Anywhere USB KM-1411 Mouse/Numpad

[leukos]

I recently purchased the Anywhere USB KM-1411 Mouse/Numpad (see NewEgg) and thought I'd pass on my observations. It is currently selling for about $15.00 with a $5.00 rebate.

The NewEgg photos doesn't completely show the scale of the device. Here is a photo that gives some scale to the device. The coin on the keypad is a US dime, the coins on the side are US nickels. With the recent drop of the dollar it seems all US coinage is good for is measuring. In case the photos don't show it clearly, this device is a mouse with a numpad on the top.



The clear plastic piece is a lid that closes on the numpad. I'll eventually get around to removing it.

The original idea I had with this mouse was to keep my hand on the mouse and have quick access to some additional keys. Depending on group setup - mapping heals for specific group members, setting focus for a particular clone, the large enter button being push to talk, performing a battle rez of a particular group member.

COMPATIBILITY

The mouse/numpad does work in Vista, but appears to turn on the Num lock of the keyboard if it is off. This could be a problem if you are using a mini-keyboard that has a numpad overlaid on the regular keys. I've noticed if I press and hold a key on the KM-1411 and then press a key on my mini keyboard that is also mapped to a numpad key, the mini keyboard will send a numpad key. Depending on how people play, this feature could make using the KM-1411 difficult. I'm still looking for a publicly available work around for Vista to prevent it from turning on the numlock, but it is a back burner issue for me. If someone finds one, please let us know.

The mouse/numpad does work in Ubuntu 8.04, and I haven't come across any problems accessing this mouse directly with the Kernel Input API. The same numlock on behavior occurs in Ubuntu as well.

I won't be trying it in XP as I don't keep one of those around anymore. My Mac does not like this device. It wants to register the numpad, but not the mouse. There may be a way to get it to work, but I won't be spending the time to troubleshoot it. The device doesn't list Mac compatibility, so I see no reason to expect it.

FUNCTIONALITY

Trying to use the numpad and mouse is not an ergonomic experience. I've tried to use it by floating my index and ring finger on either side of the numpad, using my middle finger to operate the mouse, and holding the base with my thumb and pinky (to move the mouse). It seems I usually end up floating my index finger over the 5 key, my middle finger over the + key, and holding the base with my ring finger and thumb.

The numpad buttons are very small (around 13mm). It took me a little time to build the muscle memory to not smash two buttons at the same time.

I'm not to sure how well this will work out for most people without any type of special software to re-map the key that gets pressed to the key that gets sent to the clone hardware. I'm using some custom software to remap the 4,5,6 key to send mouse clicks to the clone hardware, and remapped the mouse buttons to send numpad 4,5 and 6. I don't think I would keep this device around if I wasn't able to do that, and had to use the mouse buttons to send mouse clicks.



I think the concept of this device would be better executed as something like the DataHand, but with a trackball for the thumb. Too bad DataHand had some issues with their manufacturer, almost pays to not outsource critical business functionality.

[moosejaw]

Good review. I saw that device before and all I could think of was smashing keys with my palm. Now if the keys were in front of the mouse buttons with place for my palm to rest..... hmmm.