Loop Pointer In-Air Mouse for PCs & Macs connected to TVs & Projectors

by Hillcrest Labs

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4.8 x 1.2 x 4.8 inches ; 5 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 6.1 ounces
• ASIN: B001U1LX3Q
• Item model number: HL2202
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 9, 2009

Product Description

By connecting your computer to your home TV, you can enjoy your choice of TV shows, movies and more. Take advantage of top sites like Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand, YouTube and Pandora. Or play your own videos and music using iTunes, Media Center or other applications. It's also ideal for use with the Kylo browser for TVs. Don't leave a keyboard on your coffee table, or drag a mouse across your couch cushions! Use the Hillcrest Labs Loop pointer, the in-air mouse replacement. With just simple wrist movements, control the computer's cursor from your favorite easy chair across the room. And the award winning ergonomic design looks great in any setting. The Loop pointer is the motion-sensing mouse that moves your cursor with a wave of the wrist. The distinctive design has just four buttons and a scroll wheel. Using your computer's USB 2.0 port, Loop pointer requires no extra software or drivers. The fast wireless connection works across large rooms and through closed cabinet doors. The Loop pointer incorporates Freespace motion sensing technology from Hillcrest Labs. This patented technology handles complex tasks to compensate for natural hand tremor and varying orientation while responding to the motion of the Loop pointer. These complicated algorithms result in a simple, natural experience that is easy to use. The Loop pointer is also a valuable tool for presenters and educators who use PCs and Macs connected to projectors. With the Loop pointer you can control presentations, navigate web pages and more from anywhere in the room. The Loop pointer works with computers running Windows, Mac OS or Linux.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Little things matter...., June 23, 2009

By 

David K. Rensin (Leesburg, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Loop Pointer In-Air Mouse for PCs & Macs connected to TVs & Projectors (Electronics)

I have a media center PC hooked to my TV and have been struggling for months on how to deal with non-HTPC websites like Hulu. When I first heard about the Loop Pointer I thought the idea was potentially interesting but wasn't sure I wanted to spend the money on another "wireless mouse."

This is NOT another "wireless mouse."

First, the big stuff.

As a free-space pointer with no line-of-sight requirements, the Loop performs remarkably. I was absolutely astonished at the subtlety with which it tracked my wrist and hand movements. Whereas before I would have to use some sort of wireless mouse on a hard pad on my lap, now I can leave the Loop comfortably by my side as I sit on the couch and make little movements to control the PC.

Hillcrest also got the little things right, too...

Firstly, it comes in a package that doesn't require a chainsaw to open. I can't begin to express how tired I am of packages that require a serrated knife from my kitchen to open!

I installed the Loop on 3 PC's in my house and each went perfectly. Just plug in the usb dongle and it gets recognized as a mouse instantly. No drivers needed is a big deal for me, personally.

Finally, there's an off button on the controller. This may seem trivial, but it really helps the battery life and performance. The fact that I can click it off when I want means I don't have to wait for some arbitrary time-out before it powers down. Also, the fact that I can easily turn it off and on means that my kids - or cat - won't be accidentally changing channels or re-formatting my hard drive when I get up to go to the bathroom!

In conclusion:

Will this product unalterably change my life?

No, but it sure as heck will change my life on the couch - and that's a pretty good start. It's worth every cent and I happily recommend it.

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I use it with my AppleTV!, June 16, 2009

By 

Daniel D. Briere (Mansfield Center, CT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Loop Pointer In-Air Mouse for PCs & Macs connected to TVs & Projectors (Electronics)

So this product will probably please some people and disappoint others because I think a lot of people are not sure what to expect from it. If you are looking for a simple airmouse that will put a cursor on your screen, and work with your mouse-driven applications, or with applications specially designed for this product, I think you'll be ecstatic. If you are looking for a next generation gaming controller that will work with all your PS3 games and such, you'll be disappointed because, despite the fact it says PS3 support, it does not act as a controller. So if you have the right expectations, you'll be insanely happy because you'll only order this for the right reasons.

As for performance, this is much better than the Wii, and more intuitive. This simply works. Setup is a breeze as you just plug the dongle in and you're pretty much all set. I first experienced the Hillcrest Technology on the Kodak Home Theater box and so I did not fret much over this decision; the Kodak box is well built and the controller is seamlessly built into the overall interface....very nice. Here, you get the same technology just more generic.

I'm using this now with my AppleTV/ATVFlash implementation. ATVFlash is an application that supports the Loop. This enables me to navigate the AppleTV menu a lot easier, because it's got a scroll button and I can just motion around. It's a beta load, and it's got some more work to go -- I'd give it a 7 on a 1-to-10 scale so far, but it's a beta and they'll be tweaking it so I have all the confidence it's going to get better. I can also use this to browse and enter keystrokes via the on-screen keyboard that Apple has. So this was worth the Loop+ATVFlash costs because I'm betting other developers will support this as well.

The Loop looks cool too, and it's quite a discussion topic when people come over. If you are into new leading edge products, well then you just have to have this product.

Downsides: I've got no beef at all with the product or implementation. It's all pretty easy and straightforward. If I have any issues it's specifically with how applications have supported this, which in the end I can live with because they will be improving as time goes by.

Note this is not Bluetooth, so the dongle is required. Also, if you use the AppleTV USB port for something else, like external storage, you'll have to get a hub to do both on one USB.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just another mouse... you need to use it to really understand., July 16, 2009

By 

M. Prince - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Loop Pointer In-Air Mouse for PCs & Macs connected to TVs & Projectors (Electronics)

The bottom line is that the Loop significantly improves any HTPC.

Admittedly, it's hard to explain why - this is a product that benefits from direct experience.

That said, there are no disappointments. First, it looks and feels like nothing else. The look is cool, and yet it's relatively inconspicuous to leave it on your ottoman or side table without screaming "I'm a geek".

Next, it feels great. Lots of people watch TV with a remote in hand at all times - and the Loop just feels great in the hand. You won't want to put it down.

But the best thing is simply the way it works - it's completely intuitive. If you have a point-and-click system, this thing is simply the best way to get the most out of it. Overt, deliberate, exaggerated movements are gone. You can literally point anywhere on the screen with a subtle wrist motion, or you can use your whole arm. It works equally well both ways - It just knows what to do.

Finally, the real killer is responsiveness - there is little if any latency. You just don't fully realize how s-l-o-w other remote inputs are until you've used this for a week - and then try to go back.

After using the Loop, it's easy to believe that this is simply going to be the way all TVs work in the future. Should be standard equipment with any HTPC. Strongly recommend.