iGo Stowaway Ultra-Slim Bluetooth Keyboard for PDAs and Handhelds by Think Outside
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Our Price: $229.00 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $78.99 (click here) Category: CE See more digital camera details and other models |
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Digital camera reviews of iGo Stowaway Ultra-Slim Bluetooth Keyboard for PDAs and Handhelds
Digital camera Review: An excellent companion - - - far superior to IR keyboards.
Summary: 5 Stars
I have infrared (IR) keyboards to use with my Palm Treo 650 and Palm TX. They don't work very well, at least not for me. I had major problems with lag: characters I typed simply didn't make it to the screen.
Taking a chance, I bought the Stowaway Bluetooth keyboard . . . and I am very, very impressed.
Set-up is very quick and Stowaway's set-up software is simple to use. Reading the short user's manual (not the brief Quick Start) is a must. The learning curve isn't steep, but because the keyboard is intended as a "universal" device, tweaks have to be made for using it with Palm or Pocket PC devices.
Once set up, the keyboard performs superbly well. Every key I struck showed up immediately onscreen. I have large hands and I was concerned that I would encounter many typos because of my large fingers. I needn't have worried. The keys have a firm touch and the spacing is wide enough to keep typos to a miniumum. Because of the immediate feedback provided by Bluetooth, I felt no tendency to go back and retype because the character didn't show up. I had no idea that the IR keyboard with its lag was causing me to do that so much.
Others have commented about instability because the ends of the keyboard are essentially unsupported. At first this struck me as a design flaw, but within a few minutes this is easily compensated for. I had little difficulty with my keystrokes causing the keyboard to rock.
Some have also complained about devices slipping off the minimal stand provided. I had no problems with the Treo 650 or Palm TX.
Finally a number of people have complained that there is no fifth row for entry of numbers. You have to use a function key + number combination or you can set the keyboard to number lock. If you have to enter a lot of numeric data, the complaints are justified. On the other hand, for people like me who have limited need for numeric entry, it is an inconvenience, but not a major one. I'm happy to trade a fifth row for numerics for the small size of the unit.
Construction of the unit is typical for many of today's products. It's plastic with some metal, but overall it does not feel like it is built like a tank. On the other hand, it doesn't feel overy flimsy either. Time and use will tell how well the unit stands up.
Overall, this unit makes it eminently possible to use handheld devices like the Treo 650 and Palm TX for serious typing. I was surprised to find that I could type almost as rapidly on this keyboard as I can on a full-sized unit. The Stowaway Bluetooth keyboard is a very slick piece of work and well worth the cost for anyone who wants to use their smartphone or PDA for typing more than a few words.
Digital camera Review: An excellent tool
Summary: 5 Stars
I've been dreaming of getting this, or another, keyboard for my Dell Axim x30 since the first time I wrote a detailed email on it. No matter what, writing 1000 plus characters with the stylus and on-screen keyboard just doesn't work out.
So, the package arrives with my new keyboard, first thing I notice is the batteries ARE included (yippie - my wife had used the last of our 'spare' AAA's in one of the kids games). Next, I was pleasantly surprised by how sturdy the keyboard feels. Despite other reviews that I've read, I noted no loose keys. Finally (just in reference to the look and feel) I am blown away by the nice tactile feel of the keystrokes!
Now it is time to set it up. I activated my PDA, connected (via BlueTooth) to my desktop using ActiveSync. Installing the driver over the connection went fine, though it seems not to function if you install it to the storage card. Downloading and installing an updated driver is a little confusing too. NOTE: Turn bluetooth OFF before activating the software, if your bluetooth is on when you go to activate the software (after resetting your device) the software won't find the bluetooth system.
Once up and running, this keyboard is even better than what I have been expecting, it has nicely laid out hotkeys for openning PDA functions and programs, making the stylus almost obsolete.
Overall, other than a few SMALL snags with setup, the quality and operation of this keyboard are excellent!
Digital camera Review: Awesome Little Keyboard...
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this keyboard based on many of the reviews on Amazon, though I was a little worried because I own Palm TX. Well, my worries were all for naught. :-)
When I got the keyboard, I downloaded the driver for the TX and was off and running. It is so much easier to use the keyboard than trying to do everything with the stylus. Because getting data into my pda is so much easier, the pda can do at least 80% of what I need a PC for -- Email, basic word processing, basic web surfing, and time management.
There is a bit of a learning curve associated with this keyboard. To keep everything compact most of the keys do double (or even triple) duty. Learning to use the FN keys in combination with another key can be a bit of a pain, but is worth it.
The size is also just short of perfect. It folds up into a nice little rectangle and slips into its case. I could quibble a bit on it being a "full-sized" keyboard. My fingers from time to time hit the wrong keys, because they don't quite match the size of the ones on my computers keyboard. This drawback is to me extremely minor.
So far the keyboard has proven pretty durable. The leather case and metal outside help see to that. I tote it to and from work everyday in a junk laden purse. The kids like it too, and one of them wants one for their own PDA. I expect this thing will still work like a charm at the end of the summer.
Digital camera Review: Awesome keyboard
Summary: 5 Stars
First of all, attention Treo 680 users, this keyboard does not have a good driver yet. Though the 650 driver makes it work, as of March 2007, the driver occasionally crashes the Treo.
As I also use this with my Apple Powerbook laptop, I can really say that this Keyboard feels so good to type, although the numbers row is a little awkward to type, as you have to hold the function key down.
This item reallyt deserves 5 stars.
Cheers.
Digital camera Review: Awesome keyboard
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great bluetooth keyboard for a PDA. I use it with a Pharos Traveler 525. It works great, its small, and the keys have a good feel.