looking for a wired keyboard

hubwebmaster · 01-21-04, 04:17 AM

are there any keyboards on the market for an X5 that uses a wire that plugs into the top slot on my axim? the one for flash cards/gps, etc?

reason being i have a cable that connects my axim to my cellphone that uses the docking base connector and therefore if i get on AIM or something i want to be able to use a keyboard to type without using a lame infared one :)

if anyone has any information i'd appreciate the help!

thanks!

hubwebmaster · 01-26-04, 04:55 PM

lol 62 views and noone has any idea?
maybe what im looking for doesnt exist? :)

pswets · 01-26-04, 11:26 PM

Welcome to aximsite, hubwebmaster!

I am not aware of any products like you describe. As far as I know you are stuck with the lame ir keyboards or the pretty good Dell foldable (which, of course, uses the bottom connector).

Dennis · 01-28-04, 11:56 AM

I haven't come across anything like you describe. I have the foldable keyboard which works very well.

01-28-04, 01:52 PM

I am looking at getting a keyboard also.
From what I have read different IR keyboard manufacturers have come up with different solutions to the lame-IR problem.

Targus has their IR Tx (transmitter) on an arm that swings around to be extremely close to the Axim Rx (receiver).

Belkin sets the Axim on a stand and has mirrors to properly direct the IR signal.

Pocket Top even has a little adapter to connect the IR ports of their keyboard with the Axim.

I think some of these are solutions you'll be able to live with. Seatch AximSite for keyboards and you will find these and discussions about them.

I haven't made a choice yet. Belkin has a discount, so you can get it for $30 (found discount code somewhere on Aximsite), and Targus put the IR so close to be great, plus they use the coin sized battery. I'm not sure what I'll do???!!!!

hubwebmaster · 01-28-04, 09:16 PM

well here is what i am trying to accomplish, maybe someone has an idea.

i have my dell axim mounted on my car windshield in the center of the windshield on that powered-pda mount with the speaker in the back...
its best here because i have a gps system that plugs in the top that needs to see out my windshield to get a good signal.

anyway, i also have a cable that connects my axim to my cellphone and uses my cellphone as a modem to get on the internet while on the road.

i was interested in making myself or finding something that i could transform into a swivel mount that would attach to part of the passenger side dash that would allow a keyboard to swivel out to the right of where my shifter area is so that i could type while i drive with my right hand out creating a very hazardous situation where i have to take my eyes off the road, or even if im pulled over having a keyboard would be a much better alternative than the touchscreen.

this is why i was looking for a keyboard where i could just disconnect my gps reciever and plug the keyboard in when i get online (cant use the base plug since thats used by the internet cable) and have it be able to be mounted somewhere nearby.

any ideas/suggestions would be appreciated since im relatively new to the whole axim scene and i'm not as familiar with all the available products as some of you probably are.

thanks again :)

MrKlaatu · 01-28-04, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hubwebmaster
so that i could type while i drive with my right hand out creating a very hazardous situation where i have to take my eyes off the road.

If that's what you want to do, then I suggest this to get a wired keyboard:

Take a box of No-Doz and crush it up, pour it into a can of Jolt Cola and pour this into the keyboard.

That's as close as I'll come to helping someone whose seeming intent is to cause me bodily harm while on my way to work.

There's enough distractions for a driver while just driving!.........such as people on cell phones weaving all over the place and well, you know what it's like on the roads today. Why do you want to join in the mayhem?

ps; I expect you'll tell me your example was "tongue-in-cheek". If you have a keyboard on your dash.........at some point in time, you will use it while driving, hopefully not to the detriment of yourself or others.

I cannot find an attribution for this quote, but it goes something like this:

"Every weapon man has invented, man has used, all to often, agains his own kind."

hubwebmaster · 01-29-04, 12:09 PM

yes the large majority of the population can't drive worth a damn, especially with cellphones and such distracting them..

but considering the pda is already there in the dash with the gps to distract me, entering data with a keyboard instead of a bouncy screen is in your BENEFIT :) its easier to type on a keyboard with one hand while not taking your eyes off the road than trying to press a key thats about 2cmX2cm :)

besides like i said, in the more likely scenario i pull over to use it i would rather have that than a touchscreen to fumble with.

basically the reason isnt so much using it on the road, its just that i travel a lot and its convenient to have access to everything with you in your car without having to lug your computer with you.... internet access, gps, cellphone.. i even installed an electrical outlet in my car which comes in handy more than you might think :)

also im most likely sleeping while you goto work so you wont have to worry about getting hit :)

just dont drive between 4pm and 2am and you should be fine.

01-29-04, 02:13 PM

pockettop has a wireless keyboard (Ultimate keyboard, $79) and a accessory they call an IR Extender (pictures on their web page show this as a cable from the keyboard IR to the Axim IR).

Holly · 02-02-04, 04:52 PM

I'm looking for a "non-wireless" keyboard as well. I've read a lot of positive feedback about the Dell foldable keyboard, and was wondering if you have to buy any extra cards or anything like that in order to use it. I don't want to have to buy anything else in order to use the keyboard.

pswets · 02-02-04, 06:04 PM

Nope, you don't need any cards or anything. You have to install a driver, but it takes almost no space. Then you just unfold, plug your axim into the keyboard, and start typing. It's nice.

bernie_rubber · 02-02-04, 06:22 PM

Yep - I got the dell foldable and like it a lot - real cool

But there again...soon there will be this...

Now that's really cool - but will hubwebmaster have enough of a dashboard left to project it onto? Maybe needs a laser steering wheel for a passenger to help out while using the pda (jking)

Holly · 02-02-04, 09:11 PM

Thanks for the info.

02-02-04, 11:12 PM

i have a targus wireless keyboard, and it works great!! i don't see why people don't want IR Keyboards, the new ones work great! You guys should give the new IR keyboards a try!

MrKlaatu · 02-02-04, 11:19 PM

markprieb: Dedicated Ir Keyboard User, always on-the-job, trying to get people to use Ir Keyboards.

..........................................."That's the news, and he is outta here!"