Keyboards?

LadySDevil · 02-28-07, 05:01 PM

Targus... Belkin... Siemens... Dell... ThinkOutside... HP...

What's the difference? I have been looking over possible keyboards in a wide variety of types and brands, but trying to figure out what the difference is between them, other than price, has been a little hard.

Each brand appears to have it's IR and BT models, which is simple enough to decide between since there are several comparisons for that in the forums and online.

The problem is figuring out why the ThinkOutside is more expensive than the Targus and what the draw backs or downsides are of each. Not to mention trying to figure out which ones will work with the Axim x51v.

Anyone know where I can find this information? Anyone have these keyboards that could let me know a little about them? Would any IR or BT keyboard work, what about having drivers for WM5?

I really don't need a keyboard at the moment, but I know if I have one I can make use of it, so I've been looking.

Thanks in advance!

Box · 02-28-07, 05:06 PM

I have a BT Smart Keyboard. Works very well with x51v.
Very handy as a remote control from the bedside table to the Ax stuck on the window to pick up the nearest WiFi hotspot.

Nice as a keyboard as well. Has full Qwerty (5 rows of keys) so you don't have to hit combinations to get numbers etc, and you can program function keys and so on. Great for presentations as well.

spunker88 · 02-28-07, 07:03 PM

Think outside is a great brand. I have the ir model, using it now, and it works great. If you have the $, you can even get a bt model.

borgyn · 03-01-07, 02:16 AM

I own an HP BT keyboard which worked great with an ipaq. Connectivity was easy and you benefit from working within the 10m radius as against IR line of sight requirement. The BT Think Outside keyboard appears to be popular with many a reviewer and picture comparisons indicate when folded it is not much larger than x51. See link below.

http://www.thinkoutside.com/products...t_product.html

LadySDevil · 03-01-07, 02:26 PM

I take it everyone just went out and bought the Think Outside and nobody has used any of the other keyboards with their axim?

Box · 03-01-07, 02:28 PM

Only one of the three posts above mention owning the think outside.

03-01-07, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by LadySDevil

I take it everyone just went out and bought the Think Outside and nobody has used any of the other keyboards with their axim?

Forum wide, alot did, you should hop on our bandwagon:approve:

Seriously it is known to be of the best.
Me myself, I say if you tote a good battery, get both the Think Outside Bluetooth Keyboard & Mouse, tastes just like a UMPC

The IR is good but I don't like having the sitting dock on the far left, with the BT keyboard you can move the dock anywhere by detaching it.

Though the IR is best, if you like typing on the train, you can't use the BT one like that without it sliding off the dock.

*has tried*

spunker88 · 03-01-07, 04:31 PM

Originally Posted by Noiro

Forum wide, alot did, you should hop on our bandwagon:approve:

Seriously it is known to be of the best.
Me myself, I say if you tote a good battery, get both the Think Outside Bluetooth Keyboard & Mouse, tastes just like a UMPC

The IR is good but I don't like having the sitting dock on the far left, with the BT keyboard you can move the dock anywhere by detaching it.

Though the IR is best, if you like typing on the train, you can't use the BT one like that without it sliding off the dock.

*has tried*

The ir kb is great for battery, i still have the originals (got it dec 05). The only bad thing is it has to lock to keep the kb from folding in, so it will go into a v shape if you want to use it in your lap. But if you have a flat surface, its great. I also figured out how to use the ir and charge your axim at the same time. (No mods needed to the kb.)

LadySDevil · 03-03-07, 01:12 AM

Originally Posted by Noiro

Though the IR is best, if you like typing on the train, you can't use the BT one like that without it sliding off the dock.

*has tried*

Could you put little rubber peices on the dock to keep it from sliding off? Spunker88 mentioned the IR keyboard folds in half, or at least that's what it sounds like he was saying. How do you keep yours from doing that when typing on the train, or do you have a flat surface to type on? (I will admit to never having been on a train so I have to ask.) :)

Originally Posted by spunker88

The ir kb is great for battery, i still have the originals (got it dec 05). The only bad thing is it has to lock to keep the kb from folding in, so it will go into a v shape if you want to use it in your lap.

What kind of IR kb do you have that doesn't lock in the middle, and do some other ones lock in the middle to prevent that from happening?

Appreciate all the responses. :)

spunker88 · 03-03-07, 05:29 AM

Originally Posted by LadySDevil

What kind of IR kb do you have that doesn't lock in the middle, and do some other ones lock in the middle to prevent that from happening?

Appreciate all the responses. :)

Mine is the think outside ir model. Here is the amazon page selling it.

youngpirate · 03-03-07, 07:28 AM

The mentioned bluetooth Keyboards are all mostly the same
except their labelling on the back side is different.

"Siemens", "Anycom", "Nokia", "ThinkOutside", ....

These are all based on the thinkoutside model.

The other brands have own models but i much prefer
the Thinkoutside models because they function semless
with my x51v and all use the same software from thinkoutside.

