Customer Reviews

Satechi SP400 Smart-Pointer (Silver) 2.4Ghz RF Wireless Presenter with Mouse Function and Laser Pointer

5 star:		(191)
4 star:		(44)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Offering multiple presentations every month, I have had the opportunity (misfortune?) of handling many other remotes. This remote allows me to use it as a mouse or to advance my presentation, but with a switch on the side, I don't have to worry about doing the one while wanting the other. An example from a recent presentation with a different remote: the remote was a combined mouse/remote. During a presentation, was trying to advance to the next slide, but mistakenly thumb over the mouse control, turning on the selection screen over the slide. "No problem, I'll just scroll down to 'Next Slide'." But, wait, then mistakenly hit the button that went to the previous slide. Very frustrating and distracting.

This remote allows me, at the flick of the swith on the side, to move between the distinct functions. For someone like me (with larger hands), that is nice.

Also, I don't feel like I am holding a Chiclet! While I have larger hands and some may feel comfortable holding a remote the size of a mail stamp, I don't. This remote is not too large, even for smaller hands, but it is easy for me to feel the separate buttons without having to look at the remote.

The range is good, as well. While standing in the front of a 200+ auditorium, I had no problems advancing the presentation which was run from the laptop in the back of the room.

When I am giving presentations, now, and I am at another facility and they offer their own remote, I ask to use my own...They may look at me funny - really, who has their own remote? - but it is well worth it.

I am very happy that I purchased the Smart-Pointer from Satechi. I teach both undergraduate and graduate students, and I also give presentations at state and national conferences. Rather than being chained to my laptop, I chose to purchase the Smart-Pointer so I could move around more freely to engage my audience. I have used several other remote pointers, and they were very finicky and didn't work very far from my laptop. In comparison, I have used the Smart-Pointer at distances of up to 70 feet from my laptop with no problem. The range is excellent if you like to move around.

The switch on the side of the Smart-Pointer changes the function of the buttons, so I haven't experienced any mix-ups, and the built-in laser function is great.

The seller supplied the first pair of AAA batteries in the box, so I was able to practice with the Smart-Pointer immediately. My laptop had no problem recognizing the device, and within minutes of opening the package, I was ready to go. Not that color matters in terms of functionality, but I purchased the red one to match my computer. Very nice!

The Smart-Pointer is lightweight, even with the batteries installed. It also fits my hand perfectly and slips easily into a pocket if I don't need to use it for a little while. The buttons are easy to find by touch, and I especially like the case that is included with the unit. The small zippered case measures approximately 5.5" by 4" and easily accommodates the pointer, the USB wireless connector, and 6 AAA batteries. (I believe in being prepared!)

Using a small remote that works with my laptop is much nicer than using a bulky projector remote. Because I had used other remote pointer units, I knew what I was looking for, and the Smart-Pointer has been very helpful to me. In fact, I am recommending this product to others at my university. You can buy this one with confidence.

This presenter could not be simpler to connect to a Macbook. I plugged the dongle in and a window opened suggesting that I might need to follow some actions through if the devise I was attempting to connect was a keyboard. Otherwise, if the devise is not a keyboard, it stated, I could disregard the prompt. I closed that window and, lo and behold the presenter was instantly fully functional !
I am also very satisfied with the performance the SP-400 provides. I had been using the remote that Mac supplied with my Macbook and it worked fine as long as I had a good clear line-of-sight shot at my computer.
On a few occasions, when I found myself off-center from the front of my Mac the function of the remote was impaired. How different this little presenter is ! The RF receiver picks up my clicks no matter where I point the presenter. Distance is no issue either. The range is fantastic (spec: up to 100 ft) !
The laser pointer is intense and powerful as well. As to the mouse function, as is true with most all multi-function presenters, the mouse feature works, but would probably not be something you would use a lot due to restricted directionality ( pointer moves up and down, left and right with arrow buttons - no true scrolling).
The SP 400 is smaller than the pictures seem to depict. It's just large enough to cradle in your hand comfortably and the heft is ideal as well.
Fantastic for Mac and probably the other guys as well !

