Pocketop keyboard

[Sunnyone]

Has anyone tried the Pocketop portable (foldable) keyboard. It has an IR connection to your Pocket PC. They have drivers for the Dell Axim and since I don't want to wait for the Dells to become more readily available...I'm thinking about giving this a try. Looks like these run on their own battery power.

http://www.pocketop.net/comp_list.shtml

Sunny

[ppcsurfr]

They're small, truly pocketable and are powered by a AAA battery.

The drivers are run from the SIP selector which means when you have the PockeTop keyboard running... you don't get the annoying full size SIP popping up everytime. Other than this is that it includes an integrated screen rotator that can rotate your screen in any direction... 90, 180, 270... and back.

I use it with a Cassiopeia E-200 and I really like the way it handles. You'd think that it will be uncomfortable due to the odd shaped keys... but after a couple of minutes... It's all natural.

ppcsurfr

[Sunnyone]

I think I'll go ahead and give it a try. I currently have two keyboards, one for my old Jornada 548 and one for my iPAQ 3650 and the Pocketop appeals to me because it isn't device-specific. So if I upgrade at some time in the future I won't have to get another keyboard. Anyone want a couple of mint condition Stowaways? :wink:

[SnAPPUrU-nyan-ko]

I use it with my e310.
http://users.adelphia.net/~snappurunyanko/temp/Picture%20002.jpg
I have to disable the display driver, let it automatically soft reset, then manually soft reset if I want to safely use certain programs, like windows media player videos or gAPI ones.
I use the left rotation mode and slide the movable part on the keyboard into the center after opening it.

[Deus]

I tried one with my 3975 and it worked well, but you need to rotate the screen. It bothered me to find that I could not use the stand that came with it. You need to lie the pda down. might be different with your machin.

If you buy it at Staples and you do not like it you can return it if you save the packaging.

[Pony99CA]

If you want some reviews of the Pocketop, do a Google search (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=pocketop+keyboard+review&btnG=Google+Search) on "Pocketop keyboard review". That link shows several.

Steve

[Delta737]

I use it with my e310.
http://users.adelphia.net/~snappurunyanko/temp/Picture%20002.jpg
I have to disable the display driver, let it automatically soft reset, then manually soft reset if I want to safely use certain programs, like windows media player videos or gAPI ones.
I use the left rotation mode and slide the movable part on the keyboard into the center after opening it.

Finally a keyboard that works with the Toshiba e310!?!?

[SnAPPUrU-nyan-ko]

Yessir, that's what the cat said!

[Eciton]

Doesn't work with the Phone Edition yet though - I've been told February for updated drivers :(

[ux4484]

The micro innovations is the same exact unit: http://www.mic-innovations.com/micro_inv/large_image_pages/tkb680pk_tkb700u.htm
and can be had for $69.99 from overstock.com: http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?cid=17708&PAGE=PRODUCT&PROD_ID=63620&fp=F

The micro innovations site actually points you to pocketop site for drivers.

I'm likely getting one cause it's not device specific. According to Aximsite.com: The mirror alignment is a tad touchy with the Dell's weak IR and a wifi card installed, but in landscape mode, there are no such troubles.

The landscape software does not work with all apps (It does work with PIE) and requires a warm reset.

[PapaSmurfDan]

I'm likely getting one cause it's not device specific. According to Aximsite.com: The mirror alignment is a tad touchy with the Dell's weak IR and a wifi card installed, but in landscape mode, there are no such troubles.

The landscape software does not work with all apps (It does work with PIE) and requires a warm reset.

The Micro Innovations keyboard is Pocketop with the MI logo silkscreened on. If you are worried you may not like it, buy the MI locally from a place with a liberal return policy.

Using the Pocketop's mirror thing with the Axim is a waste of time. Your best bet is to turn off cleartype, flip the screen 180, and just use it upside down in the stand (thats what I do). If you have a WiFi card forget about ever using the mirror thing. At least the stand holds my axim with the wifi card decently upside down. Other than that, they keyboard is a tad small and does take time to learn where the symbols and numbers are. Give it an hour and you will be typing at nearly full speed :)

My annoyances with it is are, the rubber feet on the keyboard don't offer enough resitance. I often find the keyboard moving ever so slightly after each sentance. Also you have to turn off the backlight dimming. I wish the driver could automaticly change that when it is selected.

-Dan

[fyiguy]

There are bunch of reviews listed on their site at http://www.pocketop.net/reviews.shtml

[Pony99CA]

There are bunch of reviews listed on their site at http://www.pocketop.net/reviews.shtml
Of course, those reviews will all be positive. :-) I notice that they didn't include the Compu2Go Pocketop Review (http://www.compu2go.com/pocketopkeyboard.html).

Steve

[Monty Gibson]

Doesn't work with the Phone Edition yet though - I've been told February for updated drivers :(

Who was your source for reference? Did you call or e-mail the company? I just e-mailed them and if I am going to get the same response I won't bother even checking my e-mail frantically :D. With that said, it's February... where are they :wink:? Yes, I am a very impatient person. I have the Thumboard and now all that I need is this little beauty to complete my "collection (evil laugh)."

[Eciton]

My source was

a) checking the site
b) using my journalistic contacts to find out from the company
c) trying every available driver under the sun

I'll chase them again tomorrow, as it's February, the date I was told when we contacted them a couple of months ago. NEED DRIVERS!

[Monty Gibson]

My source was

a) checking the site
b) using my journalistic contacts to find out from the company
c) trying every available driver under the sun

I'll chase them again tomorrow, as it's February, the date I was told when we contacted them a couple of months ago. NEED DRIVERS!

Very good... that's excellent, thanks for being able to get "behind the scenes," as it were. Please let us know. They still haven't written back... :roll:

[ux4484]

After finding the MI version of the pocktop on overstock.com for $69.99 and really mulling it over; I started thinking about what I liked about my Visor's Stowaway.....and......I've decided to just spring for the Dell keyboard, fumbling with a mirror and soft resets to change modes are things I'd rather not deal with. Didn't have to do it with my stowaway, and I should have to do any MORE work with a keyboard for the Axim.