BlackBerry Forums Support Community

headtailgrep · 10-11-2005, 10:08 AM

I just got a 7290, my '80 had an accident with a coffee mug (empty) and the LCD screen. The net result is the LCD did not survive. =)

At any rate, i'm now set up on the 7290 and i'm looking forward to being able to use the 'bluetooth' and 'usb host' features (such as Modem!).

I'm a pretty fast typer however.. i'm at home on an IBM Model M keyboard (yes, with the clickety clack!) and my keyboards at work are the modern-day equivelants (such as Keytronics e03600).

To me the ultimate accessory would be a ps/2 to bluetooth/USB adaptor so i can use my old IBM or regular ps/2 keyboards with this device.. or just the ability to use any usb keyboard..

However, I imagine right now the only option is the bluetooth keyboards. For those who type really fast

a) what keyboard would you reccomend? what are the limitations?
b) is the blackberry's speed a limitation on your typing? is it simply unable to respond quick enough?

Ultimately, i'm lookinmg to have the ability to type full length e-mails without having much trouble, i just don't care to do this using the Blackberry's regular keyboard..

Thanks for your input. =)

Dawg · 10-11-2005, 10:14 AM

From what I have read there is a slight delay in the keyboards. I am not sure it would be able to keep up with the speed in which you type.

Angel · 10-12-2005, 04:32 PM

Man & Machine just came out with a new usb keyboard that is compatible with 6200, 6500,7100, 7200, and 7500 series. It's called the CoolMIR. It's flexible, rollable, waterproof (or coffee-proof), has excellent tactile feedback for high speed efficiency typing and the keys are noise-free. This might be exactly what you are looking for. Check it out.

[EMAIL=coolmir@mmimd.com]www.man-machine.com

KonTiki · 10-12-2005, 05:31 PM

Link does not work it only tries to e-mail.

headtailgrep · 10-12-2005, 05:56 PM

the link works for me... not bad, but what causes the delay when you have a bluetooth keyboard? is it bluetooth?

how fast is this USB keyboard when you type into it?

headtailgrep · 10-12-2005, 06:06 PM

$189, seems expensive...

rcg · 10-13-2005, 11:05 AM

We are getting these... I should have a report by the end of next week.

FYI As most of you know we offer discounts on our accessories... this particular item is very slim margin at the 189 retail price so it's very likely we will have to sell them at close to that price. If there is no delay and the unit is of good quality is there enough interest to pay that price?

KonTiki · 10-13-2005, 11:34 AM

These are too expensive at that price and what gets me is that the same model with a regular USB connector is 79.95 from the same company, and extra $110.00 for a mini USB, what gives here? Take a look:

http://store.yahoo.com/man-machine-store/coke1.html

rcg · 10-13-2005, 12:10 PM

Actually it's not quite the same.... the BlackBerry version is powered by an internal, rechargeable battery. You can recharge the keyboard from a USB port on a PC if you want.

Clearly these guys are shooting at a specialized market and pricing accordingly. I think that the 189 retail is too high and the dealer price is well over $100... and quantity discounts start at 501+ units for us... I won't commit to 501 units anytime soon

We plan to offer it as an alternative but my sense is that the standard keyboards availabel for the BB wil continue to sell well.

KonTiki · 10-13-2005, 02:38 PM

Well regardless of the internal battery i do not think that the darn thing needs to increase in price 110 for just that difference.

rcg · 10-13-2005, 04:42 PM

Special drivers were also developed for the USB BlackBerry which may contribute to the cost of building it. I'm certainly not trying to justify the pricing and I spoke to them today about it.

I will have a full write up plus hi-Res photography next week. We plan to give it the acid test and see how she rolls.

mriff · 10-16-2005, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcg

Special drivers were also developed for the USB BlackBerry which may contribute to the cost of building it. I'm certainly not trying to justify the pricing and I spoke to them today about it.

I will have a full write up plus hi-Res photography next week. We plan to give it the acid test and see how she rolls.

