Customer Reviews

Gyrotransport Air-mouse

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I run a group inside my company supporting presentation that are captured.

We have major problems using the .5gig gyrotransport mouse pointers. All of they Gyrotransport pointers (four) have been purchased from Amazon.com.

We currently have six of the older style media center gyration pointers and wanted to replace them with the simpler designed mouse. Our current media center pointers work 80% of the time, but these have an issue with the pointer trigger button getting "stuck" sometimes. When the gyrotransport came out, this is exactly what I would have spec 5 years ago. The media center pointer works great but it has "too many move parts" for my application of just having a mouse pointer/page turner. BTW, the reason we use this device is so our online captures of presentation also capture the cursor movement pointing a graphs, etc.

Gyrotransport Problems

In general, the pointer works pretty well if one person is using the device and they get it initially working and they are using it constantly.

Problem 1:

If the pointer is set down for a minute or so, the pointer movement can stop responding, even though the left/right mouse buttons continue to operate.

Setting it down and doing a re-calibration on the pointer fixes this problem 50% of the time. (set on table, press pointer twice, wait 10 seconds). Sometime turning from off to one works better. Sometime you have the pull the USB receiver.

Problem 2:

When you go from one presenter to another, it's like the person's individual body capacity make the unit wacky. This happens most of the time. It really makes the unit unusable if you have 2-3 presenters during a 1 hour presentation. It's just too distracting trying to get the device to respond properly. We have given up trying to use it with this scenario.

Problem 3. Gyration should know that most people use PowerPoint. The mouse cursor become invisible after a few seconds automatically unless you go in and set it to be visible all the time, which is a real pain. For whatever reason, when the mouse become invisible, this cause a lot of problem for presenters as the pointer doesn't like to "wake-up" and re-appear. This issue needs to be addressed as it has been a problem for at least 5 years. They should supply an resident memory app the keeps the pointer visible all the time.

This mouse is absolutely amazing -- IF you're willing to take some time (week or two) to get really good at using it. Because it's so different, you will not be able to just pick it up and go and be as effective as if you were using a traditional mouse. Once you are good at it though, your movements will be almost as efficient (never more than with a standard desktop mouse) but MUCH more free. I've used it during presentations, cupped in my hand, and had clients amazed that I could move the cursor on screen just by pointing my hand at it (haha, point to me).

PROS: It's awesome, novel, and frees you from surfaces.

CONS: It takes some time to retrain your muscles to get really good at using it. The design of it has 2 problems as far as I'm concerned. 1: the button on the bottom of the mouse to RF sync with the USB isn't exposed enough and cannot be pressed with your finger (you need a corner or pointed object to press it in and connect the mouse to the computer after plugging in the USB). 2: The body does not come apart. This was a problem for me because I left an old battery in it too long and acid leaked around the end of the negative terminal coil (that spring that the flat side of the AAA battery touches deep inside the mouse) and broke the connection -- and I am unable to open up the mouse to clean it properly.

OVERALL: The product needs some work, but there isn't really anyone else in the market, so it's the best you're going to find for now. In my opinion, the pros far outweigh the cons. I am constantly looking for deals on these things to get another one for myself.