Customer Rating: 
Summary: Great underrated accessory!!!!
Comment: Wonderful little gadget! I understand how many people can expect a lot from a simple device but, if you understand that it's meant to be used with a mouse rather than a stand alone device then you'll appreciate how useful it can be! Been using it everyday along with my wireless mouse and hardly use a programmable trackpad since then!
Customer Rating:
Summary: OK product, but doesn't play well with others
Comment: The PowerMate is mechanically excellent. It feels and looks great. The included software is basic, but OK.
I only give two stars, though, because they've really messed the USB interface up. If you try to use it with other macro software, it doesn't work. Even if you write your own code, it doesn't work.
The problem is that the PowerMate's internal configuration information claims that its wheel is an "absolute" device, sending a value that's a number for the position of the wheel, but what it really sends is _how_ _far_ the wheel has turned since the last time. That makes it a "relative" device, sending relative information. It seems like a small difference, but on Windows, MacOS X and the Linux varients I've checked, that means that it basically won't work right with any software other than Griffin's because the system suppresses redundant readings. If it really was absolute, a second reading with the same value would just be saying the wheel is sitting in the same place, but since it's sending _movement_ values, the system is suppressing info about the wheel _moving_ at a constant speed. A program can't even keep track of the position manually.
It's really too bad; it could have been a great product. If you want to use it for _exactly_ what the included software does, it probably still is a pretty good product. But if you're a power user or have some other package for handling inputs and automating operation, this is not the device for you.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Concept is good....not so great implementation
Comment: I originally had alot of high hopes for the PowerMate, perhaps too many, it has now turned into the first item I have had to return to Amazon in the almost 10+ years of shopping with them. I have never been more disappointed in a purchased item.
I wanted to be able to use it for things like volume since I had gotten usb speakers that had no volume knob (used the system volume alone), and application/window switching, then in certain circumstances (like audio/video) maybe get exact movement in the application. Unfortunately, the button press wasn't recognized more than three-forths of the time and the "press and turn" only worked about 1% of the time. Griffin said it was defective and I should just return it since if I were to send it for "service" it would be a few weeks.
Also bad part which has been discussed in some reviews of other versions is that when you change applications (in my case, even switching to iTunes from Finder in OSX), the knob's properties changed. In concept, this is a great idea, it allows the device to have more uses, in practice however, it is very disrupting to standard usage of the computer. For Example: If you wanted to change the volume of music that was playing in iTunes while browsing the web, it would start doing other commands in the application you are in instead (like scrolling), so as a result, if you want to change the volume, you have to make sure you alternate to either Finder (for the System Volume) or iTunes (for the application volume). Then Also make sure the PowerMate doesn't interpret it as a button press or your song changes too. I imagine this would be fixed if you use several of these at once, but that idea is cost prohibitive due to the pricey nature of the PowerMate.
Another bug that needs to be addressed is that anytime you make a change to the application or an update (which requires an uninstall/reinstall of the software instead of an actual update), requires another restart of the machine (no matter which OS you use: Windows or OSX). Plus when you are doing a software update be prepared for about 3 restarts (1 to disable the software and uninstall, 1 to install the software, then another to plug in the usb device at start up since then the device can't control system functions otherwise).
I would NOT repurchase this again until there is an option to allow to override application triggers with system triggers (volume, application switching, etc). By then, I just hope the build quality improves and makes the cost worthwhile.
Customer Rating:
Summary: It works, but no cigar
Comment: I bought a Griffin PowerMate in 2004 for 52 euros, including taxes. You have to be a computer enthousiast to spend this much for such a simple device. I'm behind a screen all day and I wanted to make my work place look a little better. Also, multi-media buttons weren't that standaard yet.
Despite the pre-programmed functions for a lot of apps, the now better driver and response benefitting from
newer hardware, it's still not practical because you still need to switch to a mouse and keyboard for 99% of your tasks. I tried using it precisely scrolling the Adobe Flash' time bar, but it was no succes.
Also, the shiny aluminium is easily scratched and dented and the grooved surface holds dirt like nothing else.
I used it for a year or so before it landed in my cupboard after moving. Since I recently took it for a spin again, 3 years later, it's light was flickering uncontrollable. Griffin Technology said it was probable the software, but couldn't help me either.
When my printer and scanner didn't work any more, I thought it was the software, because it quit. Updating, re-installing.. cursing.. nothing helped. Turned out the PowerMate was the root of USB evil. Not what you'd expect of such a pricey gadget.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Powermate helps
Comment: The Griffin 1100-PWRMTS PowerMate/USB Multimedia Controller & Input Device does what it is supposed to do. I just use it for volume since my main PC uses are audio related. I was surprised that you can also press it in like a big button. That mutes my audio. I was also surprised to find that the blue LED that is under the device can dim. It actually dims as you lower the volume and brightens as you turn it up. You can set it to strobe as well. It is all customizable. And, did I mention that it is crafted exceptionally well. The only thing I don't like is the icon that sits in my system tray. I like to keep those to a minimum for performance. Also, I didn't like having to install Microsoft .Net framework to run the update for this software. The original version was not that great and some bugs that affected the adjustability of the LED. Thats everything!
