stefpet

I'm seriously interested in this Virtual Laser Keyboard. It sounds like science fiction but it is actually real, and even reviewed by Dave's iPAQ (it got 5 out of 5). Currently there are no Dell devices on the supported models list, but hopefully that is just because they're not verified and not that they don't work.

The standard version goes for $199.99 and the BlueTooth version $224.99. Somewhat more expensive than the normal BT-keyboard, but way cooler and way smaller.

Would love to hear if anyone tried (or seen a review/post/whatever) it on a X50v.

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Current: Dell Axim X50v | TwinMOS 1 GB SD | Boxwave miniBuds + SE K750i
Retired: Palm Vx | Casio Cassiopeia E-11

benyeap

If u have extra money to spend, then why not?

stefpet

Originally Posted by benyeap

If u have extra money to spend, then why not?

Well, that's the other problem...

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Current: Dell Axim X50v | TwinMOS 1 GB SD | Boxwave miniBuds + SE K750i
Retired: Palm Vx | Casio Cassiopeia E-11

Grentz

seems to me that it would be very hard to type on as it is just a projected image so you cannot "feel" the keyboard

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andybrown

looks really cool.. read about it like a year or two ago, seriously, thats how long its been "going to come out" and now that its finally here, it looks really cool. but i highly doubt that i'll spend 199 or 225 on a keyboard, especially since i already have two

RChickenMan

Seems a bit on the impracticle side to me. I know I don't always have a nice, flat, smooth surface the size of a keyboard in front of me when I want to type.

Rcher

I think it is way cool. I'd have to try it out first before I'd buy one.

dennisma

ZDNet has a review at: http://reviews.zdnet.co.uk/hardware/...9165419,00.htm

I saw Dave's review and quite frankly... it made me think to NOT buy this device. I never trust anyone that drools so much over a product. Seriously when anyone writes a review like this one it makes me think that everyone has a price. I knew a guy who wrote part time at Ziff and he had to sugar coat all his reviews. It made me cautious.

Think about this... how well will this work if the desk you are sitting at gets sunlight? All the pics are in the dark of this thing. Do you want to have to sit in the dark just to see the keys?

And notice how he said everyone in the diner swarmed around him when he used it there. It seems to me he is more impressed with how popular it made him than how well it really worked (he had to stand up at his desk to stop making mistakes). I don't know about you but being popular is the last thing I want or need to be when actually doing serious work.

I have a ThinkOutside BT keyboard and people drool over that all the time in the reviews. Somehow everyone forgets how unstable the keyboard gets when typing keys on both ends (like a 'q' key).

pgh1969pa

Originally Posted by dennisma

I saw Dave's review and quite frankly... it made me think to NOT buy this device. I never trust anyone that drools so much over a product. Seriously when anyone writes a review like this one it makes me think that everyone has a price.

I've always taken Dave's reviews as a joke. Many of then lack any objectivity or critical thought. I also viewed Dave as being a ''bought" man.

lovespuds

Originally Posted by pgh1969pa

I've always taken Dave's reviews as a joke. Many of then lack any objectivity or critical thought. I also viewed Dave as being a ''bought" man.

Personally I think some of these comments are a bit rough, I'm only interested in the review and the guy seemed to answer some good questions if you actually read the review.

1) He said he beilieved the lower accuracy of the typing was partly to do with the desk hieght thats why he tried standing up. No big surprise here no typing is going to be great if your desk hieghts to high or low

2) He tried the keyboard in a higher light condition and said it was fine with the devices 'higher light setting' he's tried connecting it with a number of Ipaq's which is fine it is Dave's ipaq after all, and said they all worked fine.


3) he describes the form and quality of the item and pack, so not bad for a first look.

4) he did not go on and on about the folk crowding around to have a look at the gadget, I've read other reviews of the non bT model of this keyboard and many reviewers speak of folk crowding around just because it's an eye catching gadget. The only concern over something that grabs such attention is it's more likely to get you mugged or the device stolen. In real terms though what real gadget fan does not appreciate people going Ohhh ahhh at your impressive new gadget.

5) A more important question for us Axim owners is if this device is compatible with the broadcom BT stack or if the software driver will work with an Axim. My guess is the BT stack question is probably the more likely question to cause possible problems. I believe Ipaqs mainly use a different stack.

If anyone actually test this device with an Axim be sure to let us know!

pgh1969pa

Originally Posted by lovespuds

Personally I think some of these comments are a bit rough, I'm only interested in the review and the guy seemed to answer some good questions if you actually read the review.

Call it whatever you want to but Dave tends to over sale the items offered by his sponsors and knocks products /services offered by non-sponsoring vendors. Call it rough, harsh, or unfair. I read plenty of the reviews on his site and the comments he's made on his dicussion boards.

I never said he doesn't answer questions...I said that he often lacks objectivity and critical thought.

Hobbbbit

Originally Posted by stefpet

The standard version goes for $199.99 and the BlueTooth version $224.99. Somewhat more expensive than the normal BT-keyboard, but way cooler and way smaller.

Was just looking at that thing yesterday. Here's a link for you: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...sPageName=WDVW
Price for it probably is going to go up, but I saw 3 of them on eBay yesterday with "buy it now" price of $100. Still too much for a gadget that I will never use

lovespuds

Originally Posted by pgh1969pa

Call it whatever you want to but Dave tends to over sale the items offered by his sponsors and knocks products /services offered by non-sponsoring vendors. Call it rough, harsh, or unfair. I read plenty of the reviews on his site and the comments he's made on his dicussion boards. I never said he doesn't answer questions...I said that he often lacks objectivity and critical thought.

your probably right =o), but in this case the review doesn't seem so bad lets wait and see what other reviews say about this new BT version of this keyboard, it's all moot point anyway if it's no good for our axims =o)

lovespuds

Originally Posted by Hobbbbit

Was just looking at that thing yesterday. Here's a link for you: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...sPageName=WDVW Price for it probably is going to go up, but I saw 3 of them on eBay yesterday with "buy it now" price of $100. Still too much for a gadget that I will never use

for something this new (technology wise) I'd probably like to go with a seller with a few more ratings to feel safe,what seems to be to good to be true probably is =o)

andybrown

now that i think about it, it would be a very good idea, being as portable as it is. i dont know about the functionality though, thats the problem... if it works good, then it would be great! but im not sure how it would feel typing on any surface...