With the Presentation Pilot Pro, SMK-Link has created an admirable addition to the world of wireless presenters. The Pilot Pro deserves praise for its functionality, usability and reliability. Because of these characteristics, we grant the SMK-Link Presentation Pilot Pro the TopTenREVIEWS Bronze Award. The features, design, and support from SMK-Link make the Pilot Pro one of the best wireless presenters available for less than $100.
In any presentation, it is important to know the wireless range of your presenter. It would not be a good idea to go outside of this range, because that could create unwanted pauses in the presentation while you wait for the wireless presenter to respond to your commands. With the Pilot Pro, you almost don't need to think about the wireless range, as the presenter is effective within a 50-foot radius of the receiver. This means that you can walk about the room or stage without undue worry as to whether your wireless presenter will perform well. This is a welcome relief, as presentations can give you enough to worry about already.
Another feature of the Pilot Pro which will reduce your stress level is the low-battery indicator. This is a very useful feature on any wireless presenter. No one should have to experience the embarrassment of a botched presentation due to dead batteries and a therefore useless presenter. Imagine giving an important presentation in front of your boss and the wireless presenter stops working. At best, it would be very embarrassing. A low-battery indicator can save you from uncomfortable situations like that. It can also save you from replacing batteries too early just because you want to be sure they won't die in the middle of a presentation and leave you without a wireless presenter.
The laser pointer on the Pilot Pro is the only function of the wireless presenter which draws a major complaint. The laser beam is very narrow and not very bright, even with new batteries. This can make it difficult to see on a screen, which defeats the purpose of having a laser pointer. To be fair, SMK-Link likely made the laser thin and dim because of safety concerns. Damage to eyes from lasers is a very real threat, and making a product safe is more important than making it powerful. The laser pointer does show up on the screen clearly if you are close enough, so you can still make use of the wireless presenter's laser pointer.
The Pilot Pro is relatively small and extremely light, weighing a mere 2 ounces. This is light, even for wireless presenters. It fits in your hand easily and comfortably. The presenter is home to a healthy array of buttons, seven of them to be exact. The functionality of the presenter is impressive, yet there aren't enough buttons to get confusing. This is one of the Pilot Pro's strong points. It is a rather simple yet effective design that leaves little room for inadvertent button clicks.
One very nice feature of the Pilot Pro is the receiver bay. The USB receiver is housed within the presenter itself. It slides into a little bay at the bottom of the device. The USB receiver fits snugly in place, and once in this position, all buttons on the presenter are locked down. This can help preserve battery life because it prevents pushed buttons from using power while you transport the presenter. Having the USB receiver lock all the buttons is a design characteristic unique to this wireless presenter.
One disadvantage the Pilot Pro has is that it uses a coin or button battery. The CR2025 battery is rated at having a six-month life expectancy; however, these kinds of batteries can be difficult to find and are usually more expensive than traditional AA or AAA batteries. When a coin battery dies, it can be a hassle to find the exact one your device needs. Most wireless presenters use AA or AAA batteries.
If you have any questions about the Pilot Pro, SMK-Link can be contacted through email or by telephone. If your device has a problem and you would rather do some research on your own, the user manual would be a great place to start. There are also FAQs on the SMK-Link website. If your presenter somehow becomes damaged, it is covered by a limited one year warranty. Overall, the support offered for the Pilot Pro is excellent.
The Pilot Pro has several outstanding features and a comfortable, smart design. You could place the presenter in your pocket and forget that you have it because it is so light. However, there are a couple of drawbacks that keep the Pilot Pro from being the number one wireless presenter: it has a weak laser pointer and uses a coin battery. Despite these drawbacks, the Presentation Pilot Pro is still a very good wireless presenter, with all of the necessary components and features in a well-put-together package.