Also these model(s) have very well desired hotkeys for your WM5!
You can customize them also!
And you can also get a version for your own language (don`t know ho many there are) - e.g. thats for me in german neccessary because of our "ä,ö,ü,ß,..."

hope this will help you!

cravaus · 03-03-07, 07:56 AM

First let me say, I type a lot on my PDA and it is often being used for up to 8 hours at a time doing a variety of tasks. I really use my PDA as a work station and it works fine. Also, I have no problem buying things just to try them out. I have tried out several keyboards before settling on TO. I sent most back. TO works, it works very well, and the iGo customer service is hard to beat. That is what you are paying for and I think it is worth it. Shop around and you will find the TO keyboards ranging between $69 to $120. I noticed CompUsa will often drop the price to $79. Keep looking at their site. I got my new one off Amazon for $79.

There are two TO keyboards, the Sierra which is a 5 row keyboard. It is thicker and heavyer than the other TO keyboard which has about 4 different names: Slim Line; Universal BT; and a couple others. I use the Unerversal BT keyboard. I have also used the Belkin Wireless Keyboard, I have not seen a BT model, mine was an IR model. The Dell BT keyboard is a TO Universal BT keyboard. The Universal is the best for me because it locks flat and I can put it in my lap and type. No flat surface is needed like is needed for the Seiera. It folds very slim and is about .5 inches larger on both sides than the Axim x51v outside its aluminum case. There is a Targus case (model CHCK01) that will hold both the Keyboard and the Axim (in the aluminum extended battery case) snugly together. I use two rechargeable AAA batteries and they last a very long time. I have never had trouble with low batteries. I recharge about once a week. I got about two years of life out of my first model. I just got my second one. Down sides are that it is a 4 row key board and you must use a function key to reach the top row. I am used to that. I automatically hit it with my thumb when I have to touch numbers and symbols. It takes practice. Also the stand is very nice but it is fragile. I have broken 4 of them. TO replaced the first with two extra. They sent them out immediately. iGo customer service is excellent. I also use other iGo products and I have had similar experience with all their products. What I have done with the new model is I have reinforced it. I cut up portions of the plastic packaging and superglued pieces on to the back and front of the hinge portion of the stand (two squares about 1x1 in size). I have also added grey epoxy to the part that clips to the keyboard itself in the grooves of the plastic that surrounds edges of the inside surface. Those are the places where the breaks have occurred in the past. It still folds up as it is supposed to and it feels significantly stronger.

You can find side by side comparisons of the Sierra and the Universal BT keyboard. Some prefer the Sierra because of the 5 rows and it only needs one AAA batery but it needs to be put on a flat surface and will not work by it self in your lap.

What I did not like about Belkin IR keyboard is that it folded in the middle and was clumsy to use in my lap. Again it needed to be on a flat surface. Prior to settling on TO I purchased others and sent them back but I do not recall their names. The major issues for me were the inability to type without a flat surface, rigid key travel (feels like typing on a rock), and uncomfortable key spacing. All these issues are not a problem with the TO Universal and, from what I read, the Sierra.

The TO takes about 10 to 30 seconds to pair up with the x51v which is annoying. It paired up very fast with my x30 high. Also I have noticed that it will loose its pairing from time to time with the x51v where it never lost pairing with the x30. By this I mean that after one session of typing then turning off the Ax and closing up the Keyboard, then opening up again for the second session, I have had to repair the devices together. This is also annoying. It is not a TO problem but a x51v BT problem because it never occurred with the x30.

03-03-07, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by LadySDevil

Could you put little rubber peices on the dock to keep it from sliding off? Spunker88 mentioned the IR keyboard folds in half, or at least that's what it sounds like he was saying. How do you keep yours from doing that when typing on the train, or do you have a flat surface to type on? (I will admit to never having been on a train so I have to ask.) :)

The Keyboard slide-locks when you open it so its not bending unless you brake it.
The dock, unless you had like a wrapping lock that didn't cover the srceen and attached to the two bars that the dock snaps onto then yeah but little rubber grips won't hold it in place, it you're on a express train it'll jump clear off the dock.

If someone made a dock that cupped the axim on all sides I'd be happy to see and buy.

LOL somehow I always find myself on the regional express train and a full 25 minutes early.

they arrive 5 minutes apart and the express train moves extremely fast & bumpy, I can only imagine how that is for the Amtrack train that passes us at 120mph.

revjmckee · 03-03-07, 10:24 AM

I would have to say I decided to go to Office Depot & buy the Palm IR version. I also have to say that I love it! It seems to be very fast & responsive. I haven't had any trouble yet. As far as the whole "distance" thing when compared with the BT version, maybe I'm just "impaired" but I can't even see my AX screen from very far away - so the IR does me fine. It has a great lock which keeps it from folding & plenty of shortcut & customizable (?) buttons. Also, I was impatient & enjoy saving $$$. Just my 2 cents worth.

W.I.P. · 03-03-07, 07:51 PM

TO bluetooth here... though I have never owned another keyboard for my X51v nor am I a very heavy user. I have used it often enough to say that the 4 row set-up hasn't been all that problematic (though it should be noted that I never do spread sheet or statistical/numerical work on my Axim). I've yet to lose my BT connection while using the keyboard and generally find it comfortable to use anywhere... including on my lap in my car. Consider this the "newb-review".