XIM Community
Miscellaneous => XIM APEX Discussions => XIM APEX => Legacy Devices => Member Projects => Topic started by: piiwii on 09:14 PM - 02/07/15
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The Nav isn't the most ergonomic controller in the world so I get cramps in my hands and fingers when I play for long periods at a time.
What I really needed was the ability to use the controller without having to grip it tightly, or without having to grip it at all. Basically, I needed the ability to dangle my fingers underneath it and just rest my palm over the top...almost like using a keyboard. I toyed with a number of different designs but I found this was both the most economical and practical.
Here's the prototype I started with, using wire from a coat hanger and some medical tape for grip. Since the Nav controller is so thick, the cable ties and metal never get in the way, unless you have super long fingers...and even then I don't think it would be a problem since the objective of this was to avoid having to grip it tightly in the first place! The tip of my fingers only just brush up against them and it's never irritating, so it works really well:
(http://oi61.tinypic.com/j5v9kn.jpg)
(http://oi58.tinypic.com/zvczq.jpg)
(http://oi62.tinypic.com/24ctk7q.jpg)
I was really happy with the prototype so I decided to move onto the real deal. But first I needed to use much thicker metal, which required a specialized tool, so I bought the K&S Mighty Wire Bender for less than $30 off eBay.
(http://oi61.tinypic.com/300zi8z.jpg)
I purchased some thicker wire (I used 3/16", which is just under 5mm) for $3, a heat shrink for $2 to provide some grip, and I already had some reusable cable ties which worked really well in my prototype so I didn't feel the need for anything more "elegant".
And here's the final product!
(http://oi60.tinypic.com/2czex78.jpg)
(http://oi57.tinypic.com/2md5mvp.jpg)
It's hard to see in the picture, but the top most part is bent outwards slightly to follow the curvature of the Nav:
(http://oi62.tinypic.com/p860m.jpg)
(http://oi60.tinypic.com/287hqnb.jpg)
Also what's difficult to see in the picture is the metal that runs across the arm of my chair doesn't get in the way at all. It runs right under the arched part of my wrist. When building the prototype, I spent a lot of time refining the design (went through about 6 iterations) and getting the measurements exactly right.
(http://oi59.tinypic.com/24ou6v7.jpg)
The beauty of the design is that I have the central beam tilted slightly upwards, so the natural downward pressure put on it (caused simply by using the Nav, see the red arrow below) clamps down on the two blue arrows, creating tension and holding everything together really snugly.
(http://oi57.tinypic.com/2pzzp83.jpg)
Anyway I'm really pleased with the end result! I barely even have to grip my Nav anymore and it's always in the right place when I plop down after getting home from work. Goodbye cramps!
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Very clever -- thanks for sharing!
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Good stuff there, always satisfying to find a solution to a problem and do it with your own gumption! Couple of Q's tho, do you just slip it off the chair to charge it and I'm guessing you never use it wired.
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Good stuff there, always satisfying to find a solution to a problem and do it with your own gumption! Couple of Q's tho, do you just slip it off the chair to charge it and I'm guessing you never use it wired.
Thanks! I just undo the cable ties. I use reusable ties which come off in an instant. They are so good, I use them all over my house:
http://goo.gl/uPWMZK
And I guess I could just permanently wire it up since it wouldn't get in the way but the battery lasts ages anyway so I don't mind having to swap it out when I need to.
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Ok a quick update - no matter how tightly I strapped in the Nav, it would still wiggle a little. So I bought some latex finger gloves from my local $2 shop which solved the problem. The fit is now really firm and there's almost no movement:
(http://oi59.tinypic.com/20ssxeb.jpg)
(http://oi61.tinypic.com/33xj9kn.jpg)
Finally, I bought a keyboard support rest to help elevate my wrist - I've always felt the Nav was a little too long as I don't have huge hands. This helps me avoid having to really stretch out my thumb. The whole setup is now perfect!!!
(http://oi60.tinypic.com/15z1t2a.jpg)
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Lol love it! Simple yet works.
You have the same setup as me. Nav, G502 and Stinkyboard ;)
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I agree it is clever but wouldnt you be more comfy with a Gduck Lapdesk and an N52te with an analogue stick? Two more fingers to use..
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I agree it is clever but wouldnt you be more comfy with a Gduck Lapdesk and an N52te with an analogue stick? Two more fingers to use..
What's a Gduck Lapdesk? I've seen it referenced a number of times but Google'd it and couldn't find anything.
As for the N52te, I've been meaning to check it out as you're right it allows me to lay my hand out flat which would eliminate most of my cramping, but I just love the Nav's analogue stick. It's just perfect - the grip, the size, the feeling and tension etc.
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you are sweet, it was just a few posts beside yours all the time.
http://xim4.com/community/index.php?topic=32196.0
There are tutorials here to make the N52te Cherry keyed, an analogue stick just like the Nav and replace all its internals with the Teensy to be able to connect without hub. It makes the N52te the best input device available. One that Obsiv should have copied or licensed long time ago.
The same could be done to the Orbweaver but I recommend the N52te. Modding is much easier to do and the hand placement is better at a cheaper price.
I doubt I will ever see a better Sofa gaming station than the Gduck with an analogue N52te. Its just perfect.
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hum I don't know, that looks really good but it also looks quite big. I really love my little stable table, it's small and light enough for me to be able to just use it *almost* as casually as a regular controller. If I have to get up for a drink or whatever I want it to be as easy as possible.
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You are right, it is quite big and its also heavy. If you get up a lot this might not be for you. It sis super comfy though. The Gduck made from Plastic would be awesome. I also have some modification ideas I will post in the Gduck thread.
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I just added these rubber rings from my RC car for extra grip. The heat shrink kept sliding off, and it wasn't providing that much grip anyway. This works so well. I'm also going to paint it this weekend to prevent rust in the longer term. I think my setup is now perfect!
(http://oi62.tinypic.com/2mwhyyh.jpg)
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Inspired by your poäng setup piwii, I made my own out of mdf. Was having back and neck pain gaming at a desk, now completely comfortable after many hours of gaming.
Chose to go completely wireless so no wires other than xbox series x controller.
Cost - £10
Time - 1 hr
If anyone wants to see how I attached the pieces of wood to the chair just ask.
(https://i.ibb.co/dQzHDqp/20220116-220156.jpg) (https://ibb.co/dQzHDqp)