Summary: Great underrated accessory!!!!
Comment: Wonderful little gadget! I understand how many people can expect a lot from a simple device but, if you understand that it's meant to be used with a mouse rather than a stand alone device then you'll appreciate how useful it can be! Been using it everyday along with my wireless mouse and hardly use a programmable trackpad since then!
Customer Rating:
Summary: OK product, but doesn't play well with others
Comment: The PowerMate is mechanically excellent. It feels and looks great. The included software is basic, but OK.
I only give two stars, though, because they've really messed the USB interface up. If you try to use it with other macro software, it doesn't work. Even if you write your own code, it doesn't work.
The problem is that the PowerMate's internal configuration information claims that its wheel is an "absolute" device, sending a value that's a number for the position of the wheel, but what it really sends is _how_ _far_ the wheel has turned since the last time. That makes it a "relative" device, sending relative information. It seems like a small difference, but on Windows, MacOS X and the Linux varients I've checked, that means that it basically won't work right with any software other than Griffin's because the system suppresses redundant readings. If it really was absolute, a second reading with the same value would just be saying the wheel is sitting in the same place, but since it's sending _movement_ values, the system is suppressing info about the wheel _moving_ at a constant speed. A program can't even keep track of the position manually.
It's really too bad; it could have been a great product. If you want to use it for _exactly_ what the included software does, it probably still is a pretty good product. But if you're a power user or have some other package for handling inputs and automating operation, this is not the device for you.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Concept is good....not so great implementation
Comment: I originally had alot of high hopes for the PowerMate, perhaps too many, it has now turned into the first item I have had to return to Amazon in the almost 10+ years of shopping with them. I have never been more disappointed in a purchased item.
I wanted to be able to use it for things like volume since I had gotten usb speakers that had no volume knob (used the system volume alone), and application/window switching, then in certain circumstances (like audio/video) maybe get exact movement in the application. Unfortunately, the button press wasn't recognized more than three-forths of the time and the "press and turn" only worked about 1% of the time. Griffin said it was defective and I should just return it since if I were to send it for "service" it would be a few weeks.
Also bad part which has been discussed in some reviews of other versions is that when you change applications (in my case, even switching to iTunes from Finder in OSX), the knob's properties changed. In concept, this is a great idea, it allows the device to have more uses, in practice however, it is very disrupting to standard usage of the computer. For Example: If you wanted to change the volume of music that was playing in iTunes while browsing the web, it would start doing other commands in the application you are in instead (like scrolling), so as a result, if you want to change the volume, you have to make sure you alternate to either Finder (for the System Volume) or iTunes (for the application volume). Then Also make sure the PowerMate doesn't interpret it as a button press or your song changes too. I imagine this would be fixed if you use several of these at once, but that idea is cost prohibitive due to the pricey nature of the PowerMate.
Another bug that needs to be addressed is that anytime you make a change to the application or an update (which requires an uninstall/reinstall of the software instead of an actual update), requires another restart of the machine (no matter which OS you use: Windows or OSX). Plus when you are doing a software update be prepared for about 3 restarts (1 to disable the software and uninstall, 1 to install the software, then another to plug in the usb device at start up since then the device can't control system functions otherwise).
I would NOT repurchase this again until there is an option to allow to override application triggers with system triggers (volume, application switching, etc). By then, I just hope the build quality improves and makes the cost worthwhile.
Customer Rating:
Summary: It works, but no cigar
Comment: I bought a Griffin PowerMate in 2004 for 52 euros, including taxes. You have to be a computer enthousiast to spend this much for such a simple device. I'm behind a screen all day and I wanted to make my work place look a little better. Also, multi-media buttons weren't that standaard yet.
Despite the pre-programmed functions for a lot of apps, the now better driver and response benefitting from
newer hardware, it's still not practical because you still need to switch to a mouse and keyboard for 99% of your tasks. I tried using it precisely scrolling the Adobe Flash' time bar, but it was no succes.
Also, the shiny aluminium is easily scratched and dented and the grooved surface holds dirt like nothing else.
I used it for a year or so before it landed in my cupboard after moving. Since I recently took it for a spin again, 3 years later, it's light was flickering uncontrollable. Griffin Technology said it was probable the software, but couldn't help me either.
When my printer and scanner didn't work any more, I thought it was the software, because it quit. Updating, re-installing.. cursing.. nothing helped. Turned out the PowerMate was the root of USB evil. Not what you'd expect of such a pricey gadget.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Powermate helps
Comment: The Griffin 1100-PWRMTS PowerMate/USB Multimedia Controller & Input Device does what it is supposed to do. I just use it for volume since my main PC uses are audio related. I was surprised that you can also press it in like a big button. That mutes my audio. I was also surprised to find that the blue LED that is under the device can dim. It actually dims as you lower the volume and brightens as you turn it up. You can set it to strobe as well. It is all customizable. And, did I mention that it is crafted exceptionally well. The only thing I don't like is the icon that sits in my system tray. I like to keep those to a minimum for performance. Also, I didn't like having to install Microsoft .Net framework to run the update for this software. The original version was not that great and some bugs that affected the adjustability of the LED. Thats everything!