iQue M5 and wireless keyboard

[jbclimber]

Can anybody recommend a wireless keyboard for the iQue M5 that works? I was thinking about the Stowaway bluetooth keyboard but apparently this doesn't work with the M5.

http://www.thinkoutside.com/forums/toast.asp?sub=show&action=posts&fid=5&tid=83

[thetransportguy]

Its funny. I emailed Garmin support and asked of they tested any BT keyboards and if they tested any 1gig SD cards for compatibility with the M5.

They replied saying that the 1gig DS cards should work with the M5, but they never mentioned the BT Keyboard that I had asked about.

hmmmm.

[AKlopper]

My 1GB PNY SD card seems to work just fine with the M5.

To stay on topic with this thread, has anyone tried one of those virtual laser keyboards, such as the one at http://www.virtual-**************.com/index.asp?

Expensive, but very cool.

[nparker13]

I'm waiting until April, and then I'm going to get one of these for myself for my birthday, as I dont think i could rationally justify purchasing it without an occassion.

-nate

[Trouvere]

Can anybody recommend a wireless keyboard for the iQue M5 that works? I was thinking about the Stowaway bluetooth keyboard but apparently this doesn't work with the M5.

According to Garmin, Bluetooth keyboards are not compatible, and the only option is Infrared. However, their tech people haven't tested any of the IR keyboards yet.

I just purchased the Think Outside Stowaway Universal Wireless IR Keyboard, and it seems to work seemlessly (so far at least). For the most part, I really like the keyboard. Only a few minor complaints so far:

1. No locking mechanism to keep it open on an uneven surface (i.e.- your lap)
2. iQue is a little too wide/tall in landscape mode to fit (correctly) and be able to use the IR beam. (You have to get a little creative if you want to use the keyboard with the iQue in landscape mode.)
3. There are no dedicated number keys. (You have to hold down a function key to type numbers.)

The best price I found was at Amazon.com ($44.64 and free S/H). Although the price has gone up a bit since I got it there.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002OKCX4/qid=1112607305/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl23/002-6208934-4016029?v=glance&s=electronics&n=507846

[AKlopper]

For what it's worth, there is some freeware software that allows you to use your PC's keyboard on your PPC via an ActiveSync or network connection at:

http://www.trancreative.com/rkb.aspx

[jbclimber]

Thanks for the replies. I also bought the Think Outside Stowaway Universal Wireless IR Keyboard and it works just fine on the M5.

I plan to try out the software that AKlopper mentioned later.