Leap Motion Controller Hands-on Review (Retail Consumer Version)

[@ricobhi]

I also got my Leap last week (ordered sometime last year) and experienced the same frustrations as other early adopters in terms of difficulties with navigation. Make no mistake - there is a learning curve! The tool is in its infancy and, while not perfect, is pretty impressive technology. I think that there will be a LOT more to come in the way of apps that really help make the device as useful as it has the potential to be. Thanks for your demo!

[@danriley282]

I got this when it came out too... God I can't believe how excited I was for it (following it's development and everything) just to simultaneously be so disappointed when I actually got and and used it. I returned this thing (or resold it-- I forget which) within a week of getting it. It was the most gimmicky trash I had ever fallen for. It was so incredibly impractical to use and was super wonky. The globe thing you showed... well I tried that too, and it's so hard to control it the way you want to. It very easily spins out of control. It was also very tiring to use and 10x slower and less efficient than just using a mouse and keyboard. I guess the reason I was initially excited was because I bought into the sci-fi appeal of it. A device that lets me use my computer like the movie Minority Report!? Take my money. I guess us consumers have to be smarter though.

[@superchet4026]

It's because you bought into something so early on. 6 years later and it's incredible to use in place of my proprietary motion controllers for VR.

[@danriley282]

@@superchet4026 Well, that's true. I can't speak to how it is now because I got rid of it so quick. Either way I had a silly way of envisioning it's use and realize that even with improvements I wouldn't use it. For example, they showed that you could use it to draw and for some crazy reason I imaged it'd be fun to use for drawing in my imagination. The reality is that even if it did work well your arms would get really tired holding up and trying to try with your finger like that anyway. It's just not practical fore me.

[@khunjilin]

Thanks for making this review. It made me feel that it's quite similar to the sci-fi movie we've seen a long time ago.

[@driftwood9421]

Excellent review. Have a friend who's selling one and I'm considering buying it. Thanks for describing how the software and hardware works. A very detailed review, appreciate the upload. Thank you.

[@SUNSPYtm]

Side note in case there's a typical youtube negative comment or argument, I got my 2 LEAP devices on the 22nd as well, was quite surprised. They must have shipped em all the Friday before, they came via Fedex to Australia Wasn't sure at first, but practice makes perfect. The designer shows off some advanced skills when he demo's it, writing neatly in a tiny box, if anything it looks better/neater than pen written text ! easy to write it off until you see someone good at using it.

[@ShawnW]

Are you able to see a leap motion controller shaped icon showing up in the tray area (lower right corner) of your computer? If you do, that means the driver was installed. Then plug the leap motion controller into your computer, the previously mention tray icon should turn green. If all this happens, your controller is ready to use. If it doesn't, open the device manager of your windows, with your leap controller plugged in. Check if there is any unknown devices(with a yellow "!" on it).

[@ShawnW]

True, It is hard to detect all 5 fingers movement in a vertical position. But it is still possible to detect the hand as a whole in a vertical position. And this feature is required for certain gestures to feel more "natural". e.g. flip a page from right to left. The most natural way of doing that for most people would be "slapping" your hand in the air from right to left. Right now, in leap motion, you have to put your palm facing down and move your hand from right to left.

[@DotNetPlays]

More like an hands-off review :D

[@geckowithamustache3146]

Underated 😂

[@ShawnW]

I pre-ordered mine almost one year ago :) And I got it on the 20th. But the software was not available until the 22nd.

[@Selfg12]

He keeps saying how the vertical reading sucks. Dude, your hand is literally straight above it, for the proper uses of this, you'll have your hands out to the left and right side, the only thing it won't read is if you knife hand at an angle. lmao

[@trumanb4758]

I'm very interested in this as I have developed crippling tendon problems from overuse of the mouse (mostly playing games if I'm honest) Could this replace your mouse? Is there a way to configure finger gestures to mimic button presses? I'm thinking for games or apps like photoshop, 3ds max etc

[@MeariBamu]

can you make the leap motion under the glass table, that the hand distance is enough and perfectly stand on the glass, that you don't always put up your hands to move, just like typing keyboard is comfortable?

