“A joystick is a computer peripheral or general control device consisting of a hand held stick that pivots about one end and transmits its angle in two or three dimensions to a computer. Most joysticks are two-dimensional, having two axes of movement, just like a mouse, but three-dimensional joysticks do exist.”
Joysticks are common in the assistive technology market. They are often useful to people with athetoid conditions, such as cerebral palsy, who find them easier to grasp than a standard mouse. Joysticks are also useful for people with conditions involving muscular weakness such as muscular dystrophy or motor neuron disease because of the limited range of motion required. Although joysticks are also used on power chairs for control since they are simple and effective to use as a control method they will not be dEach device has unique features that may or may not be useful for persons with certain disabilities. Having a grasp of what each product has to offer is a good place to start, then the user needs to try them out for themselves. Subtle differences in grip and sensitivity will ultimately decide which product is best for the user.
The joysticks below are listed in order of price (from the most expensive to the least expensive).
USB Point It
Manufacturer: Tash Inc.
Model: USB Point it
Interface: USB
Price: $675. U.S.
PC Compatible: Y
Mac Compatible: Y
Dimensions (inches):
Length 5 x Width 4 x Height (without joystick) 1.3 x Height (incl. Joystick) 4
Buttons:
4 Buttons
1. Left Click
2. Double Click
3. Right Click
4. Drag lock
Other Features:
-Switch jacks for each button
-proportional joystick movement
-Force to activate 9 oz 250 g
Comment:
Reliable and functional. The USB Point-it offers most of the possible features that a user could want and its backed with the long standing reputation of Tash.
Tash Joystick
Manufacturer: Tash Inc.
Model: Tash Joystick
Interface: USB
Price: $500. U.S.
PC Compatible: Y
Mac Compatible: Y
Dimensions (inches):
Length 5 x Width 4 x Height (without joystick) 1.3 x Height (incl. Joystick) 4
3 Buttons:
1. left click
2. right click
3. double click
Other Features:
-Switch Jacks for each button
-Timed latch feature adjustable by dip switches
-Proportional Joystick Action
-Force to activate 10oz 275g
Comment:
Fewer features compared to its cousin (TASH Point-it) but again a very solid offering with a few extras like the adjustable timed latch for the buttons.
Roller Plus Joystick
Manufacturer: Traxsys / Esterline / aka Penny and Giles
Model: Roller Plus Joystick
Interface: USB / PS/2
Price: $395
PC Compatible: Y
Mac Compatible: Y
Dimensions (inches):
Length 8.5 x Width 5.3 x Height 4.3
6 Buttons:
1. Left Click
2. Right click
3. Left double click
4. Left drag (with LED indicator)
5. Cursor Speed
6. X or Y only key (with LED indicator)
Other Features:
-manually adjustable cursor speed
-left and right handed modes
-removable key-guard
-switch adapter for external switches
-3 handles: standard
t-bar knob
soft sponge ball
Comment:
Plenty of features, competing with only the N-abler for the most number of features.
Easitrax Joystick
Manufacturer: Traxsys
Model: Easitrax Joystick
Interface: USB
Price: $245
PC Compatible: Y
Mac Compatible: Y
Dimensions (inches):
Length 8 x Width 4 x Height 2.5
3 Buttons:
-left mouse button (also to access drag function)
-scroll button (also to access cursor speed)
-right mouse button (also to access drag function)
Other Features:
-manually adjustable cursor speed
-soft joystick handle
-LED’s to indicate speed setting
-LED's to indicate other functions
Comment:
A third joystick offering from Traxsys and the most recent. The Easitrax has some great new features but it does not have the choices of joystick parts that the other Traxsys products provide.
Roller II Joystick
Manufacturer: Traxsys
Model: Roller II Joystick
Interface: PS/2 with USB Adapter Included
Price: $295
PC Compatible: Y
Mac Compatible: Y
Dimensions (inches):
Length 8.5 x Width x 5.3 x Height 4.3
3 Buttons:
1. Left
2. Right
3. Drag (flashing LED indicator)
Other Features:
-switch ports corresponding to all 3 buttons
-Keygaurd
-3 handles:
-standard
-T-Bar
-Soft Sponge Ball
Comment:
The predecessor to the Roller Plus, this product is a little more “basic” than the others but is a solid product nonetheless.
n-ABLER Joystick
Manufacturer: Pretorian
Model: n-Abler
Interface: USB
Price: $385
PC Compatible: Y
Mac Compatible: Y
Dimensions (inches):
Length 9 x Width x 5.3 x Height 2.8
5 Buttons:
1. left (switchable with right)
2. right click (switchable w/ left)
3. double-click
4. latching drag lock
5. X-Y axis lock and scroll button
Other features:
-Cursor speed control,
-audible/visual alerts,
-external button sockets
-3 handles:
-standard
-T-Bar
-Soft Sponge Ball
Comment:
This product differentiates itself with audible feedback, the only thing it lacks is the flexibility of a removable key-guard.
SAM Joystick
Manufacturer: RJ CooperModel: SAM Joystick
Interface: Serial and USB
Price: $229
PC Compatible: Y
Mac Compatible: Y (separate device)
Dimensions N/A
3 Buttons:
1. Left click
2. Right click
3. Drag lock
Other Features:
-non-proportional – set speed regardless of directional force applied
Comment:
The offering from RJ Cooper has all of the necessary features of an adaptive joystick and is the most economical of the products reviewed.
Features Comparison Chart
The Roller Plus and N-Abler are tied for the most features. Additional information about “activation force” is not provided by most of the manufacturers except for Tash. This information would be incredibly valuable for the end users.
By Jim Meldrum
jcmeldrum at gmail dot com
