BTC 9019URF Wireless HTPC Keyboard w/ Built-in Joystick Mouse $17.99 FS @ Buy.com

Geeks.com, through Buy.com (can't obtain deal directly through Geeks' website, must go through Buy.com) has the BTC 9019URF wireless keyboard for $17.99 shipped:

BTC 9019URF Wireless Keyboard @ Buy.com/Geeks.com $17.99

I've had one of these RF wireless keyboards for about a year and a half (using with Win XP), paid I think either $25 or $29 plus S&H, and like it for HTPC (Home Theater PC) use. There aren't that many wireless keyboards with built-in mice on the market and this one is pretty good, with at least a 25' range. It has a joystick on the top right hand side that will move your cursor around on the screen for mouse functions, left and right mouse buttons on the left hand side of the board, cut-out handles on the right and left edges of the unit for easy grabbing and gripping from your couch and the joystick can be pressed to act as the left mouse button, too. It has scroll up and down buttons, which come in handy for navigating when websurfing. It also has a full complement of the standard multimedia buttons (FF, RW, Play, Stop, Vol. up, Vol. down, Mute, etc...) and I believe some buttons can be programmed.

Cons with this keyboard are the keys feel a bit cramped (the sides of the keys are pretty much straight, rather than beveled like most keyboards and there is very little space between the top of the keys, so they feel more close together even though they actually are larger than normal) and pretty flat, so touch typing isn't as easy as with a standard keyboard. There's also a slight delay between the keystrokes and the letter showing up on your screen. The Delete button is also stupidly placed next to the arrow keys on the bottom right of the keyboard instead of in its usual place at the top right corner and the Shift and Enter keys could be bigger. It's not a good keyboard for gaming, between the more compact size, button layout, two-handed operation for mouse functions (leaving no hands free for keyboard functions) and the slight delay, so if you were planning on doing some gaming on your HTPC, you'll either need to play games that require only a mouse or only a keyboard, but not both, or use a separate mouse. The mouse cursor movement is also slower and less convenient to use than a regular mouse, although the cursor does move around the screen faster than cursor movement with two MCE remote controls I own that have built-in mouse functions.

In comparison, I've had a Microsoft 1000 Wireless keyboard and mouse set for several years (their cheapest) for my other HTPC/gaming rig and its keyboard works great for typing and gaming, is full size and its wireless receiver works with my Intellimouse Explorer, too, but it only has about an 8' range, the keyboard and mouse are separate and it's not as handy. I have to put some sort of box or platform on the sofa under the mouse with my microsoft set, whereas the BTC's mouse joystick is built in.

If you're thinking of putting together an HTPC, the BTC keyboard is a nice value. It certainly isn't perfect, but you can easily spend five times as much on a wireless keyboard that won't be as easy to grab and handy to use.

These also make good server rack/computer test bench keyboards (and a LOT cheaper too), but be aware the mouse sometimes doesn't work through a KVM switch. Good find OP!

Thanks. In for 3. Hope these aren't to cheaply made.

I used this for my HTPC and love it. I can control it as far as 20' away no problem. The joystick takes some time to get used to but otherwise it is a good set and good quality. Batteries life is very good too. I paid $30+ for it. Good price.

Thanks OP, in for 1.

Just got my HTPC set up - this'll be perfect. Thanks!

In for 3. Thanks OP. Just what I've been looking for.

MoGadgets said: Geeks.com Direct Link Its $19.99 there, though!

It's OOS at Geeks, so I wonder if these will actually ship when ordered from Buy.com.

Thanks, got one.

thanks. got one too. really good price.

from which point on? 12:35p or 12:00pm?

You do realize that this keyboard is LARGER that the standard full-size keyboard, right?

That would be "useless handles". You will not be able to reach center keys when you hold the keyboard.

qlpolo said: You do realize that this keyboard is LARGER that the standard full-size keyboard, right?

Yeh plus overall the BTC 9019URF is a POS. I don't know why so many people give green to these POS? These BTC keyboards also use to be sold under the SAKKR brand name and those were POS too. OM and CompUSA use to sell them FAR nearly every week.

If you want a real quality HTPC compact RF keyboard with embedded trackball look at the GKM 700 series. these are OEMed under many names for major OEMs like Acer, Dell, and HP and a few specially OEM like Moneual. Geeks and Centrix-Intl usually have the non-branded ones for around $15 but it looks like they are currently sold out. Here is a reference photo.

qlpolo said: That would be "useless handles". You will not be able to reach center keys when you hold the keyboard.

