Griffin Powermate - awesome input option

**kenop** · 09-17-2004, 03:51 PM

found this today, I didn't know if anyone is currently using this device but I think it would make a killer input for a carPC project.

http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/powermate/

A couple of these (each has the programmable dial and pushbutton settings) mounted to the dash or middle console would be perfect for navigating through playlists and directories.

comments? I'm thinking of picking a couple up to play with, if no one else has done it I'll write up a review as well.

**kenop** · 09-17-2004, 03:53 PM

nevermind, just like a newbie I didn't search first

I guess alot of you area already using it!

**TimmyM** · 09-17-2004, 03:54 PM

Good save! I'm sure you were about to get hammered.

**jcdillin** · 09-17-2004, 04:33 PM

**eatyummypuppies** · 09-17-2004, 06:09 PM

Actually the Powermate kind of sucks. It's too big and only has one button. I've used both and the Shuttle Express is vastly superior. It's also pretty big, but it's kind of flat at least. And it has a few buttons.

**cadence117** · 09-19-2004, 02:27 PM

yesh... i agrees

**Chairboy** · 09-19-2004, 03:14 PM

I also use the Shuttle Express with great success. It's amazing. I've glued it to the top of the folding cupholder in my center console and plan to fiberglass it in once I finish moving to my new home. It has 5 buttons, a jog dial, and a finger-spinner dial in the center. I've mapped the finger dial to up arrow/down arrow, the jog dial to a logarithmic fast forward/rewind so I can skip around inside songs easily, and the buttons do everything from play to next, previous, browse, and escape.

**Nic** · 09-19-2004, 08:11 PM

its expensive and the windows software is kinda buggy, but i have been using one for about a year, once u get it setup right its pretty cool

**nickmig** · 09-22-2004, 01:10 PM

I used the griffin for 3 days, and it would work fine until something random happened that made it not work. I was using the latest drivers and the latest software, but it would randomly flake out on me. I would have to uninstall the drivers from device manager, reboot, plug it in, reboot again, and then it would work. It would flake out if new software was installed, or even if I tried to adjust the volume while the computer was almost finished booting, (if the volume was up loud and i didn't want to blast my ears away) I would be willing to try it again if anyone has a fix for my problems....I just exchanged it for the gyration keyboard and mouse. Not nearly as cool.

**ApoloV** · 09-23-2004, 08:02 AM

I've been using the powermate for a while now and my biggest concern is Griffin's lack of Tech Support. They been tellin me that they were releasing new windows drivers for the longest time now to fix some of these quirks in the current version (1.5.2) But nothings come up.. Does anyone know if maybe the drivers for Shuttle Express would work on the Powermate? granted there'd be extra stuff in the software the powermate doesnt have... oh well....

Not to completely hack this thread but does anyone know how to take the powermate apart?? I want to custom mount this but i have no need for the bottom end of the powermate and dont want to take my dremel to it...

THanks
Apolo