This is my mini review of the MX3 Air Mouse. I purchase this for my HTPC that function as media player at bedroom TV, and it is running Windows 10. Aside from playing local video, I also use it to access media streaming website such as iflix and YouTube, which I need to navigate around and also type things. I also use the HTPC regularly to search and download file from internet, and also to move around and rename files. I bought it around RM60 at that time, but now I think can get much cheaper.

Previously I use wireless mouse, but the laser doesn't track well on bedsheets, it's really troublesome to keep adjusting the mouse with hope that the laser able to track the movement correctly. And then there's typing, it's a nightmare to type using the on screen keyboard.

I also tried wireless keyboard that have trackpad. Typing is much better than the on screen keyboard, provided you room light is lit. Otherwise it's another issue trying to find out what letter is the key. Moving the pointer around have no issue thanks to the trackpad. But the main problem with this setup is the size, it's big and uncomfortable to use on bed and there's also problem of storing it when not using.

I also tried app from phone to control the mouse and act as keyboard. There's lagginess when move the mouse around and typing things, it just doesn't feel good. Sometimes there's a bug, when you click for example on Google search, whatever you typed previously is inserted again to the box and you have to backspace everything again. Then there's the problem of sometimes the program in Windows not responding, or the app not connecting to the program, usually fixed by restarting the app or the program or both. But sometimes it still doesn't fix it and I have to restart the PC.

So that's why I bought this air mouse. I need something that can work each time and also can be used for typing plus small enough for storage.



So the device is one remote and using full size USB dongle for connection to PC.

Additional info: it also can be used on Android, I tried it and it's working. But since I only try it for like a minute, I won't write a review about it.

The device is controlled like how Wiimote is. Or if you have those new type of remote like the newer LG TV. Basically inside it is a gyroscope that detect the movement and then process it to be the mouse movement. It get the job done, just a bit difficult when want to do precision movement like a mouse. But after a while you'll get the hang of it.

The big OK button is the left click, you can press and hold the button then move the mouse to simulate dragging function. The 4 arrows beside it is same as keyboard arrow button.

On the top right of OK button, with the BACK icon, that's actually is right click button. Work exactly like how right click is. But maybe due to the small button, sometimes when want to do press and drag, the button stop registering halfway.

And on the top left of OK button, the one with 4 lines, that's like pressing the Context Menu Button in keyboard, it show up not directly beside the mouse pointer.

The middle with Home icon, that would open your default internet browser. Actually I bet you have notice that the 3 buttons is design for Android, Menu-Home-Back keys. It work like that on Android but work very funny in Windows.

Volume + , - , and Mute works flawlessly. Although I do hope it can up or down volume by bigger number for faster change.

Oh, notice there's a mic icon button? And there's a hole on top right of the remote? That's because it actually have mic function! You can talk to your PC or android, I tried it and the sound quality is decent. Useful for searching, if my accent is like American then it will search correctly, unfortunately it is not. But this is Windows problem, not the remote. There's 2 version of the remote in the market, the earlier one doesn't have mic. If you must have this function then make sure don't buy the earlier model. Actually, better don't buy the earlier model since the price is about the same.

Below right from the OK button, there's a red button with Arrow and Power icon, beside the red MUTE button, that is for disable-air-mouse button, useful when you want to type and don't want the pointer go to other windows which resulting your typing is not registered into the place that you want. Also useful when you put the remote in bed, if you didn't disable it then your movement in bed will make the cursor move too. But usually I just switch to normal infrared remote function when I'm not using it, but we'll talk about that later.

The red power button also can function to off your PC, which serve as a faster way to off the PC.



Now we go to the back part of the remote. Here lies the keyboard, the main reason I bought this. It have full qwerty button plus esc, caps lock, back, comma, and enter button. It also have Fn button, where after you pressed it the button will alternate to other characters, which is represented in the blue coloured character on the keys. But because of the colour and size, it is difficult to read what is the character.

After using it for some time, I really appreciate having the keyboard together with the remote/mouse. I can type things straight away instead of using the on screen keyboard which is a very slow process. The air gesture as mouse movement is great too as I don't need to look for flat surface or use a bulky trackpad+keyboard combo.

Now let's move to the infrared remote function. The red button with TV written on it, that can be use to switch from air mouse to normal infrared remote and back again. When in infrared remote mode you can use it to learn from other remote. Useful to control other things, I set it to control my TV. I tried it on my air conditioning too but sometimes the air conditioning unit have problem recognizing the signal. On TV it is perfect though.

Now comes the negative part of the air mouse. The keyboard button is those soft rubber type, because of this sometimes the SPACE button got stuck and you have to press and wiggle the button to get it unstuck. The TV button also sometimes got stuck and I have to use force to register the input. The clicking sound it make is also very loud, not so suitable for bedroom at night. But the main issue is the button doesn't have backlit, it makes it difficult to know which keys when you in dark room. Well I know you can't expect much for the cheap price it is, but I'll gladly pay extra RM20 for a backlit enable hardware.

The air mouse use 2 AAA battery. I got 5 months life with daily usage using alkaline battery. When the remote acting up such as can't change to infrared remote mode then it's time to change the battery.

That's about it for my review. Considering the function vs price, I think it's a very valuable remote, especially if you need the keyboard support and infrared remote function.