Great new wireless Keyboard/Remote... (1 Viewer)

[jlr2000]

I hope this is okay to post, but I found this and wanted to share for anyone else out there looking for a wireless keyboard replacement. I found this RF wireless keyboard that looks something like a blackberry, where the "screen" area is actually a touch pad for the mouse. I ordered this and have been using for a few weeks now and I am extremely pleased. I have absolutely nothing to do with this product or website, I just found it great for my HTPC setup and thought you guys might find it interesting..

Here's the link, it comes in either Black or White:
Wireless Keyboard | HTPC Remote RF Wireless Keyboard | HTPC Remote Control [MINIKTP] - $40.00 : efo.buy-lowest.com

Likes: Small, looks like another remote, easy to use (no drivers), backlit, rechargeable battery lasts a long time

Dislikes: quality could be better (paint on keys, lightweight plastic) not all keys represented (no function keys)


It took some digging to find this, but when I did I only found a few reviews. The price point is good and honestly what I like is that all I need to do is pull the USB fob out and move to another PC and "boom" it works. It would be great if I could get USB fobs for all my PCs so I could use the one keyboard with any PC...but I guess they need to make money too.

Enjoy.

 

[richrox]

I just bought one of these for use with Mediaportal. How has it been using it? I currently have been using my android phone which has an app that does remote keyboard and mouse controls, but I wanted something that was only for mediaportal and this seems like the best solution, not to mention the price compared to other devices. I am interested in hearing how its been working out.

Update: I have been using for about a week now and I must say so far I really like it. In fact I am typing from it right now. The distance is great and the size is perfect. I can do most of what I need from within MP seamlessly, especially browse the internet and Hulu desktop. There are a few things that it doesn't have that a full size keyboard does, like Function keys.

Update: Now it has been about 6-months later and my mini wireless keyboard is dead. It just stopped working a few days ago. It won't charge, no backlight, nothing. The unit was cared for very well so I don't think its from mishandling and I charged it regularly. I personally no longer recommend this unit. Hopefully others are having better success and longevity with it. For me, its off my list.

 

[geov]

I've also looked at this in the past...it would be nice to hear if its working OK before I buy it.

 

[jlr2000]

I have been using it and really like it. So to be fair let me give more detail:

I use a "Firefly" remote most of the time, the family is just used to using a regular remote. I was tired of pulling out a full wireless keyboard when I needed to do anything the regular remote couldn't handle so I found this product. Truthfully I don't use it daily like I use the regular remote, but I could easily just use this as a remote - it's handled all my expectations very well.

Since I don't use it often I wasn't plugging it in hardly ever to recharge. I probably went a very long time without charging it and then one day I needed it and it was dead. I tried to recharge it and it would not take a charge. Since I only had it about 6 months I was not really happy. I emailed the seller to let them know it wouldn't take a charge and they replied quickly and said it might be a problem with the battery and told me they would send a replacement to me at no charge, I just had to send the non-working unit back first (at my cost, regular mail). I was very pleased when the new unit arrived and it's been performing like a champ ever since.

I probably should not have let the unit go that long without charging it, and I'm not even sure if I turned it off before letting it sit that long. I thought it was extremely fair that the seller sent me a replacement unit with the only caveat to send the broken unit back (at my cost). I could have chosen to send it back faster for more $$$ but I was okay with the slight wait.

Overall I'm very happy with this remote/keyboard. It's very simple to use, no drivers, just plug in the USB and go. I think they now offer a bluetooth unit as well, but I'm using the USB wireless version and could not be happier with it the way I use it. I wish I could give more input on heavy use but I just don't use it that way in my setup. If and when I have a need for another compact wireless keyboard this is the route I'd go again.

Hope that helps.

 

[geov]

Thanks for the feedback... How good is the reception on the normal fireless? 5m, 10m, etc

 

[jlr2000]

About 30 feet which I think is just over 9 meters. I have 5 Firefly remotes and have been very happy using with LM Remote Keymap (LM Gestion : LM Remote KeyMap for Streamzap, Firefly, Firefly Mini, USB-UIRT, TechnoTrend or MCE PC Remote) to reprogram the keys to what I want. LM Remote Keymap is free or you can donate $$ for extra features, but the free version works fine for me. You still use the base drivers for Firefly and then LM Remote Keymap as well.

The nice thing about the Firefly remote is that its RF so you can have your equipment anywhere....I had a setup in my old house with the equipment hidden behind the couch...everyone pointed the remote to the projection screen and it worked just fine even though the receiver was behind us.