orangeblob

What are the Pros & Cons of either using an infrared or bluetooth keyboard with my axim x50v?

Gigi

IR pros - cheap
IR cons - requires line of sight, more limited range, may be harder to find drivers if the keyboard model is old

BT pros - pricier, more and more devices have BT, not IR now
BT cons - better range, doesn't require line of sight

hstn

I don't think you can use bluetooth in flight--that might be a consideration, depending on your needs

orangeblob

Originally Posted by hstn

I don't think you can use bluetooth in flight--that might be a consideration, depending on your needs

Blooming heck didn't even consider that cheers.

Though prob will get BT as I found some of the IR's to have fiddly battries rather than AA or AAA.

That way I can get re-charging ones

nayrhyno

The Belkin IR that i have has a single AAA, and it lasts a LONG time. I also have no problem with line of sight when i use the PDA in landscape mode..
Just FYI.

__________________
Ryan

x50v, Now with quake III!
still with wm2003se. "if it ain't broke.."

volfied

I have a IR Keyboard and works great with my x51v, only works with a battery CR2032 (like a mint) and last long time (two months)

orangeblob

Originally Posted by volfied

I have a IR Keyboard and works great with my x51v, only works with a battery CR2032 (like a mint) and last long time (two months)

Well that put pay to any worries I had on consumtion rate. IR is better priced than BT. Now that opens up the field a bit.

Cheers

Yaka.

im also looking for a blutooth keyboard, one that lets me use the x51v side ways.

any you guys know a reliable uk based retailer the might sell one?

jovalleau

:)

Originally Posted by nayrhyno

The Belkin IR that i have has a single AAA, and it lasts a LONG time. I also have no problem with line of sight when i use the PDA in landscape mode.. Just FYI.

I hope so...mine should be here in a day or two.

ZipperHead

Originally Posted by Gigi

IR pros - cheap IR cons - requires line of sight, more limited range, may be harder to find drivers if the keyboard model is old BT pros - pricier, more and more devices have BT, not IR now BT cons - better range, doesn't require line of sight

I believe you have your BT pros & cons reversed, Gigi. Otherwise, I would agree.

nateb

Although the BT is more expensive I love mine. One thing that I love to do when staying at a hotel is to sit on the bed with the keyboard in my lap and the device sitting on the bed. I don't always sit at a desk or table to type to the line of sight thing is a big one for me.

Nate

pifferoz

why not itech virtual keyboard? It could be another option...

wdement

I have the belkin IR universal that I have had since owned a palm

It works great, but you do have to find the line of sight first. If I were buying today, I would spend the extra on the bluetooth just so I would not have to fiddle with finding a line of sight.

thekefren

i personally like bluetooth syncing better, especially with my macbook pro being that i dont need 500 dongles like you do with IR (well that is if you dont have integrated BT :p

cravaus

The flight rules are against all wireless devices. They do not say specifically Bluetooth.