Scythe Announces Improved USB Foot Switch II

[btarunr]

Japanese manufacturer Scythe is hereby announcing an improved version of USB Foot Switch. These special input devices were improved according to the feedback which was collected from users who have used the first version. The main focus was put on the reduction of in service noise which resulted in reconstruction of the switching mechanism. Hence new USB Foot Switch II is no longer based on a mechanical but an optical switch. To further reduce the switching noise, rubber was implemented inside the chassis.

To further increase the respond time of the USB Foot Switch II the key stroke was reduced from 8 mm to only 5 mm. Hence reduces the pressure required to use the switch resulting in easier and more comfortable use. USB Foot Switch II can be connected conveniently using the USB interface of a PC or Notebook. Required software and drivers are included, offering many options and combinations for the key configuration.



USB Foot Switch II is available as a Single Version with one key, a Double Version with 2 keys as well as Tripple Version with 3 keys. Users can choose between the 3 versions to determine which is best for their needs in terms of key combination for an additional input device.



MSRP for USB Foot Switch II as following (excl. VAT/TAX):

• USB Foot Switch 2 Single (USB-1FS-2): 20.50 EUR
• USB Foot Switch 2 Double (USB-2FS-2): 29.00 EUR
• USB Foot Switch 2 Tripple (USB-3FS-2): 33.00 EUR

For more information, visit the product page.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[mlee49]

I'm sorry, but why the heck would anyone buy one of these?

Switch between USB devices?

 

[digibucc]

well kvm switches had a use, i could see usb switches having one as well...

but this product is more like the foot pedal on a piano/keyboard or sewing machine,
allowing you to use your feet to input controls in addition to kb/m. for keys you would
hold to manipulate, like shift, ctrl, alt, or even middle mouse button in games & browsers.

i think cad/design people use them mostly.

I don't do any real design, just small web stuff.... but i think i want one. what can one more
input hurt?

 

[mlee49]

Ok, alternate inputs I guess works. Only have two hands :/

 

[Velvet Wafer]

Does no one have have thought about using one of them for MWLL?
In a Mech cockpit, in the Books, there are also pedals... together with a nice joystick/throttle combo, i bet you can create some pretty good immersion,while gaming

 

[InnocentCriminal]

I'm sorry, but why the heck would anyone buy one of these?

Switch between USB devices?

Disabled computer users.

 

[Batou1986]

Does no one have have thought about using one of them for MWLL?
In a Mech cockpit, in the Books, there are also pedals... together with a nice joystick/throttle combo, i bet you can create some pretty good immersion,while gaming

That's what i was thinking also would come in handy for those guitar effects programs.

 

[cadaveca]

That's what i was thinking also would come in handy for those guitar effects programs.

most of those have specially designed controller...that cost a hefty bit more than these do.

 

[Mistral]

Does no one have have thought about using one of them for MWLL?
In a Mech cockpit, in the Books, there are also pedals... together with a nice joystick/throttle combo, i bet you can create some pretty good immersion,while gaming

...

The difference being, that with actual pedal controller you get a gradual input scale with something like 10cm worth of values, while with the Scythe switch above you get 5mm on-off.

 

[Kreij]

I wrote an application here at work with a timer that displays a part count that should be maintained, and a display of the actual parts assembled.
The users press the foot switch every time they complete a part.
Gives us an idea of how close people are to making rate.

 

[digibucc]

yeah these are basically keyboard keys you hit/hold with your feet, that's it. on/off

 

[Disparia]

Nice, would love a triple for LOTRO. Mount/dismount, next target, closest target, autorun toggle, etc.

 

[Kreij]

Yes, the drivers allow you to select which pedal emulates which key so they could be useful in various games (reloading a weapon comes to mind).

 

[Velvet Wafer]

...

The difference being, that with actual pedal controller you get a gradual input scale with something like 10cm worth of values, while with the Scythe switch above you get 5mm on-off.

i guess that is up to personal preference... much like with high/flat keyboard

 

[digibucc]

i guess that is up to personal preference... much like with high/flat keyboard

how so?

gradual input vs on/off are two different things.


think of how in some games the further you press the analog stick
the faster the avatar runs

or how lightly pressing the trigger brings up a reticule, and a full press fires.

 

[Velvet Wafer]

how so?

gradual input vs on/off are two different things.


think of how in some games the further you press the analog stick
the faster the avatar runs

or how lightly pressing the trigger brings up a reticule, and a full press fires.

in MWLL, 2 pedals with on/off are clearly enough... you just need to increase/decrease speed, as there is no system for moving each leg independently.
For other Games it might be different, but MWLL is pretty much all what i care about, when i see these pedals^^

 

[Easy Rhino]

couldnt these also be used for special needs cases. like somebody without functioning arms or hands could navigate a desktop UI with it instead of a mouse.

 

[Velvet Wafer]

couldnt these also be used for special needs cases. like somebody without functioning arms or hands could navigate a desktop UI with it instead of a mouse.

i guess it could, but for that, there is a already a better system, with big rolls, that are manipulabe by the feet... one for up/down... and one for left/right... pressing the roll with the foot equals to a left/right click

 

[MightyMission]

Could be used for Drawbars in MIDI keyboard emulations too,B3 et al

 

[InnocentCriminal]

couldnt these also be used for special needs cases. like somebody without functioning arms or hands could navigate a desktop UI with it instead of a mouse.

They can be. The company I work for supply other brands of this sort of thing to disabled students, usually more specific equipment along with bespoke hardware & software.

 

[[H]@RD5TUFF]

I'm sorry, but why the heck would anyone buy one of these?

Switch between USB devices?

I actually won a set of the first gen (2 peddle version) from a LAN party sponsored by Scythe, and they were actually fairly useful, the software that came with them was pretty robust, and I actually used them at home, and macroed nades and knife to them, and it worked wonderfully then I quit playing MW2. I then took them to work and macroed 1 to pull up a png of a bunch of spread sheets and other stuffs, as a "boss button", and the other as a "lock up" button, and they worked flawlessly! They were also built pretty strongly and felt solid, and worked perfectly for the 4-5 months I used them.


Now I don't see how they could improve the first gen, as they were quality hardware. The only improvements I could see being made is one the price (which they seem to have lowered by about $7-$8) and perhaps make the peddles themselves a bit more smooth and require a little less force to press.


I will perhaps get a set of these if I can find them locally.

 

[Sinzia]

Seems as tho it would be a great push-to-talk key for ventrilo/teamspeak/skype/etc.

 

[Cold Storm]

Seems as tho it would be a great push-to-talk key for ventrilo/teamspeak/skype/etc.

That was one of the big key features for the single pedal when it first came out.. You push the pedal to talk, then push off..

::::

two-three can be used for racing games..

The use for these are endless.. You just have to have a mind to think of something...

I use my single pedal for push to talk.

 

[tkpenalty]

I'm sorry, but why the heck would anyone buy one of these?

Switch between USB devices?

Music production; when you run out of buttons on your music equipment there is only one other way to add more buttons.

Cept, I haven't been able to find any here in sydney....

 

[Wile E]

I want one to use as a push to talk button.