emuu101
2006-04-05, 11:29 AM
Just received my XGene Inperial 2.4Ghz Keyboard w/trackball mouse from Sensuz (http://store.sensuz.com) today. I thought I'd post a little review.
Here goes...
Included in the box are 4 AA batteries, the keyboard, the USB RF Key, and a small manual.
First Impressions:
Keyboard looks a lot like the Interlink keyboard/mouse model – http://www.rfcombo.com/rfkeyboard.html. That one is RF, with a stick/pad pointer - retails for $199US+ on their website.
Picking up the XGene keyboard for the first time, it's easy to notice the weight. It's actually quite heavy when compared to my MS 3in1 keyboard. It feels very sturdy and can possibly withstand some bumps and falls.
The left and right sides of the keyboard are thicker than the middle. It makes for nice handgrips. The right-side has a black marble (for your thumb), and a trigger button (for your index finger). The left-side has two mouse buttons (for your thumb), and a scroll wheel trigger (for your index finger). There are a bunch of hot keys as well - for multimedia functions, and shortcuts to things like Internet Explorer, forward, and backward. The buttons are a mix of dark and light grey. Personally, not the most pleasing colour scheme, but it’s far from ugly. It seems that the keypad is curved - convexed with the middle higher. Pressing the keys, they provide a very soft, quiet feel.
After inserting the new batteries, I connected the USB key. The USB key has a strange glossy finish to it. Doesn't match the keyboard at all. There is one button on it, and a single light. Windows detected a new 2.4Ghz device. The light blinked a few times. That was it. Connection made!
Rolling the marble mouse the first time felt a little awkward. It seemed very fast. But, after a few mins, I was able to accurately control the mouse. Clicking on the right-hand trigger was very useful. It acts as a left mouse-click button. So, one click selects. Hit twice, and it executes. It's very convenient. The scroll wheel is very functional, and works just as it should. All the multimedia and hot-buttons work without any added configuration.
I decided to test the signal strength, so I moved around the house. I'd say I was a good 25 feet away and controlling the system without any blips. Even worked through my kitchen wall The 800dpi optical marble mouse even works with the keyboard upside-down (not sure how often you’d actually use it that way :D).
Overall. The price point is decent. It was a little more expensive than the Microsoft 3in1, but cheaper than many other RF combos – like the Adesso, and Gyration. It's actually a pretty good deal. It’s more accurate than the Adesso and Microsoft keyboards. More ergonomic to hold, and feels better quality (weight). I preferred this combo over the Gyration because I didn’t want a separate mouse/keyboard thing; Too many pieces to clutter my room. The only complaint I have is the colours – doesn’t have that ‘cool’ look to it. But, once you pick it up, that feeling goes away quickly. So far, I’m quite impressed.
Here goes...
Included in the box are 4 AA batteries, the keyboard, the USB RF Key, and a small manual.
First Impressions:
Keyboard looks a lot like the Interlink keyboard/mouse model – http://www.rfcombo.com/rfkeyboard.html. That one is RF, with a stick/pad pointer - retails for $199US+ on their website.
Picking up the XGene keyboard for the first time, it's easy to notice the weight. It's actually quite heavy when compared to my MS 3in1 keyboard. It feels very sturdy and can possibly withstand some bumps and falls.
The left and right sides of the keyboard are thicker than the middle. It makes for nice handgrips. The right-side has a black marble (for your thumb), and a trigger button (for your index finger). The left-side has two mouse buttons (for your thumb), and a scroll wheel trigger (for your index finger). There are a bunch of hot keys as well - for multimedia functions, and shortcuts to things like Internet Explorer, forward, and backward. The buttons are a mix of dark and light grey. Personally, not the most pleasing colour scheme, but it’s far from ugly. It seems that the keypad is curved - convexed with the middle higher. Pressing the keys, they provide a very soft, quiet feel.
After inserting the new batteries, I connected the USB key. The USB key has a strange glossy finish to it. Doesn't match the keyboard at all. There is one button on it, and a single light. Windows detected a new 2.4Ghz device. The light blinked a few times. That was it. Connection made!
Rolling the marble mouse the first time felt a little awkward. It seemed very fast. But, after a few mins, I was able to accurately control the mouse. Clicking on the right-hand trigger was very useful. It acts as a left mouse-click button. So, one click selects. Hit twice, and it executes. It's very convenient. The scroll wheel is very functional, and works just as it should. All the multimedia and hot-buttons work without any added configuration.
I decided to test the signal strength, so I moved around the house. I'd say I was a good 25 feet away and controlling the system without any blips. Even worked through my kitchen wall The 800dpi optical marble mouse even works with the keyboard upside-down (not sure how often you’d actually use it that way :D).
Overall. The price point is decent. It was a little more expensive than the Microsoft 3in1, but cheaper than many other RF combos – like the Adesso, and Gyration. It's actually a pretty good deal. It’s more accurate than the Adesso and Microsoft keyboards. More ergonomic to hold, and feels better quality (weight). I preferred this combo over the Gyration because I didn’t want a separate mouse/keyboard thing; Too many pieces to clutter my room. The only complaint I have is the colours – doesn’t have that ‘cool’ look to it. But, once you pick it up, that feeling goes away quickly. So far, I’m quite impressed.