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Some people are trying to create an open-source and 3D printed "space mouse" clone. I've seen a few but the one that comes to mind is called OS3M. Might be worth a look for borrowing ideas as they have a very clever motion sensing circuit and mechanism.

In my opinion, the problem with the mouse buttons is related either to the quality of the switches or to their design in general. I had the same problems that after a year or two, problems with the buttons begin, mostly double-clicking starts to work when pressing once or random clicks when holding down the button. I got myself a mouse with optical switches and it has been working for 5 years without any problems.

Hi! You could also use a joystick from reputable manufacturer (ALPS foe example) and avoid the problems of deadzone and wobble

That’s not a mouse. This is a mouse 😂

Next iteration you'll discover you can do the acceleration trick on a trackball as well and that it turns out even better. You can also do a trick with a trackball where you flick and catch it. Oh and that Windows Ballistics curve is really bad, but you can use third party mouseaccel software or implement your own in the firmware. Also i'm replicating your "smooth mouse movements" easily with a basic gaming mouse which i got for 16 EUR on a cloth pad, it has a A3050 low end gaming sensor which is higher linearity than office sensors since those have deliberate input filtering. I sort of hate cloth pads though, because they get contaminated. The mouse is a Speedlink Sicanos and it's got configurable ergo panels but overall it's a cheap product not quality, still, it performs rather admirably. You hopefully have seen Alex Kenis video about mouse switches? Because i don't think your explanation is quite correct. I have 20 year old mice which never needed switch service, it's a new issue due to lower voltage and lower current the switches are being used at; but some switches are a lot more wear resilient, particularly Japanese D2F switches, which beat all D2FC variants and just about everything else in this use. You can also guard against wear by using dual sided sensing. Still using switches with a lever leaf is good since it can distribute the force better, pressing the nub off centre greatly contributes to wear. The joystick needs damping, but i can't think of a sure fire solution. Silicone may be it, since it's a spring damper system, but so are rubber bands, so perhaps preload too high, wrong configuration? What i can think of though is that Dreamcast has a Hall effect stick where instead of small return spring down the bottom, there is a huge one on the periphery with preload modulating swash plate, and that stick has long throw, centres decisively and seems to have no overshoot when centering and there is grease in the assembly for damping.

That's crazy your mouse broke in a year! I use my mouse daily for probably 8-10 hours, and I'm constantly clicking it and it's still going strong. I have the MX Master 3 so it's quite similar. It's harder to imagine more usage than I've thrown at this thing. What was your usage like? I use mine a ton in 3D modeling, 2D animation, Illustrator, Photoshop, etc. on a 49" ultrawide. Edit: just finished watching. Cool stuff. I love when people make their own things. I like the ability to easily stop where I am with a traditional mouse, but this is still really cool. Good job!

cool

Great video i hope too see future iterations maybe even a product launch! But i do have some suggestions/ideas (or what ever they are called): By the looks of it I think using index finger on it is pretty awkward. Maybe the middle finger would be better it would also make it so the whole hand doesn't need to completely change the hand position just to click the two vertical buttons[*]. I maybe you can put the volume control back to the side[**] Another is move the buttons closer so its directly below the index and ring finger and also belower than the cursor. =°=(kind of like this is what im thinking or maybe you can also move the two button together like this ミ⊙ミ or like this ╬ ⊙ ╬ with the cursor a little higher ). [*]While writing i was thinking the two buttons and scroll be assigned to the thumb. [**]I couldn't decide if the volume control should be thumb or pinky finger.

meanwhile I've had the same Razer Deathadder for literally 7 or 8 years and it still works just as well as the day I bought it

If your mice keep breaking it might be a you problem. I replaced my desktop mouse probably once every 10 years. Not because they stopped working but because I wanted a different mouse.

