Archive translation. This review originally appeared in Digital Production 06:2019. Pricing, specifications, software support and availability reflect that publication period; verify current details before purchase.
This article originally appeared in Digital Production 06:2019.
The premise: Left-handed users have long faced a narrow choice of computer mice. While right-handed models cover almost every hand size, use case, button count and connection type, many manufacturers offer only compromised ambidextrous designs or no left-handed option at all. 3Dconnexion addressed that gap with a left-handed version of its CADMouse.
Hardware and features
At the time of review, the mouse cost €119 directly, or approximately €125 through Amazon. The 114 g body was large enough for substantial hands and shaped to reduce wrist strain without adopting the instability sometimes associated with fully vertical mice.
Seven buttons were provided. Connectivity options included the 3Dconnexion wireless receiver, Bluetooth and Micro-USB, with the cable also charging the battery. The manufacturer claimed three months of battery life, which broadly matched the review period. Because the mouse continued to work while connected by cable, charging did not interrupt work.
Buttons
Browser back and forward controls sat under the thumb. Three additional finger buttons, the scroll wheel and a Quick Menu button completed the seven-button layout.
Software
The mouse worked under Windows 10 without installing 3Dconnexion’s software, and third-party tools such as X-Mouse could provide basic remapping.
Installing 3DxWare 10 opened a clean configuration interface for macros and application-specific commands. The software included profiles for a wide selection of DCC and CAD applications—even Softimage—rather than focusing on games. The current compatibility list is available from 3Dconnexion.
Buttons and the scroll wheel could be configured per application. The Quick Menu button opened a radial menu for frequently used commands or utilities such as a calculator or email client, and could also expose functions from supported creative applications. An optional taskbar display showed the battery level.
Practical test
The dedicated middle-click button initially felt unusual to a reviewer accustomed to pressing the scroll wheel. After a short adjustment period, however, it proved useful in DCC applications because navigation no longer risked accidental zooming. Although the wheel itself could still be clicked, it was rarely needed during the three-month test.
The mouse’s most successful feature was its ergonomic angle. It combined a high arch that reduced wrist strain with enough stability that clicking did not move the pointer. Fully vertical mice can offer a more neutral forearm position, but their sideways button force may shift the cursor; the CADMouse’s shallower angle avoided that problem.
Verdict
The sensor offered up to 7,200 dpi. Polling rates were specified at 90 Hz over Bluetooth, 125 Hz through the wireless receiver and 1,000 Hz over cable. Those figures made gaming possible, but the mouse was designed primarily as a professional work tool.
Its size, balanced weight, working angle, connectivity and application-aware controls made the left-handed CADMouse a strong choice for artists seeking longer, more comfortable sessions. The construction was robust, the feature set covered everyday creative work, and the design avoided distracting lighting. A right-handed version was also available.
Before purchase, verify current operating-system support, 3DxWare compatibility, wireless standards, connector type, battery serviceability and the exact left- or right-handed model.
