Best Control Surface for recording automation for VSTs and VSTis? Quick, flexible mapping

After years of meh, I got rid of my Mackie Control and C4.
Is there a small, simple CS that can just instantly (a few clicks) map to whatever parameter you're using?
I have no interest in anything large or complicated.  
I am surprisingly happy using just the keyboard and my special mouse at the moment, but plan to integrate a touch screen at some point.
What I wanted yesterday, however, was a knob or two that I can use to record automation for VSTs or any parameter, really.  
Thanks

I use a Mackie Control MCU (one of the older units) and I love it.
It has 8 motorized faders and can do fader, send, pan automation among other things.
These units are pretty cheap used 300 USA dollars at GC. I see them all the time because im searching for the EXT (8 more faders).
 
However if you are looking for something smaller the Faderport is a good choice. I haven't used one but I have heard others say they work well. those have 1 motorized fader and some buttons.
 
I thought about the Faderpoint years ago but I need more options than that. the Mackie MCU has buttons for cut/copy/paste, it opens PRV (different views) has a jog wheel / scrub, zoom buttons plus a slew of other features.
 
Most importantly though, to me anyways.. is it just works. it connects through midi so no need for a driver is necessary.
plus cakewalks Mackie protocol is set up for it and very customizable. you can also do things on the Mackie you can not using a mouse, like fine tune pro channel ratio rates on compressor modules and things like that.
 
With all this said, I still use my mouse and keyboard shortcuts quite often to be honest. so I like using both.
 
 

The nob looks perfect.  Not cheap for a single nob, but it's brilliant.
Thanks!

I've had my eye on this since last year, when I found it as a kickstarter project.
When I had the money to buy one, they were sold out 
Now that money is spent elsewhere...

BlixYZ
After years of meh, I got rid of my Mackie Control and C4.
Is there a small, simple CS that can just instantly (a few clicks) map to whatever parameter you're using?
I have no interest in anything large or complicated.  
I am surprisingly happy using just the keyboard and my special mouse at the moment, but plan to integrate a touch screen at some point.
What I wanted yesterday, however, was a knob or two that I can use to record automation for VSTs or any parameter, really.  
Thanks

May be FaderPort with customized preset to use the fader as a "Speed Dial" when in plug-in mode (http://www.azslow.com/index.php/topic,206.0.html , that "scratch" technic idea was described  by Craig for ACT MIDI long time ago, but this variation required less "clicks" and works for VST3)
 
Touch sensitive knob mentioned is interesting, as long as touch sensitivity works fine and it integrates on required level with Sonar.
 
But if the size was not the only problem you had with Mackie units, you will have hard time to find something better.