# Do all wireless keyboards suck or did I just get a bad one? (Gear Head) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 27, 2014, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-all-wireless-keyboards-suck-or-did-i-just-get-a-bad-one-gear-head/691781 "2014-06-27T15:05:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2014, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-all-wireless-keyboards-suck-or-did-i-just-get-a-bad-one-gear-head/691781/1 "2014-06-27T15:05:03Z")
So I got a Gear Head wireless keyboard. The damn thing says it’s supposed to work up to thirty feet away. Well, even at five feet away, I find myself hitting the keys two or three times just to get them to register. And when I hit the volume key, even for a split second, the damn thing goes way too far up or way too far down. Thinking I had a defective keyboard, I took it back to the store and replaced it with another one. I replaced it with the same model because for some reason, I had it in my head that Gear Head was a good brand. I guess I was wrong. Anybody got any good suggestions? This keyboard would act as my “TV remote control” as I use a CPU dedicated to my TV. (So being able to control volume is important) ---
**Author:** ![jacobsta811](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jacobsta811/32/2893_2.png) [@jacobsta811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jacobsta811)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2014, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-all-wireless-keyboards-suck-or-did-i-just-get-a-bad-one-gear-head/691781/2 "2014-06-27T15:11:41Z")
IMO these: [http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wireless-Keyboard-Built-In-Multi-Touch/dp/B005DKZTMG](http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wireless-Keyboard-Built-In-Multi-Touch/dp/B005DKZTMG) are the gold standard keyboard for HTPC setups. I currently own 3. Mostly they just work straight out of the box, but if it seems to be completely dead install the software (using another wired keyboard) and pair the keyboard manually, sometimes they aren’t paired properly from the factory, especially if you buy a refurbished unit. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2014, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-all-wireless-keyboards-suck-or-did-i-just-get-a-bad-one-gear-head/691781/3 "2014-06-27T15:12:47Z")
You have probably already tried this, but keep line of sight between your keyboard and the receiver as clear as possible. Keep the receiver away from “wall warts,” etc. We have a Logitech from Walmart; expected nothing, kinda happy with it (not a recommendation) ETA: did not see jacobsta811 post before edit; our version is lower-tier. ---
**Author:** ![Fool\_in\_the\_Rain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8491ac/32.png) [@Fool\_in\_the\_Rain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fool_in_the_Rain)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2014, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-all-wireless-keyboards-suck-or-did-i-just-get-a-bad-one-gear-head/691781/4 "2014-06-27T17:28:44Z")
I have to agree with the previous two posters, Logitech is the way to go. I have one at work, and at home…both work great. The one at home works great across my game room on the big screen, say a good 20 feet without issue. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2014, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-all-wireless-keyboards-suck-or-did-i-just-get-a-bad-one-gear-head/691781/5 "2014-06-27T17:32:21Z")
> [@jacobsta811](#): > > IMO these: [Amazon.com: Logitech Wireless Touch Keyboard K400 with Built-In Multi-Touch Touchpad : Electronics](http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wireless-Keyboard-Built-In-Multi-Touch/dp/B005DKZTMG) > are the gold standard keyboard for HTPC setups. I currently own 3. Mostly they just work straight out of the box, but if it seems to be completely dead install the software (using another wired keyboard) and pair the keyboard manually, sometimes they aren’t paired properly from the factory, especially if you buy a refurbished unit. I’ve had one of these for a week now, and I’m very happy with it. I wish the keys were a little more responsive and it had a a touch more heft, but that’s merely preferece. It functions well. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2014, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-all-wireless-keyboards-suck-or-did-i-just-get-a-bad-one-gear-head/691781/6 "2014-06-27T17:47:03Z")
> [@jacobsta811](#): > > IMO these: [Amazon.com: Logitech Wireless Touch Keyboard K400 with Built-In Multi-Touch Touchpad : Electronics](http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wireless-Keyboard-Built-In-Multi-Touch/dp/B005DKZTMG) > are the gold standard keyboard for HTPC setups. I currently own 3. Mostly they just work straight out of the box, but if it seems to be completely dead install the software (using another wired keyboard) and pair the keyboard manually, sometimes they aren’t paired properly from the factory, especially if you buy a refurbished unit. This is weird. If I click on your link it cost $27 but if go to Amazon and enter the search myself, it cost $24. Same exact model too. 😕 Anyway thanks for the suggestion. I’ll give that one a try. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2014, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-all-wireless-keyboards-suck-or-did-i-just-get-a-bad-one-gear-head/691781/7 "2014-06-27T22:27:41Z")
Sometimes, you just get a lemon. I got a Logitech wireless mouse (trackball) and hated it. But after asking advice here, I found it well recommended. So I tried again… Doing fine! I just had the bad luck to buy a defective one. It’s gonna happen now and then. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2014, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-all-wireless-keyboards-suck-or-did-i-just-get-a-bad-one-gear-head/691781/8 "2014-06-28T00:01:12Z")
I have [this Logitech](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126192) I bought from Newegg in 2011. I use it in the living room with my PC hooked up to the TV, and then have a wireless trackball I use as a mouse. I think I’ve only changed the battery in that keyboard once since I bought it. They keyboard also stands up vertically so it has a very small footprint on the coffee table when I’m not using it. I’ve been very happy with all the Logitech products I’ve bought. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2014, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-all-wireless-keyboards-suck-or-did-i-just-get-a-bad-one-gear-head/691781/9 "2014-06-28T00:19:02Z")
We use Logitech wireless keyboards and mice in several locations at our office. The keyboard is solar powered, so no batteries to wear out, and the mouse only draws power when you are actually using it, so its batteries last forever. Works very well, although I don’t like the sensitivity of the mouse wheel. ---
**Author:** ![tellyworth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@tellyworth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tellyworth)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2014, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-all-wireless-keyboards-suck-or-did-i-just-get-a-bad-one-gear-head/691781/10 "2014-06-28T00:42:32Z")
Logitech and Apple bluetooth keyboards both work well, with plenty of range. ---
**Author:** ![jacobsta811](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jacobsta811/32/2893_2.png) [@jacobsta811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jacobsta811)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2014, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-all-wireless-keyboards-suck-or-did-i-just-get-a-bad-one-gear-head/691781/11 "2014-06-28T02:09:21Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > I wish the keys were a little more responsive and it had a a touch more heft, but that’s merely preferece. It functions well. I basically agree - the keyboard could be a better keyboard in terms of feel, but there isn’t hardly anything else in the category of keyboards with a built in pointing device (touchpad or trackball), and most of the other ones I’ve seen are pretty poor. At least the logitech one can take a beating - I can’t count the number of times I’ve knocked them off the sofa or bed and none of them have broken yet. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-all-wireless-keyboards-suck-or-did-i-just-get-a-bad-one-gear-head/691781/12 "2014-07-10T00:01:09Z")
Just got my Logitech today (k400). Works like a champ! Thanks for the suggestion guys.