aximtime

I have seen some cheapo IR wireless type wireless foldable keyboards on eBay. Are these any good?

I figured it would use a lot less power than a BlueTooth one. Or is the hard wired one best???

Looking to stay in a budget. Any thoughts?

k2stingray

Depends on how & where you want to use keybard. If you want to use it on an airplane, then IR & hardwired are infinitely better options. The hardwire is generally easier to set up, but typically works only with one or a few PPC's at best. The IR can be used with many other PPC's, but getting the IR lined up can be challenging (or easy if you are lucky).

aximtime

I hope to use it at a desk and on my lap for the most part. Nothing too crazy.

I see on eBay a few have both an ir on the keyboard, and above the axim rest so it has 2 IR eyes. Are the Hard Wired ones still expensive these days? I figure try to save and NOT get bluetooth and also save battery life by not needing to turn bluetooth or wifi on.

Anyone use a specific keyword and love it? Thanks k2stingray for the info

FallN

Just look at my signature and you'll see my setup.

I have (and am now selling) a Dell Foldable Kyeboard. It works perfectly, is incredibly lightweight and compact as well as packed with features. I highly recommend this keybaord for people that are looking for a cheaper alternative to BT keyboards for their Axim. It truly is a marvel.

I've tried a Tagrus IR keyboard but couldn't get the drivers to work so I can't exactly recommend any IR keyboards. I don't care much for IR keybaords because of thei fiddling around you have to do with mirrors and arms. You'd just be better off with the Dell keyboard or a BT keybaord of which I have also- the THinl Outside BT keyboard.

Indeed, BT keybaords eat up juice but not as much as you'd think. Actually, in comparison, WiFi eats up the most battery power, not Bluetooth. Bluetooth I would say eats up ONLY SLIGHTLY more than IR but IR can be completely unreliable.

Do some research and seriously weigh your option then choose from there. I did and I settled on the Dell Foldable and the Think Outside BT keyboard.

Good luck.

__________________
HP iPaq hw6945
Dell Axim X30 High
Think Outside Bluetooth Keyboard
Think Outside Bluetooth Mouse
SanDisk 1GB SD Card
SanDisk 256MB SD Card
2 x Dell 950 Battery
SiPix Pocket Printer
2 x Sena Leather Case
Sumdex 4-in-1 Stylus
HP iPaq h6315 (SOLD)
Dell Axim X3i Advance (SOLD)
Dell Foldable Keyboard (SOLD)
RhinoSkin Aluminum Case (SOLD)
Piel Frama Leather Case (SOLD)
Krusell Leather Case (SOLD)
Dell 1800 Battery (SOLD)
Dell Screen Protectors (SOLD)
Boxwave ClearTouch Crystal (DEFECTIVE)

jmckeown

How much for the Dell keyboard....looking for one

Miguel_I_Fonseca

Go to http://www.thinkoutside.com/ and take a look at their Ir keyboard. Works flawlessly in any screen orientation and any keyboard layout. If you're going to lay it on the desk it's the perfect option. Powered by two AA batteries I've not changed them with heavy use in almost 6 months and the power consumption for the Ir beam on the Axim is near to nil.

Miguel

aximtime

Is it worth getting on off of eBay or just go straight to dell?? Anyone know of any links to specials or anything? PS - Is the Dell keyboard hard wired/IR/Bluetoot?

aximtime

Is this super Ghetto???
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...e=STRK:MEWA:IT

ffDragon

I have been looking at the keyboards on ebay as well, but not the sub $20 ones. There look like some good IR's for $40. But what do I know, this is only my first post. Not to mention my first PDA!!

aximtime

It looks like there are some for about $40 shipped or so that look decent. Just wondering if it is better to just jump on an actual dell or that other fancy Thinkoutside.com keyboard.

Anyone think one is better than the other? or recommend one directly out of the many available?

aximtime

Is the BlueTooth worth investing into for double the money?

