Customer Reviews

Cideko Air Keyboard Conqueror

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

NOTE: This review is specifically about using this device for a MediaPC running Windows.

Prior to this device I used a wireless keyboard/mouse combo for a MediaPC in the living room. The wireless keyboard was not rechargeable and it used a touchpad on the right side as the mouse, with the buttons below it. It wasn't very user friendly and we actually had to disable the "tap" on the touchpad because it was so sensitive we were mouse clicking as we moved the cursor. The mouse buttons weren't in a great spot either, and the keyboard was full size and took up too much room.

So when I saw this product I was pretty jazzed. The keyboard is more like a mobile tablet or phone - easy enough to use with just thumb typing perhaps. Plus with the mouse keys in more intuitive places at each finger, how can you go wrong?

And I was NOT disappointed. This device gets high scores from me for a number of reasons.

1. Rechargeable battery that is built-in. We've already got power at the MediaPC area so it's quick and easy to plug this remote in when it needs it. No more worrying about batteries. That's just a personal peeve of mine to run around looking for batteries - ESPECIALLY when it's for the keyboard.

2. It behaves like a Wii remote. Just point the controller where you want the mouse to go and it does! It's very easy to manipulate the mouse no matter where you're pointing, because it's all done with motion/gyro. For me this is so much easier than having to move a joystick or run my finger along a trackpad. I know I've used the word several times already, but it's just INTUITIVE to point where you want to go. The level of granularity is sufficient that I'm not accidentally clicking on things I am not hovering over as well.

3. Which leads me to the buttons. On the keyboard aspect, the buttons are easy to click and provide sufficient tactile feedback that you know you've done it. Even for large fingered-people, you shouldn't have any trouble pressing a single button at a time. You'll also find your normal "windows key" and duplicated alt/ctrl for those who like to have them on both sides. As to the other buttons, there's plenty of programability here if you want to install the software and customize. I've only programmed one thing, and that's opening a browser window. It's just as easy to double click the icon, but I wanted to test it out. The mouse buttons are in the right places for this. Left click with your left hand, right click with your right. On previous keyboards I was having to hold the keyboard with my left and then mouse+click with my right.

Some other things - the big button lights up blue when you're connected, and it connects FAST. Press it and your mouse/keyboard is ready to go almost instantly. I like not having to wait for some kind of wireless sync. Long press it again when you're done and it shuts off so you don't waste battery if you don't need to.

It works from all over the living room. Specs say 10 meters and I've walked all over the place and still been able to control it. Doesn't mean I can see where I'm clicking, but I can click ;-).

Because I'm using this for a MediaPC - I am speaking strictly about those functions. I'm not using it for wireless gaming at all, so the joysticks and and PS2-style buttons are not useful for running around in Windows.

The device is very lightweight and can be controlled with just one hand if so desired, since much of the mousing is left click I can just point and click all with my left hand. Could never do that with a full size wireless keyboard/mouse combo.

And so for my purposes on a MediaPC in the living room - this device is near perfection. I'm going to give it a full set of stars for MediaPC functions.

I have a new 2011 Mac Mini that i use for my media center, running Windows 7 Ultimate. That is the front end for my Windows Home Server in the basement. So I get all my content through my TV and this computer, and I've been using various keyboards with it, and have tried a lot of options in keyboards on a home theater PC since I started even before the days of Microsoft's Media Center option.
Lately I've been using my Logitech Dinivo Mini, which has been an outstanding choice for an easy to use keyboard / mouse controller that is a small form factor. I also have the bluetooth wireless keyboard and trackpad from Mac for when I need something a little more full sized. But I like to find alternatives - the Logitech one has some problems with the A button not being consistent... A couple months ago I tested one that was offered through the Vine program, but while it started out a very strong contender and very functional, it only took a few weeks before it was pretty much useless and inoperative unless you unplugged and replugged the receiver into your computer. Which was odd, since the computer never shuts down, never sleeps, so there should've been no reason for that.

So when I saw this offered on the Vine program, I grabbed it, since I also always like to try out replacement controllers for my PS3 - I'm not at all a fan of their controllers. And their answer for a keyboard is laughable compared to the nice unit that the Xbox has. So here was my chance to try something to replace the lackluster PS3 controllers, allow me to type on the PS3 with a better keyboard than was presently available, and to boot it can work with my media center...

