Micro Innovations Universal Wireless Keyboard: What a Great Product!!!

[mirkazemisaman]

I just got this keyboard for my Dell Axim and it rocks. Of course I had to download the dirvers for the Axim, but now it works. A few things I like about it:

Packs a keyboard and the PDA stand in a package slightly thicker than the Axim itself.

Access to almost all functions etc. using the Function, Ctrl, Punct and shortcut keys.

Supplies it's pwn power (AAA battery)

Almost flawless transmission despite the fact that it uses the IR port

And last the fact that IT IS UNIVERSAL with plenty of new drivers for different devices to download from the company's website.

In my opinion it's a great product. Of course it has it's weaknesses, like some keys being smaller than usual or the crappy "feed back" of the space key etc. But overall it is more than satisfactory. Has anyone else tried this keyboard? How do YOU like it?

[spursdude]

Another comment - CompUSA has this keyboard for $30 every once in a while, so it sounds like a great deal...

Question - if my IR port is on the left side of my device, can I use the device without having to rotate it?

[mscdex]

Another comment - CompUSA has this keyboard for $30 every once in a while, so it sounds like a great deal...

Question - if my IR port is on the left side of my device, can I use the device without having to rotate it?

Yes, you can lay your PocketPC on its side on the stand, and rotate the display and use it that way. I remember reading it somewhere, either on here or on the Micro Innovations website?

[Cortex]

how does it affect your battery life?

[MPSmith]

My experience is that it doesn't affect your battery at all. I uses its own AAA battery, so the PPC doesn't drain. I haven't had much experience with it yet though.

[SnAPPUrU-nyan-ko]

It works well with my e310, and is just so sexy to take out, unfold, and show off to people expecting a palm pilot.

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

In my opinion it's a great product. Of course it has it's weaknesses, like some keys being smaller than usual or the crappy "feed back" of the space key etc. But overall it is more than satisfactory. Has anyone else tried this keyboard? How do YOU like it?
Yeah, I tried this product about a year ago and the space key drove me nuts (I just didn't understand the rationale for the "ridged" design). I also had to use my iPaq in landscape mode in order for the IR to work correctly.

The unit definitely has its technical merits. If you can get accustomed to the smaller keys, then it's a great unit.

I did speed tests with this and Stowaway and I got up to about 45wpm with the Micro Innovations and up to about 65wpm with the Stowaway, but I have pretty long fingers. So that might have been the difference.

[mirkazemisaman]

Yeah, I tried this product about a year ago and the space key drove me nuts (I just didn't understand the rationale for the "ridged" design). I also had to use my iPaq in landscape mode in order for the IR to work correctly.


Yeah, that bothers me a lot. It's the main factor reducing my speed...

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

Yeah, I tried this product about a year ago and the space key drove me nuts (I just didn't understand the rationale for the "ridged" design). I also had to use my iPaq in landscape mode in order for the IR to work correctly.


Yeah, that bothers me a lot. It's the main factor reducing my speed...
I tell you what, if Micro Innovations comes out with a second version that sports a flat space bar and BT instead of IR, I'll be hard-pressed not to buy one!!

I actually just remembered that I wrote a review of this on Brighthand a while back. You'll have to scroll down the page to see it since I didn't start the thread. It's located here (http://discussion.brighthand.com/showthread.php?s=59d2710ee47f449e003394dc5d12d58b&threadid=52097).

[Andy Whiteford]

Question - if my IR port is on the left side of my device, can I use the device without having to rotate it?

You can use keyboard with a PDA with the IR port on the left side without rotating the screen to landscape, it's all a question of positioning the two to get a line of site. It varies from PDA to PDA though.

Regarding the slots in the space bar, this allows it to sit more prominent than other keys (and still close shut) and theoretically easier to hit however I found the gap in the middle of the space bar as the biggest issue!

[akey]

Anyone using this keyboard with an iPaq 5450?

[Crystal Eitle]

I won't believe it's "universal" unless it works with the ipaq 1910. Any info on this?

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

From their website support page (http://www.mic-innovations.com/micro_inv/micro_innovations_pda_wireless_link.htm), the 1910 is not included (yet).

Here's the list of PPC devices they do support:

Dell
Axim X5 - New January 3rd, 2003
Comments: Dell Axim X5 driver is now available for download.

Compaq
iPaq 3600 series w/ PocketPC2000
iPaq 3700, 3800 and 3900 Series w/ PocketPC2002
Comments: The PocketPC 2002 driver will not work with upgraded 3600 devices.

Toshiba
e310, e740, 550G, SP2032 Smartphone
e570 (Screen rotation software from www.nyditot.com is recommended)
Comments: The e330 and e335 models are currently not compatible.

Casio
Cassiopia E-200
Comments: Fully compatible, update Casio Firmware prior to loading Pocketop driver.

Audiovox
Maestro,Thera
Comments: Fully Compatible. Maestro requires www.nyditot.com screen rotation software.

HP
Jornada 540 Series w/PocketPC2002

Jornada 560 Series w/PocketPC2002
Comments: In some cases the position of IR Port causes some reception difficulties.

NEC
MobilePro P300 w/PocketPC2002
Comments: Fully compatible, screen rotation is not available.

[mscdex]

"Comments: The PocketPC 2002 driver will not work with upgraded 3600 devices."

Well it's a good thing I didn't buy the keyboard then... :roll:
That seems kinda dumb to have it not compatible with upgraded 3600 devices, how could it not be compatible with a generic pocket pc 2002 driver? :?