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| Date Reviewed: 07/16/2008 |
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 Decent Universal Remote Control for MCE/Vista Premium Computer Strengths: Eliminates the need for a wireless mouse and keyboard.
Weaknesses: Can only program a TV, PC, AUX and Cable/Satellite Box! The Aux can be a VCR or a DVD player, not both. This unit lack memory and can only store 17 learned commands.
Summary: This is a pretty decent remote if you have a Media PC in your entertainment center. It eliminates the need of a mouse and a keyboard (kind of.) This remote needs more memory in order to store commands. The current configuration only allows 17 learned commands and this may be a problem if you have a multi disc DVD Player that is not on the Remote Code List, which was my situation. If you are lucky and all of your electronic equipments are on the Remote Code List, you will not have any issue. Check the manual on this web site to verify that your equipment is on the Remote Code List: www.gyration.com/descr.... You will see the list of equipment this remote supports in the last section of the manual. In summary, this is a good (not great) MCE/Vista universal remote that is worth no more than $50.
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| Date Reviewed: 06/01/2008 |
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Strengths: Great range
Easy to use
Can control both PC and AV equipment
Weaknesses: Kind of big and bulky in your hand
Summary: After setting up my new media room, I needed a way to control my HTPC easily from a couch a few feet away. I had been using a Logitech wireless keyboard/mouse combo but had problems with its range, even from a few feet away. Circuit City had a really great price for this unit and it had some favorable reviews, so I decided to pick one up. Setup was as easy as plugging it in. I have no problems with range and it's actually pretty fun waving it around in the air, kinda like a Wii controller. The built-in IR universal remote is a really nice bonus. I'm actually looking to purchase a couple more now for my other HTPC's.
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| Date Reviewed: 08/10/2008 |
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Flaky performer (in my system)
Strengths: Wireless Remote Control Mouse
Weaknesses: Inconsistent performance; won't turn computer on; poor button layout; not backlit
Summary: This is a good idea on paper. The ability to use a remote control as a mouse. It is a perfect application for a HTPC, as you'd rather not deal with a keyboard, and especially not a mouse.
Installation was easy. Just plut it in. Drivers are found automatically by Vista. It was working great for a while, then it just would get flaky, and I had to keep flicking my wrist to get the mouse to move where I wanted. A reboot, and it would work again. Tech support claims there is an interference problem, likely because my 802.11g wireless router is in the same cabinet. Not much I can do to change that, unfortunately! I also cannot get the remote to turn the computer on. I can use the power-button to turn the computer off, but not back on. Tech support was not much help there. I didn't like the layout of the buttons. They put key buttons on the bottom row. All of the buttons also need to be backlit, to make the thing useful in a dark room!!
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| Date Reviewed: 07/31/2008 |
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Strengths: RF PC remote does not require line of site
Gyroscopic mouse built-in
Inexpensive
Universal remote with decent code database + learning functions
Weaknesses: Not enough backlighting
PC mode cannot map volume functions to AV receiver
Unable to input alphabetic characters without an additional program running on the PC
Summary: Most every media center remote control out there uses Infrared (IR), and while MS made the smart decision to specify very strong/sensitive IR components (that works a lot better than most IR remotes) there remains the inherent IR weaknesses--requires some degree of line-of-sight and therefore only works when you're in front of the receiver. Gyration, who has been making gyroscopic mouse products for years, decided to make their Media Center remote buttons operate via RF--which makes the remote extremely reliable and means you can point it anywhere or even use it from adjoining rooms (the usable distance will vary based on how many obstructions and sources of interference there are in your location. This remote operates at 2.4GHz, which is also used by all microwave ovens [when in use], most WiFi networks, and some cordless phones. For the record I did not have any interference problems). The mouse function works very well... Gyration has got the technology down pat and once you get the hang of the proper movements & button presses using the mouse is a cinch and very intuitive. The "gravy" for this remote is that is actually incorporates a regular IR universal remote for your other AV components (TV, Audio receiver, DVD, etc.). It has a built-in code database for many different products and also has the ability to learn buttons from remotes that aren't in its database. Unfortunately both my AV receiver and DVD player were not fully controllable using the built-in codes so I resorted to using the learning function--which is kind of tricky and does not seem to work for all remotes. It's also quite limited (as another reviewer pointed out) in that you can only learn a few buttons in each mode. Still, it should suffice for your most frequently used controls. My biggest gripe (and I admit this is somewhat minor) is that when in PC mode, I can't reassign the volume controls to operate my AV receiver instead of the PC. When you are in PC mode the IR function of the remote is not usable at all--so the volume +/- and mute buttons will control the PC volume. For many users that is fine, but for those of us who use optical/coaxial cables to transmit the PC audio to an external AV receiver this means that you will have to switch the remote to a different mode to control your AV Receiver volume, then switch back to PC mode when you're done. Like I said, that is a small niggle in the grand scheme of things, but actually my stock Microsoft media center remote had the ability to re-assign the volume keys and I have come to really depend on that convenience. Another thing my stock media center remote has is good backlighting, which this gyration mouse sorely lacks. Only the function buttons are backlit. I would rather have seen gyration increase the cost of this $5-10 and backlight the most often used keys (esp volume, channel and the numbers). It makes the remote so much more usable in a dark room. Finally, there appears to be a hardware limitation with the remote (in PC mode) in that its number keys will not enter alphabetic characters on the PC by tapping the button multiple times (that is how normal media center remotes work to enter A-Z characters). Fortunately, gyration wrote an app to make the functionality work, but it's something you have to download from their web site and it must stay running all the time. Not a huge problem (hey at least they fixed it) but too bad it requires special software to do something it ought to do out of the box. Aside from those few things, this remote is great. I would love to see gyration address some of these and issue a new revision of this remote. With more space for learned buttons, re-assignable volume/mute buttons & proper functioning alphanumeric entry in PC mode, as well as proper backlighting this remote would be the ultimate. Still in its current form I get plenty of use from it. It's not my main remote (I still use my trusty MS remote for everyday stuff) but whenever I need to do something beyond the very basics the gyration can pretty-much do it.
