Since the UHK allows one to have a mousing device at their thumbs, I’m curious how many people use the UHK as their sole input device? I imagine gamers will probably have their mouse still, but for those people using computers for other things, have you been able to clean up your desk and just have the UHK on there?
I’m curious, because I am interested in mouse button durability with high usage over a long period of time. I have no reason to doubt it. Everything on the UHK is built like a tank. I am just curious how the rubber meets the road here.
I have abandoned external mouse in favor of the trackball module, for most usecases except graphics and gaming. Besides the module, I am also using a Ploopy Nano trackball, in place of the trackball module.
As to button durability, I use 7890 keys for mouse buttons, so durability is not an issue for me.
(But generally there are even users who ditched their mouses in favor of mouse keys - not having to move the hand to mouse is addictive.)
I’ve stopped using my mouse for many years now. I don’t game, so I can’t comment on needing a mouse for gaming.
The most difficult adjustment I had to make is when using any kind of drawing program (like Figma) where having a mouse seemed to be easier. Though I can mostly manage now using my keyboard shortcuts and my trackball module.
I’ve tried the touchpad and trackpoint module, but I ended up using the trackball exclusively, and no mouse.
I do think that the trackball module is probably the best module to use if your goal is simplifying your input control surface. So it really makes sense to me that people who are doing this are doing it with the trackball module.
Those who do it and mouse only with keyboard mousing are interesting as well. I have a project I’m working on where the keyboard was the only form of input we had. We had a mousing layer and I had to use it all the time. It worked ok, and I was glad it was there, but I think having an actual mousing device is just better.
I agree. I am in that camp. I try not to use the mouse at all and just use key bindings where ever possible. Even Figma has lots of key bindings. It really pushes me to choose to use software that has really good keyboard navigation support (including focus management).
I tried using the keyboard for mouse navigation and ended up giving up on it in favor of either using the trackball or relying entirely on key bindings. For me, it has never felt ergonomic to control the mouse with keys on the keyboard. It just feels too disconnected and frustrating, not be able to translate my intention into outcomes / actions on screen.
I use the mouse keys quite a bit, but I still use my mouse more than anything.
I have the trackpad module, but it’s just too small and trying to use it with my thumb is a pretty clumsy experience. If it was oriented 180° to where it was higher up (in line with “H” & “Y” keys), it would be more convenient. I would still use it with my forefinger instead of my thumb, but the hand movement would be more comfortable. Doubling the trackpad’s size would be even better
What speed settings do you all feel most comfortable with the trackball module? I have tried many times to abandon (or at least, stop relying on) the mouse, but have always found myself returning to using it.
Do you use the Accelerate/Decelerate buttons to better control your speeds?
Do you use your thumb or index finger to move the ball?
Chiming in as another mouse keys user.
I’m using mouse keys 98% of the time and then the touchpoint the other 2%.
I’ve entirely abandoned my standalone mice, which were a Logitech Trackball and MX Ergo
Right hand touchpad module, either using my thumb or my index (and ring) fingers depending on what I’m doing. Tap to click. Cluster module on the let for clicking and right clicking. The 3 buttons are mapped to “emulate” certain Magic Trackpad function using Mac Mouse Fix. That app actually made me do something I thought would be impossible: completely replace the mac’s trackpad.
It depends a bit. I still have an external mouse, but I often use the touchpad (for moving the mouse, and sometimes for moving the cursor) or the key cluster mini-trackball (for scrolling).
Which device I am using varies with the activity that I am doing. When I am in the middle of typing and want to keep both my hands on the keyboard, I will probably use the touchpad module. If I am browsing the web, mostly reading and clicking links, I will probably lean back, take my right hand off the keyboard and grab the external mouse.
