Mousing surface precision

[timeuser]

I've been using the iGesture continuously for about a month and a half now. I've tried adjusting several different things using the Multitouch software and the system mouse curve in OS X. No matter what I try I can't get as precise of control over the pointer as I have with my optical mouse (either Apple mouse or Kensington). I undershoot or overshoot and slow is too slow or fast is too fast. Mostly this seems to come down to my fingertips not sliding perfectly smoothly over the surface of the iGesture and jerking and bouncing along. But it could partially just be never finding a completely suitable speed and acceleration setting. I've tried one finger, two finger and five finger pointing. Also, I have very long hands and fingers, perhaps that's part of the issue?

In the end, I'm also getting pain in my wrist and numbness in my fingers that I don't get with a mouse. I think this is because of the effort it takes with trying to move my fingers precisely enough to get my cursor where I want without over or undershooting. I love the iGesture otherwise because of the macros and scrolling etc.

Does anyone else have issues like these with the iGesture pad versus a mouse? Does anyone have any suggestions?

Help.

[TorbenGB]

This has been discussed in the forum before. I recommend that you try to search the forums to find earlier comments.

What I remember from reading those threads is that perhaps your pain comes from straining to keep your hand and fingers rigid; try to consciously relax more while mousing.

Also about the numbness, this might be because you're pressing too hard on the surface; remember that the sensor works with the lightest of touches so you barely need to touch the surface at all. Try not to press down on the surface, this should spare you some surface friction and therefore numbness, and perhaps also lessen the pain you feel.

Finally about the surface friction, some users reported having moist fingers that stick more to the surface than if they were dry. The surface is very sturdy and you can use small amounts of talcum powder or similar to make it slicker and also dry your fingers. This may or may not work for you, but you can try it out. It won't harm the touchpad.

[adamlau]

The iGesture does not come close to the precision and smooth scrolling of my Razer Diamondback + Razer eXactmat combo. It probably never will. I for one have opted to use both the iGesture as well as the Razer Diamondback + Razer eXactmat combo. Depends on the functions I intend to perform during the computing session (right-clicking, copying & pasting, highlighting, scrolling). I tend to prefer a precision mouse + pad combo when performing extensive and repetitive functions. General computing sees me mousing with the Synaptics TouchPad on my IBM T42 and using the iGesture as a supplementary macro pad (windows manipulations, file operations).

[goadeff]

I rely on an odd preparation ritual to get the best keyboarding performance out of my TouchStream: I fold a piece of paper, place a drop of supergue onto it, then slide my fingertip about on it quickly so my finger doesn't bond to the paper. I repeat this step with other fingertips and the sides of my thumbs. This forms an invisible "sweat barrier" that makes my fingers nice and slippery on the TouchStream, and usually lasts throughout the day unless I give my hands a good washing. I also sometimes rub my fingers across a talcum stick, one of a type you can get at electric shaver shops - it's one of the more tidier ways to deal with talcum.

A word of caution about superglue: some people have allergies to it, and it is of course very quickly bonding.

I think it might be possible to design some sort of thin, flexible fingertip type of device, re-useable, like a thimble, that would more better serve...