Refine search for Peripherals

  2 comments      Email this to a friend TrustedReviews Newsletters

Like most high-end wireless RF mice on the market, the Air Mouse and its dongle come pre-paired, meaning you only have to plug it in for instant aerobatic antics. The motion-sensing technology will work with pretty much anything; it's safe to assume that if a standard mouse works, the motion-sensing Air Mouse will too. This means it's compatible with Linux and Mac OS X; though to get most of the advanced functionality you'll need to install the GyroTools software, which for now only works with Windows XP and Vista.

Before we get into the software and assess the Air Mouse's gyroscopic motion-sensing goodness, let's first see how it performs as an ordinary mouse.

Well for a start, the Air Mouse's laser sensor means it can be used on a variety of desk surfaces of varying colours and textures without getting confused in the same way many optical mice can. But unfortunately, when used as an ordinary desktop rodent for day-to-day tasks, it just doesn't match up to models from Microsoft or Logitech. Its tiny Teflon feet, for example, make it difficult to move smoothly across a cloth pad - though to be fair it works just fine on any hard surface.

Furthermore, its tracking isn't quite as smooth as we'd have liked, although this is only really noticeable if you're looking hard for it. Rather more disappointing is the lack of a four-way scroll wheel. While it's not the only mouse on the market to shed this feature – Raptor Gaming's M3 Platinum Laser Mouse is another - it's still a tad disappointing.

Yet another niggle is that when scrolling down, the deeply recessed position of the wheel can result in your finger catching on the slightly sharp edges of the two function buttons just below the wheel - the same ones that will occasionally snag on the pouch's meshed material as you remove the mouse.

Despite its ergonomic curves, the Air Mouse isn't as comfortable in the hand as other mice of its size, like Logitech's V550 Nano Cordless Laser Notebook Mouse. This is partially because the V550's two AA batteries give it a reassuring weight whereas the Air Mouse's pair of AAAs make for a lighter experience. However, this does seem sensible considering you'll probably want to wave it around a lot. Also like the V550, Gyration's symmetrical design makes it equally usable for righties or lefties (something which, as an ex-southpaw, I always appreciate).

Add your comment