Logitech Spotlight Presentation Remote

Just to be clear, this won’t be morphing into a tech blog. However, when I find something outside the sphere of the content presented here that can greatly enhance, improve, streamline, etc., what I do related to prototype modeling, I want to share it. Such is the case with the Logitech Spotlight Presentation Remote.

I speak at about 6-10 prototype meets per year. At each meet, I usually present the subject twice and in some cases, I present talks on two different topics. That means I am presenting about 20-25 times per year.

What is presented at RPMs is typically photo intensive, meaning that the presentation itself is anchored by photos, with supporting text and, of course, much talking about the subject. I, along with most of the presenters at RPMs, use some form of pointer, usually red or green dot laser type. They can sometimes be glitchy, working intermittently, and even the steadiest of us impart some shake or wobble. Additionally, some of us have a form of remote means to advance the slides. It seems like we have (had) things pretty well covered.

Sometimes the best solutions to problems are the ones we have not even considered. That is exactly the sweet spot of the Logitech Spotlight Presentation Remote. For me, it addresses three things, although it does a lot more (and you can find out what by visiting the Logitech site). The three things are:

Advances slides – it’s a presentation remote; if it didn’t do that, there would be problems!

“Shines” a “Spotlight” on a specific portion of the current slide, all in a steady, clear means. The diameter of the spotlight is adjustable. It makes it easy to show exactly what detail you are referring to when you’re talking about that thingy on the car, locomotive, etc.

Magnifies a circular portion of the current slide. Like the spotlight, the magnifier circle size is adjustable. This allows you to not only focus on a specific area, but to magnify it so that details are more readily discernible.

It does all of this with three buttons. Another prominently advertised feature is the timer, which vibrates the remote at times (preset by you) to let you know when you have ‘x’ number of minutes left in your presentation.

The price is in the $125 range, although refurbished units are in the $70-80 range (mine is a refurb). It’s a bit pricy, I guess, but for what many of us present at RPMs, it can greatly enhance the material being presented.

It charges via USB and the charge lasts three (3) months. It can be used via Bluetooth or via a USB receiver (included). It does require download of a small software install to customize its operation. The entire process was simple. Also, you do not need to point the remote at the screen or computer for it to function!

Note: it is not the kind of thing I would recommend borrowing five minutes prior to your presentation. It’s not complicated, but it does require a couple run throughs of a presentation to become familiar with the functions.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED if one presents at meets with any degree of regularity.