Home > Consumer Reviews > 3Dconnexion SpaceNavigator PE (Personal Edition) 3D Navigation Device USB ( 3DX-700029 )

Ah, gadgets. I'm lucky enough to be able to justify most purchases (such as this one) with some obscure business need (the secret is not to be too specific :-). And so, a few weeks ago this device landed in my hands after I learned that finally Mac application support was assured (we are developing a Mac graphic app).

Please note: the Space Navigator (SP) is *not* a mouse replacement. You are expected to use this device in addition to your mouse and keyboard (or, rather: graphic tablet and keyboard). The SN's prime function is to aid you in positioning (rotating, panning, scaling) objects in 2D or 3D. Most applications already have functions for this, and the goal of this device is to make these functions more accessible or easier to use.

So, how does it hold up? The first thing you notice is how heavy the device is. This is a good thing. It feels solid, and encourages you to take a firm grip of the upper control. It also will not easily slide about, or (worse) turn by itself. The SN is sturdy, feels great, and is very, very sensitive. After a few short hours navigating in 3D becomes natural, and you'll wonder how you ever got by without it.

The downside is that applications must be re-written in order to take advantage of the SpaceNavigator. This is perhaps it's greates stumbling block, as only a few applications currently support it (the big three do, plus Google Earth (PC), and SketchUp (PC and Mac)).

The current Mac integration is less than stellar, emplying a rather silly control panel with integrated demo apps of dubious quality). Configuration options in the control panel are poor, and appear to be rushed to the market. Also, on the Mac there currently are only a handful of apps that support it, which hopefully will change soon.

Being a developer (and having to justify the purchase, remember) I also looked at the SDK (software development kit) that you can download to provide integration for your application (this is only usable for application programmers). Having played around with the SDK for a while I have to say that I am impressed. Firstly, the device itself is far more sophisticated that I initially thought. Also, the SDK abstracts device and software nicely, making integration much less a chore than I had thought. I'm therefore hopeful that this device receives a much broader adoption on the Mac than it now has -- especially for some games, where this kind of device would make immersion even better.

Aestethically, the device is hard to beat. It's round shape, the large, black rubberized top, with a heavy, brushed aluminum base, and a blue light shining from within (no doubt a not-so-subtle nod to Griffin's PowerMate) make this device look good, and definitely not flashy (which, considering the fact that most people using it are designers of some sort, is a good thing). It also looks like a distant cousin to Logitech's Harmony 1000 wich employs the same design palette (black/aluminum/blue).

Overall, even though current use is limited for many users, I can recommend this device if you are in the 3D design field (and your application supports it - it's worth a check, though).

Disclaimer: I received my SpaceNavigator for free. I've tried not to let that influence my review.

As a Google Earth addict I've been searching for an affordable 3D input device for some time. The search is over; the SpaceNavigator is it.

It's a solid unit, hefty and feels well-built. The supplied software (including driver's for a bunch of applications and a handful of demo's) installed easily and everything worked fine with Google Earth and Sketchup. 3Dconnexion's website had a more recent software package which was downloaded without fuss automatically as part of the installation process.

When I first plugged it in I was surprised by the sensitivity of the SpaceNavigator. There is very little 'throw' required to use the device to move around in 3D space. As such it requires a fair amount of dexterity and initially I felt awkward using the device and had to resist the temptation to reach for my mouse. It was intuitive but I felt clumsy.

My clumsiness was exacerbated due to using it with my *left* hand so I could continue to use my mouse in my right hand simultaneously. Two input devices, while powerful, requires practice!

However before too long (10-20 minutes) that feeling dissipated and using the device just felt very natural. You begin simply thinking about what to look at and not needing to think about how to get there. Using the mouse for navigation now feels constricting.

In Google Earth it's effective - and damn cool - zooming in on a location from a long way out, pulling down the angle of view and panning around a subject! Not only does the device give you a seamless way to move around the 3D space but it attracts attention in droves...if you bring the SpaceNavigator to work be prepared to let your colleagues have a play. :)

A couple of cons:

o Although the device feels heavy, once you start pulling against it (to zoom out as I have it configured) you realise that it's only just heavy enough.

o The software is reliable and effective but I'd like to see more functionality. A mouse driver would be an obvious addition. Interfacing to a browser (panning the SpaceNavigator would be a great way to scroll!) would be another. Once you're used to using it you want to use it everywhere!

o It can be difficult to get your hands on one depending on your geography; here in Australia I believe the distribution channels are still being sorted out.

But these are minor quibbles. The SpaceNavigator is an excellent device, at an amazingly affordable price that effectively brings 3D navigation to the masses. If you've got any interest in any 3D application you will not regret buying one. Highly recommended.

While this is a GREAT product for use with Google Earth on WindowsXP, beware if you want to use this with a Mac. Mac drivers are still in BETA and are only available as a download from their website. The only application currently supported on the Mac is Google SketchUp. Google Earth IS NOT SUPPORTED for the Mac as on February 2007 (check the manufacturer website for updates on Mac drivers). As a side note, be prepared to endure extra security screening if you pack this device in your computer bag and go through airport security. The base is made of solid metal and will show up brightly on the Airport security x-ray.

This is a great device!

I am a Google SketchUp user, and I have a SpacePilot from 3D Connexion at work. Getting home and working in SketchUp on my own computer has been a frustrating experience, I feel handicapped without a 3D device, so I am very happy to have a version that I can afford for my own use at home.

The SpaceNavigator was very easy to install with the supplied CD. Just pick the programs you have from the list. There are also additional drivers on the website if you should want to use it with AutoCAD or PhotoShop. I has a very small footprint on my desk yet it feels heavy and solid. I have found it worthwhile to explore the control panel and customize the way the device behaves in different applications, for example: In SketchUp I like to manipulate the scene as if I were holding it, whereas in Google Earth I like it to behave more like the controls of a flight simulator, so I have reversed many of the axis, and programmed the two buttons for my most common commands.

Speaking of Google Earth, it is way more fun to navigate around with the SpaceNavigator than a mouse, not to mention a lot less strain on the wrist!

I can't imagine not using a 3D controller after getting used to it. At work I also use it with Cinema4D, AutoCAD and Photoshop (yes, it is great at panning and zooming in 2D as well).

I would highly recommend the SpaceNavigator to anyone that does any kind of 3D or graphics work.

I am a licensed architect and use this extensively for SketchUp modeling and the occasional Google Earth tour. It has literally transformed the way I model. Even if it only worked with SketchUp it would be worth the $60 or $100. It is very well made, heavy with a sticky rubber base (a big ring, not those little dots), glows blue under the cap (which you can turn off), and has survived a few poundings courtesy of my 3-year old son.

I found that it took me about two full days to get used to it and feel comfortable enough with it to make going back to keyboard and mouse navigation painful.

Don't expect this to work with all (or even many) of your applications, even if they are listed on the 3DConnexion website as "supported". AutoCAD is a good example. Supported, yes, but I actually prefer to use the mouse and keyboard for 2D view navigation. Additional application support is promised, and will hopefully arrive soon, especially on the Mac side.

I have one at work (Windows, SpaceNavigator SE) and one at home (Mac, SpaceNavigator PE), and have used them in both contexts for the better part of a year. The Mac drivers are relatively on par with the Windows drivers, at least enough that device operation is consistent.

If you want to improve your SketchUp modeling fun and efficiency I highly, highly recommend this product.