Nice "move" from from Logitech with the "Crown", only is a bit too expensive.

Nothing special in this extra gadget. I like more, if one day Logitech focus on good "base" and general quality/durability. Rather than continue sell marketing.. again.. and again... This new "reel toy" is placed very near from "esc" buton - it's very often used key by many ppl, and will disturb more than help. And price.. lol! For a 199$ You can buy good mechanical keyboard, with more intuitive/genial placed multimedia key/s - if needed.

Surface Dial is $100 and Logitech is doing custom commands/support for all the professional apps. Professional gear, in general, tends to cost more because companies will shell out the money to keep their employees happy. I wouldn't buy it but I could definitely see people working in creative houses liking it.

Why is it any better than a (good quality) mouse wheel?

TieSKey:

Why is it any better than a (good quality) mouse wheel?

Well the intended use case is artists so they'd presumably be using a stylus in their right hand while their left hand is on the wheel - similar to the surface dial. So while they draw they can turn the knob and increase/decrease brush size for example. I'd also assume that the wheel itself can click in and in all four directions.

I would be all over this sub-$100, but $200 to marginally increase productivity is a deal breaker. That being said, the software support seems to be more comprehensive than what Microsoft's Dial has, so I guess that's a plus.

I think this keyboard will be a hit for graphics professionals, especially those who use a stylus in one hand and normally are using the other for overly complex keystroke combinations, but like most of us i'm only making assumptions based on what I think someone in that business would find appealing. So I sent this to my old man to get his input on the keyboard because he has spent the past 45 years as an illustrator, graphic designer, and art director for publications such as Road & Track, Sea Magazine, Western Outdoor News, and many others while self employed and while at Gray Advertising. Picked up two Cleo's along the way as well. The long and short of it is, he think's its an outstanding concept that addresses a problem he has always had issues with ever since he made the transition to designing on a computer back in the 1990's. And now he wants one for Christmas. He also said he was kind of surprised that the keyboard "only" costs $200 considering this is a niche product for a customer demographic who spends a LOT of money on their graphics workstations while expecting a similar level of quality.

This new "reel toy" is placed very near from "esc" buton - it's very often used key by many ppl, and will disturb more than help.

I don't see an issue with it being that high above a low profile ESC key. Had the knob been low profile as well, i could see your point of view. In fact, i bet the reason why the knob has such a high profile is specifically to reduce/eliminate such an issue with the ESC key.

And price.. lol! For a 199$ You can buy good mechanical keyboard, with more intuitive/genial placed multimedia key/s - if needed.

Nobody in the graphic design world wants a mechanical keyboard with multimedia keys.

$200 for that thing is bending people over. It's a slab with a dial and some backlighting. Niche or not, that's highway robbery. Someone will do this better, cheaper and soon. There are plenty of artists who aren't coddled and can't afford a dial for (essentially) $150.

I don't see an issue with it being that high above a low profile ESC key. Had the knob been low profile as well, i could see your point of view. In fact, i bet the reason why the knob has such a high profile is specifically to reduce/eliminate such an issue with the ESC key..

Well I see problem coz im using "esc" key often. And after long sessions, I will put my hand (or thumb) - exacly where "knob" area is. Its come from human ergonomy - not my habits. Also when my hand back from typing (quick) must watch out on this "knob" to not damage project, or knob itself. So It's good placed knob, and bad, in same time. Had enough logitech KB's in past to know, that they are not very durable. So I will not trust Logitech no more.

Nobody in the graphic design world wants a mechanical keyboard with multimedia keys.

Maybe not. But they have Much better value...

Logitech Reinvents - puting wheel, which was done many times before mainly for volume control, on the keyboard for $100 - wow! such invention 🙂. Not sure why designers would want to buy it if there are plenty 3D mice with much better functionality: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=3D+mouse&source=lnms&tbm=isch

EJocys:

Logitech Reinvents - puting wheel, which was done many times before mainly for volume control, on the keyboard for $100 - wow! such invention 🙂. Not sure why designers would want to buy it if there are plenty 3D mice with much better functionality: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=3D+mouse&source=lnms&tbm=isch

3Dconnexion and all it's cool professional toys is still a company founded by Logitech. Now about the product at hand, true we may debate the usefulness or the innovation in Logitech craft, and definitely the pricing, but I'm sure a segment of users will find it most handy.