Mini bluetooth keyboards - Rii vs iPazzPort

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scottjpalmer

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#101430 1-May-2012 23:09

I have just stumbled upon a couple of models of mini bluetooth wireless keyboards which could be quite handy for my Samsung Galaxy Note and are only $40-$60 on Trade Me brand new.

My question is, has anyone used the Rii Touch 330 and/or the iPazzPort KP-810-10BTT or similar models and able to comment on build quality and Android compatibility/usability?

Thanks.

NZtechfreak

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#618166 2-May-2012 00:48

scottjpalmer: I have just stumbled upon a couple of models of mini bluetooth wireless keyboards which could be quite handy for my Samsung Galaxy Note and are only $40-$60 on Trade Me brand new.

My question is, has anyone used the Rii Touch 330 and/or the iPazzPort KP-810-10BTT or similar models and able to comment on build quality and Android compatibility/usability?

Thanks.

My opinion? Avoid them. I think their portability is vastly outweighed by how horrible they are to type on (for me, but I might have ham hands, who knows). I'd sacrifice a bit of the portability and go for a folding near fullsize keyboard. If you can find it for a reasonable price I highly recommend the iGo Ultraslim Stowaway keyboard that I have - nearly as portable as those but unfolds via a genius hinge mechanism to be nearly full (chiclet) sized!

Sony's Android-specific BT keyboard is pretty compact, available at PB Tech.

The Logitech one is even better but a bit larger and difficult to source in NZ.

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scottjpalmer

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#618170 2-May-2012 05:21

Thanks, I knew I could rely on you!

KiwiFIRST

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#628752 22-May-2012 09:43

I'll second the Sony SGPWKB1 product. Using this with my Galaxy Note now and very happy with the choice, it's a totally usable keyboard.

Cheers,
JPK

LookingUp

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#628771 22-May-2012 09:58

I've got what appears to be the Rii Touch 330 (different branding) and it works fine for it's intended use, which is to provide a mouse and keyboard for a PC in a different room to the monitor.

It's not something you'd use for general data entry, but for occasional use where a normal keyboard and mouse isn't convenient (eg. lying in bed) it's just fine.

I can't comment on it's Android compatibility, but can confirm that it works fine with Unbuntu Linux and even the OpenELEC XBMC build.

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Technofreak

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#628780 22-May-2012 10:14

I had a Stowaway folding keyboard I used with one of my Palm Pilots, it wasn't Bluetooth, it plugged in to the connector port. It was a very good keyboard being nearly full size and when folded up it was about the same size (slightly larger) as the Palm. The folding mechanism was very nifty, with the base and the underside of the keyboard forming the case. The case was aluminium which made it very robust, you could throw it in your bag and know it wouldn't get broken.

The only minor issue was the base, (which is part of the case) not extending the full width of the keyboard so if you're a ham fisted with the keys at the extreme ends of the keyboard the keyboard will rock on the base. It wasn't a problem once you were aware of it.

Certainly would be my choice of portable keyboard. They're not cheap though.

http://www.amazon.com/Stowaway-Ultra-Slim-Bluetooth-Blackberry-Handhelds/dp/B0002OKCXE

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KiwiFIRST

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#628790 22-May-2012 10:27

Technofreak: I had a Stowaway folding keyboard I used with one of my Palm Pilots, it wasn't Bluetooth, it plugged in to the connector port. It was a very good keyboard being nearly full size and when folded up it was about the same size (slightly larger) as the Palm. The folding mechanism was very nifty, with the base and the underside of the keyboard forming the case. The case was aluminium which made it very robust, you could throw it in your bag and know it wouldn't get broken.

The only minor issue was the base, (which is part of the case) not extending the full width of the keyboard so if you're a ham fisted with the keys at the extreme ends of the keyboard the keyboard will rock on the base. It wasn't a problem once you were aware of it.

Certainly would be my choice of portable keyboard. They're not cheap though.

http://www.amazon.com/Stowaway-Ultra-Slim-Bluetooth-Blackberry-Handhelds/dp/B0002OKCXE

Yeah very nice keyboard, just expensive as you say. I think the Sony keyboard will survive travel and @ $100NZ it's a replaceable item too.

Technofreak

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#628866 22-May-2012 11:39

KiwiFIRST:

Yeah very nice keyboard, just expensive as you say. I think the Sony keyboard will survive travel and @ $100NZ it's a replaceable item too.

For me the Sony is a bit bulky otherwise it looks to be a very good unit.

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tchart

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#628886 22-May-2012 12:05

Just my 2c. Its not Bluetooth and requires and USB OTG/Host (on the go) adaptor but I have a Logitech K400 keyboard which I use with my Galaxy Tab. It works great and for me the track pad makes it more valuable than a "normal" keyboard. Now if I could only charge the Galaxy at the same time then all my problem would be solved!

scottjpalmer

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#629066 22-May-2012 17:12

Thanks for your continued replies.

I have seen the K400 and like the idea but wish it was bluetooth, damn Logitech and their unifying receiver!

KiwiFIRST

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#629075 22-May-2012 18:12

scottjpalmer: Thanks for your continued replies.

I have seen the K400 and like the idea but wish it was bluetooth, damn Logitech and their unifying receiver!

You mean their wireless without noticeable lag? BT has too many layers between hardware and application IMO it's terrible for mice but okay for keyboards. Best thing mobile device manufacturers could do is build in Logitech compatibility, ignoring all the issues proprietary devices entail of course...
JPK

Technofreak

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#629112 22-May-2012 19:13

KiwiFIRST:
scottjpalmer: Thanks for your continued replies.

I have seen the K400 and like the idea but wish it was bluetooth, damn Logitech and their unifying receiver!

You mean their wireless without noticeable lag? BT has too many layers between hardware and application IMO it's terrible for mice but okay for keyboards. Best thing mobile device manufacturers could do is build in Logitech compatibility, ignoring all the issues proprietary devices entail of course...
JPK

Bluetooth can be a real can of worms, plus there's all the various different profiles (audio, data etc) and not all drivers support all the profiles.

In my experience I have a Bluetooth Logitech Keyboard and Mouse and most of the issues have been with the keyboard though it works much better using the XP drivers rather than the Logitech ones. Both driver seem to fight with each other or some thing. When I was using the Logitech drivers I was always losing keyboard connectivity, the mouse almost always worked.

I like to sync my phone with my laptop via Bluetooth but have given up as the XP drivers don't support the required profile for use with my phone. The Logitech ones do but don't work reliably with the keyboard so I've gone with the USB connection for the phone.

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