Logitech NEW Wireless Number Pad N305 (Input Devices-Wireless)Carbon Neutral Certified by SCS Global Services

Over the past few years I have coordinated 35+ radio operators assigned to provide communications and verification of runners for local Ultra foot-races in the nearby mountains. Up to 200 runners take to the mountain trails for 100 mile long races lasting 36 hours. We recently employed software to facilitate logging the runners bib numbers and transmitting the numbers via packet and voice radio over the 200 sq mile course back to the "Net Control," where the data is tallied and numbers crunched for the race director and his staff.This little gem made all of this work. No wires, no problems with installation whatsoever. It just works.The dedicated USB transmitter does require another USB port, but when you're sitting on top of a mountain peak, how many USB devices can you be running anyway?! The USB "key" stores neatly inside the battery compartment, should you want to remove it. Installation is seamless -- just plug it in and you're good to go. No software to install, no setup required.We used it on various versions of Windows XP and Windows 7, the latter from the starter edition to the 64 bit Professional -- no problems at all. Operators used mini-notebooks (i.e netbooks -- we love the Toshiba NB505) up to full-size laptops placed up to 50 feet from the pad -- essentially placing the computer in the truck or on a camp table, and using the pad near the trail with no missed data. We haven't experimented to see how much farther it will reliably connect. At one location where runners would pause, refuel and rehydrate, we simply placed the pad on a table and told them to "log in."Interestingly, the race director has contemplated and experimented with rfid chip systems. For a large number of runners, this could have significant advantages; however; when dealing with only 200 or so runners, it is overkill, both in terms of expense and technology. We found our system outperformed the rfid system and had virtually no errors -- the rfid system had many errors that are difficult to control in the rugged environment. Not bad for a $30 device vs -- how much did you say that rfid system costs?! Since our radio operators have to be on site anyway, their presence is a no-additional-cost item, so this little pad really made our day.We'll definitely be purchasing more!

I bought a Logitech Wireless Performance Mouse MX for PC and Mac last year and liked the small receiver that barely sticks out of the USB port. Part of the point of this receiver is that you only need one for whatever accessories you have. The information on the Logitech site says that it works with number pads, keyboards, mice, etc., but I couldn't find a number pad that says it was Mac compatible. I broke down and bought one even though I knew it didn't work well.Upon getting it, now I had one tiny USB receiver attached to my MacBook Pro, connecting to the number pad and mouse...but a couple issues were a challenge for me out of the box:1. An extra "num lock" command sent before and after all regular keys, which actually sends a clear in Excel (no problem in a lot of apps).2. The top "=" "(" and ")" send option and then two digits. I guess on Windows this translates to the appropriate characters.Now using KeyRemap4MacBook version 6.7.34 and above, a N305 modification is now available under "Change KeyPad Key > Logitech N305 hack." Developer of KeyRemap4MacBook, Takayama Fumihiko, selflessly fixed these problems through some back and forth email chatter. As a side comment, I use this software to make my MBP's right option key into an enter key (like the older MBPs, since often having a single press for enter is better than function return).Now the keypad does everything I want it to do. It is a bit bigger than the corded unit I was toting around, but it does seem durable and allows me to use the single receiver (with a backup now) to run both devices. I do like that the comment says the included AAA batteries will power the unit for years.