The Best Presenter Remotes: Logitech Spotlight VS R800
And why you won't find them in professionnal keynotes
Why the best consumer-oriented presenter remotes are the Logitech Spotlight and Logitech R800 clicker remotes and why they aren't seen as often in professional presentation settings like professional conferences and keynotes.
[Last minute edit:] A strong case can be made for the R500 by Logitech as the R800 can be hard to find nowadays. Thanks to Alexander Grabner-Jarlung for pointing it out.
Now, I want to point out that I'm not a tech reviewer, so I won't be doing a tech review of both of these remotes. However, I will say that these two are considered to be the best of the best when it comes to Logitech pointers and pointers in general, and they regularly top any top ten list of clickers.
But the truth is that one is much more convenient than the other.
The Logitech Spotlight has three buttons: one for the spotlight feature, which allows you to highlight a specific area of your presentation; one to zoom in; and back and forward buttons for navigating slides. It also comes with a USB receiver and transceiver and a separate amp with a timer feature that vibrates at different points in your presentation, such as five minutes before the end.
On the other hand, the Logitech R800 has a laser pointer, back and forward buttons for navigating slides, a button to start the presentation, and another button to black out the screen. It also has a USB dongle for control and a button on the side to set and start a timer that vibrates when your time is up. In addition, it has a full-color LCD display that shows the current time, battery life, and slide number.
The Dark Truth About the Spotlight
Overall, these two remotes are very similar in terms of their capabilities. However, in my experience using the Logitech Spotlight in actual settings, I found the button to be a bit sensitive and prone to accidental clicks. This caused me to become a bit worried about moving forward in my presentation too often, which took away from the main focus of my presentation. Because of this, I prefer the Logitech R800, which has more sturdy buttons that are less prone to error.
Now, if you want something more flashy and fun with the spotlight feature, the Logitech Spotlight is a great choice. But beware and do not trust it too much.
And the Winner is… the R800!
However, if you prefer a more classical and reliable option, the Logitech R800 is the way to go. Just keep in mind that both of these remotes are pretty expensive, with the Logitech Spotlight costing around 100 euros and the Logitech R800 around 80 euros.
Note: If you are looking for a budget option, check the Logitech R500 out.
One thing to note is that while these remotes are wireless and use Bluetooth, you may run into issues with stability and connections in professional settings. This is why you often see professional clickers using radio-based cues, such as the classic green and red button clicker or the newer, lighter, and smaller model. These clickers offer more control and stability in the radio signal, ensuring a reliable connection throughout the presentation.
In conclusion, the Logitech R800 is an excellent choice if you need a clicker. Still, they may not be the best option for professional presentations due to potential connection issues (check out my previous post about it). If you decide to go with one of these two, be sure to practice and be mindful of any sensitive buttons to avoid mishaps during your presentation.
