There is provided a character input method and input device which make it possible to carry out input of characters andor symbols easily and quickly while viewing a display panel. The cable guard andor guide can move toward the bowstring plane as the bowstring is drawn, and away from the bowstring plane, out of the way of the bowstring and any attached arrow, after the bowstring is released. A variety of different designs of the device are possible to provide movement of the first electrode in a plurality of directions and also different types of in and out of plane movement, including rotation and twisting.