IPAQ 2210 micro keyboard

[maikii]

Well, it''s finally out!

In Circuit City today I saw a micro snap-on thumb keyboard made for the 2210/15 and 4100 series IPAQs, HP brand.

Anyone tried one of these yet?

The price at CC was $39.95, which I assumed was probably the list price. Anyone found a better deal, online or elsewhere?

[lonesniper]

I got one from Amazon before Xmas for my 2215. Think I paid $33.

It nice to use, can't touch type, but can quickly "look type". I keep pressing the P instead of the Delete key, that is my problem. Also to access the number and symbols, I keep forgetting if I have to press the blue or orange button.

Would not be without it though, makes my horrid bus commute productive as I use it to write updates for my blog to upload later. (GPRS on the bus would be cool, but too expensive :))

Colin

[Deemo]

I have been using mine for a few days now and I would rate it as OK but no rave reviews here.
The orange and blue keys are somewhat confusing and trying to find the punctuation and other symbols can be a bit of a pain.
I think with time it will become more intuitive ....pratice practice practice.
I would rate it as better than the tap keyboard but no where near as good as a Targus but obviously certain things are always sacrificed for size.
I do like the typing sound effect that you can turn on.

[i_spock]

Yeah I've been using mine for a few days also and feel the same way. It's OK but no rave reviews.

I compared this thumbboard to the built-in one on a 4355, and I think the 4355 implementation looks better. There are several key combinations on my thumbboard that are really awkward to press since the buttons are so close together- I have to try to press 2 keys at once with one thumb to be able to do it (but then again, I do have gargantuan hands. The holes in my bowling ball are practically on opposites sides from each other :-) ). Anyway, the 4355 keyboard seems to be laid out a lot better, for example the number keys are all on on the right (keypad style) and the function key to get numbers is on the far left hand side.

I've not actually used the 4355 keyboard, and I wonder if there are less thumb-gymnastics required to type common punctuation than this one. C'mon, you shouldn't have to crisscross your thumbs just to type an exclamation point right! :roll:

[Deemo]

There are several key combinations on my thumbboard that are really awkward to press since the buttons are so close together- I have to try to press 2 keys at once with one thumb to be able to do it (but then again, I do have gargantuan hands.

Actually..I discovered you are supposed to press the blue or orange in succession....not at the same time.
This made it alot easier. Give it a try.

[i_spock]

Really! :oops: Thanks I'll try it tonight.

[sracer]

How is the resistance of the keys?

I'm not a big fan of these, but if the keys have little resistance... (ie. not requiring a heavy pressing down or opressive "click") I may consider giving this one a try.

[Deemo]

No..no oppressive exertion needed.
Turning on the sound effect helps quite a bit for me to know when I can start moving onto the next key before my eye recognizes it as I find myself constantly looking at the keyboard and glancing up to then see what has been entered.

[tommEEpickles]

How bout Ctrl and esc? Is it friendly for unix or vi operations?

[ChemNerd]

It has a dedicated CTRL key.

Amazon has it for sale.

$36.79 with free shipping. Until 2/1/04. They also have other accesories on sale.