Wireless PDA keyboard... Are they worth it?

[KenClunk]

I am thinking about getting a wireless PDA keyboard (IR), and am wondering if they work good. They look like they would, however, I am skeptical. Also does it matter what company when it comes to keyboards. The main thing I care about is reception, but also how compact, how long the battery last, etc. I went to epinions but there were no user ratings up and no stores (ie. Bestbuy) have any demonstartion models. What do you think?

[Zack Mahdavi]

I've used the new wireless stowaway keyboard, and it works really well. The keyboard is very responsive.
It does matter which brand you get. I suggest buying the stoway, but that's only because it is what I use.

However, if you have bluetooth, then consider waiting a couple months for the new Btooth stowaway.

[CTSLICK]

I use a Targus branded IR keyboard and have found that it works very reliably. Based on the sucess I have had using it I normally do not bring a lap top on biz trips unless I know I am going to need the screen real estate. I am still on the first set of batteries (a pair of CR2032's) but I think they are on their way out. I got about 8 months with infrequent use (once a month?)

The Targus keyboard is not as compact as the Stowaway but it was cheaper.

I would love to see a bluetooth solution but I need to be careful. I use bluetooth to connect to the internet (via my phone) when on the road and this is also one of my favorite times to use the keyboard. So could I use a bluetooth keyboard while connected to my phone via the internet? I tend to doubt it.

[Zack Mahdavi]

I would love to see a bluetooth solution but I need to be careful. I use bluetooth to connect to the internet (via my phone) when on the road and this is also one of my favorite times to use the keyboard. So could I use a bluetooth keyboard while connected to my phone via the internet? I tend to doubt it.

It depends on how the keyboard driver is implemented. On my mac, I can sync my pocket pc via bt, while typing an email with my bt keyboard connected to my cell phone via gprs. So bt can support it....

[BTS]

I use a Belkin wireless keyboard and have been really happy with it. My only complaint is that it has a separate stand to put your PDA in so you want to make sure you have the room. An airline tray table works fine.

Reception has never been a problem. I use it in a classroom and it has never let me down. I'm still using recharable batteries (without recharging yet) since Christmas. Battery life seems to be great!

[CTSLICK]

It depends on how the keyboard driver is implemented. On my mac, I can sync my pocket pc via bt, while typing an email with my bt keyboard connected to my cell phone via gprs. So bt can support it....

I can only hope that someone can get it right on a PPC, especially for those of us using BT expansion cards (a BT CF card in my case) versus BT integrated in the device. Call me cynical but I predict that this will only be supported by some updated Windows Mobile upgrade that Dell won't offer me...again :evil:

Sorry...drifting from the original topic...I now return you to your regularly scheduled postings ;)