[@ShawnW]

I have to say it is not very easy at the beginning. But it will definitely become easier after a few practices. Will it be as easy as a real touch screen in the end? I have to say not likely.

[@rishavagarwal4240]

can I please know which laptop is this...?

[@Le_Sourpuss]

The concept is clearly more appealing than reality ;)

[@KcLee677]

Greatest non VR controller ever.. Riftcat VR and steamvr..

[@rfacavalheiro]

After 17 "ops" or "uh-oh" I decided I'll stay with the mouse...

[@plzzz]

Glad i watch this. Its counter intuitive

[@superchet4026]

@@plzzz This was 6 years ago. It has improved an incredible amount since then.

[@wifal6874]

Great vid. Maybe film with a softer light, and have the computer to the side so we cannot see your reflection, and film on a table. Otherwise, GREAT!

[@spring3281]

are there any finger tracking gloves not using camera that you can buy ? plz reply if you know any :)

[@commandercody38]

I think what they should do with leap is where theres the bottom device like normal than a side device thats mounted on a stand. that way its TRUE 3D and can detect your hand in all postions. this would fix SO many issues other than your fingers being together.

[@seanmaster]

I'd suggest cleaning your screen before filming next time.

[@DogeFrom2014]

Who the fuck cares? The laptop is touchscreen anyway.

[@DogeFrom2014]

Glen Reedy Oh yeah you're right, my bad.

[@user-wp5oo3xv4f]

Wouldn't it make sense to have two of these units, one from below as shown and one on the side to make it more usable for modeling?

[@Coolgamer-yf8gr]

used it myself. its pretty easy to use when its under your screen. then your using like near under your pc screen or smart tv. makes it easyer to know were your drawing or clicking on the screen.

[@bozy99]

laptop on a leather sofa.... really?

[@elypeachy3296]

cpu non-intense and short periods will not sustain damage

[@kaib.5708]

Ultrabooks often dont have active cooling...

[@hraharahra]

yes, really did you saw how it explode? yeah, we neither

[@kreigsr9789]

You're going to burn that laptop up sitting there. It can't ventilate.

[@DogeFrom2014]

Yes it can.

[@WesleyWall99]

1. There are often ventilation ports on the side to exhaust heat. 2. With metal body chassis laptops, these also dissipate heat. 3. Thermal throttling. Whenever the laptops cpu gets hot the computer will noticeably slow down, making you aware of its heat, as well as cooling it down, but there's no way to "burn it up".

[@DogeFrom2014]

Wesley Wall​ Exactly, OP clearly knows nothing about laptops.

[@kreigsr9789]

I guess I stand corrected. I haven't owned a laptop for a few years but all the laptops I've fooled with had the air intake on the bottom. Thanks for enlightening me on this...lol

[@kreigsr9789]

I have been into computer since the mid 90's and have a lot of experience building desktops and so forth. I've owned a number of laptops, just not recently. Not sure what OP is but I do thank Wesley Wall for the information and wish you would have been a little less insulted when I stated that. I wasn't trying to insult you in any way. I thought I was looking out for your good. If you weren't insulted I apologize for saying you were. It's just when people get defensive it's for a reason. Anyway I enjoyed the video and wish you luck and hope you have a great day.

[@Jrayyan29]

Can I use anything through the device? For example like Google chrome or pulling up my iTunes. Or would I be limited to everything in that airspace store?

[@kozad86]

The cable in the box is USB 2.0, because they felt a 3.0 cable was too bulky for most consumers, but you can use a 3.0 cable with the device, as I do.

[@GeneticalAnomaly]

Hey what music is playing during the orientation sequence? I like it.

[@ShawnW]

yes, you can use it like a mouse by installing an app.

[@md2k6]

This is better used on an xbox than on a desktop PC. I can't imagine anyone using this for long on even day to day browsing. Shaw W:"this is uhh kinda harder than I expected". The fact that it still uses a "pointer" makes this product a bragging "state of the art" product only when you have friends over.

[@samwd5039]

what is the range? does it have to be too close? does it work on Mac?

[@jiemingou2010]

I sounds really, but doesn't your hand get tiring after hovering after a while? Also, the controls aren't too precise, so it's not exactly designed for future offices.

