Author Topic: Make your gloves "touch screen" compatible  (Read 3002 times)

Offline stevewfl

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Make your gloves "touch screen" compatible
« on: July 28, 2011, 10:31:21 PM »
I've been using my EVO for GPS, location tracking apps, maps, and a TON of other things while on my bikes.  I've been using a glove with the fingers cut out for my left hand (or no gloves at time) for the touch screen.

I'm going to try this simple mod eliminates the dilema: 

Most modern touch screens use "capacitive touchscreen" which in short means that for a glove to work with a touch screen it needs to complete a circuit with your finger. So that's what we're going to do by putting some conductive thread between the screen and our finger.
 
Supplies You will need:
 
* A glove.
 * A needle.
 * 12" (30cm) of conductive thread.
 
#1 Thread your needle
 You don't need a whole lot of thread, just a foot or so.
 
#2: Sew a few stitches in the finger of your glove.
 On the outside try to make the stitches pretty close so it only touches the screen in a smallish area (about 1/4" or 6mm in diameter.) This will help your finger touches be more accurate.
 
Tip: Don't make it too small! The iPhone, for example, will ignore small touch areas. If it doesn't seem to work very well, try increasing the size of the stitches on the outside.
 
On the inside of the finger, it's actually good for it to be messy (See #3).

3-5 stitches should be enough.
 
#3: Leave some extra inside the glove.
 You want to make sure the thread touches your finger or your hand on the inside, so leave some extra. Leave danging thread on your knots, etc. You might even tack a bit to the lining of the glove
 
#4: Repeat on other fingers (optional)
 If you use other fingers or thumbs to use your screen repeat the step on them too.


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Offline Big Iron

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Re: Make your gloves "touch screen" compatible
« Reply #1 on: July 28, 2011, 10:45:28 PM »
Where do you get that "conductive thread"? Anywhere local or only through ordering it online?
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Offline stevewfl

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Re: Make your gloves "touch screen" compatible
« Reply #2 on: July 28, 2011, 10:59:23 PM »
Where do you get that "conductive thread"? Anywhere local or only through ordering it online?

It shouldn't be hard to find.  I found it here but am hoping to find a place where i don't have to buy as much: http://www.sparkfun.com/products/10118
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Offline snarf

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Re: Make your gloves "touch screen" compatible
« Reply #3 on: July 29, 2011, 05:16:25 AM »


So how exactly do you hold a cell phone, touch the cell screen, AND take a picture (three arms ??? :o)?
Nice painted finger nail  :thumbs: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
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Offline stevewfl

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Re: Make your gloves "touch screen" compatible
« Reply #4 on: July 29, 2011, 11:35:49 AM »


So how exactly do you hold a cell phone, touch the cell screen, AND take a picture (three arms ??? :o)?
Nice painted finger nail  :thumbs: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:


Thats a pic from the article my friend
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Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: Make your gloves "touch screen" compatible
« Reply #5 on: July 29, 2011, 02:34:20 PM »
He says that now.... :yikes:
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Offline So Cal Joe

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Re: Make your gloves "touch screen" compatible
« Reply #6 on: July 29, 2011, 03:10:32 PM »


So how exactly do you hold a cell phone, touch the cell screen, AND take a picture (three arms ??? :o)?
Nice painted finger nail  :thumbs: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:

I hope thats not his hand, if so he is wearing black fingernail polish!!

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Offline stevewfl

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Re: Make your gloves "touch screen" compatible
« Reply #7 on: July 29, 2011, 03:53:52 PM »
“The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” St. Augustine

Offline SteveJ.

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Re: Make your gloves "touch screen" compatible
« Reply #8 on: July 29, 2011, 07:34:53 PM »
I hope thats not his hand, if so he is wearing black fingernail polish!!
Well... he was just down in Key West recently. :stirpot:
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