Flexis FX100 PDA Keyboard reviewed

[marlof]

<a href="http://www.pdamed.dk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=89">http://www.pdamed.dk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=89</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.pdamed.dk">PDAMed.dk</a> is a Danish site on the use of Pocket PCs in the medical profession. The site is in the Danish language, so I didn't understand more than three or four words, but it looks nice! <br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/flexis_danish.jpg" /><br /><br />In their forum Christian Tørring has written a review in the English language on the Flexis FX100 flexible keyboard, where he compares it to the Targus Stowaway keyboard. The review has a nice gimmick as Christian has printed all typos made due to the keyboard in a bold face, and left them in the review. It gives you a nice overview on how well he could really type on the keyboard. Overall Christian seems pretty pleased with this product. Read the full review to see why.

[denivan]

I've ordered this thing a week ago and I must say that I like it very much. I too made alot of typos in the beginning, but I'm starting to get used to the new feel of this keyboard.

[[email protected]]

I did a review of the Flexis keyboard some weeks ago both on a Visor for French VISORguide.com website (http://VISORguide.com/Tests/hardfx100.html, link to have it translated in english on the upper right ) and on a Jornada for netPPC.com (http://netppc.online.fr/p.php3?p=testfx100.html&c=hardware, you have also an automated translation link to English, spanish and german).
I must say i use it regularly and i'm very pleased with this keyboard.
With a great thing existing on Palm/Visor that doesn't exist on Pocket PC drivers : a beep when pushing a key.

[buffasnow]

I use a similar USB keyboard with my Cassiopeia E-200. It packs well, I don't have to worry about spilling something on it, and the spacing of the keys is great. The key pitch and feel takes a bit of time adjust to, but otherwise it is great. :P

[rob_ocelot]

I read in one review that you have to disable the keyboard driver every time you want to sync. Thats a major PITA, but I'm sure that can be fixed via software. Can anyone who owns one of these confirm this problem?

There's another flexible keyboard on the market as well: http://www.grandtec.com/pocketvik.htm

Unfortunately the site is very sketchy on the details (like it's size compared to the Flexis) and the availability date doesn't seem very concrete. They also state that this particular model works with BOTH the IPAQ 36/37 series and the 38/39 series (additional adapter included, perhaps?) It does include a stand for your PDA (not in landscape mode though :-( ) and is $10 cheaper than the Flexis/Man in Machine offering.

Also, who is offering the Flexis keyboard for $60 US? Every site I've seen it prices it at $70+

[Venturello]

It is available here in Barcelona. If anyone in interested in knowing the shop, send me a line.

I played with it a bit. I think I prefer my stowaway. Cool gadget, nice idea, works but it feels... like a rubber keyboard. Wouldnt want to write a long letter on it.

[torring]

I read in one review that you have to disable the keyboard driver every time you want to sync. Thats a major PITA, but I'm sure that can be fixed via software. Can anyone who owns one of these confirm this problem?

I had no such problems while using the device.

I downloaded the latest drivers, but they still from january.

You have to disable the Targus drivers before the Flexi will work though.

[MobiliT]

There's another flexible keyboard on the market as well: http://www.grandtec.com/pocketvik.htm

Unfortunately the site is very sketchy on the details (like it's size compared to the Flexis) and the availability date doesn't seem very concrete.
Check CompUSA's website. I've seen several varieties in stock at the CompUSA store.

[mscdex]

i've had my flexis fx100 for about 6+ weeks now. i bought it for $50 or $60 on ebay. i was excited because it was my first keyboard, and i had just received my first pocketpc (ipaq 3635, i had been using an e-100 until then :\). But since a few days after i got it, it has been collective dust ever since. in that time i have bought a stowaway, which is MUCH better.
Pros:
1. rollable, flexible
2. waterproof
Cons:
1. keys too close together (at least for my fingers, and i don't have very big fingers)
2. there is no stand to hold the pda upright while typing!! this made things VERY awkward and i just didn't like typing and looking at my pda at an angle while it was laying flat down.

that is my opinion on it, i'm thinking of selling it, and my e-100 (& cf lan card) soon. i quickly found out how much better the stowaway is than the flexis. But then again, this would be an almost perfect keyboard for those with small fingers and those that have a pda stand (e.g. PDA Pivot).
As far as the driver issue, i never had to disable the keyboard driver before syncing.