Hello,
I'm interested in purchasing the smartnav because of RSI issues on my hands, but i'm still not sure if this device is the solution for me.
I want the feedback of real users that have been using the smartnav for some time. Just talk freely about your experiences with it, and how good or bad it has been for you.
Some points that i'm interested and you can provide feedback are:
1. How do you compare accuracy with a regular mouse?
2. Does it have any annoying issues that you may have experienced?, issues like cursor jumping, drifting, etc. Does it crash, freeze?, problems with accuracy, clicking, etc. Any issues that you have had will be welcome and also if you were able to solve these issues.
3. Pros and Cons of the device
4. Is it your primary pointing device? Or you just use it as a secondary pointing device after the mouse?
5. Do you have pains or discomfort for using it long hours?. Have you been able to solve these discomforts?.
6. Is it just suitable for people with extreme disabilities?, or people with minor pains in the hands and arms also find it as good to use as an everyday primary pointing device?
7. All in all, is it recommended?, for whom is it recommended?.
I just basically want people talking about their experience with the device and how it has turn out for them. These feedback will be highly appreciate it and will make my decision to whether go ahead and buy it or not.
Thanks for your support
Users please talk about your experience with smartnav
Re: Users please talk about your experience with smartnav
I've been using the SmartNav for several years (both the 3 and 4 versions). I have a "severe" disability (I have virtually no arm movement).
Obviously, my choices in order to be able to use the computer are limited, but I can say that the SmartNav is, for the most part, an excellent product that anyone who is motivated to do so could use as their primary pointing device full-time. By "motivated to do so" I mean anyone who is willing to take the time (not long) to adjust to the new way of moving the mouse.
I had very few problems with the SmartNav 3. The SmartNav 4, however, is significantly smoother in operation although for some reason, I have had a persistent problem with having to get someone to unplug and replug the USB cable into the computer after a reboot, which because I cannot do it myself, is a significant pain in the you know what. Fortunately, I seem to be in the minority with respect to this issue.
Anything else you might want to know, just let me know, but I would recommend it for anyone that has trouble using a regular mouse or trackball.
Obviously, my choices in order to be able to use the computer are limited, but I can say that the SmartNav is, for the most part, an excellent product that anyone who is motivated to do so could use as their primary pointing device full-time. By "motivated to do so" I mean anyone who is willing to take the time (not long) to adjust to the new way of moving the mouse.
I had very few problems with the SmartNav 3. The SmartNav 4, however, is significantly smoother in operation although for some reason, I have had a persistent problem with having to get someone to unplug and replug the USB cable into the computer after a reboot, which because I cannot do it myself, is a significant pain in the you know what. Fortunately, I seem to be in the minority with respect to this issue.
Anything else you might want to know, just let me know, but I would recommend it for anyone that has trouble using a regular mouse or trackball.
Re: Users please talk about your experience with smartnav
One thing I forgot to mention: One other little nitpick about the way it works is that the device only becomes active and usable when the Windows desktop comes up. This means that if you want to use it to click on a user profile, for example, before Windows is fully loaded, you will need to use the keyboard or a regular mouse. I've also had that problem when updating my video driver -- after the reboot, the computer seems to be in a mode sometimes where the SmartNav device driver was not loaded.
Re: Users please talk about your experience with smartnav
Thank you dkheler for sharing your experience with it. It seems you are pretty satisfied.
Do you have accuracy problems?, I mean, like clicking on those little buttons or icons that are on the web or in certain programs?.
I think that one of my main concerns is that getting the cursor to those little places could be a pain in the ...and that it could be very annoying
Do you have accuracy problems?, I mean, like clicking on those little buttons or icons that are on the web or in certain programs?.
I think that one of my main concerns is that getting the cursor to those little places could be a pain in the ...and that it could be very annoying
Re: Users please talk about your experience with smartnav
[quote=Andresito]Thank you dkheler for sharing your experience with it. It seems you are pretty satisfied.
