Griffin Powermate?

[Pacifist]

How good is the powermate?
I can get it for $32 on either ebay or amazon. Is it worth the price?
And are there alternatives to it that anybody here uses?

[demik]

worth it's price. it's going to be 2 years now that i've owned it (jan 9 according to amazon)

mine



i lost the usb extension so that's why it's there.

[LONGZILLA]

worth it's price. it's going to be 2 years now that i've owned it (jan 9 according to amazon)

What do you generally use it for? Griffon marketing video mention controlling volume and video editing.

[demik]

volume/track skip/website scrolling/pausing

i dont edit video so yeah.

[ricercar]

Mine is used for a physical volume control. I HATE fumbling for a mouse and trying to hit a specific icon to change volume quickly. So, yeah, totally worth $32.

[Melvang]

For what its worth the drivers for it have not been updated since Win XP days and I couldn't get mine to work with Win 7 or 8.

[demik]

mine works perfectly fine with win 7 ftr

[ricercar]

Drivers work in Win7 OK for me.

[Puddsy]

Ripster likes his a lot. I've heard a lot a good things about it.

[terrpn]

gotta get one.....

[evolveS]

If you can hold off until summer, there's a new version coming for $60.

[LONGZILLA]

If you can hold off until summer, there's a new version coming for $60.

Slick

[neunelfer]

Represent demik



I like mine a lot, haven't had any issues with it in Windows 7. One thing is that the blue LED pulsing during sleep is intermittent - sometimes it works and others it doesn't, but it's not really a big deal. It's really useful for volume control and I also use it to adjust sliders in Lightroom.

[demik]

Represent demik

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I like mine a lot, haven't had any issues with it in Windows 7. One thing is that the blue LED pulsing during sleep is intermittent - sometimes it works and others it doesn't, but it's not really a big deal. It's really useful for volume control and I also use it to adjust sliders in Lightroom.

That's a mighty nice set up you have there!

[terrpn]

If you can hold off until summer, there's a new version coming for $60.

thanks............

i can do that

[neunelfer]

Represent demik

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I like mine a lot, haven't had any issues with it in Windows 7. One thing is that the blue LED pulsing during sleep is intermittent - sometimes it works and others it doesn't, but it's not really a big deal. It's really useful for volume control and I also use it to adjust sliders in Lightroom.

That's a mighty nice set up you have there!

Thanks man.

[Pacifist]

If you can hold off until summer, there's a new version coming for $60.

So two knobs instead of one?

[evolveS]

If you can hold off until summer, there's a new version coming for $60.

So two knobs instead of one?

It's still one knob, but the report says you can connect several together wirelessly if you're knob-crazy (the best kind of crazy).

[LONGZILLA]

If you can hold off until summer, there's a new version coming for $60.

So two knobs instead of one?

Exactly just an extra knob... disregarding a complete redesign... disregarding bluetooth...

[HPE1000]

It's something that I have not used and don't need but I guess it's cool. Since I only use headphones and they are hooked up to an amp with a knob I don't need it for that and I have foobar2000 shortcuts on my keyboard(Ctrl+Q=Play/Pause, Ctrl+W=Back Track, Ctrl+E=Next Track, Ctrl+R=Random/Shuffle).

What all can it do? Because it seems most people use it for volume and play/pause.

[bueller]

Oh sweet, I've wanted one if these for ages! Bluetooth is probably the push I need to actually order one.

[HPE1000]

RGB led with software control would have been nice for the v2.

[atlas3686]

I'm actually looking for one of these, they want like $75 shipped here so trying to get it cheaper then that. I see a new bluetooth one was just released but only for mac.

[IPT]

It's something that I have not used and don't need but I guess it's cool. Since I only use headphones and they are hooked up to an amp with a knob I don't need it for that and I have foobar2000 shortcuts on my keyboard(Ctrl+Q=Play/Pause, Ctrl+W=Back Track, Ctrl+E=Next Track, Ctrl+R=Random/Shuffle).

What all can it do? Because it seems most people use it for volume and play/pause.

most people is volume and play/pause
but for those who do video/audio editing use it as a Jog/Shuttle wheel.

its also really used in conjunction with mac's video suite like imovie and final cut pro with drivers updated on mac OS more than windows.

I myself bought one for $17 dollars and use it as a shiny volume nob lool.

[N080D7]

PowerMate is pretty sweet to use across multiple applications for all different functions (which can be improved with Autohotkey scripts), but I would definitely wait until the Bluetooth version is released, especially since it will hopefully have newer software to go with it.

[neunelfer]

PowerMate is pretty sweet to use across multiple applications for all different functions (which can be improved with Autohotkey scripts)

What do you mean by this? Can you use modifiers like CTRL + Powermate?

[Coreda]

The original looks like a giant, glowing stethoscope. Wonder what the battery life of the bluetooth version will be.

[neun_sechs_zwei]

Had mine 11 years now! Still on my desk at work through a few jobs. Every now and then I remember to use it.

[evolveS]

Griffin is having a 20% off sale with code GREEN20.

The Powermate Bluetooth is only compatible with Mac at this time though afaik.

[blackbox]

It's something that I have not used and don't need but I guess it's cool. Since I only use headphones and they are hooked up to an amp with a knob I don't need it for that and I have foobar2000 shortcuts on my keyboard(Ctrl+Q=Play/Pause, Ctrl+W=Back Track, Ctrl+E=Next Track, Ctrl+R=Random/Shuffle).

What all can it do? Because it seems most people use it for volume and play/pause.

