The Bottom Line
- Increases user productivity by reducing dependence on the keyboard.
- All functions are user-configurable on a global or per-application basis.
- Logitech has reduced the pricing on NuLOOQ by nearly half since its original release.
- Works with Macintosh OS X or Windows XP.
- Tooldial software is not available for Windows. For Mac, it's been discontinued.
- Packaging is confusing for Windows users.
- Some special plug-in functions won't work in Adobe Creative Suite 1 and earlier Adobe applications.
- Windows Vista is not currently supported.
Description
- NuLOOQ navigator is a stationary control device that works with your mouse and keyboard, and connects via USB.
- The device is shaped like a half-sphere less than 3 inches in size with a weighted base that keeps it in place on the desk.
- The navring is a gray, rubberized ring that surrounds the device.
- In most applications, twisting the navring controls zoom functions, and nudging the navring provides 4-way scrolling.
- The tooltuner dial is a recessed touch-sensitive area along the top surface of the device.
- By sliding a finger around the tooltuner, users can control values such as font size, volume, opacity, etc.
- The triggerpoints are five programmable buttons on the surface of the device.
- The four north, south, east, and west triggerpoints are click buttons, and the center triggerpoint is touch sensitive.
- A total of thirteen unique actions can be individually programmed on a global or per-application basis.
- Pre-configured for Adobe Creative Suite 2 and other popular applications. Can be custom configured for any application.
Guide Review - Logitech NuLOOQ Navigator Design Controller for Macintosh and Windows
The NuLOOQ navigator was originally released only for the Macintosh platform, but a Windows driver was made available in late 2006. The review unit I received still had the Mac-only packaging, which made it confusing to figure out how everything was supposed to work in Windows. I had to go online to download a Windows driver.
Once installed, however, the NuLOOQ was easy to work with, and customizing the behavior for my applications via the control panel was straightforward. Photo touch-ups were a breeze in Photoshop Elements where I could modify brush size simply by gliding my finger along the tooltuner, while zooming and panning with the navring. I set triggerpoints for undo and 100% magnification while I did retouching tasks, but could easily change settings on the fly for another task.
Logitech originally bundled the NuLOOQ with an additional Tooldial application for the Macintosh platform. Unfortunately, it was discontinued before it was ever developed for Windows. That's too bad, because it was one of the most appealing aspects of the product when I first read about it.
All in all, I found the device quite flexible and comfortable to use in Windows, and it definitely increased my productivity, especially for photo editing and design tasks.
