Unimpressed with the NeW Media keyboard but I may have a great alternative!!!

[irishkeet]

Hi all

Just built my HTPC last week and thought I'd go for the Microsoft Media KB. Buttons are great but if you have the control its not really needed, and I have to say the mouse is terrible.

Anyway after a dig around the web I found a company called www.ceratech.co.uk that do trackball KBs.

Originall I was looking @ the ACCURATUS 573 MINI KEYBOARD, I called the site and spoke to a very friendly woman who said thay have a new long range 'Optical Trackball' KB just out (not on their site as yet), anyway she sent the info and I've ordered (£54.36 with delivery)

Ive linked the info to my site so have a look,

www.irishkeet.com/htpc/Saturn.doc

I have to say its looks really stylish, if anyone is interested Ill let you know if its any good over the weekend?

irishkeet

 

[kimmie]

So how does the mouse-function work? I have never really liked the trackballs on a mouse, is this any different?

 

[willsy2]

I'd be interested to know your impesssion of the keyboard. I've been looking for an alternative to my Gyration mouse & keyboard, as it's a bit of a pain having to keep charging the mouse.

 

[Slinkoff]

it's a bit of a pain having to keep charging the mouse.

Don't you just store the mouse on the charger? There's no battery memory, I just leave it on the charger when I'm not using it, overnight etc.

 

[irishkeet]

Hi
KB should arrive tomorrow so ill update this thread over the weekend
all the best
irishkeet

 

[Skunkpipe]

Interested to know what you think. We've just started stocking them

 

[Dr_Mike]

I use the Accuratus 573 keyboard with my media PC. As a wireless keyboard it's fantastic and it's compact enough that I don't reaally feel the need to get a conventional remote. I run all my media stuff through MediaPortal which is OK for driving with the keys.

The trackball is useable but would be a bit of pain for more than occasional Windows use. The cursor tends to stick abit, like using an old ball-mouse with dirty rollers, particularly if your fingers aren't spotlessly clean. I also can't see an easy way to take the ball out for cleaning without taking the whole thing apart.

 

[Skunkpipe]

The new Saturn has an optical mouse - so *shouldn't* need cleaning. IIRC the 573 is not optical

 

[Gadget Daddy]

Interested to know what you think. We've just started stocking them

How much could I buy one for please delivered??

Pete

 

[irishkeet]

Just got the KB today, unable to test until I get home as were locked down @ work

First impressions...KB is very smart looking and very well laid out.

Size - 330 x 160

Pete KB was £54.36 with next day delivery

Skunkpipe your correct no cleaning required and the person @ Ceratech confirmed this with me.

Kimmie, Dr Mike the optical trackball should be percise with no sticking. Ill let you know over the wkend.

So the KB comes with the USB dongle + a small 4/5" USB extension which is great if (like mine) your HTPC case is close to the wall, driver CD & manual.

Hot keys include L/R mouse, full media keys Prev/Next/Stop/Play/Mute & Vol
Office & Web shortcut keys.

KB also comes with 2 batteries. Software comes with a low battery indicator which sits in the taskbar, also has a save power mode, LED on the mouse will go out but all other keys will work as usual.

Cheers
irishkeet

 

[Gadget Daddy]

Thats not really a bad price if like me I havent a current remote device or MCE Remote with IR receiver, so getting the k/b + receiver aint too bad.

I was just interested to see if skunkpipe could suplly any cheaper as he said that they have just started to stock them.

Cheers
Pete

 

[Skunkpipe]

How much could I buy one for please delivered??

Pete

A bit less than IrishKeet mentioned.

 

[Gadget Daddy]

A bit less than IrishKeet mentioned.

Maybe up for one depending how IK`s weekend review goes of it

Pete

 

[irishkeet]

Hi

Just installed and first impressions are that it kicks the **** out of the Microsoft mouse.

Only just started to use but its not much slower than using a mouse, will just need to get used to the key layout, trackball is fast & accurate and you can double click with the left mouse button (couldnt seem to do this with the MS KB)

Anyway will send another update once Ive used it for a bit, all in all very happy with my find.

irishkeet

 

[Gadget Daddy]

Good stuff keep the report coming in.............

Pete

 

[irishkeet]

off to bed been using MCE more than ever tonight as the KB is so nice to use esp with the muse - C&P is a breeze nothing so far has been a problem with the mouse, IMO its the best alternative to havind a seperate KB & mouse and the size is great too, small & compact but with full buttons for most of the major keys

 

[Gadget Daddy]

So no downsides at the mo?

 

[irishkeet]

Well after using over the wekend Im very happy and dont have any issues with it. Very nice to use and you can confirure the shortcut buttons so I have one set to open MCE.

A great buy

 

[Gadget Daddy]

thanks for the update...lots of food for thought etc

Pete