I had it on the media center PC first, and it worked very well. Keyboard has a nice feel to it for a mini sized thing like this, good tactile and audible feedback for button presses, you can feel and hear the click. The controller itself fits in the hands about as comfortably as the Xbox controllers do, which is high praise from me since they are by far my favorite as far as ergonomics go. It's shockingly lightweight, and easy to hold.

The gyroscopic control of the mouse takes a little getting used to, and has a tendency to get a little off track if you hit the borders, but the two buttons right next to the power button in the middle will reset it so that when you release either one, the cursor is reset to where the controller was positioned at that time. So just hold the button, get it oriented where you want it again, and let go. Easy enough, but a bit of a pain at times, yet should be easy to avoid if you just keep in mind the constraints in movement when you're controlling the mouse.

Buttons for left and right mouse buttons are in good positions as well, and work just fine in all the apps I've tried.

So onto the PS3. Got the receiver plugged in there and immediately it was recognized. But the mouse is so sensitive that it flies through the menus insanely quickly. And that's really a problem for people with PS3 use. I've found no way to disable the gyroscopic controls yet, the online PDF documentation is pretty sparse. But any little movement of the hypersensitive gyro sensors makes it sound like a kid with cards in the spokes going by, because it makes the menu options fly by so quickly. The game control itself is fine when you're in a game and doing normal controller movement with the sticks, but the main menus, or the menus in the online system just move so fast that it's easy to shoot right by what you wanted.

So for the mouse control of a computer, it does a nice job - gyroscopic control on the PS3? Has more work to be done, at least options needed to disable them altogether so you can control things better.

Edit - a commenter let me know which button kills the gyro, so I've upped this to 4 stars then since that alleviates the annoyance with the PS3. Thanks!

I have gamers in my family. Lots of them. In addition to owning a PS3, XBox 360 and a Wii, there are also multiple PCs in my home (which all have games on them).

I was drawn to this controller because I thought it would make entering text into PS3 games soooo much easier than using the on-screen keyboard. I really didn't expect the controller to be so exceptional! It doesn't feel much larger in your hands than a regular PS3 controller and the button and control pads are just as smooth so it is a big hit with my youngest son who plays Little Big Planet every chance he gets.

The biggest surprise is what a fantastic PC game controller this is. It also functions as a mouse and indeed, the second I plugged in the usb dongle, my PC picked it up as a mouse. It has additional supplied software to further refine the mouse and button functions but I've never even installed them because I didn't need to.

The controller on the PC is smooth and responsive and a pleasure to game with. We are currently playing Skyrim for PC and everyone remarks on how great the game play with this controller is. In fact, I am purchasing another one so we don't have to take turns using this one!

It is has a rechargeable battery and comes with a usb charging cable. Battery life is very good, IMO.

If you have gamers in your household, this is a great addition!

I love this product because it takes PC gaming and simplifies it into one controller! Also the customization of the hot keys is fantastic and makes PC gaming easy as pie! It's great that it is rechargeable and the charge holds for at least ten hours. The Conqueror is also surprisingly perfect for my home theatre, I can sit anywhere in the living room while still being able to use the controller! Not only is it sturdy and built well but it fits perfectly in my hands as well! The Conqueror was definitely a pleasant surprise!

I thought this controller would be bulky and useless, but it has quickly replaced our PS3 controller. It's comfortable and convenient (maybe not for toddlers though). It's very obvious the controller was carefully planned and designed as all controls are easy to reach and use - including the keyboard keys. And the addition of the gyroscope takes it to another level. Not only can you benefit from all of these features on your PS3, but you can quickly plug it into your computer and use it as a joystick and/or mouse controller. The gyroscope activity is jerky at first, but once you figure out its sensitivity, you can manage. Or just disable it with the push of a button. I don't see myself using it on the computer as much as the PS3. But either way, you just plug in the USB receiver, let the system configure it with plug and play, and away you go. The battery charge is very sufficient - certainly longer than my current PS3 controllers. Give it a recharge with the USB cable, and keep on playing. When you are done, you can even stick the USB receiver into a slot on the controller, so you don't lose it.

It seems well built and appears to be sturdy. Time will tell.

