I use a 3Dconnexion Space Explorer when I do SolidWorks. I found an increase in working speed, and more importantly less discomfort in my mouse hand. Think about it - holding down a mouse button with one finger for long periods just to pan and rotate a model generates tension in that finger and your whole hand for stabilizing that finger. The learning curve was not bad. I don’t use all the other buttons, just the main dial and sometimes the ‘ortho’ switches, but I think its better having the larger base vs just the knob versions. There are claims of up to 50% faster due to separating the clicking from the navigating, that might be generous but the people who mentioned those figures (respected prod dev agency in Seattle) are very solid CAD jockeys.
Cameron, please explain how you will do CAD with a Cintiq, and have it be better than using your left hand for supplementary functions.
Its also pretty amazing with Google Earth.