The handles are useful for grabbing the keyboard off a coffee table or sofa and for holding on to it while websurfing (joystick and mouse buttons are both very comfortably reachable while holding on to the keyboard by the handles).

cnIsfg, your reference to a keyboard that you feel is better is constructive and welcome, but your comments that this BTC model is a POS, without bothering to explain why, don't help anyone. Please elaborate. I've already admitted that this is certainly not a perfect device and have listed its flaws, but for its intended purpose as an HTPC keyboard (especially for $18 shipped), it works pretty well and I wouldn't call it a POS.

cnIsfg said: qlpolo said: You do realize that this keyboard is LARGER that the standard full-size keyboard, right?

Yeh plus overall the BTC 9019URF is a POS. I don't know why so many people give green to these POS? These BTC keyboards also use to be sold under the SAKKR brand name and those were POS too. OM and CompUSA use to sell them FAR nearly every week.


If you want a real quality HTPC compact RF keyboard with embedded trackball look at the GKM 700 series. these are OEMed under many names for major OEMs like Acer, Dell, and HP and a few specially OEM like Moneual. Geeks and Centrix-Intl usually have the non-branded ones for around $15 but it looks like they are currently sold out. Here is a reference photo.

I guess the big advantage of the BTC over the GKM would be that you can actually buy one. Hopefully when the GKM becomes available somewhere, someone will post it.

(actually, we'll have to see if the BTC ships)

My friend had one of these in his living room. It worked OK but I couldn't get used to the mouse at all. If anyone needs something like this that is top quality but costs quite a bit more check out this Adesso unit from the egg. It costs $80 but has a touchpad instead of the joystick and I've been able to use it 40' from my TV (but i couldn't really see anything on-screen at that distance). The Adesso doesn't have integrated A/V controls but it works great for what I use it for.

Does this keyboard have the Windows Media Center Green Button (or is programmable to emulate it)? I know there is another BTC keyboard/trackball that does. Just curious, as it seems a moot point now (although it still lets me add it to cart).

It would be interesting if this would work with Xbox 360, too. You could leave it under the couch to pull out to msg/type codes, etc, and also use it in Extender mode.

cnIsfg said: meeper said: cnIsfg said: qlpolo said: You do realize that this keyboard is LARGER that the standard full-size keyboard, right?

Yeh plus overall the BTC 9019URF is a POS. I don't know why so many people give green to these POS? These BTC keyboards also use to be sold under the SAKKR brand name and those were POS too. OM and CompUSA use to sell them FAR nearly every week.


If you want a real quality HTPC compact RF keyboard with embedded trackball look at the GKM 700 series. these are OEMed under many names for major OEMs like Acer, Dell, and HP and a few specially OEM like Moneual. Geeks and Centrix-Intl usually have the non-branded ones for around $15 but it looks like they are currently sold out. Here is a reference photo.

I guess the big advantage of the BTC over the GKM would be that you can actually buy one. Hopefully when the GKM becomes available somewhere, someone will post it.

(actually, we'll have to see if the BTC ships)

The GKMs ar nearly always available. Plus this BTC 9019URF the OP listed is 10+ years sold in terms of release date and many of the specs on the linked product page for this speciifc 1st en BTC 9019URF version are actually for the Gen III and don't even apply. Here current 3rd gen BTC 9019URF which has specs matching the one the OP linked. Perhaps the Op owns the BTC 9019URFIII and miskenly though this BTC 9019URF was the same? In either case do't wste your time and get a GKM which is far superior.

Good points. I wonder if the BTC 9019URF will have Vista compatibility issues. I know that some wireless mouse Vista incompatibility issues cause issues with wake-from-sleep. I see from another website that lists this product that it does not mention Vista.

FYI: Here's another site with several different HTPC keyboard/mouse combos.

mitoma said: i bought one of these from Fry's, not exactly the same model but also made by BTC. Had to take it back as fast as I could next day. dont waste your money.

Please explain why. There's absolutely nothing at all wrong with criticizing a deal if there are better products or better bargains or both, but why bother posting at all if you aren't going to provide any useful information other than just "it sux?"

Kingofthenet, unless you have a home theater projector with a very large (>100") screen or want to use the keyboard just for pausing music or something like that, the range on this keyboard will probably equal your vision's ability to discern the cursor or whatever you might point the cursor toward.

Thanks. I'll try that.

mattjackets said: Placement of the receiver is very important with this thing. The first few locations I tried (top of TV, top of case, etc) only gave me about 5 feet of usable range. After mounting it to the wall behind a picture, I can go about 30 feet OUTSIDE of my house and it still works well! Great for BBQ music control!