Trackpad vs thumbstick

Remember that this is a SteamVR device. SteamVR does use the trackpad for virtual buttons and other stuff, like selecting one color in a palette or brushes in a drawing application. Although joysticks are more useful in arcade games.

We need both.

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the d-pad or 4 buttons on my examples are to replace the trackpad buttons. This will be required.

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The controllers are like a hundred bucks. Pretty sure that should more than cover the cost of a stick.

Why would you need to replace the trackpad buttons? You just press the stick exactly like you press a trackpad to register the button press. Sticks have a switch in them.

Valve trackpads are used as 4-5 buttons sometimes. A stick only has 1 button.

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Sticks represent analogue movements like swiping the thumb across the trackpad. The clicks on the edge by pressing down represents dpad movement.

On stick dpad would require 4 buttons.

Remember that SteamVR (and Pimax is a SteamVR device) may use a color palette selector or customized and dynamic touch panel, not just a controller of direction.

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Obviously the Thumbstick controllers will have issues with a few applications as you say but they will be better than touchpad in most. That is why I pledged for both :slight_smile:

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Too bad there is no capacitive thumb rest in any of the designs shown…which means you will be running around the game with thumbs up… Perhaps creating a situation trolling the opponents…but in some countries thumbs up is like a middle finger.

Oculus’s stick has capacitive and so should these controlers including all the face buttons.

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How about adding the thumbstick on the side of the controller? So you could have trackpad and thumbstick.
Did a quick visualisation.

Would need a bit of testing because of ergonomics but i think something like this could work.

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I don’t think it would work very well to hold the wand sideways for numerous reasons though. Same reason you wouldn’t want to put the trackpad on the side either.

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Have you disassembled a trackpad before? It only has one button just like a stick. The x/y coordinates of the trackpad designate the button, just like with a stick.

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I think the trigger will have wrong position on finger.


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@okok95
So more like this?

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The square “door handle” will not be able to fix the knuckle on your palm. It must be much more ergonomic and have to be more flatten to outer palm side.

The square “door handle” is only for tracking.

There will be an elastic cloth inside that you use on your knuckles.

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@Digital @squngy
Yes, look at the picture I added above
( i use google translator)

Oh this is not a product design just some brainstorming on my side. And the square thing is only the part where the trackers are located. Have a look at the valve knuckles there is a strap in between.