[@ShawnW]

If there exists any unknown device, try to re-install the driver. If it doesn't exist at all, try a different USB port. If it still doesn't work, contact Leap Motion Customer Service. That all I got. Hope it could help.

[@Plasticman011]

Hi, have you tried it on Linux ? If yes, which distros ? Thank you

[@daniellove27]

hello can you plz help i got a leap motion today but the touchless does not work for i have tryed to install it again but nothing i am using windows 7 86 can you help me to getting it to work plz

[@ShawnW]

So I think vertical hand recognition is definitely needed and is possible to achieve.

[@Plasticman011]

Thanks for your reply, I've been looking around a bit and seen people use it on Linux so I suppose there are opensource drivers. I'll make further researches. Thank you and have a great day !

[@asnsr3573]

What processor does your lap have? core i3 or i5 or i7?

[@alexwood4870]

To be honest I imagine the leap is for computer, yet xbox and playstation have kinect and the playstation eye.

[@dathyr1]

It is now Oct 2022. So it is more of an expensive play toy to me which is now at 199.00 dollars. I still think the mouse will do jobs faster and more accurate than trying to navigate with this device. Maybe used with VR might help, don't know. I do not have this device at the moment. take care

[@danhan1072]

This is pretty much useless for people who already have a touch screen...just get a stylus to remove the smudges from you computer

[@ilovekeyboards9529]

Ok...that looks lovely, but is there a way to operate it without being constantly hooked up to the internet? I know I'm being suspicious a bit, but maybe we don't want to give the Golem-like monster access to our bio data and create an Ex Machina-like monster? I hope someone will answer my question. I will be off now to read Frankenstein. 🙂wink

[@vardhakadam2709]

It will work on deksstiop ?

[@XPStormCraft]

JARVIS JARVIS OMG JARVIS **faints**

[@j2tall2003]

Is it easy to browse the internet?

[@plzzz]

Btw, did you clean your monitor with canola oil?

[@DJWISS83]

will this works with VR? like the Deepoon E2 VR for PC? (or Oculus Rift DK2)

[@amzival6654]

nope. htc vive uses similar technology tho

[@anazardcore]

leap motion actually has piece of plastic so that you can attach it to the front of a rift dk2

[@srinidhansrinivasan2176]

can i pls get the exact link of here maps

[@XXICE43XX]

Does it work with multiple monitors?

[@SpartanParker]

Wow this looks pretty cool!

[@mile.9768]

Does it work with rift s?

[@mycbeats1276]

The laws of physics bound it from being able to detect all 5 fingers while vertical, as the device uses a combination of cameras and infrared sensors. How can the waves be reflecting off of your index finger be detected when your pinky is in the way?

[@JarateMan]

How do you get youre pc interface to look like that?

[@CarlocoxLV]

It's the regular windows 8 interface for Asus... PD:This Asus laptop has touchscreen.

[@RobinLabadie]

So maybe it's the screen input lag of the tested laptop ;) Please make a video to show its responsiveness ! My eyes are perfectly calibrated to detect any input lag above 1 frame at 30fps (or 1 to 2 frames at 60fps, after that it's becoming hard to tell) :D

[@mitchell114514]

very good video waiting for mine to come in

[@ravkasu]

nice........! usefull and check whether right click options

[@JohnDoe-ef6ds]

CONGRATZ twelve thousand views!

[@ShawnW]

Haven't tried on Linux. I don't see Linux drivers on their site. So it might not be supported yet.

[@CTimmerman]

3:36 Add some TSA waves and you'll have a Total Recall spaceport screen! 13:30 Can't it attach to your screen like a webcam?

[@ShawnW]

I totally agree with you. There are a lot of opportunities out there.

[@themirrorofthetruth2055]

I have a 27 inch. screen shut up I buy ones, ?

[@altrabodyltd7328]

can i know the model of your laptop please?

[@wojtekchruscicki3278]

is ti software v1 or v2?

[@jacobspeck]

I bought and hooked it up and I didn’t get airspace. I have a windows 10

[@ShawnW]

I didn't try it with multiple monitors. But I believe it should.