The reliability issues dont make sense to me, i am ham fisted, and have been known to throw stuff. i have never broken any of the recent high end logitech mouse. I game, design on cad, and basically use my PC all day. the only thing that has made my user experience better has been a space mouse, which has a similar layout to your cronos.

very cool, i just hoard mice so when one breaks i cant fix i just plug in a new one. i did luck out recently with a mechanical rgb keyboard i paid $7 for at a discount shop new in box with a metal frame that changing the buttons out is a breeze

Just a thought,maybe try hall effect joysticks❤

I'm an FPS gamer, sorry.

What a wild design! PS if you want long lasting switches then look in to what switches Razer Viper has

Can't wait for a gamer to No-Hit Elden Ring while using this thing, or something among those lines

watching you replace every joystick module with a gyroscope because of the dead Zone had me almost punching my screen JUST USE HALL EFFECT MODULES

would a compliant mechanism be a better fit for the main joystick that rubber bands. You could get an even resistance across the whole range of movement.

Very interesting, I would try one just out of curiosity. I've been using an Elecom EX-G PRO Trackball for years and it's been the best solution for me. After throwing away multiple thumb-controlled trackballs from logitech, also for the same cheap part issues you described here, I ended up with this, so far, great solution. I've grown somewhat adverse to the tired and old mouse design and think that innovation in this area is way too slow due to people's stubborn "lack of" adoption rate to something new and better. Some food for thought, if you do get some traction on this, adding another axis of control similar to a "space mouse" might be something to explore. Good job, will support!

With that size why not using mechanical keyboard switch? Even you can make it hotswapable

Man ignore the armchair critics. This is awesome and I love how you iterated until you got it right. I can see a lot of applications for this where a mouse would not be suitable. Especially for accessibility reasons.

What the hell do you do with your mice? Those switches are supposed to be good for at least one million activations. I've still got MY first Logitech from back in the 90s, and it's buttons work fine!

If you can find one and want to deal with another standard mouse for ideas try finding a Logitech G600. I have been using this for years, and since they don't sell them anymore I have backups. I find the ergonomics nice since it actually has 3 finger rests on the top, and having over a dozen programmable buttons on it makes it exceptionally versatile because of the different profiles you can have for every program you want to use it with. I also use it in conjunction with the Logitech G13 (something they also stopped making), this adds far more function. If you are set on it being stationary I would highly suggest moving the joystick to the thumb position, this frees up all your other fingers for other tasks and could make it so you aren't forced to stop movement when you are using most of the other buttons. Also for the joystick you've probably already thought of it, but just in case you haven't, you might check out "hall effect" joysticks to get rid of dead zones. Because Logitech has stopped making the products I highly love using currently I might also have to go down this route at some point. Best of luck to you with this project.

Those Switches break because Logitech applies an improper voltage to those switches on their wireless lineups.

You could use hall effect gimbals for PS/Xbox, it costs only couple euros. Though it likely will have the same stiffness.

I know this is all temporary, but eventually, you might want to find a 'shelf stable' version of the foam dampening. Foam eventually disintegrates and turns into sand, ruining any microswitch contaminated.

I look forward to seeing this develop! Hope you go down the framework route and let it be a user DIY thing with options for different button modules and configurations. I've been seeking a new mouse and keep thinking how much I'd love a mouse that can be pulled apart and have new parts added to give it wireless/Bluetooth/cabled connectivity, also being able to have more robust metal buttons and external panels. A mouse for longevity and modularity.

Awesome build, it's given me some ideas for my own controller. Regarding your switch problems, my older Logitech trackball uses Omron switches with the spring steel lever (also, made in Japan--higher build quality). They're over 20 years old and still going strong.

I hate when people walk in on me jerking my cursor

I love unconventional designs! It keeps things exciting

since the middle joystick always returns to the center because of the rubber bands, when you let go of it does the cursor also move to middle of the screen? how does it work in scenarios like that?

