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Which Mouse for CAD under OS X ?


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Hello,

As VW depends on the un-liked middle mouse button (MMB),

I am still searching for the perfect CAD Mouse.

Apple Mouses don't work because of the missing MMB.

3rd Party Mouses mostly need its own special driver,

not only for extra button but often because of better

cursor speed control.

I always had an Microssoft USB Intelli Mouse Explorer.

+ ergonomic

+ perfect cursor speed and acceleration options

+ 4.+5. buttons

- driver needed

- often ghost zooming/panning, even when not touching the mouse

- using MMB makes unwanted panning

- scrolling per rows (does not work smooth or Apple like)

So I tried a new Logitech 500 USB

+ body (only) ergonomic

+ has settings everything

- needs driver

- has scroll wheel free spin option (doesn't work well)

- has horizontal scroll by pushing l/r (doesn't work well)

- using MMB makes unwanted panning

- 4.+5. buttons are both on the left side and hard to reach

- feels cheap (scroll wheel)

- scrolling custom set still does not work smooth or Apple

- cursor speed options do not work for me, no acceleration setting

I tried every setting for Scrolling (Speed and Acceleration) but don't get

a satisfying result. Even worse, cursor speed has only one slider setting

for all. I even don't get a similar speed feel like an Apple Mouse.

I don't get my cursor in edit field positions !

If I'm moving slow, the mouse ist much too slow, just too much acceleration.

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  • Vectorworks, Inc Employee

If you want wireless I think you'll always need to install a driver, I haven't come across a wireless one (except from some of the older Bluetooth mice) that would work on Mac without an extra driver since they come with dongles.

Almost any wired USB mouse from Dell works with Macs I find, both with and without drivers, but for more complex functionality like a tilting scroll wheel or 4+ buttons a driver is often needed.

I almost always use "Windows" mice for Macs, I hated the Mighty Mouse and I hate the Magic Mouse, but thats personal preference. I loved the older chunky Mac white keyboards and am very fond of the newer flat aluminum variants, as long as they also have the numpad, which will have to be pried from my cold, dead hands.

I just don't like the flatness of the Magic Mouse and the lack of a physical wheel. They're very well designed aesthetically and clean looking, just not my thing. Also as you stated, the lack of a middle mouse physical button make Vectorworks nearly impossible to use with one.

Dell and Logitech seem to be the most compatible with Macs, even going so far as to state their compatibility. If a mouse doesn't mention Mac at all on the packaging, you may want to avoid it.

Sorry I couldn't give more specific recommendations, but the mouse/keyboard is a really personal choice for a lot of people, you spend practically all day with them and if they're not to you're liking, you'll get more miserable as each day passes. I recommend trying a few and only purchasing from places you can easily return/swap for different models until you find the one thats just right. Its worth the search in my opinion.

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Yes Jim,

Num Block is a must for me too.

Have an extra num block for the wireless keyboard but don't use both.

Alu keyboard is ok for me.

Do you all use the Logitec Driver on OS X, and which speed multiplier ?

I have set it to 1.0

Unfortunately I don't remember if M500 worked better without the driver.

I think both extra buttons worked somehow and could be used for Spaces etc.

But maybe the cursor was much to fast when using adequate Apple Mouse

settings.

I need the magic mouse because it is still the best way for scrolling in Safari

so far.

How do I get rid of the Logitech driver ?

There was no uninstall packages.

Will have to ask Siri ;)

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  • Vectorworks, Inc Employee
How do I get rid of the Logitech driver ?

There was no uninstall packages.

Will have to ask Siri ;)

Normally they can be removed either with an uninstall app found in Applications or sometimes hidden in Applications/Utilities or Applications/Utilities/Logitech

If not there, sometimes there is a means of doing so in the Apple > System Preferences > Logitech pane, if it installs one.

Appcleaner can sometimes remove the more annoying ones as well:

http://www.freemacsoft.net/appcleaner/

The "Others" tab will often list system pref panes that have been installed, which usually takes the drivers with it.

If all that fails, sometimes you have to go to the manufacturer's website and they provide a separate uninstaller utility altogether.

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I have used Steermouse with impunity over the years. Its a japanese company and I think costs around 35$. They update the software often. Its a driver that works with a wide range of mice and includes acceleration which is built into a windows mouse, but apple chose to omit when it went UNIX based. Acceleration is critical for CAD work. It has all sorts of customization features. I'm left handed and had used it for years with the only wireless three button left handed mouse that was on the market (logitech GX something). Alas, logitech stopped making it. Now using a Contour design who makes a good corded three button (left or right) and Steermouse even works with that.

hope that helps.

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Late to reply...sorry. I don't use the Logitech driver. Steermouse does everything I need and then some. The MX feels great in hand, at least to me...plus I really like the wheel action in free mode, as well as all the button options. As Jim said, a mouse is such a personal thing..I think it just takes exploring options and trying different ones out at whatever retailer is available. I did also try the Evoluent Vertical Mouse last year. I just wasn't able to adapt to that form although, have to admit, the hand position is quite intriguing. Good luck.

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I use a R.A.T.7 at home and it is excellent. The variable DPI button (mainly made for sniping in videogames) is surprisingly useful for getting those hard to catch snap points.

Agreed. I also use the RAT 7. But my next mouse will be the RAT 9. I wish I'd known about the 9 when I bought the 7!

mk

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Thanks for that many input !

I thought Steermouse is another Mouse Manufacturer :)

It looks great.

Madcatz looks cool too.

Could I take one with a smaller number with wire, as I don't want

more than 5 buttons, without loosing any of those nice adjustment

features ?

I stopped using bettertouchtool one day as I was not able to get

that MMB working for me reliable (with my hands and motion).

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If I'm right, the 5 has the same physical adjustments,

just some buttons less.

I made the mistake and read some buyers comments ;)

They say it rattles, and the allergic Laser moves the cursor when

the mouse is not in use.

It has a rest for the thumb but I miss similar for my pinkie as I

tend to brake with it on the table. Can't imagine to have it on top

of the right button as they expect.

For that amount of money I want to hold it in my hands before buying.

For the Logotech M500,

as I (nearly) got used to the cursor and scroll movement now,

my biggest problem is the scroll wheel / middle button.

As the wheel clicks side ways for horizontal scrolling, which I have

deactivated, it will fail to middle click, if you accidentally clicked

side ways before.

It is the hardest mouse for MMB that I had so far.

And that's what I asked the guy in the shop and why I bought the M500,

I need a mouse that has a good MMB, without accidentally scrolling.

For Microsoft mouses,

is it correct that they stopped supporting OS X many years ago ?

The latest driver is 305 from 2011 and may not work wit Yosemite.

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  • Vectorworks, Inc Employee
For Microsoft mouses,

is it correct that they stopped supporting OS X many years ago ?

The latest driver is 305 from 2011 and may not work wit Yosemite.

Dunno about support, but I have a bunch of Microsoft mice here, all of them run fine on Yosemite (or any Mac OS back to 10.4), no driver installs, they just work.

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