List of Popular MP3 Car Keyboards

vcbb5 · 10-19-2003, 05:35 PM

Keyboard: Fellows Stowaway USB Keyboard
Pros: Extra Small, portable, foldable
Cons: Price, no mouse, not wireless
Info: USB

http://www.compusa.com/products/prod...333&pfp=BROWSE

Review:http://www.epiacenter.com/modules.ph...howpage&pid=28

Keyboard: Parex Wireless Multimedia Keyboard w/ Intellipont Mouse
Pros: Small, Wireless, integrated mouse
Cons:IR, not RF, needs batteries
Info: PS/2

http://www.softwareandstuff.com/acc_...ithintmse.html

Info: http://www.parex.com.tw/product_wire...ard_ir9703.htm

Keyboard: Mini-Virtually Indestructible Keyboard
Pros: Small, foldable, flexible, virtually indestructable (hence the name ^)
Cons: not wireless, price (not too bad), no mouse
Info: USB, Other larger models availble, and at other stores

http://www.compusa.com/products/prod...643&pfp=SEARCH

Keyboard: Zippy Slim Media Keyboard
Pros: Small, Illuminated Keys
Cons: not wireless, Price unkown, source uknown, no mouse
Info: USB

http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q...earch&scoring=p

Info: http://www.byteccusa.com/product/keyboard/KB-EL-610.htm
Review: http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=1364

Keybord: Mini RF(Radio Frequency) Wireless Keyboard with Trackball - Black
Pros: Many Extra Keys, built in Trackball
Cons: Larger than most, Pricey, Needs Battaries
Info: PS/2

http://www.buyextras.com/mirfwimukebl.html

jol · 10-19-2003, 07:41 PM

store link for zippy: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=...arch&scoring=p

vcbb5 · 10-19-2003, 08:43 PM

Thanks Jol.

I think that having a product guide like this for other mp3 car things like mobo's, cases, lcd's, gps's etc. would be good. I'm in and out of the scene some, so if someone could email me if they want info for keyboards added, that would be good. If the guides are made, it would be nice for them to be stickied too.

FunK · 10-31-2003, 12:32 AM

For those with Linux and touchscreens:

Pros: Wireless, No battieres, Very Programable, small, available in several different languages. Big Pro, it's Free...

Cons: You need the X Window System (Linux).

http://member.nifty.ne.jp/tsato/xvkbd/

This may be considered off topic cause it's a OSK but it's still serves the same purpose.

Edited to read just the X-Window system. Technically you don't need a touchscreen for this, a mouse works fine too....

alphonsus · 10-31-2003, 03:51 PM

I really like that idea funk k. Just dont know what x windows is yet.

guitar333 · 10-31-2003, 04:00 PM

thast last mini rf is the one i have but mine is usb

guitar333 · 10-31-2003, 04:01 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by alphonsus

I really like that idea funk k. Just dont know what x windows is yet.

then you dont know linux

mugu · 10-31-2003, 04:59 PM

i used to run xvkbd when i was too lazy to reach over to the keyboard. used to fill out entire customer reports using a mouse while reclining. They paid me by the hour, and had comfortable chairs. What can i say? :}

But there are also OSKs for win32, quick search on google:
http://members.aol.com/Leithauser/nokeys.html

doesnt look as tasty as xvkbd though.

FunK · 10-31-2003, 11:08 PM

True mugu,
It sure is a dandy of a program. BTW, Ya should have used an RF presenter type mouse. Would have taken you even longer.

If you don't know what the X-Window System is, go download a copy of Red Hat Linux (one of the easier distros out there today). That is of course if you have an older PC laying around not doing anything. You may be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to use and how much more stable it is than most Windows products. Most folks in these types of Hobbies aren't computer newbies and hack Windows to be just the way they want it. Linux is like that out of the box. You make it do what you want and nothing more.

Don't wanna hijack this thread though. If you are interested in Linux for your carpc, go ahead and start a thread on it. I'm sure myself and others here would be happy to help. In the meantime, check out http://justlinux.com/forum/ Good folks there that are happy to help.

sad_rocc · 11-02-2003, 02:39 PM

Just to let people know, that Zippy keyboard I believe is sold at www.thinkgeek.com. At least, my roommate got one from there recently (don't know price). It's not bad. Slightly smaller than normal, sealed keypad so you don't have to worry about dirt or water getting in, looks purdy.

craigyb · 11-03-2003, 06:07 PM

I use the following keyboard with built in trackball.

http://www.esis.com.au/Adv3Acc/KSI2105l_.jpg

Not found very much wrong ith it, it's small, easy to use and the track ball is superb.

Craig

craigyb · 11-03-2003, 06:08 PM

Oops

My first time at posting URL's....

Small IR keyboard

Craig

samc · 11-03-2003, 06:22 PM

any info on that last keyboard? If it lit up and had RF instead of IR then it would be perfect.

craigyb · 11-05-2003, 07:22 AM

No info as such, except that it is IR at 56Khz and not 38Khz as standard, has a good range, track ball is superb, best I've used and cost me about £20 at a computer fair, I bought 4 just for good measure, I'm using 1 and I've sold one.

I have 2 for future projects.

I think it's made by BTC but I would have to check, I know they make a 38Khz IR version, not sure about RF. It certainly isn't backlit.
Craig

StangBoyCIC · 11-05-2003, 07:55 AM

The Zippy Keyboard is also available from tigerdirect, $59.99