I use a Logi 575 trackball with a wrist rest mouse pad which does not move. You can control the speed with Logi Options +

Take a look at hall effect gimbals that are used in RC remote controllers for drones etc. seems like exactly what you need for your joystick. They're a lot more accurate and will let you adjust tension etc... much better without wobbles. On the more expensive side, Radiomaster AG-01 family of gimbals but there are cheaper ones too.

Something that may help stabilize your gyro point is letting it sit, nested, on a cone shape inside the device. That way you're rolling the stick around the cone, but the rubber bands keep it taught and in place against the cone. This keeps the stick from floating and bouncing. keeps the gyro centered on a point to minimize errant movement, and you can rest your finger on the stick instead of need to hover over it.

Shut up & TAKE MY MONEY! Wonderful idea. This is the first Kickstarter I will have ever supported.

People have been trying to find an alternative to the mouse for decades and yet it still is the most popular way to control a pointer. And I think that's the case because it's simply the best solution. I've used joysticks in the past to control a cursor and they simply are not that precise. And if you increase the precision, then they are slow as hell to move around. I hate being negative because I love to design and build things as well, but I just don't see how this joystick-like device really can replace a mouse. I would suggest designing a "3D mouse" similar to the overpriced ones made by Connexions (their name is something like that). 3D mice would typically be used in tandem with a regular mouse. The 3D mouse would be used to manipulate (zoom, orbit, pan) a 3D model in CAD or 3D modeling software usually with your left hand, while the regular mouse is used to manipulate the user interface (moving the pointer and activating menus and icons) typically eith your right hand. Again, not trying to be too negative, but your joystick design already looks like some of the 3D mice on the market.

This is really awesome. Made me think of the Space Mouse by 3dconnexion. I'm a big fan of the trackballs with a thumb ball like logitech's ergo m575.

Have you tried a 3DConnexion Spacemouse? I know lots of folks use them for CAD / 3D. Has a much more advanced input mechanism than what you've got here.

Won't the stick drifting while there is no strong centering mechanism?

I agree that standard mouse is not very comfortable. Also by heavy use you can get serious pain in arm and wrist. So this project is a great idea! But have you tried a Roller Mouse? The mobile one is just amazing. It solves the problem for me.

I appreciate the work, but I think switching from the absolute motion of a mouse to the relative motion of a joystick misses the point of a mouse to many of us.

that's pretty cool... I'd use a thumbstick component instead of designing a whole new joystick. Already has a button press under it as well and the centering is already setup. For the scroll wheel i would use a single axis rocker switch component.. not sure what its called but they use them on automobile automatic windows. Edit: I believe its called a spring return thumbwheel or a rocker thumbwheel.. You can get thumb sticks really cheap ... like 3usd but the rockers are kinda expensive

Lots of interesting design. It seems like you could keep the joystick but surround it with curved shape for your palm and other fingers. The buttons and wheels could be placed on the curved shape, so you could operate them without moving your hand.

Some issues. The wrist rest needs an adjustment system for people with different hand sizes. The buttons seem very far apart for smaller hands and not positioned in easy to reach locations (where fingers might naturally rest without taking finger off joystick). I'd also suggest going with keyboard switches for the buttons at this point. Still, its a cool idea. Careful on wasting funding when you should definetely be making significant upgrades to the design. Customer first impressions are important. Wish you the best!

Did you look into hall effect sensors for the joystick? That feels like it would at least partially alleviate the wobble and probably eliminate the dead zone, too. Might be worth investigating if you're making it an actual product so you don't need the rubber and foam that perish over time.

intressting concept! It looks just good and i am excited for the KS!

It looks great. I'd love to have a go with it. Did you consider hall effect sticks? No deadzone. And they're nice and simple.

Very cool Project! I have also considered building something pretty similar. Have you ever considered using Hall Effect Joystics? Or were they in the video and I missed it when you said it in the video?

Hey that left click sticking seems to be universal with Logitech mice 😂 seems like something intentionally built in their products.

why not just use a gamepad?