The remote is used for slide presentations at Church. It is much too sensitive to touch and frequently advances two slides with a single push. It is used by various people and no one has been consistently able to advance a single slide. We have totally quit using it because backing a slide up is too distracting to a large audience. No software is included or referenced on the website to decrease sensitivity.
IMPORTANT REVISION: I should have contacted Satechi before I wrote the critical review. I emailed them and received an immediate reply that the unit must be defective and they would send an replacement. The replcement was sent that afternoon and the new unit completely solved the problem, advancing the slides with a positive click like a mouse. I would now give it 5 stars if I could change the rating. Their customer service was the best I have ever experienced even enclosing a postage paid sticker for the return and sending followup email to be sure I was satisfied. I had purchased a Kensington 33374 as a replacement/spare but the Satechi is much superior with twice the range and buttons to blank the screen and change presentation modes. I am returning the Kensington and buying another Satechi as a spare.

I've used this for a university presentation in a lecture hall, about 20 feet from the lecturn/PC.

I've used it at work where it was passed around between presenters who had never tried it before.

Works well for everyone in presentation mode. Nice feel in your hand. Really makes a presentation flow rather than sitting at the PC and navigating between slides.

The mouse function is usable (as opposed to presentation mode, there is a switch on the side to select between the two); the cursor buttons function pretty much as expected, however it's too cumbersome to be used this way for long. The up/down-left/right position control is awkward and tedious. I wouldn't buy one for the mouse function but it works in a pinch if needed.

The position of the laser light button between the pause and start buttons (the 3 buttons together) is unfortunate. Hitting the start button by accident will kick you out of your powerpoint slideshow back to edit mode (if using a PPT file) or restart your presentation. Easy to avoid if you're aware of it, but could be better positioned to avoid confusion.

Fully recommend this product, just practice with it for a few minutes before getting up in front of a crowd.

I am a junior high History teacher, this product allows me to circulate among the students while using the remote to advance my PowerPoint slides from anywhere in the room. With the mouse function (a simple click of a switch away), I can also click on the video clips imbedded in the slide show without having to go back to my desktop. With the laser pointer I can highlight parts of the maps without having to go back to the front of the room. It is the freedom I need when delivering lectures, becuase it allows me to interact more with the class and not stay next to my computer to advance slides. It was very reasonable priced, so much so that I also purchased a second one for my mother-in-law (also a teacher). While it is not an interacive white board (which would be fun), it is a practical tool that allows me to be in a position to monitor my effectiveness without breaking the bank.

This is a great little gadget for presenters. It has a good feel in your hand, looks professional, and allows you to change PowerPoint slides from amazing distances, even through doors and walls (yes, we had to try, just for fun!). Handy little zippered carrying case makes it perfect for presenters who travel. The shiny red works great for me, as I tend to set my remote down during presentations and the red color stands out more than black for helping me quickly locate where I left it. It is very easy to set up--just plug in the USB portion and you are ready to go. I've worked with many remotes that come with projectors, and none provide the distance and ease of operation (just a few, key buttons) that this one does.

This little gadget is the ultimate thing for presentations. Works like a charm -- tested by me under windows xp and on an iMac, tested by a friend under linux. All three tests: just plug it in, wait a sec and both pointer and disdrive are operational. The two control buttons on the pointer function as PgUp/PgDn buttons, which ensures maximal compatability for most applications. Range is about 15 metres -- usually far enough, but for big screens / big halls: make sure the receiver is positioned strategically.
(The combination of a gigantic projection and a laptop placed 2-3 mtr to the side of it, ment the opposite side of the screen was on the edge).

I have a Targus presenter that I use in my 6th grade science classroom. It uses line-of-sight technology, and if you've ever been in a sixth grade classroom, you know that line of sight is constantly changing. I needed something more reliable.

This presenter is incredible. The mouse responds at a nice speed--it doesn't creep along like some presenters. The range? Well, I set up a PowerPoint in my office, and then went downstairs to get a drink. I took the presenter with me and clicked off a couple of pages just to see if it worked. Whoa. (That means it worked.) It feels like it will be sturdy enough to stand up to my students using it, but I may have to get back to you on that.

I absolutely recommend this for anyone who presents frequently.

The port to hook up my computer to the projector is upstairs in balcony of a gym and I wanted to stand on the floor at the other end of the room to teach a Bible study. This device was the only one I could find that had the kind of range I needed (75-100') at a reasonable price. It works as advertised! I have no complaints at all!