| Belkin F8U1500 IR Universal Wireless Keyboard |
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Model: F8U1500
Brand: Belkin
Manufacturer: Belkin Components
Average Rating: 
(submit your review here)
Total Reviews: 25
Form factor: External
Hardware platform: PC
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| Features: |
Wireless connectivity
Generous key spacing and comfortable key travel
Quick-start keyboard application keys
Works with most Palm devices and Pocket PCs
Universal IR Wireless |
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| Description: |
| Using dual-beam infrared to communicate with your PDA wirelessly, the keyboard no longer has to be attached to your PDA. Since the operation of the keyboard is based on the universal infrared technology, the keyboard is compatible with many Pocket PC and Palm devices available in the market. It can also be compatible with future PDA devices through driver updates. The Universal IR Wireless PDA Keyboard may be the last PDA keyboard you need to buy.This keyboard is compatible with the following systems: HP iPAQ 3600/3700/ 3800/3900/5400 series Pocket PCs;Toshiba e310/e570/e740 and 2032SP Series Pocket PCs;Dell Axim X5 Series Pocket PCs;Palm III, IIIx, IIIe, IIIc, V, Vx, VII, VIIx m100, m105, m125, m130, m500, m505, m515, i705, and Zire Series handhelds;Sony CLIE S/N/T/SL/SJ/NR/series handhelds;Casio E-200 Pocket PC;Mitac 338 Pocket PC;O2 XDA Pocket PC;Asus Zayo A600 Pocket PC;Audiovox 2032SP Pocket PC;Handspring Visor/Deluxe/Edge/Prism/ Platinum/Neo/Pro, and Treo Series handhelds;IBM WorkPadc3/c50x Series.For a complete compatibility list please refer to the original manufacturer's web site. |
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| User Reviews (25 total): |
Page 1 of Total 1 Pages
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Okay, but not phenomenal, February 8, 2008
By user (Concord, California)
The install went well, but it took me a little while to get my pda to work with the keyboard. I have a Pharos Traveler 535e with a side IR port, so I have to turn my unit sideways & adjust the orientation to landscape to work. The major issue I'm having is that I don't have petite hands. I had a Targus before, which was comfortable and commodious, but the Belkin is a little small for my taste. I find it funny that both keyboards fold up to a very similar size, given the space the Targus offers.
Also, I liked that when I attached my Targus to my old iPAQ 3765, it worked automatically. The Belkin has to be turned on and off through the pda, which is a little more time consuming if you have an idea to get down right away. The plus on the Belkin, I think, is that it takes a battery, whereas the Targus works off the pda battery. That never really was a problem for me, though.
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Keyboard for PDA, May 19, 2007
By user
This item was exactly what I needed for my PDA. It worked easily with little setup. The price was great for this item.
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Never worked, September 15, 2006
By user (USA)
Software installed fine, but the keyboard never worked properly. Half the keys on the first one wouldn't work. Tech support first blamed me, saying I didn't install the driver right. Then after sitting on the phone with me step by step, they conceded it wasn't my fault and told me the board was defective. I exchanged it and that one would't work at all. After installing this software 10 times and pulling every trick I can find, I'm giving up.
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Better than it seems, August 11, 2006
By user
Belkin's website documentation is wildly out of date and muddled so it was difficult to know if this keyboard would work with an Axim X51V PPC with ActiveSync 4.2 and WM5.0. But, after a lot of effort, I found it did. (I downloaded the Windows CE 2005 driver). Belkin have really shot themselves in the foot over all this...
Although the PPC stand is very flimsy (the Stowaway one looks much better, and apparently has a better arrangement for beaming) the Belkin has the great advantage of a proper row of number keys at the top. It's a neat little keyboard, and all in all I am very satisfied. Leaving aside the compatibility list and driver problems, I can't understand what all the whingeing is about.
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Never Worked with Tungsten E, June 1, 2006
By user (OKC, OK)
I jumped to Linux some weeks ago and got finally got syncing correct for my Tungsten E. However, I never got this keyboard to work with the E. It's true that the E is not mentioned as being supported, but I was told otherwise. Because I'm using Linux and the probs took so long to resolve, I can't return. I can't resell because I don't know if it's not simply broken.