Do you have accuracy problems?, I mean, like clicking on those little buttons or icons that are on the web or in certain programs?.
I think that one of my main concerns is that getting the cursor to those little places could be a pain in the ...and that it could be very annoying [/quote]
The software allows you to make many adjustments to the way the mouse cursor moves and there is also a precision mode that can be activated via keypress (although I do not find it necessary).
I should tell you that I use a baseball cap with a reflective dot attached to the brim to control the mouse cursor. Clicking small buttons on the screen quickly is only a little bit tricky for me at times, but I wouldn't expect anyone with good motor control to have any issues whatsoever with practice.
Do you have accuracy problems?, I mean, like clicking on those little buttons or icons that are on the web or in certain programs?.
I think that one of my main concerns is that getting the cursor to those little places could be a pain in the ...and that it could be very annoying [/quote]
The software allows you to make many adjustments to the way the mouse cursor moves and there is also a precision mode that can be activated via keypress (although I do not find it necessary).
I should tell you that I use a baseball cap with a reflective dot attached to the brim to control the mouse cursor. Clicking small buttons on the screen quickly is only a little bit tricky for me at times, but I wouldn't expect anyone with good motor control to have any issues whatsoever with practice.
Re: Users please talk about your experience with smartnav
Hello,
I realise that I'm talking to you about a month after your initial post. The short answer to all your questions is... "it's good" just go and buy one! A longer answer would go something like this...
I have a high level spinal cord injury that has left me paralysed from the shoulders down. I am the manager of an assistive technology program that provides computer access solutions for people with a range of disabilities.
I have been using SmartNav units since version 2. The latest version (SmartNav 4) is a substantial improvement on previous models. For complete hands-free mouse work, that's what I do, I recommend that you invest in the "AT" version. The dwell click system and will take a little while to get tuned up & used to, just remember to turn it off when you don't need to click.
If you follow the instructions with the unit and advice given elsewhere on the forum then you should be able to avoid any neck strain. Basically just relax and move your head naturally and don't tense up to hold the mouse in position. Honestly you will get used to it.
With practice I can achieve up to 10 words a minute using the "Click N Type " on-screen keyboard (included with the AT model). However I can type at 100 words a minute and 98% accuracy with "Dragon NaturallySpeaking". If typing affects your RSI it might be worthwhile considering using this type of voice-activated computer control as well as a SmartNAV. Combining the two technologies makes for very efficient computer use, quite possibly more efficient than you have ever been before! That is certainly the case for me and I have been in the computer industry for over 25 years.
I hope that helps.
Cheers, Sean
I realise that I'm talking to you about a month after your initial post. The short answer to all your questions is... "it's good" just go and buy one! A longer answer would go something like this...
I have a high level spinal cord injury that has left me paralysed from the shoulders down. I am the manager of an assistive technology program that provides computer access solutions for people with a range of disabilities.
I have been using SmartNav units since version 2. The latest version (SmartNav 4) is a substantial improvement on previous models. For complete hands-free mouse work, that's what I do, I recommend that you invest in the "AT" version. The dwell click system and will take a little while to get tuned up & used to, just remember to turn it off when you don't need to click.
If you follow the instructions with the unit and advice given elsewhere on the forum then you should be able to avoid any neck strain. Basically just relax and move your head naturally and don't tense up to hold the mouse in position. Honestly you will get used to it.
With practice I can achieve up to 10 words a minute using the "Click N Type " on-screen keyboard (included with the AT model). However I can type at 100 words a minute and 98% accuracy with "Dragon NaturallySpeaking". If typing affects your RSI it might be worthwhile considering using this type of voice-activated computer control as well as a SmartNAV. Combining the two technologies makes for very efficient computer use, quite possibly more efficient than you have ever been before! That is certainly the case for me and I have been in the computer industry for over 25 years.
I hope that helps.