[@arcadealchemist]

the honest answer is, Not yet. basicly the device is pretty much in the early stages and has very little decent products to buy or install. the thing about this device is it's promo gives you the idea this will be super accurate and work like some sci-fi movie. In reality it is no where near as accurate or cool as 3D tracking in the movies :3 but least i can play fruit ninja :3

[@chandreshthakkar8827]

does it works on any pc or any leptop?????????????

[@ravneetsingh4728]

spelling of laptop are damn wrong, yess it werks on your pc or any leptop.

[@mohammedfarooq007]

my friend the usb is 2.0 not 3.0 for the leap motion

[@wesleycleo9295]

Thanks for this information dude

[@alim-1558]

Combine it with an oculus and play games

[@plzzz]

Oculus controller is much better

[@sleekantonio1990]

i dont have the option to go touchless computer???????????????why i need help

[@ShawnW]

I know. But it is really hard to keep a touch screen laptop clean :P

[@nongdankitty]

Hey, What is your laptop model?

[@IcemanTze]

work on win 7?

[@JPFarquitectura]

someone must add 2 leap motion in 2 different axis to allow vertical and horizontal recognition of a hand.

[@JB4johnyb4JB4]

from where did you buy it?

[@qwaccc]

+JB4 johnyb4 leapmotion.com

[@perfectlyfantastic]

great potential ........... there are lots of work needed to work with it in real environment

[@mitchell114514]

that was not the store that was the airspace home screen.

[@-E-M-M-]

game wave should be free!!! it really lacks a god app to replace the mouse all are really hard to configure and not as accurate to be useful, pointer gets lost many times or you end up moving your hands trying to get the correct gesture so its useless... anyhow it still not as accurate to do serios stuff this has been like a demo for me still not recommended you might get frustrated if you use it as an input device.if it wasn't for game wave this would be useless even for gaming and yet really hard to configure. sorry for my bad english

[@MisbahKhan1]

I don't see why it wouldn't. Your mouse can work with multiple monitors, and your keyboard can too.

[@ssatsedom]

Still for games you need a button or something simillar

[@ShawnW]

To be honest, it is not as good as I expected. But I can't say I hate it. I do believe they have a lot of room for improvement.

[@peterng25]

Does it turn my 27" 'dumb' screen into a touch screen?

[@mrala]

I think it can be used with programming

[@alexis.moreno]

I prefer a mind reader keyboard

[@vivek160785]

thanks! very informative

[@BizonBeats]

When i saw you hooked it up to a windows 8 pc i couldn't take you serious anymore.

[@ShawnW]

I agree. 0 feedback is a big problem for gaming.

[@Nick-xc4fy]

Ok so the start of the video wasn't so good.... kinda the same thing.... but when you got to google earth, now I'm interested :)

[@vuthatang]

Try hp envy 17 leap motion :)

[@jonidimo]

10 years later ... and there is nothing ...

[@naryanr]

You literally have no indication that you've "pressed" anything. I think one way to get around that problem is to have a little Bluetooth device in the other hand that actually has two mouse buttons on it which you physically click while the Leap Motion is dealing with the movements of the right hand.

[@UncleSiam]

The only real application in my opinion is in something like interacting with a VR world, especially something like a hologram or hololens.

[@AF-ei5yi]

recalibrating this is driving me fucking insane and now i know why i havent used this shitty thing in 5 years

[@GeneticalAnomaly]

STILL pretty impressive though, as a predecessor.

[@CarlocoxLV]

I don't think this is very useful today, but maybe in a few years would be.

[@sunnydavies3990]

i can only really see some minor games or google earth being used with this really

[@SUNSPYtm]

You mean 10 fingers not 5.. And unless you adjusted the height setting, you're too low in most of your video. Seems very awkward at first but think about how good control and finesse you have with fingers.. playing musical instruments, surgeons, skilled artists etc etc.. seems to grow on you fast. It is USB 2.0 required not 3.0. Normal USB ports all work fine. Check out the minecraft gameplay on glass, that is really cool. In a few years there will be amazing applications VR + LEAP = amazing

[@PetPitDK]

@Shawn W Dude, clean your screen before video recording! That's disgusting. But good review on the leap motion.

[@michor10]

Dude, you need to clean your screen.

[@mayankhey]

After watching your review, I decided not to buy it. Thanks!