I do agree. I have also an separate headphone amplifier with volumecontrol. I do like the concept of having a physical object to controll the sound with. If it is just for controling sound it is possible to just order a keyboard with media control buttons(Not an option for everybody).

[mashby]

They also just came out with a wireless bluetooth version for $60.

The wired version is now on Amazon for $35

[blackbox]

They also just came out with a wireless bluetooth version for $60.

The wired version is now on Amazon for $35

It is a bluetooth 4.0 device so it should be pretty energy effecient. In the compabillity ist it just mentions mac os x

[dbme]

Unfortunately - even with a PC USB Bluetooth adapter - the new version will be OSX only. Confirmed last month.

Palettegear.com is not cheap (and is wired), but does offer some versatility...

[Dyslexic]

So sad to hear the new Powermate is going to be OSX only. Seems like a silly and arbitrary way to limit the appeal of the product. I don't know too many Mac owners who would be considered power users anymore.

[mashby]

So sad to hear the new Powermate is going to be OSX only. Seems like a silly and arbitrary way to limit the appeal of the product. I don't know too many Mac owners who would be considered power users anymore.

We are legion!!!!!!   )

[blackbox]

I hope someone will make a 3rd party driver/software.

[Dyslexic]

We can only hope...

[blackbox]

We can only hope...

Thats right. It would have been cool to use with a android device. Play the music of the phone(connected to speakers) and adjust the volume/play/pause without opening the lockscreen.

[katushkin]

WHAT??

So NO Windows support AT ALL?

That is ****ing ridiculous. Why would you make it so niche? The low profile is so nice on the new one. The blue light would go so well with my new build as well.

I might have to buy the wired one because **** Apple.

[blackbox]

WHAT??

So NO Windows support AT ALL?

That is ****ing ridiculous. Why would you make it so niche? The low profile is so nice on the new one. The blue light would go so well with my new build as well.

I might have to buy the wired one because **** Apple.

Well you are not the only person that complaints about lack of crossplatform support. I hope Griffin will notice and do something about that.

[MsYutai]

Just saw this thread-- how do you guys always make me want things I don't need?!

Also, very sad that the bluetooth version isn't compatible with Windows.... there goes ~80% of your market.. >_>

[jacobolus]

Griffin makes Mac accessories, and has for 15 years. Griffin’s customer base, and all of their sales/support/development expertise is focused on the Mac (and later iOS) ecosystem. It’s possible they could also market devices to Windows users, but it would take a lot of extra work on their part: market research to figure out what products Windows users would buy, lots of development effort including hiring Windows developers to write new device drivers, setting up new sales channels, retraining all their support staff.

Saying “there goes 80% of your market” is a completely uninformed statement, and all the folks in here pretending that it would be trivial for them to add Windows support are just delusional.

Plenty of other companies make hardware accessories for Windows computers, many of which have been Windows-only for decades.

[Pacifist]

Griffin makes Mac accessories, and has for 15 years. Griffin’s customer base, and all of their sales/support/development expertise is focused on the Mac (and later iOS) ecosystem. It’s possible they could also market devices to Windows users, but it would take a lot of extra work on their part: market research to figure out what products Windows users would buy, lots of development effort including hiring Windows developers to write new device drivers, setting up new sales channels, retraining all their support staff.

Saying “there goes 80% of your market” is a completely uninformed statement, and all the folks in here pretending that it would be trivial for them to add Windows support are just delusional.

Plenty of other companies make hardware accessories for Windows computers, many of which have been Windows-only for decades.

Yea, it doesn't look like they will make it for windows. If they planned to do so, they would have already made it.

Looking throught their website and how its pretty much 100% apple geared, its no suprise that they made it mac only

at least now the bluetooth isn't tempting me

[demik]

Switched to a mac mini recently and put my powermate away due to lack of usb ports.. but this being bluetooth is tempting.

[blackbox]

Switched to a mac mini recently and put my powermate away due to lack of usb ports.. but this being bluetooth is tempting.

why no usb hub?

[demik]

Switched to a mac mini recently and put my powermate away due to lack of usb ports.. but this being bluetooth is tempting.

why no usb hub?

Trying to keep the wires as few as possible

[blackbox]

Switched to a mac mini recently and put my powermate away due to lack of usb ports.. but this being bluetooth is tempting.

why no usb hub?

Trying to keep the wires as few as possible

even if it is  very tiny?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GWC-HU2024-USB-2-0-2-Port-Hub-bus-power-ultra-slim-INVENTORY-CLEARANCE-/281243083361?pt=US_USB_Cables_Hubs_Adapters&hash=item417b64e261

[demik]

Its not the hub that bothers me. Its all the crap that will be connected to it. Right now it is just my dac and hhkb and thats enough wires

[IPT]

btw what are you guys gonna use this for?
I personally only use my powermate for volume control lol.
I'm 99% sure the people who use it on the mac and invest in this thing is using it as a 3D Wheel for graphic design or something.

[mashby]

btw what are you guys gonna use this for?
I personally only use my powermate for volume control lol.
I'm 99% sure the people who use it on the mac and invest in this thing is using it as a 3D Wheel for graphic design or something.

I used mine primarily for a volume knob. Made it easy to mute, or adjust volume when a phone call came in. I also used it as a cough button when I did a podcast.

My windows buddy used his as a volume knob as well.  However, we've both since given them away. 

I gave mine away when I was cutting cords and going with a wireless keyboard.  Now that I'm back with mechanical keyboards, I don't mind the wires as much and I miss it.