Gyration Ultra Cordless Optical Mouse

Author
Aron Schatz
Posted
August 13, 2002
Views
116368
This is one of the most unique mouse I've ever seen. Does it also function as well as it looks?

Page 1: Intro, Notes, Specs

<center>This is an exclusive only on ASE Labs review!</center>

<b>Intro</b>:

<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/aug02/gyration/box.jpg">
Gets your attention, yes?</center>

A little over a month ago, I had the pleasure of visiting the fine city of New York when I went to PC Expo. I saw some very innovative things at the trade show, but only a few things really caught my attention. If you recall back to my <a href="http://www.aselabs.com/articles.php?id=26">Day 1 of PC Expo</a> article, I saw a mouse that some very strange and unique features that I never had seen before. Meet the new, and I mean not even released, <a href="http://www.gyration.com/ultra.htm">Gyration Ultra Cordless Optical Mouse</a>.



<b>Not just your ordinary mouse</b>:

<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/aug02/gyration/mouse.jpg">
Nice mouse eh?</center>

You must be thinking why I really like this mouse so much, or maybe not... First off, it is totally wireless. This mouse has no problem whatsoever and not having the damn wire is one of the greatest things since sliced bread. That's all well and good, but this is more than just an ordinary wireless mouse. This one has the very unique feature of being a handheld pointing device! No more do you need to be tied down to that desk anymore to browse the internet or navigate on your computer.

<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/aug02/gyration/iso.jpg">
Nice shape too</center>

This is the ultimate tool of the presenter, think about using this instead of a horrible ordinary desk mouse. You get the ability to easily move around and have full control over the computer. This is also great for lazy people. You can do your various computer stuff in bed! I know that most of you won't be using this thing in the air the entire time, who would. Don't worry, this mouse is also a regular optical mouse that you can use on the desk.

<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/aug02/gyration/receiver.jpg">
You don't need a line of site to use this thing</center>

The instructions in the box were helpful and colorful. I'm sure you don't need them, but regardless. On another note, this unit will not work with a PS/2 port because of the power it draws from the USB port (The receiver).

The unit turns off its sensor on the bottom when it isn't near a surface. It determines this by a second sensor on the front of the unit.

<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/aug02/gyration/bottom.jpg">
The two buttons are for channel and teach, the other thing on the top is the second sensor</center>

<b>Specs</b>:

<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/aug02/gyration/parts.jpg">
Nice color pictures and everything!</center>

System Requirements

IBM compatible PC running Windows 98 (2nd ed.), 2000, ME or XP
Mac running OS 8.0 or later (GyroTools software is Windows only)
Available USB port
CD ROM drive (for GyroTools installation)
Microsoft or Mac compatible mouse driver

Size 4.8"L x 2.0"W x 1.8"H (12.2 cm x 5.1 cm x 4.5 cm)
Weight 5.3 ounces (150g) with battery pack

Operating Range Up to 25 feet (7.6m) typical with no line-of-sight requirement

Radio 49MHz (U.S.), 8 channels and 36,800 security addresses

Batteries NiMH battery pack

Operating temperature +10 to 40 C (+50 to +104 F)
Storage temperature -30 to +70 C (-86 to +158 F)



Gyration RF Receiver Specifications

Size 5"L x 4"W x 2"H (13 cm x 10 cm x 5 cm)

Weight 4 ounces (124g)

Connector USB w/ 5' cable

Operating temperature +10 to 40 C (+50 to +104 F)
Storage temperature -30 to +70 C (-86 to +158 F)

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