Looking forward to your reveiw rcg. I'm pretty fast on a keyboard and have thought about getting one for my blackberry. I spent a lot of time on planes where it would come in handy.

ndirish2001 · 10-20-2005, 09:55 PM

I, too, would be very interested in reading a review of this new USB keyboard.

rcg · 10-24-2005, 01:40 AM

The unit has not arrived yet. I will follow up with them tomorrow (10/24)

rcg · 10-28-2005, 10:39 AM

I have received the Man-Machine USB keyboard and we are proceding to test it. On first use it is easy to setup (load a driver to the BB) and the components seem to be good quality. I only type about 45wpm but i suspect you won't have any trouble with 85+. There is virtually no lag time between KB and BB.

Standby for a full report with photos...

Please note: Since we are a retailer some may think we might rubber stamp a review to sell some product - that won't happen. Folks that know us and do business with us know we won't sell any product I don't like. If it's crap I will say so. This is a very expensive keyboard and I'm not sure how many takers there are in the $190 price range but if it's good we will carry it.

Stay Tuned.

Mark Rejhon · 10-28-2005, 02:16 PM

Quote:

However, I imagine right now the only option is the bluetooth keyboards. For those who type really fast

a) what keyboard would you reccomend? what are the limitations?
b) is the blackberry's speed a limitation on your typing? is it simply unable to respond quick enough?

(a) Unfortunately, I have to recommend switching away from BlackBerry if 100WPM pocket keyboard with a pocket device is needed. ThinkOutside Bluetooth folding keyboard and a Treo 700. I can easily exceed 100 words per minute on it no problem -- on my PocketPC. Both my PocketPC AND the keyboard both fit in one blue jeans pocket (after the keyboard is folded). Yes, 100 WPM -- my ThinkOutside is 100% DELL Laptop quality to my fingers, and I can type very fast on DELL laptops.

(d) No, the BlackBerry can support 100 WPM if you're just displaying a text field such as email. It does slow down when the text field becomes big (10 kilobyte emails). I know this because I can thumbtype up to 72.4 WPM on a BlackBerry (1 minute test of 363 thumb button presses, Huckleberry Finn paragraph test), and I can randomly mash keys faster. I have typed 5 to 10 kilobyte emails on my BlackBerry before. Pratical limit seems to be about 3 or 4 kilobytes, before the text buffer slows down dramatically.

Hopefully a future BlackBerry model and OS supports Bluetooth HID, so I can use my ThinkOutside folding keyboard (the BEST folding keyboard in the world -- and the only one that I can touchtype FULL speed on)

Mark Rejhon · 10-28-2005, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcg

There is virtually no lag time between KB and BB.

That's not good enough at 45 WPM. I have encountered situations where "virtually no lag at 45 WPM" means "massive lag at 100 WPM". This situation happened with my Freedom Keyboard.

rcg · 10-29-2005, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Rejhon

That's not good enough at 45 WPM. I have encountered situations where "virtually no lag at 45 WPM" means "massive lag at 100 WPM". This situation happened with my Freedom Keyboard.

Well that's why we will test this thing Mark. We don't know yet. It is a USB keyboard so certainly no Bluetooth serial lag will be in the picture.

I agree that Think Outside makes an Awesome portable keyboard (we sell them) but we need to shake down the Man-Machine before deciding it's horrible or the best thing ever. One thing it has going for it is the size - un furled it's bigger than the Freedom or Think Outside. Rolled up it's comparable.

More to follow.

lenemery · 10-29-2005, 05:27 PM

love thinkoutside keyboards also, much better than mushy bending dell laptops keyboards (ibm laptops have the best keyboards

have used the man machine flex keyboard for palms and phones and they're wierd but decent if you have hard surface available.

mriff · 11-22-2005, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcg

I have received the Man-Machine USB keyboard and we are proceding to test it. On first use it is easy to setup (load a driver to the BB) and the components seem to be good quality. I only type about 45wpm but i suspect you won't have any trouble with 85+. There is virtually no lag time between KB and BB.

Standby for a full report with photos...

Stay Tuned.

rcg, any update on this keyboard? Have you finished your review yet?

BlackBerry Forums Support Community

Keyboard Suggestions for a 100+ WPM typist?