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| Date Reviewed: 07/05/2008 |
- SDTechDeals
from CA
- Member Since:
Jan 2005
View Member's:
Reviews
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Media Center RF Remote Control
Strengths: Cool feature for wireless mouse
Weaknesses: Shaky connectivity; power-on doesn't work (for me); no backlit; button layout could be better
Summary: I really wanted to like this product!! I am building a HTPC, and wanted the capability to have a wireless mouse in this form factor (as a remote control). With a fresh vista install, it's just plain sluggish, and is hard to select small boxes, as it jitters around. It's makes it harder as I am using it on a 92" projection display. I'm not a big fan of the button layout. Some of the ones I want are small and hidden on the bottom. The biggest downside is the lack of full backlit keys. Only a few of the mode buttons are backlit, so it's hard to search for the button you want in a dark room. The other issue I have had is that I can turn off the PC with the power button, I cannot turn it back on! My USB port is powered, as the "connection" LED is displayed on the USB receiver, so it must be a driver issue, or compatiblity with my motherboard and/or Vista.
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| Date Reviewed: 05/30/2008 |
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Strengths: Great Control, Range.
Weaknesses: none
Summary: This is one of the best, if not the best, remotes out there for media center usage on xp or vista. Gyration makes some really cool hardware and this remote can function effectively as a wireless mouse as well with easy movements in the air. works very well with Vista. has good range and being RF you dont have to keep it pointed at anything in particular. highly recommended
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| Date Reviewed: 05/26/2008 |
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Good remote for Windows Media Center
Strengths: remote works as a pointing device, can control several devices, uses infrared and radio frequency commands, programmable
Weaknesses: difficult to hold remote comfortably, programmable, buttons are too small
Summary: The idea of having a remote control that also functions as a mouse or pointing device is very good. When watching TV or listening to music, sometimes you don't have a flat surface for a traditional mouse to navigate through Windows Media Center. The gyroscope inside this remote takes care of that. With the movement of the wrist, you can have the cursor move to where you want it to. You get used to controlling like this very quickly.
The remote has several buttons that are used to select other devices, such as a VCR, receiver and TV. Only thing that I did not like is that the remote design is not very ergonomic, finding that the buttons are too small for my fingers.
A nice feature is that it can send IR signals which are extremely useful if you have your PC in one room and the TV in another. With IR signals you need direct line of sight to control a device. The downside is that the remote does not include a RF receiver, you have to purchase it separately.
In all, this is a nice gadget to have in the house that doesn't cost a lot of money.
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| Date Reviewed: 05/23/2008 |
- revivalizt
- Member Since:
Mar 2007
View Member's:
Reviews
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ok media center remote
Strengths: no software needs to be installed
works out of the box
it's a learning remote: can be use for htpc
Weaknesses: somewhat too big for what I want compare to "MX Air"
no backlight
still .. too many buttons
Summary: As what I've said.. It's kinda big for the hand, special for a female. When I first plugged in the reciever, the remote mouse cursor keeps pulling down on the screen even though I have set the remote on the table. WEIRD.
But the second time after I disconnect and reconnect it, it works fine I guess.
I'm comparing this MX Air from Logitech.
This remote would look like a cheap remote.
MX Air has nice touch, style, color, design for sure.
but sometimes the software from logitech can be a pain.
Gryation has no more support for this remote cuz they're coming out with a newer version with lcd screen.
and no.. you can't use this for gaming. VERY bad. the sensitivity is bad. no 2000dpi stuffs.
anyway it was on sale on CC for dirt cheap.
so far, I like it but I don't love it. They couldve done much better with it.
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| Date Reviewed: 04/22/2008 |
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Strengths: Great functionality. Replaces all my other remotes. In air gyration mouse works great with htpc.
Weaknesses: Definate learning curve for the in air functionality.
Summary: This remote is just great. For the price, it's better than any of logitechs lower end offerings. The gyration capability is also something unique to this remote. I love it but it does take some getting used to. I like the layout of the buttons and the remote does it's job. It replaces ALL my other HT remotes nicely. 5stars.
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| Date Reviewed: 04/20/2008 |
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 Not the Best Universal Remote Strengths: "in Air" Mouse Function, Good Price from Circuitcity
Weaknesses: Weak library
Summary: I have an Olevia TV and a Logitech Z 5500 and there are no code available to program those with this remote. Hence i have to use the learning capability to program those button to button onto this remote. However, there is no 100% guarantee that this remote will pickup the code.
Will recommend to people who is really using MCE only. If you want something that will control all of your av components, look else where.
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| Date Reviewed: 04/15/2008 |
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Strengths: Has built-in mouse feature and ability to learn the functions
Weaknesses: slightly big and heavy
Summary: This is a very good remote for your HTPC. I have replaced the Microsoft MCE Remote as soon as I got this remote and this works much better than the Microsoft remote that I purchased before. This one has the universal remote capability with an optional capability to learn other remote features. Over all a very nice remote that replaces the default Microsoft MCE remote and have much more features.
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