anybody got the BTC boards?

B

boaby

Guest
Would just like to ask how people who have the BTC 9019/9116 keyboards find the joystick to use a mouse?

I'm looking to get a wireless keyboard with the mouse built in if possible.

Four ive shorted it down to are:
- BTC9019
- BTC9116
- Saturn RF (with track ball) found here
- Gyration GT


I intend to replace the keyboard but still keep a mouse at my desk - so i will use that primarily, however if i move to the couch to watch to the tv card or browse in more comfort then i would like to use the built in mouse there.

So i was basically wondering how do people find the joystick on the BTC's?
Q) Are they pretty free-roaming or do they they just go in 8 directions (ie. N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW)?

Q) Does it move quite slow? Or is it fairly zippy?

I like the look of the saturn but info on it is either classified or non-existant. Only seen it on the above website and ebay. As it uses a little usb dongle Im wondering if the reception is affected if you try and hide it by connecting the dongle to one of the rear usb ports.

And of course there's the gyration, which i like the look of but i feel as if i took that mouse to my couch i would probably just end up trying using it like a regular mouse on the couch and not bothering to lift it and wave it all the time. Plus thats two things to keep track of instead of just one.

As you can see ive spent a while trying to decide on this one, too long in fact and im starting to haemorrage. Its that definitve problem with online shopping where you can't see it and try it in the 'flesh' before they swipe your card.

Anyhoo, if anyone can testify to the BTC's mousing capability (or has info on the saturn board) it would be much appreciated!

(EDIT: fixed link)
 
I have the 9019, mousemovement is a little slow but acceptable, it does roam in all directions.

I had and sold the gyro when I bought this to try out on the off chance, great value at about £23. The gyro used to wind me up with its need to charge the mouse every night and that the mouse and keyboard were seperate items.
 
Hi, I have all 4

In order of preference
1) Saturn
2) Gyration (although I still use this on my main setup)
3) 9116 (for it's size V's the 9019)
4) 9019 - a bit big for my liking.

The BTC's are pretty free roaming, but can be a bit frustrating - if you've ever use a mouse 'nipple' type mouse , you'll find the BTC very similar.
FWIW the Saturn can be had cheaper elsewere...
 
Cheers for the replies guys. - Damn skunkpipe, all four? I'm thinking your place must look like the inside of the gadget shop? ;)

It seems the saturn is one those generic "re-brandable" boards which is probably why there's little info to be had. However im steadily warming to it the more i see other boards. The boards with touch-pads included look like a good 'familiar' solution but they all invariably look BIG and most lack multimedia keys - example1 and example2 .

So, if you could just answer a couple of questions for me skunkpipe you could be my saviour here and end about a weeks browsing for me :lease: . With regards to the saturn can you tell me:

- Is the trackball quite accurate and speedy to use?

- Does the trackball have to be pressed down to be used?

- I'm guessing it comes with software/drivers - can the multimedia keys at the top be re-programmed to your personal preference.

- Do you find it annoying not having a scroll-whell or scroll-buttons (like the 9109)?


Cheers for you help......!


Definately like the look of the Gyration/Thompson Media Centre Remote as seen here and will probably get it if it comes to the UK.
 
boaby said:
Cheers for the replies guys. - Damn skunkpipe, all four? I'm thinking your place must look like the inside of the gadget shop?
Well it certainly looks like a shop sometimes; it's sort of my job to know about these things...

boaby said:
It seems the saturn is one those generic "re-brandable" boards which is probably why there's little info to be had.
It's supplied by Ceratech although the retail pack doesn't mention any 'brand' as such.

boaby said:
- Is the trackball quite accurate and speedy to use?
Yup - much better than the 9019/9116 joystick and much much better than the MS MCE keyboard.

boaby said:
- Does the trackball have to be pressed down to be used?
No. The keyboard goes into standby after 2 minutes of inactivity - you need to press the trackball to bring it out of stangby, but you don't need to hold it down at all.
boaby said:
- I'm guessing it comes with software/drivers - can the multimedia keys at the top be re-programmed to your personal preference.
Yup
boaby said:
- Do you find it annoying not having a scroll-whell or scroll-buttons (like the 9109)?
No. The scroll wheel buttons are usefull mainly because the joy/mouse of the 9019/9116 is so slow to use. This isn't an issue with the saturn.

boaby said:
Definately like the look of the Gyration/Thompson Media Centre Remote as seen here and will probably get it if it comes to the UK.
I enquired about this earlier in the year, oringanally being told August/septemebr, and now it looks like being availabe January.
 
A BIG THANKYOU skunkpipe for taking the time for that last message.

Thats pretty much settled it for me, i'll give the "saturn" a go. And thats good news about the remote, looking forward to that one, alot of speculation at htpcnews wether that was coming to europe or not. I think these two together should be a decent combo, well here's hoping anyway.

Cheers again!



P.S. If my job entailed me testing all the latest gadgets/hardware i'd be a happy boaby.
 
I'm sure you won't be disappointed. It might be worth you checking out some other HTPC specialist retailers or ebay before purchasing - I know for a fact it can be had cheaper.
 

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