Although the comparison may seem obvious when reading the 3D mouse or 3D mouse, as soon as we look at the more advanced and specific models, we will understand that the visual comparison has its logic, because almost no one would know what it really is.
The joysticks have changed so much that they hardly resemble the mental picture we have, so let’s face them and see if they really are that similar.
The 3D mouse, what is it really for?
Formerly they were called curiously 3D CAD Mouse for their use with this software. Therefore, they are specific mice for designers, developers, even some content editors and, above all, engineers of all kinds.
It is therefore, and given the explanation, a mouse focused on 3D environments where the three-dimensional space of the software is paramount and where a multitude of virtual devices such as accelerometers or potentiometers can be manipulated and this is precisely where the whole comparison with Joysticks comes into play. since they are also used in similar environments.
In addition, they have a connection and it is nothing more than virtual reality, since both devices can be used here perfectly. The main difference here is something natural in both cases, since the 3D mouse is used to be more productive, while the joystick is used for pure entertainment in games that could perfectly be planes, or an improved arcade.
Why is the joystick confused with its rival?
Because of the shape of the latest models that we have seen for a few years. We all have in mind the typical joystick of the Atari 2600or an airplane simulator with its steering stick, or even the one the arcades had with the typical stick and top ball.
The functionality of these unlike 3D mice hasn’t changed too much, the design yes, giant strides have been made there but in the benefits beyond improved precision, feel and feel durability as such, it does not represent a comparison with the first.
Also the problem is not so much with the PC as with the mobile devices, since in Android there is a joystick that we would not be able to tell which device we are looking at and they integrate controllers like those that have the Steam Deck or any current handheld console in the purest gamepad.
And that’s where people get confused the most precisely because of this directional functionality, but the functionality isn’t even really close, because the mouse 3d professional They have really intricate designs, with dozens of buttons around the hand and yes, a middle section like it’s a joystick, but we won’t see any of the latter with a 3D mouse design, and we we refer to the photos on display.