Overall, I love this controller, and it will become the primary PS3 controller in our household. Maybe Sony will take the design into consideration.

During research, I noted some issues others had concerns with...

Range: The range for the controller is perfect for my setup - PS3 under TV and sitting about 10-15 feet away. Some concerns others noted were about layouts where the PS3 was behind you or off to the side. I twirled around with no problems.

Compatibility with Windows games: I did see that there may be some limitations on its use with "Games for Windows" games, so you may want to look into compatibility for specific games. I don't have many PC games at my disposal, but be sure to calibrate the controller in your Operating System game device settings.

The Cideko Air Keyboard Conqueror does a better job as a media PC controller and casual PC game controller than the Logitech diNovo Mini and I'm a big fan of the diNovo Mini! While the Cideko is a little larger and not as sleek looking, it wins in nearly every aspect of usability.

One of my pet peeves about the diNovo Mini are the missing keys. The absence of an escape key, basic function keys and several others can make for some frustration, especially for surfing the web (just think how many time you end up needing the "ESC" key). The Cideko has all the keys a standard QWERTY computer keyboard has, and a few more. I also prefer the tactile response of the Cideko over the diNovo. The diNovo keys are a little on the "mushy" side, while the Cideko keys give you a nice "crisp" click when a key is depressed.

My other major peeve with the diNovo is the mouse/cursor control. The finger pad on the diNovo is very difficult to use and just doesn't track at all well. I found the gyroscopic control system on the Cideko to be tons easier to use and muck better for "fine" movement.

There is plenty of programability on the Cideko. My initial interest in this keyboard was as a game controller for PC based games and I have not been disappointed. The key assignment is easy and flexible, allowing me to setup the keyboard just like I want.

I like being able to turn off the unit when I'm finished, rather then waiting for it to "time out".

I like how fast it connects.

I like its range. My living room is about 25-feet long and this unit works great from the furthest corner.

The response time for commands in games is great for a wireless controller. Give this little keyboard a try. I don't think you'll be disappointed!

To be honest, I didn't have high hopes for the Cideko Air Keyboard Conqueror. In my experience, when something like this tries to do a lot of things instead of focusing on doing one thing well, it ends up performing poorly. I'm happy to report that's not the case with this product.
I tried it on my PC and had no issues with set-up or use at all. We've been using it off and on for over a month now with no problems. I'm also happy to report that it also works well with the PS3. While I still prefer the standard PS3 controller for everyday gaming, it's nice to have this option if I know I'm going to need to type in game or for sending messages and browsing the web. Again, I've had no issues using it while gaming, aside from a slightly bulkier hold which took some getting used to.
I give this product only 4 stars because I feel for what you get, it should be a little cheaper. Still, if you're in the market for something like this and willing to pay the asking price, I'd highly recommend it.

I bought this controler and I worked fantastically for just over a month (just outside the replacement window). I love the product however, as I mentioned before, just outside of the 30 day window for a replacement the down arrow on the D-pad started gliching and kept going down. When I switch the D-pad to the left thumb stick the problem just switches to the thumb stick. I noticed that another customer had the same exact problem but the problem presented right away so it was replaced easily. Did I also mention that this is a really great product when it is working? I'm not sure what will happen but I will attempt to obtain a replacement so that I can keep using this controler because it is everything great that everyone has said. The sticking of the key is a bummer though and it sticking just outside of the month replacement policy is even more of a bummer however it is only outside of that window by 9 days so I am hoping that a reasonable solution can be found.

This is a nifty controller that combines a keyboard with a traditional gaming pad. The keyboard is very nice and functional; it is easy enough to type what you need to type while playing a game. The controller is very lightweight and feels pretty natural in my hands. So far, I haven't had any issues with it and it's been a pleasure to use.

The Air Keyboard Conqueror is a user-friendly keyboard option for gamers as well as those who use PCs through their TV. The keyboard connects seamlessly and installs drivers quickly and simply, no heavy software installs required. The navigation is especially great because of the motion sensing air mouse. This is the first wireless keyboard I have used that did not require a trackball or pad to control the cursor on a PC. It has user-definable hotkeys as well, which means you can set keys to do the things you would most often like to be able to do with one button. I have not tested the keyboard with a PS3, but on the PC is it virtually flawless.