Palm says something about "vcard" not working with some 3rd party infrared devices for E. Make another choice if you don't use Windows/Mac and/or use Tungsten E.... Beware.
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Not worth the money, April 16, 2006
By user (NJ)
You will spend more time attempting to align the mirror than you will typing. Set up is easy; it's the every day use that is difficult. My Dell has the IR port on top and any movement throws off the beam so that I have to readjust the mirror or move the keyboard. In addition, the manual is woefully inadequate. It does a cursory job explaining short cut keys, functions and screen rotation. Look at other solutions - Belkin failed on this one.
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not bad for the price, February 24, 2006
By user (Hollis Center, Maine)
I have a Dell Axim X50, it has bluetooth but I opted for this due to the price difference (though a bluetooth is in the near future).
The pros: install was fast and easy,
keyboard fells well made
key spacing is pretty good
only takes 1 AAA battery
The cons: stand is cheap and fragile
no lap lock, must be on a flat solid surface
For the price it's a great deal, and a good keyboard.
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worked with my devices fine, November 29, 2005
By user (USA)
i used this on my fossil wrist PDA, it worked fine. it also worked fine with my iPaq 1945 PPC.
i remember one reveiwer not liking it because of lack of support for PDAs with the IR on the side. if he had been more attentive he would have noticed that the "mirror" swivels side to side so that any PDA will work, except only for the new iPaq with the IR on the bottom, but even them, the diagnal beam on the keyboard will work fine even without use of the mirror
all in all, this keyboard is super cool, i gave it 4 stars 'cause some of the keys are a little too soft and are pressed accidentelly, but that is being resolved becuse the seller is shipping me a new one free of charge
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Piece of junk, October 6, 2005
By user (Walnut Creek, CA)
This product should not be in the market. The whole concept is flawed. It is based on an IR beam sent from the keyboard to the PDA's IR port. My Dell Axim has the IR port near its top edge. The keyboard will obviously reside on a desk. So for the IR beam to reach the IR port, a reflector is used. Unless you work in a very stable environment where every thing is glued to the desk and nothing moves, it is difficult if not impossible for the IR beam to consistently reach the port. That is just the beginning of the story. The reflector is an extremely fragile piece of metal that kind of floats in the air and so it can also easily move. Forget about working with device on a semi-cluttered desk, couch, or such. By the way, aligning the IR beam so it reaches from the key board to the IR port after hitting the fragile reflector, was a piece of joy. It reminded me -- roughly -- of the college optics experiment.
On the plus side, after the alignment was done, the keyboard worked correctly. But not let this plus lure you into buying this poduct.
Sorry Belkin, you should not have released this product. Luckily for me I could return the product without any problem.
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Handy little keyboard, September 14, 2005
By user (Ogden, UT)
This keyboard is quite easy to set up and use. The only drawback is that it's not quite a full size keyboard, but in some cases that's a good thing. The keys were a little stiff at first, but after a few minutes they were pretty easy to use. And yes, that infared port is a little sensitive, but the mirror makes it simple enough. That mirror will work for any pda with an infared port on the top half (and I know some are on the bottom, so I don't know if it would line up without the mirror or not). Overall it's a great product (especially for the price), and I would recommend it for anyone who needs a keyboard.
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Works well with a Tapwave Zodiac, April 20, 2005
By user (Long Island, New York)
I'm using this keyboard with a Zodiac that defaults to portrait mode and it works fine. It's VERY compact and portable, tho, some sort of slip case would have been a nice touch. Battery life on a Zodiac is definitely shortened so, be sure to disable the keyboard drivers when you're not using it. I even managed to find free third party Dvorak layout drivers for it.
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This keyboard works great, it has probably been redesigned, April 14, 2005
By user (Spain)
I had to check the package to make sure we are all talking about the same keyboard here, as I have had a very different experience with this item.
I received it. I opened it. I added a battery, inserted the CD-Rom, installed the drivers and that was it. Works fine.