Or do you all think that the thinkoutside IR one will be ok? It seems to get stellar reviews everywhere.

Anyone know how the Thinkoutside and the Dell foldable match up against eachother? Anyone better than the next?

Miguel_I_Fonseca

If you think you're going to use it on your lap go for the bluetooth since it has the fancy sliding thing that gets it flat and hard when extended but if you're going to be able to reach a flat surface go for the Ir... they're both the same key action only a different interface to connect to the computer.

Miguel

FallN

It all comes down to how your going to be using the keyboard, how much juice you have like extra batteries and how much money you have to spend.

For a solid keyboard for a decent price I'd suggest the Dell Foldable keyboard. If you want to conserve on battery power or simply don't want the price of BT, I also suggest the Dell Foldable Keyboard. They go for $69 on Dell's site but you can find them a bit cheaper here or on eBay. PM me if you'd like to purchase mine. You can also look in the classified section.

As far as those $20 IR keyboards are concerned, again, I don't know, but the one IR keyboard that I tried was huge, heavy, bulky and wouldn't connect to either my X3i or X30H. It was the Targus IR Keybaord so be weary if you're thinking of buying that one.

Also, in general, you get what you pay for. A lot of those old IR keyboards are for Palm devices and some don't even support Windows Mobile 2K3 or Second Edition... double check and then triple check that it's compatible and definitely check the manufacturer's website for updated drivers. If the drivers on the website haven't been up dated since year 2003, well, now you know why that IR keyboard costs so little: it's no longer supported and discontinued. Good luck getting help or a warranty for it.

I still suggest the Think Outside BT keyboard for those looking for a wireless solution: just know that you will be sacraficing battery life unless you have extra batteries or a ready power source or only planning on using the BT keyboard for short amounts of time. You can find a very good review of it with lots of pictures right here on Aximsite. Go to the review section.

BTW: I just checked out that link for the $20 IR keyboard http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...e=STRK:MEWA:IT

DO NOT GET THAT KEYBOARD! It clearly doesn't support any Axim outside of the X5!! Go check the official website and maybe they've updated the drivers but most likely that particular model has been discontinued. I mean the X3 has been out for almost 2 years now and they don't even support that or the X30 which has been out for almost a year! If they haven't updated the drivers by now, I highly doubt they ever will.

Just my 2 cents...

__________________
HP iPaq hw6945
Dell Axim X30 High
Think Outside Bluetooth Keyboard
Think Outside Bluetooth Mouse
SanDisk 1GB SD Card
SanDisk 256MB SD Card
2 x Dell 950 Battery
SiPix Pocket Printer
2 x Sena Leather Case
Sumdex 4-in-1 Stylus
HP iPaq h6315 (SOLD)
Dell Axim X3i Advance (SOLD)
Dell Foldable Keyboard (SOLD)
RhinoSkin Aluminum Case (SOLD)
Piel Frama Leather Case (SOLD)
Krusell Leather Case (SOLD)
Dell 1800 Battery (SOLD)
Dell Screen Protectors (SOLD)
Boxwave ClearTouch Crystal (DEFECTIVE)

aximtime

Thanks for the replies !!!!

So I guess it is narrowed down to either the Dell Foldable, or the Thinkoutside. Hmm, tough decision.

It looks like the Thinkoutside is about $45 IR, about $85 BT, and the dell foldable is about $65.

I will "probably" use it at a desk mostly, but the wireless may be a cool feature. The thing is, is that I do not have any extra batteries for my axim.

So is the Dell one a hard connection an not an IR or bluetooth?

Seems like the Thinkoutside IR at $45 shipped is a pretty good price. I may jump on that. I just hope I don't kick myself for the bluetooth later

Yeah, those cheapo ebay ones are out of the picture!!!

aximtime

Darn it!!! I am slowly drifting toward the Thinkoutside Bluetooth!! It just seems cooler Hmm, am just gonna have to jump the gun on this one I think.