Cheers, Sean
Re: Users please talk about your experience with smartn
1. How do you compare accuracy with a regular mouse?
Slightly less accurate, but only slightly. Not enough to play first person shooters with your friends and expect to waste them, but enough to get through half life 2 on single player. Sometimes you have to concentrate to resize a window or click on something tiny (eg expanding folders in windows explorer), but that's it.
2. Does it have any annoying issues that you may have experienced?, issues like cursor jumping, drifting, etc. Does it crash, freeze?, problems with accuracy, clicking, etc. Any issues that you have had will be welcome and also if you were able to solve these issues.
The closest I've seen is that it has some kind of clash with my gaming footpedal (that I use at work) on a warm boot (the cursor jumps around like crazy), but a cold boot fixes it.
3. Pros and Cons of the device
Pros: It enables you to keep providing for your family.
Cons: None. I've had RSI for about 6 years and wish I'd got it years ago.
4. Is it your primary pointing device? Or you just use it as a secondary pointing device after the mouse?
Primary. The only time I'd reach for a mouse/trackball is if I can't grab the edge of a window after a few seconds of trying (maybe once or twice a day).
5. Do you have pains or discomfort for using it long hours?. Have you been able to solve these discomforts?.
You get a little neck pain the first few days as you learn to use it and adjust the settings, but after that you don't even think about it. The cursor is always where you want it to be, seemingly on its own.
6. Is it just suitable for people with extreme disabilities?, or people with minor pains in the hands and arms also find it as good to use as an everyday primary pointing device?
I get arm pain if I use a mouse. I've tried all sorts of things that magically worked for others but not for me. This did by cutting my arms out of the equation. Oh, and I also recommend a microsoft natural keyboard and gaming footpedals.
7. All in all, is it recommended?, for whom is it recommended?.
If you have any kind of RSI, tennis elbow etc, buy it yesterday. Read these boards and you'll see my posts- I was as hesitant as you because it was a lot of money. My arms eventually got to the point where I had to take the leap and I've never looked back.
Slightly less accurate, but only slightly. Not enough to play first person shooters with your friends and expect to waste them, but enough to get through half life 2 on single player. Sometimes you have to concentrate to resize a window or click on something tiny (eg expanding folders in windows explorer), but that's it.
2. Does it have any annoying issues that you may have experienced?, issues like cursor jumping, drifting, etc. Does it crash, freeze?, problems with accuracy, clicking, etc. Any issues that you have had will be welcome and also if you were able to solve these issues.
The closest I've seen is that it has some kind of clash with my gaming footpedal (that I use at work) on a warm boot (the cursor jumps around like crazy), but a cold boot fixes it.
3. Pros and Cons of the device
Pros: It enables you to keep providing for your family.
Cons: None. I've had RSI for about 6 years and wish I'd got it years ago.
4. Is it your primary pointing device? Or you just use it as a secondary pointing device after the mouse?
Primary. The only time I'd reach for a mouse/trackball is if I can't grab the edge of a window after a few seconds of trying (maybe once or twice a day).
5. Do you have pains or discomfort for using it long hours?. Have you been able to solve these discomforts?.
You get a little neck pain the first few days as you learn to use it and adjust the settings, but after that you don't even think about it. The cursor is always where you want it to be, seemingly on its own.
6. Is it just suitable for people with extreme disabilities?, or people with minor pains in the hands and arms also find it as good to use as an everyday primary pointing device?
I get arm pain if I use a mouse. I've tried all sorts of things that magically worked for others but not for me. This did by cutting my arms out of the equation. Oh, and I also recommend a microsoft natural keyboard and gaming footpedals.
7. All in all, is it recommended?, for whom is it recommended?.
If you have any kind of RSI, tennis elbow etc, buy it yesterday. Read these boards and you'll see my posts- I was as hesitant as you because it was a lot of money. My arms eventually got to the point where I had to take the leap and I've never looked back.