Review of four Button Mappers

jmckie · 04-11-05, 08:12 AM

One of my biggest complaints against the PPC user interface is its overdependence the stylus. This is anathema to using GPS navigation while in the car. So over the last couple of days, I've been looking for solutions that reduce that dependence by enhancing the functioning of the hardware keys and the use of macros.

I downloaded and evaluated all the programs I could find regarding this. These are what I found: Vito Buttonmapper, ButtonMax, Double Launcher, BtnPlus, PHMKeys, MortRunner (haven't tried this yet). I spend the better part of the day doing this so I figured I'd share my findings.

Vito Buttonmapper retail version link
Vito Buttonmapper freeware version link
ButtonMax link
Double Launcher link
BtnPlus link
BtnPlus guide link

I couldn't get Vito ButtonMapper to work at all. Because it had the best reviews and seemed to have the most features, I really wanted to make it work. I tried installing a couple of time, soft resetting, etc. It simply wouldn't do anything, not even launch the configuration screen. Apparently there is some incompatibility with the Axim X50v and this was confirmed by reports on Aximsite.

The next thing I tried was ButtonMax. I was really impressed with this program.

Like most of these programs, it allows to you launch programs (or perform system actions like rotate the screen) using any of the hardware buttons. Each button can be configured to run three things, with a normal press, double press, and with a press and hold. ButtonMax improves on this by adding some more system actions - the one I liked the most was the ability to switch to other running apps (like Alt-Tab on the PC). You can also launch documents in this way. But the most powerful addition is the ability to play macros. You press a hard button to initiate macro recording, then you do your thing, then end it with the same hard button. The only drawback is that playback of the macros is exactly at the same speed that you recorded it, and there is no option to speed it up.

Another very powerful feature is the ability to customize buttons for every program you have. That is, the buttons are context sensitive to the program you are currently running.

However ButtonMax had one fatal flaw that made me reluctantly uninstall it. In a note at the bottom of the help file it says: "3rd party button mapping is ignored when buttonMax is active. Most functions can be replaced with simple macros." What happens is the mapping you had already assigned to existing programs is ignored. For example, I had configured BetaPlayer to use the D-pad to fast forward and rewind. These stopped working after I installed ButtonMax. I have too many programs that depend on custom button mappings. Although it is possible to configure ButtonMax to make those functions work again, for it is too much trouble to fix them. I ended up making exceptions for too many programs. I will be keeping an eye out on future releases to see if this problem will be fixed.

One other drawback was the way it affected scrolling. Without me specifying anyting, scrolling in PIE changed from page scrolling to url scrolling. Scrolling in iSilo and SPB Tips and Tricks changed to line scrolling from full-page scrolling.

If you want to automate GPS navigation applications for easier use while in the car, you should try out ButtonMax. Many users might not even notice the problem I had, and the potential benefit could outweigh the problems. There is a full featured 30-day trial.

DoubleLauncher (shareware) is a much simpler version of ButtonMax, and it doesn't support macros. The trial version only allows the configuration of Button 2. In addition to the three kinds of keypresses, it adds a fourth one: triple-clicking. I think this is already overkill since I already find it hard to remember what I assigned to three keys. I didn't find any problems with it, and it allowed third-party apps to remember their own button mappings (unlike ButtonMax).

BtnPlus is an older program, and it is a freeware version of DoubleLauncher. It is small, fast, and I have not found any incompatibilities so far. There are a couple of drawbacks. One, it only has a Japanese version. I found a guide on how to use it here. Two, it is missing many of the built-in functions like rotation, scrolling, or context menu. You can get around this using by using the passthrough option. When configuring BtnPlus, you can map a button to use the original button function. I found out this feature through trial and error - let me know if you are interested I can provide screenshots. Using the passthrough function, and using PHMKeys, I now have a button based way of tabbing through apps.

I found one minor problem with it. Sometimes it ignores the button mappings. To reenable them I have to visit to setup screen and not do anything and leave. This happens after I configure the buttons in a third-pary application.

BTW, BtnPlus is what I ended up keeping.

