keyboards

[smallpop]

After finding information on the Sony keyboard for the 665 and the new Belkins (I think) ir one that is coming out in april. Anyone have any words of wizdom on what would be the best choice? Sony is 25% off making it about 65 bucks, but the ir one that is coming could be used by almost any pdr that is or coming out.

[Dr.Clie]

I have heard that the IR keyboards are not that great...

I got a Belkin keyboard for $52 dollars because of a belkin.com discount... they may still be having it...

It is a very good keyboard, no problems... it made by the same manufacturer (same design) as the Compaq brand keyboards for the IPAQ's....

Don't spend the extra money to purchase a Sony brand keyboard when you can get one that works just as well for $52... check out www.belkin.com/discounts and see if they still have the 35% off discount..

[Easy-123]

I just checked at Cnet's Shopper.com, and unless I am severely mistaken you can get the "Sony Compact Keyboard" for $45 (+$5 Shipping). It would not be branded as "Sony" but as "Targus Stowaway Portable Keyboard".

I have just switched over to a Clie T665 from a venerable but dying Handera 330 for which I had the Palm/Stowaway keyboard. It is on this experience (and carefully looking at the pictures) that I am sure the Sony and the Targus are the same.

By the way, one consideration for me is the size of the keys/keyboard. The Sony/Targus is considerably larger than the Belkin.

Here's the URL for Shopper.Com (be sure to paste all of the address):
http://shopper.cnet.com/shopping/resellers/0-11041-311-6297730.html?tag=st.sh.sr.pl.pr6297730

Stan

[MonkeyK]

I've used both keyboards. The Stowaway with a Handspring visor, and I have the Belkin now with my T615. Both work decently for typing.

Stowaway - bigger keys makes it easier to type

Belkin - More rigid design makes it more useful on surfaces that are not flat.

I'd say that overall, I prefered using the Stowaway.

You can't go too far wrong with either of them.

[blastradius]

Careful. The Targus branded keyboard is not for the T-Series. Only the Sony Branded one has a T-Series compatible connector.

[madkins007]

Like BlastRadius said, be VERY careful about the compatibilities of these keyboards. Targus is not yet selling T-compatible keyboards as far as I can see, and the drivers don't work for the Sony T-series keyboard.

The Micro-Innovations/Pocketop keyboard is similar in many ways to a Targus, although not as solid feeling. It is great that you can use it with all kinds of PDAs using the IR. It works OK- a couple oddities and some glitches in the driver (be sure to use the latest one from www.pocketop.net) but nothing too terrible.

Get the Sony board of you can afford it (and will use it enough to justify it) and will be sticking with a compatible PDA for a while, or the Micro-Innovations if you need something cheaper and/or are working with several PDAs to share between.

[MadBob]

Whatever you do DO NOT get the IR keyboard if you have a T series Clie, they rea rubbish you cannot rotate your screen on the Clie so you struggle to use the keyboard.

[zipman]

The only plug in keyboard that works with the T665 is the one that was made by ThinkOutside for Sony and is available at the Sony web page. I have one and it works with out any problems. Easy to install and maintain. The keys are of the size of the notebook I use to carry into meetings. Now I carry my T665 and the keyboard. Works for me!

[rob_squared]

Avoid IR keyboards at all costs. Keeping the IR beam in line is a b*tch.

[Aces]

The Targus one for $45 is definintly the wrong one for the "T" series.  If you follow the links st cnet's site, you get to Infinity-Micro, where they say this:

"<SPAN class=discription>SONY CLIE STOWAWAY PORTABLE KEYBOARD Portable folding keyboard for the Compatible with Sony Clie' Handhelds (Works with models PEG-N760C, PEG-N610C/S, PEG-N610C/V, PEG-S320, N710C, N770C, PEG-S360, S300, S310; Does not support the T415 and T615 models and NR Series) make sure this fits your clie there is no returns on this what so ever!!!!</SPAN> "

It looks like others have made this error too.:eek: