Logitech diNovo Mini by Logitech
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List Price: Our Price: $110.00 You Save: $39.99 (27%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $68.00 (click here) Category: CE See more digital camera details and other models |
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Digital camera reviews of Logitech diNovo Mini
Digital camera Review: 2nd one worked
Summary: 4 Stars
Overall, I like this controller quite a lot. I use it as a controller for a PS3 game system that we use more for DVD and video streaming than for gaming. This controller makes it much easier to use the PS3 to surf the web and perform any actions that need keyboard text entry. It also simplifies controlling DVD and video streaming pause/play/etc functions. It is a little awkward to have to switch back and forth between the touch-pad and text functions, but not bad. The controller includes the most important PS3 function buttons, which is not the case for the full sized keyboard systems on the market. (It does not however include the PS3 power on key equivalent).
I am not yet convinced the controller will remain reliable. The first unit I received was defective from the start. Several of the buttons just did not work. I returned it to Amazon (their service was great, immediately sending me a replacement) and the second unit did not have any of the problems of the first. It has been in service for about 1 month with no problems. However anytime a brand new device fails to work it suggests that quality control might be an issue. Will just have to wait and see.
Digital camera Review: A Step in the Right Direction
Summary: 4 Stars
I've been using the diNovo Mini for over a month now on a computer connected to my LCD TV and I like it. It is much better than trying to use a large keyboard and a mouse in the living room. The keyboard is just large enough that that you can hit the keys without making mistakes. The lighting of the keys work well in the dark. The blue tooth remote works great and I can use it anywhere in my house. The battery life is good. I re-charge it once every 2 weeks and that's fine with me. It will also run while it's plugged in being charged, so you can use it either way.
The only complaints I have it that the little thumb pad used for moving the mouse pointer is a little clunky and sometimes has a mind of it's own. I think it's too small an area to move your thumb around and I hope future models either have a larger pad area or better yet, replace the pad with a small thumb stick. Another issue is that there is no dedicated "right click" button. In order to "right click" you have to hold the "fn" key then press the "ok" button. I really don't know what Logitech was thinking, because I think that is major design error on their part.
One other issue is that I wish that they included dedicated arrow keys instead of having to hit a switch, then use the thumb pad as the arrow keys. It's a minor complaint.
In all, is a huge step up from using a keyboard and mouse if you surf the web from your couch, and definitely worth buying if you spend most of your time surfing the web from the comfort of your living room.
Digital camera Review: A good HTPC Solution
Summary: 4 Stars
We needed something to pair up with the MX Air mouse for our HTPC setup. I took a chance on this instead of a full wireless keyboard and am happy with the decision. After over 4 months I still haven't suffered from the disconnect issues others have had.
I would recommend this for you HTPC users looking for a small convenient keyboard for your couch. You wont be typing any novels but for signing into hulu or youtube and the like this will fit the bill perfectly.
Pros:
Easy to read when backlit in the dark, I also like the color change depending on mode. Orange when mousing, green when in D-pad mode.
Size and weight are good, and other than the kind of flimsy cover it feels solid.
Battery life is awesome! This thing almost never needs charged, unlike the MX Air...
Cons:
The cover seems easy to break. I can't see how I would improve it though, just be careful to close it all the time so you don't sit on it and break it off.
No scroll function, though there are page up/down buttons that work ok.
The trackpad is kind of a pain, for the little I need it though when entering text it does the job. Just get a better wireless mouse for the real work or you will be miserable.
Digital camera Review: A good enough solution for HTPC
Summary: 4 Stars
My family relies on HTPC to watch BD movies and soap opera of Asia through Internet. The original keyboard and mouse to control the HTPC were Logitech diNovo Cordless Desktop. Of course, the keyboard is large and we have to operate the mouse on the couch because it is not comfortable to operate the mouse on the small desk 2 feet in front of you from time to time. Therefore, I spent some time to find a better solution and finally got this tiny guy based on the criteria:
1. Build of quality. Well, you can get some mini keyboard with touch pad around $40. It seems these keyboards came from the same OEM company in China. Without any long term record, I will concern the quality of these products.
2. Size. Most of the time, we only use "mouse" and it does not make sense to carry around or put a big keyboard on your legs just because you have to use mouse. Therefore, Logitech diNovo Edge and PlayStation 3 Cordless MediaBoard Pro were out of my list. On the other hand, the keys will be small or some of the keys will be pruned to fit the small size of keyboard. That is a trade off every one have to understand before starting to complain.
3. Range. Our couch is about 7 feet away to the TV. Therefore, Bluetooth is the technology to go.
3. Easy to operate. Well, due to the size of this keyboard, I did take about a week to get used to and decide to keep it. The keys are small but responsive. You have to learn to use "Function" key to emulate left mouse click and some keys it does not have. The touchpad on this keyboard is small but is "good enough" to let you control the cursor on screen. The only problem to me now is, it does not have F1 to F12 keys and I need F2 key to get to the BIOS of my HTPC.
It is a good enough solution but not perfect. Anyway, it did delivery what I need now.
Digital camera Review: A handy little keyboard
Summary: 4 Stars
Very nicely done product, just a bit expensive. The pointer is a little difficult to use but it's not like you use this thing to surf the web for hours on end.