Louse76 · 04-11-05, 11:38 AM

Good info! I think I'll try DoubleLauncher, an extra three options should be enough for me.

Good writeup, but links would add to it. :approve:

CoachNH · 04-11-05, 12:00 PM

I have DoubleLauncher and besides trying to remember which buttons do what, it works flawlessly. I have one set of buttons that do Email and IM, another set that launch a couple different calculators I use, another set to use for WIFI programs. It is just that my memory isn't quite what it used to be when it comes to recalling which ones are programmed for what.

I think it definitely was worth the $9.95.

Jim

jmckie · 04-11-05, 02:07 PM

Ok Louse76, I've added the links. :)

prusling · 04-11-05, 03:27 PM

Great post.

< When configuring BtnPlus, you can map a button to use the original button function. I found out this feature through trial and error - let me know if you are interested I can provide screenshots. >

Yes, please!

jmckie · 04-11-05, 04:13 PM

I've attached two screenshots for BtnPlus configuration.

The first one shows the dropdown list showing where you can find the Pass-thru function. Essentially this will simply invoke the original mapping you set up in Settings | Personal | Button.

The second screenshot shows how I mapped button 4 - the home button. The original mapping is to "Rotate screen".
Single press - Today screen
Double press - Rotate screen (via pass through)
Press and Hold - Task Manager

04-11-05, 07:36 PM

I use Vito Buttonmapper on my axim x50v with no problems. There used to be a problem with the x50v but the newest version works fine (v3.3.3 - it has been out for at least a few months). It also does not disable 3rd party button mappings. It also lets you map all 6 buttons on the x50v.

My only gripe with buttonmapper is the way the button hold function works. It will not run the program until you release the button - I prefer buttonmax in that sense.

The macro function takes a bit of learning but is excellent. For instance - two of my button mappings are now:
Hold and release button 3: Toggle Bluetooth
Hold and release button 4: Toggle WiFi

I have purchased buttonmax and buttonmapper. I switched to buttonmapper as soon as it started working on the x50v (i used to use it on my ipaq 2210).

I would really recommend vito buttonmapper.

rabdo

04-11-05, 08:02 PM

Originally Posted by jmckie

I've attached two screenshots for BtnPlus configuration.

The first one shows the dropdown list showing where you can find the Pass-thru function. Essentially this will simply invoke the original mapping you set up in Settings | Personal | Button.

The second screenshot shows how I mapped button 4 - the home button. The original mapping is to "Rotate screen".
Single press - Today screen
Double press - Rotate screen (via pass through)
Press and Hold - Task Manager

Nice, ill try that later. What is that little icon at the bottom that looks like a EKG? is it a cpu monitor? I like those things ^_^

04-12-05, 10:11 AM

Which program will open an *.lzh file? (for the btnplus) Not heard of this one. Thanks! ~Anne

jmckie · 04-12-05, 11:34 AM

WinRAR will open LZH.
The little icon belongs to PHM Task Manager.

04-12-05, 11:44 AM

Thanks! ~Anne

sto-helit.de · 04-14-05, 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by jmckie

MortRunner (haven't tried this yet).

MortRunner is a tool to enable batch/script files.
I think you mean MortButtons.
MortButtons isn't a button mapper. It's a launcher or menu system. But you can move to the next entry with any application button and the selected item is activated by a timeout. So, if a MortButton menu's set to an application button (should work fine with the named button mappers, too - I know about BtnPlus and VITO), you only need one button to use it.

I know the program names are a bit confusing... It's because of "history"... (MortButtons started being limitated to 5 entries and *only* usable with application buttons; MortRunner started with 4 commands: Run, Minimize, Hide, and Sleep - thought for simple autostart scripts...)

Choirguy · 04-22-05, 02:17 AM

Can you program "Mirror" to work with any of these programs?

I'd like to know before spending $10 on a program that might not do what I need it to do.

Thanks.

stoneraven9 · 04-22-05, 08:26 AM

nice post, thanks for the info. I will try them out.

04-22-05, 01:59 PM

thanks for the info, I think I am going to use the Vito buttons, hope it works, once again thanks