Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA Interests: Women, Drums, Visors, Computers, Home Theater and any cool gadgets.
Posts: 138

Hello all. I just got a cool Stowaway keyboard and love it except for one thing.

When laying on a flat surface like a desk, the middle of the keyboard doesn�t seem to be lying totally flat. When typing, the keyboard gives somewhat. Especially right where the GHJ keys are. It bounces slightly up and down, is this normal for this thing or do I need to replace it?

Anyone else have this problem?

I also wonder about the little plastic tabs that hold the Visor in place on the keyboard. I really wish they used some sort of spring type setup. Will these small plastic tabs really hold up over time during a lot of plugging the Visor in and pulling it out?

While I am here, is there a way to turn the Visor on/off from the keyboard itself?


[This message has been edited by Babylon5 (edited 07-05-2000).]

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

I noticed the same "bulge" issue with my brand-new Stowaway. I looked mine over to see if there was something I could no, but no dice.

To answer the other question, I don't think that there is any way to power up/down the Visor from the keyboard. Haven't found one yet.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA Interests: Women, Drums, Visors, Computers, Home Theater and any cool gadgets.
Posts: 138

Does anyone else have this problem? I need to know if I should replace it or not and I have less than a week (15 days from purchase) to get it exchanged.

Does this seem normal for these?

Come on guys, INPUT, INPUT



[This message has been edited by Babylon5 (edited 07-10-2000).]

Registered: Apr 2000
Location:
Posts: 266

I noticed the same thing on mine this weekend. I normally use mine in my lap, so I just never noticed before.

I don't think it is a problem, I think it is just a design issue.

Ryan

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 65

Mine has it too

OEP

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 638

Mine (I just bought it today, and I can't wait to use it, but my USB cable is in the mail from Amazon.com and until I get it I can't load the drivers) does not have that dip that you are talking about. I actually pressed pretty hard to see if it was there, but it didn't bouce, bend or anything of the sorts.
BEN

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Metro Station, Hollywood and Highland
Posts: 1018

Well, I sort of have the problem. I mean, yes, there's a tiny amount of play near the center when it's laying on a flat surface, but not enough for me to find distracting. I haven't see a Stowaway in use other than mine, so I don't have a basis for comparison. It could be that I just have a higher threshold of tolerance, or you may very well have a keyboard with more of a bulge than mine. If you bought it at a retail outlet, take it back for exchange and compare it to another Stowaway while you're there.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Metro Station, Hollywood and Highland
Posts: 1018

Well, I sort of have the problem. I mean, yes, there's a tiny amount of play near the center when it's laying on a flat surface, but not enough for me to find distracting. I haven't see a Stowaway in use other than mine, so I don't have a basis for comparison. It could be that I just have a higher threshold of tolerance, or you may very well have a keyboard with more of a bulge than mine. If you bought it at a retail outlet, take it back for exchange and compare it to another Stowaway while you're there.

Registered: Jun 2000
Location: Corpus Christi, Texas, USA
Posts: 181

At the bottom center of my Stowaway there isn't any give or bulge. There is an extremely small rise at the top center that isn't at all bothersome. Not even visual until the #8 key is struck. My guess is over a short time span, it will decrease as it is used .

When the Visor is mounted on the Stowaway ready to type with, there is absolutely no rise in the center of the keyboard. It is totally flat on the desk.

[This message has been edited by Charo (edited 07-11-2000).]

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA Interests: Women, Drums, Visors, Computers, Home Theater and any cool gadgets.
Posts: 138

Well I decided since I only had a few days left to just do an exchange anyway.

So off to best Buy I go. BTW I want to say that I still think Best Buy is one of the best stores around. They have never given me a problem on returns and their prices are usually pretty good. Most DVD�s are $19.99 and CD�s are $11.99 etc.. I do notice this going up a buck or two here and there though. yes they sometimes have morons working there but all stores do. I never rely on information from people that work at stores since I always research stuff on my own first.

Wow I got on a tangent there didn�t I?

Anyway guess what. While I was exchanging this, and the new ones does seem a bit better BTW, the guy told me about the replacement policy they have on $99 and less items like this. Now sometimes these things are not worth it but for $10 he said it would cover this totally for two years and I could exchange it right in the store the first year and in the second year get a voucher. The thing is this is great as since it is a mechanical device and prone to damage for $10 you cannot beat this! Also if there is a new keyboard that comes out in within the 2 years I can get my money back for this and upgrade so to speak.

Now here is the funny part, the guy thought it was covered since it is a keyboard, and PC keyboards are listed on the policy. The Stowaway though would not come up as a covered item on the SKU. The Stowaway is not normally covered under that policy it seems and I didn�t think so since the definitive word is �PC� and this is not a PC. I wasn�t saying anything though. Since he had already offered the policy he actually scanned a CD player to get it into the system and then just changed the SKU in the system afterwards. So I got a great replacement warranty when it shouldn�t have been covered, SWEET!

Maybe anyone that is getting one can see if they can do it. Just a thought