ranwoo1234

Hello all......I own a A06 624 MHz Axim x51v and I just spent like 2 hours reading all the forums about wireless keyboards. I am pretty sure that I want a IR Keyboard over Bluetooth and a dedicated line of numbers and symbols are important to me as well. But here is my issue. I am interested in buying either the Think Outside IR Keyboard or the PalmOne universal keyboard....

Here are the issues I have heard about -->

THINK OUTSIDE IR KEYBOARD
-----------------------------
Pros:
- Bigger keys on the keyboard
- Complete compatibility with Windows Mobile 5.0
- Cool leather zippered case
- Nice design and great portability
- Won best keyboard for 2004 in PocketPC Magazine
- Overall good reviews from Aximsite.com and Amazon.com members


Cons:
- Hard to open
- Doesn't lock into place in order to set on lap or unflat surfaces
- No dedicated row of numbers
- Strange Function key on right side to access symbols like !@#$%^&*()
- Shift to capitilize letters only works on one side
- cannot type on Axim when the AC Adaptor is connected due to IR Beam bar flexibility issues.


PALMONE IR KEYBOARD
----------------------
Pros:
- Dedicated row of numbers and symbols
- PDA is situated in middle of keyboard instead of to the left
- Sleek black design with cool slider function to open it
- Locks into place in order to place on lap
- Beam bar allows typing in landscape mode to right and/or left
- Highest rated Wireless IR Keyboard on CNet.com with good reviews
- New driver to hit market in May 2006 for WM5

Cons:
- No real drive for Windows Mobile 5.0
- "power management error" pops up occassionally
- can't figure out how to program softkeys on keyboard to associate them with programs.
- Holding number keys within games allows only one number to be pressed per press
- Flimsy PDA stand that has to be tampered with often --> not possible to balance Axim which has 2200 or 3300 extended batteries on PDA stand.
- A little bit bigger than most keyboard and not so portable
- Keys are a lot smaller than Think Outside keyboard and sometimes larger hand people to type (takes getting used to)
- Overall bad review from Amazon.com members


.....SO Y'ALL.....what do you think? I am a fast 60 WPM typer and want to take a keyboard with me around campus and to classes to type notes. I don't want compatibility issues, but am willing to wait for new drivers if the PalmOne keyboard is overall better.

Do any of you have these keyboards? If so what are your comments or concerns? I would really like to get a keyboard but I am not really sure what to due. I would get a Bluetooth one, but it seems that they are just too expensive, drain your batteries after a long day of 4-6 classes and that they also have issues.....

SO WHAT Ya'll think?......

spunker88

I am typing this on the think outside keyboard. The shift does work on all sides. It really isnt that hard to open, and im posting a tutorial on how to use it in on ac power.

__________________
Dell Axim X50
Windows Mobile 2003SE
Think Outside IR Keyboard
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Originally Posted by ranwoo1234

Cons: - Hard to open - Doesn't lock into place in order to set on lap or unflat surfaces - No dedicated row of numbers - Strange Function key on right side to access symbols like !@#$%^&*() - Shift to capitilize letters only works on one side - cannot type on Axim when the AC Adaptor is connected due to IR Beam bar flexibility issues.

Most of these are not real issues - mine opens easily and I can use it while charging. Both shift keys DO work and I have used it on my lap (it sort of locks in place). However, the #!%^) symbol keys, etc are sometimes annoying to type and you cannot use right-hand landscape mode.

Perceptum

I purchased both models mainly to use for taking notes in class. Currently I feel that both models will not work for your needs. Here is the main reason why each did not work for me.

ThinkOutside

The lack of a number row will dramatically reduces typing speed. Numbers and the symbols above the numbers sometimes require you to press three keys simultaneously with the same hand! I was unable to keep up with the professor using this keyboard. I do not believe that any amount of practice will able you to overcome this caveat.

Palm

The lack of a working driver. The main problem I am having with the Palm keyboard is if you stop typing for about 5 minutes the Axim will no longer accept input from the keyboard. This poses serious problems if you stop to listen to the professor for a moment or two. As for an update for the driver, Darfon is supposed to come out with a WM5 driver this quarter. They did not say if it would be available for download or if Palm will release it.

If you can figure out the "no input" problem with WM5, then I would highly suggest going with the Palm keyboard. You are going to end up buying both keyboards and trying them yourself...

__________________
The two most common elements in the universe are hydrogen and stupidity. But not in that order.
-- Brian Pickrell (Date unknown)

Casio Cassiopeia A11 --> Palm III --> Dell Axim X50v + Cingular 8125 -> Dell Axim X50v + Treo 750

ranwoo1234

I tried out both and the versatility, design, and feel of the PalmOne keyboard was a lot better.