My PDA is an ipaq 1935, which is not too different from the 1940 mentioned below. The stand has a mirror that rotates on a arm to where the IR is located (on the side on this device). You don't need to lay it flat in landscape mode (which an ipaq 1935 doesn't naturally have) or anything like that. The CD-Rom contains drivers for both 2002 and 2003 operating systems. No other downloads are necessary or encouraged.
Clearly, the design has been improved.
The stand that holds the PDA is not sturdy enough to stay upright in a car crash or on horseback but I see nothing wrong with it. The keyboard may have larger or smaller keys than other designs but there's hardly a learning curve, you get used to it quickly. It allows me to type quickly and accurately.
Anyone using a compatible device that doesn't seem to work should take a good look in the mirror - not at themselves, but at the one on the PDA stand. IR means light, so proper alignment is central to good performance. It swivels, it extends, it just takes a bit of common sense.
So, to sum up: the age of the reviews below indicate the keyboard must have been updated, because all the drivers are there and no strange instructions are provided or needed. It works, it's cheap, it lets you type on your PDA.
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Fine with TMobile PocketPC/XDA, January 12, 2005
By user (Cambridge, MA)
I wanted to add this review because the mac/clie users had given such poor reviews (Note that Belkin sells a different one for Clie's). Not shipping with drivers for Pocket/Mobile 2003 OS is kind of silly too, but I guess they are downloadable. However, I've had no problem with this keyboard. The Tmobile pocket pcs have the 2002 Windows mobile OS, so the supplied software installs readily. Warning: soft reboot your PocketPC after the install before trying to get the keyboard to work - I lost 15 minutes that way. Typical crummy OS issue.
Complaints about a crappy stand are justified, but I found some double sided tape on the little wire which supports the PDA adds stability. Some sort of rubber would aid in keeping the stand from sliding on slick surfaces (like airplane trays) also, though a napkin works too. Complaints about the IR port being on the wrong side of the PDA are also justified - if the included screen rotation doesn't work (or it's not in the OS), you're hosed. Screen rotation did work on the XDA, though it's not needed. The keyboard works fairly well, though there is a lag when you are using the shift key. It's smaller than normal, but not much worse than a super small laptop. OH, and it also needs a flat surface to type on. A keyboard that locks in the back would be preferable. Overall, I was happy with this keyboard because it really turns your PDA into a nice laptop substitute, as far as writing documents or entering data goes. But it could be improved.
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Great but you need to use their flimsy stand., July 3, 2004
By user (Toronto, Ontario Canada)
I bought this unit for a Palm IIIe and it was supposed to be compatible. Well it is if you use the stand which is not worth much for on the road, in the car use...you need a stable table. The screen rotation if it worked would allow you to dispose of the stand and have real freedom. Upside down (unusable of course) works great and with good range...but
if the rotate screen software that comes with it worked as it is SUPPOSED to it would be wonderful...but alas it doesn't work and Belkin has said that it has not intention of fixing the software...how much time would it take?....to make this a truly good freedom keyboard?
I have mangaged work arounds like reflecting the signal off foil, chrome etc. to avoid the stand...I actually now have a bent spoon taped to the pda's IR port which works like a TV dish...looks dumb but works....bur really...if they say it works and is compatible...IT SHOULD WORK...yes they said they would take it back but only in trade for another Belkin product. I want to like this keyboard ...it has great potential.
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Don't waste your time if your a mobile user, May 29, 2004
By user (Ponte Vedra Beach, FL United States)
I have been using pda's for 6 years and most people use them because they aren't sitting at a desk.My current one is the Ipaq 2210/2215 (love it). My first pda was the palm vIIx and I had their portable keyboard. The pda had to attach to it, but it always worked - every key! Great for the hotel stay or any desk.
With this Belkin unit you first have to update your driver (go to the Belkin website). You may have to uninstall other keyboard software first. Some PDA's have the ability to turn the screen sideways in Word or Excel which is good. Mine doesn't and the only way to get it to line up is to sit my pda in the FLIMSY holder UPSIDE down. Trying to line up your pda to the infrared using the adjustable metal shield is difficult. Even when I turned my pda upside down half the keys wouldn't work. If you wasted enough time reading this then I may have saved you $$$ and headache. I won't even offer to sell mine.
