Customer Reviews

Wireless Mini Kybrd with built-in Trackball for Htpc By Ergoguys

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

Let me say that I have tested other products around this problem and this solved many issues. First issue with many wireless products is the products necessity for line-of-site with the antenna. This was not a problem. The antenna is actually behind my entertainment center, so it is out of sight and still works well. The other problem is the ability to work around other magnetized products. I have the antenna squarely in back of some speakers and right next to them. The antenna on other products need to be removed from the area around other electronics. The antenna to this product sits right on my computer in back of my television. Works great! The other problem with other wireless products is the range. For my purposes this works fine. I'm about 15 feet away from the monitor and it works well. Works at a greater range than anything I have previously owned/tested.

Was a little concerned with the minimal setup directions, but no directions are really needed. The number lock button on mine was pressed in when I got it, which caused some confusion, but once I figured that out, I was on my way.

For someone who has been disappointed by about 3 or 4 different brands and devices to solve this problem, this was a big relief. I'm sure these types of products willl grow in popularity so it was also disappointing how little product testing information in this area there is. Hope this helps.

I love trackballs and I wanted one integrated into a keyboard and this fit the bill perfectly. It was plug-and-play on both my Windows PC and also on my Mac. It's a great gadget and I would give it a "5" except in my subjective opinion, it's a little tough to type on...the keys feel heavy and I often found myself veering off of the home keys and typing gibberish. But I have recommended it to friends and plan on buying several more. It's just so well designed and functional....

It feels comfortable, works great, but I wish the re-action time was a bit faster. The USB dingle is very delicate; I bumped it once and killed it. After several hours, I was able to get it work again as long as I don't touch it anymore! I bought it for my PS3 and the trackball and keyboard work great, but I did try it on a Windows computer and it works just as good.

We love the design and ease of use of this keyboard, but less than a year into its service, it died. The company is nowhere to be found, the warranty useless. This time around, we bought the non-knockoff version (Adesso) and I recommend you do, too. They have a full website and an easy to find RMA process.
Fair Warning: Find something else and don't waste your money on this product!

I just plugged the usb adapter to the rear side of my Ubuntu HTPC and it just worked. Range is very good. Trackball is usable. Overall a fantastic remote keyboard for your HTPC.

Functionally, this is a nice little keyboard. I bought it to turn a second computer I owned into an internet web surfing platform for my 42" LCD in the living room. I plugged in the USB stick into my Vista computer and it worked instantly. The problem with the battery cover mentioned elswhere here is very true. There is not enough room designed into the battery compartment to accommodate some slightly larger circumference AA batteries. In any case, the big problem with this keyboard is that it eats batteries like crazy! There is apparently some battery drain no matter if you are using the keyboard or not. After going quickly thru a 12-pack of quality alkaline batteries I bought 4 rechargeables. I need to buy 4 more. The keyboard runs thru a charge on these in a little over a day or two. If you are thinking of purchasing this product, I highly suggest doing the same. One other thing worth mentioning is, that the keyboard sometimes comes on with the NUM LOCK engaged, which may drive you crazy when you don't get the characters you expect when typing on it.

Worked for one week. No manufacturer information to be found anywhere on this item. Another piece of junk from China.

Cons:
1) Sometimes it stops to work and the only way to get it back is to reboot the system (on my system in average once every two days)
2) Keyboard is not responsive and looses letters while typing, even if I type slowly. I'm using it right now and what it follows is the previous sentence typed at my normal speed without corrections: "Keboard is not responsiveand loosesletters while tping even if I tpe slowl"
(Note that I'm only 3 feet (1 m.) far from the receiver)
3) No manual. I had to discover how to sync the keyboard with the receiver browsing the Web for 20 min. (note that the procedure changes according to the serial number)

Pros:
1) Ergonomic design

I would not buy it again, I'm keeping it because I use it only as remote for my home theater.

The wireless has a slow response rate. It's hard sometimes to tell if you've typed a key, I started getting a deterioration in the wireless after a week or so, or maybe just an increase in the impatience to go slower. But why should I slow down, it was 60 bucks? IMO, This is fine if you're looking for a quick fix for something like an entertainment center where you'll be using it infrequently and want the convenience of a keyboard/trackball combination. But it's completely inadequate if you are looking for a permanent replacement for your keyboard. I do think it is a very nice design idea, the scroll is in a good location, it just needs better wireless. All in all, I give it a 3 because I think it's good for entertainment centers or to just throw on the coffee table.

We got this keyboard to serve as the main control for the computer we have connected to our TV. It works great. Signal strength is strong, even across a large living room, and key placement is handy. The only problem that we have had is that the battery door won't close after batteries were installed (doesn't fit). We just pulled out duct tape and have had no residual problems (until we need to change batteries, I guess).