COMMENTS
Think Outside Wireless IR Keyboard
- Great folding design and the PDA Stand is more secure, but also very restrictive. The IR Beam bar can only move about 100° from about 9 o'clock to 2 o'clock, making it difficult to position PDA in landscape mode
- The keys are not much larger than PalmOne keys and they are very thin and flimsy. When I opened the keyboard the first time, the 'R' 'J' and 'P' keys were stuck and I couldn't get them to pop up until i opened and closed the keyboard about 7 times.
- It does come with a really cool leather zippered case, which was hard to part from and yes it is quite stiff when opening
- The FUNCTION keys drove me nuts!! You have to press a blue 'Fn' key to get the numbers 1 - 0 which is situated where the normal Alt key would be and then a green 'Fn' key must be pressed to get the symbols !@#$%^&*(), etc. and that was way to hard to get used to.
- The keyboard is much smaller and hard to get used to the cramped feeling
- The knob in between the sapce bar seemed to be situated EXACTLY where I press the spacebar with my thumb and it was so buggy.
- The keyboard installation was okay, but I had to fiddle around for a few minutes until I got it to work.
- Good portable keyboard, but it just seemed to be lacking in features needed for those who want to type fast.


PalmOne Universal Wireless IR Keyboard
- Slider function is really easy and not so iffy as they say it is online in reviews.
- No case or protection cover
- Great size of keys and works great!
- I used it in class for past two days and it works awesome. It does turn off automatically every 5 minutes without use, UNLESS you enable "Power Saving Mode" and set it to the lowest setting and then it won't turn off unless inactive for 30+ minutes. Easy to type and I had no problems.
- Very minor driver issues with Windows Mobile 5.0. It gives you a error message when you enable the keyboard or when you soft reset the device. But you just press 'OK' and then it works perfectly.
- One problem is that the Funtions Hot Keys 1-9 don't work when you assign them to programs, but I am positive with a new driver that will be provided sometime in the near future that that problem will be fixed.
- The hotkeys for Word, Excel, Contacts, Today Screen, Calendar, OK, Close, Done, Internet Explorer, etc. work with WM5 PDA's and they worked great.
- The keybaord is built more sturdily like a keyboard and it seems like you are actually using a keyboard that works instead of just pussing down Chiclet-type keys.
- The PDA stand is a little bit plastic-ey but It works great and plus the PDA stand can be slid from left to right depending on if you like you axim to the left or in the center.
- The "Lock Key" locks the keyboard into place and that helps A TON to type on your lap or on a desk or table that isn't quite flat all the way.....unlike the Think Outside Keyboard that just bends in half everytime you type.



It's just a personal opinion, but i hope that this analysis helps those looking for a great keyboard that is inexpensive and that works great. Can't wait for the new driver for WM5, but as far as it is now.....it works great.

badshootajoota

Great job with the reviews for both keyboards!

I'll be looking to pick one up soon. Any advice on deals or where to buy the palmone?

ranwoo1234

Originally Posted by badshootajoota

Great job with the reviews for both keyboards! I'll be looking to pick one up soon. Any advice on deals or where to buy the palmone?

Yeah......check out Amazon.com's deals with free shipping...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...Fencoding=UTF8

just make sure that you get the 3169WW Universal Wireless Keyboard and not the older Wireless Keyboard.....


or check out buy.com for $48 with free shipping or ebay.com

magus

Hello! I´m from Argentina.
Can I-use the PalmONe universal Keyboard (Code 3169WW) with my Dell X50v?
It´s better than the Targus Wireless Keyboard?
I want to buy one of them,
Thanks a lot!!
Magus

woozle

I am currently using a Palm IR keyboard (the newest model). Keys are small, power management apparently doesnt work (just as well) and being that I am left handed, I have to pull the little IR wand out everytime. Oh, and how can I forget... there is a hinge RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SPACEBAR!!!! The hinge is precisely in the spot where I hit the spacebar 90% of the time. It is massively irritating. I would not recommend the Palm keyboard. Or their PDA's. Or their cases. Or anything they affiliate themselves with these days. Ok, maybe there's a little pent up frustration with Palm here, but still the keyboard is subpar.

Here's something I don't understand...
The absolute best designed portable keyboard I have ever run across was an old Targus for my Clie N760c. It hinged in three different places, effectively quartering the keyboard when it was folded. When you unfolded it, you slid the two outermost quarters inward (sounds complicated, but it was faster to set up and take down than the Palm board). It was absolutely the best portable keyboard I have ever used. Full sized keys with decent travel, and not terribly big. I used it for note taking and essay writing for a couple of years and loved it.
Targus completely dropped that style of keyboard, I suppose in favor of keyboards that fold up smaller (which, as a side effect makes them less practical to actually use!). I wish they would bring that style back with bluetooth!

I think I'm going to wait for the Freedom Keyboard II to come out before I replace the Palm IR keyboard that I have now...

magus

Do you know if the key size in the Palm Universal Keyb/k. its the some than Targus wireless key, or smaller?
Thanks a lot!

woozle

Originally Posted by I

Here's something I don't understand... The absolute best designed portable keyboard I have ever run across was an old Targus for my Clie N760c. It hinged in three different places, effectively quartering the keyboard when it was folded. When you unfolded it, you slid the two outermost quarters inward (sounds complicated, but it was faster to set up and take down than the Palm board). It was absolutely the best portable keyboard I have ever used. Full sized keys with decent travel, and not terribly big. I used it for note taking and essay writing for a couple of years and loved it.

Holy crap! It's still being made! Distributed by ThinkOutside, no less:
http://thinkoutside.com/products/sto...m_product.html
I suggest everyone bombard TO with emails requesting a redesign of this keyboard for Axim, or a bluetooth version. I would actually put up with the lack of landscape if I had to, that's how much I like that keyboard.