3Dconnexion SpaceMouse Wireless 3D Mouse 2.4GHz via Micro-USB (3DX-700043)

Grain of salt for this particular review - I model and develop games as a hobby, so I am in no way a professional CAD/Drafter. This was also my first experience with a 3D mouse, so I can't say I can compare it to other mice on the market. That being said, I can state my experience with it thus far.I needed something to help streamline the modeling process + movement in Blender and Unreal Engine 4. Was recommended this by an engineering friend who had the larger version, and to be honest it's one of the peripherals I've picked up. While it does require quite a bit of fine tuning to get it to work consistently between Blender/UE4, once it's set and ready to roll, this shaves precious seconds off the minute while working. The ability to precisely place objects and maneuver around the scene is glorious compared to a standard mouse and keyboard. There is a learning curve - no doubt about that - but once you get the hang of it you'll never want to go back to a standard M+K.Build quality is great - very sturdy, heavy base. Joy feels smooth. Wireless works great with no noticeable latency, and the battery lasts a decently long time. Buttons, while feeling a little bit 'squishy' on the switch, are responsive. Software is simple but easy to use and set up. Comes with a good tutorial + training activity to get the hang of it if you're a first-timer.Again - I can't compare it to other 3D mice on the market, but my overall experience has been fantastic. Well built, good software, good functionality with Blender/UE4 after some tweaking. Good stuff.

This navigation aid is 100% essential if you want to do 3d modeling in my opinion.I use google sketchup, and this is THE game changer. There are 2 opposing buttons on opposing sides that you can map to anything. AND you can change which way is forward, to reposition those buttons to whichever sides you want. I flipped my front 90 degrees so the buttons are front and back, which makes them thumb and index finger ready. They are defaulted to menus, but I make them ALT and SHIFT and my hands hardly leave mice(mices, mouses).It is heavy by design. Feels sturdy, but inhibits portability. I throw it loose in the backpack and it hasn't ever had a hiccup. Always perfectly true, which is surprising because its so super sensitive. I don't think I've ever charged it since its initial unboxing charge. Seems to last forever on a charge. Ive never thought about charging it, maybe I have, maybe i haven't in the last year. Its just always worked immediately since I plugged it in.TOO LONG DONT READ.The basics? In laymen terms, its a heavy ass stainless base with a knob grip. The knob is floating on a 3 dimensional spring. The motion is confined to a cube of travel, and it rests dead nuts center in the cube. You can push/pull it in an infinite number of directions from the center of its cube of travel. You can push anywhere freely in the cube, but it wants to spring back to center. You hold it, and if you move it a thousandth of an inch in the direction of the object, the camera moves that way. The harder you push that direction, the faster you move there. If you twist the knob, it rotates around your focal point. Given its such precise positioning and immense sensitivity, I'm shocked it has never had a hiccup. I toss this thing into my backpack, bouncing around with anything from a notebook to a machete and its always been true. Its never even bumped my view in sketch-up once without me commanding it.I should be nice to it, and work with it to build it a badass 3d printed case.I wonder if i can rig this up to a flight simulator.I love it.Love- Will

I dont really write reviews for items I have purchased, but I felt that I needed to for this amazing mouse. I know its a 3D mouse made primarily for using in it in 3D applications. However, I used it in 2D applications, specifically AutoCAD 2010.I started researching mice after experiencing pain on the top of my hand from clicking the middle mouse button which is programmed to pan in both AutoCAD and Bluebeam. I came across this mouse, did a little research and bought it.It is an amazing mouse to pan and zoom. You can customize the sensitivity and other settings. It took a while to get use to and get the right settings down. I first put the mouse next to my regular mouse that I use with my right hand. The left hand stayed on the keyboard that I use to type in commands. It felt ok this way. I then put it on my left side right next to my keyboard. It worked ok as I would barley move my hand off the keyboard and use the 3D mouse to pan and zoom. I was curious to see how it would be to use my regular mouse and the 3D mouse simultaneously and using the toolbar to enter commands.It took a little while to get use to it and WOW! I felt like I was a little quicker overall and it was great to not use the keyboard at all. I liked this configuration so much that I made a custom ribbon with the commands that I use in a configuration that works best for me. I have been drafting for many years and this is the most comfortable I have felt drawing. I wish that I had found out about this mouse sooner.This mouse also works in Bluebeam. I use Bluebeam a lot when drawing floor plans, etc. It works great in that program as well and no longer I am panning with my regular mouse - clicking the middle button and moving the mouse up or down a couple inches at a time. Now I zoom and pan at the same time with my 3D mouse to navigate around the sheet.I have not used in 3D views yet, but I am certain that it will be just as great and better than using my regular mouse. Get this mouse!