M5 Bluetooth Keyboards

[thetransportguy]

The unfortunate thing with being among the firsts with a new product is that not much support is out there for 3rd party accessories.

There is a BT keyboard made by "Think Outside" that apparently does not work with the M5 as per the support forum (http://www.thinkoutside.com/forums/toast.asp? sub=show&action=posts&fid=5&tid=83) at Thinkoutside.com. Something about the "Bluetopia Stack". The moderators of that "support" forum also dont seem too eager to reply with solutions. So, before you throw down the $$ for a BT keyboard be sure it is compatible.

Theres always the IR keyboards but I am not sure if those would work either.

Anyone have any suggestions?

[Trouvere]

I just posted this message in another thread...

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/t...cs&n=507846

[thetransportguy]

Trouvere,

I know that the M5 has a weak IR. How close does your keyboard have to be to the IR port of the M5? Also does it have to be in direct "line of sight"?

I was asking because I will primarily be using the keyboard/M5 in my vehicle and wanted to use the keyboard without taking the M5 out of the windshield mount/cradle.

Thanks!!!

[Trouvere]

No such luck. The IR port does need to be in direct line of sight. I haven't tested the signal, but I don't think the keyboard can be very far away at all. The keyboard comes with a stand to rest the PDA on, and there is an "arm" that you can rotate into position to line it up with the IR port on your PDA....Unless it's pretty much lined up, it won't work. :(

[thetransportguy]

Thanks. Where are you mostly using your IR keyboard? At your desktop or on the road? Because if you are using it at your desktop I have tried "Pocket Controller" (http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=852&jid=7X1X974D5F221899DX334X2FEX119274&platformId=2&productType=2&catalog=0&sectionId=0&productId=18480) which works great.

[Trouvere]

I got the keyboard so I can take notes in classes (without the bulky laptop), and so I can type more easily away from my desktop. I haven't really used it a whole lot yet, but I did try using it in the car (as a passenger), and it seemed to work OK like that.