 D printing.

[slughead]

14 hours ago, BunyipBilly said:

Any chance of making this with velcro strap for the ring? Like PointControl does.

I have no plans to incorporate a strap at this time. Velcro would itch and irritate as the hook side is not a soft material. Pointctrl uses an elasticated band, I believe, and would require a locking mechanism to allow for adjustment. All of this will increase production time and material costs, which ultimately will increase the cost of the unit.

Making the ring whole is an option, but it would provide zero flex when opening and closing your fingers.

As I said earlier, the Slugmouse will not break if it is not misused, as with any plastic product.

[brown12633]

Looking at Maddaawg 2nd photo. It looks like the issue regard strength may simply be print orientation. It looks like it is printed with the hat switch face up. Due to this the layer lines can be seen going horizontal along the width of the ring tangs making that part very week, you need to be layering left to right along the tangs length to increase strength with 100% infill. I can see why it has been printed as it has. This was obviously to make the holes for the hat switch, battery and wiring clean. However this at sacrifice of strength. It would be better to print on one of the sides to overcome this. Please don't take this a criticism I am simply trying to offer help as have been 3d printing for a few years and have made all the mistakes you can make. I genuinely think you have a good product and price is justified as I know how much work goes into design an manufacture.

[slughead]

Yes, I know. I did a test print on the side this afternoon. However it’s just not a clean print in many respects.

As I have said many times, this will not break if it isn’t misused. It takes a considerable amount of force to break and as it only serves to fit around a finger, little to no force would be applied to it in normal use.

[slughead]

Here is a photo with 4kg (8.8 lbs) hanging from the tang. That's over 4 bags of sugar (UK), so it will not break under normal use.

[Maddaawg]

8 minutes ago, slughead said:

Here is a photo with 4kg (8.8 lbs) hanging from the tang. That's over 4 bags of sugar (UK), so it will not break under normal use.

Mine broke from a 12" drop on aluminum. You keep implying that I misused them. A 12" drop is something they should survive and if it wasn't so loose on my finger it would not have dropped. I used a ring measuring tool and that ring fits snug, these are loose. I had to hold the second one tightly because they flop all around and it snapped. I took the remaining portion of that tab and easily snapped it in two just by testing its flexibility. There is no flexibility and allowing it to flex by not supporting it is asking for more breaks. I see the older designs of others have thicker tangs and wider area of connection at the base.

Just another manufacturer blaming the reviewer. I hope the epoxy I used holds up, otherwise $200 into the toilet. I could have bought WinWing 15EX II throttle grip for that price and they're not going to break because I squeezed them.