IT users,

I read all of the recent threads on keyboard choices. The Think Outside Stowaway Keyboard seems like a good choice. But in the old threads, there were several different Think Outside keyboards that people were referring to and the nomenclature was not always clear. There is the generic Stowaway, the Sierra Stowaway, and the Shasta Stowaway. So I wanted to post here before pulling the trigger on this purchase, and perhaps this will help others.

My use case is for traveling. So I would like something that folds up compact, fits in my pocket, long battery life, pairs to the N800 quickly, and fits the N800 in a stand on the keyboard. Compactness and less weight is important even at the expense of some typing comfort.

Here is the one that I think I am getting for $85.99 (Think Outside Stowaway Bluetooth Keyboard for PDA): [This is the one that I think I should purchase]

http://www.amazon.com/Think-Outside-...4021048&sr=8-1


Here is another that some folks seem to use, but it is a lot more expensive for $124.95 (Stowaway Sierra Bluetooth Kbd): [why so much more expensive?]

http://www.amazon.com/Think-Outside-...4021294&sr=8-1

And here is the cheapest one for $66.12 (Stowaway Shasta Bluetooth Wire):

http://www.amazon.com/Think-Outside-...4020823&sr=8-6

If you think another keyboard would be good for my use case, please let me know. Thanks!
Travis

The "plain" stowaway (your first link) is the smallest: single-hinge. Slightly smaller than the Sierra, I believe. Note that it's a "four-row" keyboard: no number keys! (You have to use Fn to get a number, and I'm not sure if the numbers work on N800) Advantage of this one is it is stiff when unfolded, so it can be used on an unreinforced lap

The Sierra (which can be found at other places for much much cheaper than that: that's the list price) is a "full-size" keyboard: It has 3 hinges and "accordion-folds" in on itself. It's a five-row keyboard (it has number keys), and I believe the keys also have more travel - This is the one I got, and it's really nice. It includes a little stand that can be folded up into the keyboard, but stands alone when unfolded: AFAIK, the N800 built in stand is better (this stand is intended more for smartphones and such). The only downside of this keyboard is that the center hinge does not stiffen when opened, so you can't use the keyboard on your lap (it will fold up). Not a big deal to me, but it might be to you. I like this keyboard - it's actually very nearly the same keyboard-wise as the older Palm keyboards, if you have any experience with those. (Except, of course, it's battery powered and wireless Bluetooth )

THE SHASTA IS ONLY COMPATIBLE WITH BLACKBERRIES! Well, I guess you can use it with the N800 if you install KBDD and do some tweaking, but it is not HID compatible so it's not supported by N800 by default.


I had a very bad experience with Amazon and ordering electronics: I ordered the Think Outside Stowaway Sierra from them in mid-May, shipping estimate of early June. They then said it would be delayed to ship by June 22. June 22 came and went, and I got another email saying it would be delayed until late August. I cancelled there and ordered from Newegg (where I normally get my tech stuff - I think they didn't have it when I first went to order), and it got here within a few days of order - Newegg processes + ships orders really fast.

Links to the items you referred to, in the same order, are:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823203005 - 4-row Stowaway (grey compact keyboard)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823203009 - 5-row Stowaway Sierra (black+chrome full-size keyboard)

I'd recommend going with one of the two keyboard through Newegg - fast shipping and good customer support. I personally will not be buying electronics from Amazon again.

Shasta is identical to iPaq BT Foldable except few switched key labels, even its name over bluetooth is BT-Foldable. Works fine with kbdd. Still HID keyboard is easier to setup and comatible with more devices.

Thanks for the helpful replies! megabyte, thanks for all those details. I am looking for compactness so I would prefer to go with the 4-high keyboard, Think Outside Stowaway Bluetooth Keyboard for PDA, which was my top-most link.

Now what you wrote there made me nervous Has anyone confirmed that the number keys work with an N800 (or even an N770)? I would think that it would work? As soon as I get confirmation, I am pulling the trigger.

Thanks,
Travis

@travis: I own an iGo Stowaway Ultra-Slim Keyboard which is to my knowledge exactly the same as the one you are referring to (http://www.amazon.com/Think-Outside-...021048&sr=8-1). I am writing this post on it....

It works flawlessly when I use the US layout. All FN keys are functioning properly. The numbers are all accessible without a problem! But with the German layout on most FN key options will not work and I have not figured out yet how to fix this (help appreciated with this!).

To sum it up: Used with the US layout it is the perfect compagnion to the n800.

Hi,

I am using the "think Outside Stowaway Bluetooth Keyboard for PDA" with my n800 with a french mapping. It works very well (no pairing issue).
The key mapping is not perfect. I have to do a xkb config to fix some key issues.

So I am a nearly happy user.

I have the Sierra, and unlike an earlier poster I find that I _can_ put it on my lap, it doesn't fold up at all. It's just not completely stiff. But I had no problems writing a long email in an airport recently (no tables anywhere, so I put the N800 on the next chair and kept the keyboard on my lap).

The keyboard is nice to type on. The only problem I have with it is that the screws (or rather where they're screwed in) don't seem to be high quality. The keyboard arrived with one broken, and a few days ago another fell out when I opened it. It wouldn't screw in again, so I'll have to apply locktite here and there.

As acknowledged by the manufacturer (via my dealer) there is a bug of the qwertz version of the ultra-slim such many keys do not work properly (when used as HID).

gammar: Do you happen to know a workaround for this bug? (I'm not a maemo pro, so be prepared to hear "dumb" questions regarding xkb config hacks etc. ) .

My choice, though a bit more expensive, is the bluetooth virtual laser keyboard available from ThinkGeek

About the size of a D cell battery and turns any surface into a full size keyboard (even airplane tray tables!)