Thumbs up for Gyration Ultra Cordless Optical Suite

cproaudio · 09-29-2002, 04:49 AM

Heres my experience with Gyration wireless RF mini KB and mouse.

http://www.gyration.com/ultrasuite.htm

***The good***

This unit is bad ***. First it's RF. It doesn't require line of site. Perfect for car install.

Mini keyboard, again perfect for car use.

optical mouse, no balls to clean and works on any surface. Perfect for car use.

integrated rechargeable NMH battery for the mouse. No batteries to buy. (KB uses 4 AAA batteries which will last about 6 months.)

Mouse can be operated in mid air without surface, perfect while driving on bumpy roads.

USB receiver doesn't take up the PS/2 ports. This means you can add a second keyboard or a 10-key pad and mouse else where like a track ball in the center console.

It's black, matches almost all interior. Haven't seen a white interior in a new car for a while now. Besides black match everything. There's always a black plastic panel in your car somewhere.

multimedia keys and Internet keys

25 ft range vs 6ft range with IR wireless setup.

No drivers needed. You just plug it in the USB, learn the KB and mouse. It works.

***The bad***

My unit came with revision B receiver. The revision B receiver only works in windows OS. This means, it doesn't work when the computer first boot. You cant setup the BIOS or select which OS to boot if you're running multiple boot like I am.
***THERE IS A FIX***
Gyration is aware of this defect. They will replace the revision B receiver with revision E or newer at no cost to you. Revision E solves this problem. You can (actually I can) setup BIOS, select my OS to boot.

the price. It retails at $100. When I first bought the unit, I loved it. until I found out it doesn't let me select which OS to boot. I was getting ready to toss this POS back to www.thenerds.net for a refund. After emailing gyration support, I was able to get a replacement. Now that my unit works, I recommend it to anyone.

Multimedia keys and INTERNET keys are not programmable.

Battery for the mouse last about a week. But hey, its rechargeable.

Over all I think this wireless setup is the best keyboard and mouse for car install. I was going to write a nasty report on this setup due to my faulty receiver. But Gilbert at gyration took care of the problem and sent me an updated version of the receiver. Now that my unit is working the way it should, I think this is the best mini KB/mouse to use for car computer.

My setup is FV24 mobo

ShinkunoNamida · 09-29-2002, 08:56 AM

nice find!

Where are you storing your keyboard? I guess you could probably keep it under the seats if necessary.. I should measure up and see where I can stash one of these

That mouse seems kind of strange.. is it awkward to use at all?

nolmscheid · 09-29-2002, 10:31 AM

why didn't they combine the mouse into the keyboard....one less things hanging around.

Charliey · 09-29-2002, 10:11 PM

when using the mouse in the air, can it be anywhere in the air? or does it have to be close to a surface? i cant really see it tracking a surface if its like 2' above it.

cproaudio · 09-29-2002, 11:01 PM

You can use it anywhere in the air. Theres a button at the bottom of the mouse that activates mid air activation. You use the wrist left right and up and down movement, not the elbow.

Quote:

Originally posted by Charliey
when using the mouse in the air, can it be anywhere in the air? or does it have to be close to a surface? i cant really see it tracking a surface if its like 2' above it.

cproaudio · 09-29-2002, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ShinkunoNamida
nice find!

Where are you storing your keyboard? I guess you could probably keep it under the seats if necessary.. I should measure up and see where I can stash one of these

That mouse seems kind of strange.. is it awkward to use at all?

Im Im building a fiberglass center console for the computer. The storage of the KB and mouse will be integrate into the center console.

MP3DUB · 09-30-2002, 01:35 AM

Having used thier original gyromouse, its called that for a reason, its got a (or maybe a few?) gyros in it so you can use it in midair. It looks like this new one adds the option to use it as a normal use. Atleast using the original gyromouse was somewhat of an art to use it fluidly.