Need a 3-Button Alternative to the SP4 Pen - Any Ideas?

[WildKarrde]

So, I love the pen that comes with the SP4! But with my SP2, I got used to having a middle mouse button, in addition to the right click. I used that middle mouse button extensively in CAD work. I've done a bit of research on my own, but can't seem to find any good alternatives to the SP4 pen that has 2 buttons and an eraser. Any ideas?

 

[TabletBuyer2]

I tried the vaio canvas pen on the surface pro 4.... it worked in one note but I didn't try anything else.

It has two buttons on the barrel of the pen. If those could be programmed we would be in the money for sure. Not sure if it is programmable though.

 

[WildKarrde]

You mean this one?
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-2013-Dig...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUwpUvbUpU3306737

I've read in another thread that a tool called Radial Menu can be used to assign the buttons to functions.

 

[TabletBuyer2]

That looks a lot like it.... can't say for sure. The one I am referring to comes with the 2015 vaio canvas. saving that link though

 

[TabletBuyer2]

Quick note, the one in your link would likely have less than 1024 levels of pressure

 

[WildKarrde]

It seems you're right, that one only has 256 levels of pressure, need the Sony N-Trig 2 for 1024 levels of pressure... and I can't seem to find that one for sale apart from the tablet.

In the event that I can find the 2015 pen sold separately, how did the feel, fit and finish and usage compare to the pen that comes with the SP4? I really quite like the one that comes with the SP4... if it had a second button on the barrel I'd be sold 100%. As it is... I'm considering just figuring out an alternative to the middle mouse button for part rotation in Solidworks.

 

[WildKarrde]

Upon further research, I noticed that the Surface 3 N-Trig pen has the eraser button on the barrel. Only 256 levels of pressure, but no CAD program I know of uses pressure sensitivity anyway. You can get the silver one for just over $33 on Amazon. I've also confirmed that Radial Menu does allow you to remap your buttons... but it only works when it's running.

So if you don't have it set to start with Windows, then your SP4 pen would work as normal until you started the program, and then you can switch to the S3 pen and use your secondary button for whatever function you want.

 

[TabletBuyer2]

That is quite an interesting proposition... Do you know if the surface pro 3 pen works on the 4?

In regards to the vaio canvas pen.... i really like the fit and finish but the actual nib itself was very slick. I've heard the surface pro 3 pen is also very slick.... I can't confirm this though because I've never used surface pro 3

 

[WildKarrde]

Yeah, according to the Microsoft page for it, it works with the S3, SP3, SP4 and SB.

https://forums.windowscentral.com/e...Fsurface-pen%3Fos%3Dwindows-10&token=3_xR9-2t

I actually just found one "refurbished" for $19.99 and free shipping. Plus I had $8.99 sitting in my account already, so couldn't pass it up for only $11. I'll post back here after I've had a chance to check it out.

 

[TabletBuyer2]

Sounds good