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IR port on the side? Don't bother!, May 21, 2004
By user
I bought this for my iPaq h1940 (a fine pocket PC, I should mention), but if your IR port is on the side, says the Belkin manual, you must lay the PPC sideways to align the port with the keyboard signal.
This is ok I guess if your pocket PC has landscape disply settings. Mine doesn't. Yet Belkin still says this keyboard is "compatible" with the h1940...Problem #2: Except for the shortcut keys on the left side, none of the keys work! I'll try and see if Belkin can help with that.
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Works with T-Mobile Pocket PC, February 2, 2004
By user
Nice compact package. Typing takes some getting used to, but all in all a great portable solution. I keep both pocket pc and keyboard in small purse. I can set up in just a minute. I 'enable' software, hold the shift keys down a few seconds and move the divice less than an inch around until detected, then I'm ready to use the keyboard for input. Use with TextMaker, I.E. (surfing the web), Pocket Word, Excel, Notes, etc. I get creative when I'm using the keyboard and 'charging' with hotsync cradle. I use a cup or something to 'push' stand close enough to back of the device to reflect IR signal. Works fine. Have fun!
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didn't work, January 16, 2004
By user (Cambridge MA USA)
bought for my son for his birthday and need to return it. did not work with Sony CLie SJ22.
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Very Compact & Stylish, December 17, 2003
By user
I picked up this keyboard for my Toshiba e355 which runs Pocket PC 2003. When I first tried to install the keyboard drivers using the supplied CD, it did not work. You have to go to Belkin's website to download the new drivers for PPC 2003.After the brief installation mishap, I was typing away. All the keys are much smaller than your regular desktop keyboard, or even most laptop keyboards. The small keys definitely make me type more slowly. It took a little getting used to such tiny keys, but their size allows the overall size of the keyboard when folded up to be wonderfully compact. I was also very impressed by the stylishness of this Belkin product (compared to the others I've owned which are all office gray). The exterior is made of some metal alloy (like many laptops these days so it doesn't feel like cheap plastic), making the entire keyboard feel like a very sturdy piece of equipment. The silver tone of the exterior is also quite attractive--more so than the Targus model! Another benefit is that it runs off one AAA battery. Some of the other wireless keyboards use the more expensive (and tiny) lithium batteries. As for actual typing, I'd say it takes a bit more pressure to use this keyboard compared to most full-size keyboards. The up arrow is placed awkwardly in between the / key and the shift key, making the shift key much less accessible if you have small hands like me. There are 4 customizable buttons that are very handy. I use them to quickly launch the calculator, Pocket Word, Pocket Excel, and the Contacts program. There are no function (F1 - F12) keys. The infrared wireless feature is pretty good. I can still move my keyboard around a bit without losing signal. It sure beats additional wires, but I'm looking forward to affordable Bluetooth keyboards someday. Overall, I am very satisfied with this keyboard. I wasn't sure if it'd work with the Toshiba e355 and PPC 2003, but it does seamlessly! One comment about another review's frustrations in finding out that this keyboard doesn't work with Sony PDA's...Sony makes just about everything proprietary, including its PDA compatibility technology. While shopping for this keyboard, I ran into several ones made by Sony exclusively for Sony PDAs. I'm not surprised that Belkin didn't pay Sony exorbatent fees to license Sony's proprietary technology to make this keyboard Sony-compatible. The keyboard is made in China, as most accessories are these days. I guess that helps make them so affordable.
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It doesn't work with my clie NX, June 8, 2003
By user (San Jose, CA United States)
At first, I installed a driver from the CD, but it didn't work. Then, I went to the support site to download a new driver.
It still didn't work except one case....
If I put the keyboard close enough to get a signal, I could use a keyboard.
That means I should put something beneath the keyboard to make it close with a PDA.
I will return it tomorrow.
Unless they fix this problem, don't buy it.
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