Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 38

Anyone have experience with the Genovation keyboard. How does it stack up against the Landware or Stowaway? Any comments appreciated.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 17

I don't know anything about, i checked out their website and they claim that they have shipping keyboard that works with the visor...pretty cool. Their site is www.Genovation.com, their online ordering page is down so i called them. The price that was quoted to me was $89.95. They really need to do better marketing because im sure must of us were only aware of the Go-Type and the Stowaway both of which have yet to ship. The Genovation keyboard would be a big seller.

-Nate Tabak

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 17

Somthing to add, I just checked outpost.com and they have it listed for $54.95 w/ free overnight shipping.

Hmm,

Nate Tabak

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 38

Ralphskin-
Thanks for the follow-up! I too can't believe I'd never heard of them. I am going to check this out as well. I really could use a keyboard.

If anyone picks this Genovation one up.... A review would be very much appreciated!!

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 106

Before you get too excited about the price, the mfgr specs indicate that you'll need a serial cradle to be able to plug into the keyboard.

It does, however, use it's own AAA batteries and has 6 PDA programmable function keys. Same keyboard works with Palm and Visors (drivers included).

Doesn't fold up though. Sigh...

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 17

Ah, I makes sense now, so in order to use it you need a serial cradle with it an carry around both since there is no place to stick it on the keyboard. Damn that is a little much to carry around. God damn i want that stowaway, i woudl be seriously kicking ass and taking names in journalism class.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 2682

Yet another reason for HS to offer a Serial Cable...

I'm also wondering why this isn't listed on the Accessories page along with the GoType and Stowaway?

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MarkEagle - Ice is nice!

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Texan in Calgary for a while
Posts: 1361

It wasn't in our Accessories section because I had not heard of it It is there now.

I'll see if I can get a unit to review for the site.

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James Hromadka
VisorCentral.com
Personal Website: http://www.Hromadka.com

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 17

Though the serial cable would make it work, it would not be in good position since if would be lying flat on whatever surface; with a cradle if would be standing up.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 2682

Way to go, James!!!

Ralphskin... I realize the cradle makes it more convenient... so what we really need is a serial cable... and a kickstand! (I don't want to lug a cradle around - kind of defeats the purpose). Maybe that's why I'm holding out for the StowAway...

Too many choices... not enough time (or $$$)

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MarkEagle - Ice is nice!

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 16

I noticed most of you seem to be holding out for the Stowaway. I was wondering why you are choosing it over the Go-Type. It is a personal decision but I am trying to make my mind up. Am currently planning on the Go-Type for two main reasons, I fear the Stowaway will fold up on me if I were to try and type say with it in my lap and second, I fear the moving parts may cause it to break more easily. These are my reasons.
Curious if some others could share their reasons for choosing the Stowaway? Just wanted to know. thanks!
jeremy

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Visit at www.southern.edu/~jearnall

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: brooklyn
Posts: 268

it folds up to the SIZE OF THE VISOR.

making it... ahelluva lot easier to carry around. i like james h.'s idea to get the rhino 3000 (i love my 2k) and carry them both in that.

nuff said.

matty

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 2682

I'm also leaning towards the Stowaway due to its compact carrying size... I'd like to believe that ThinkOutside is listening to concerns about the fold-up issue and is taking steps to prevent it (like little sliding lock tabs or something). Then again, has anyone actually SEEN one of the Stowaway's to note whether this will be a problem or not?

Anyway... my 2 cents worth... keep the change...

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MarkEagle - Ice is nice!

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 38

I just came across a website www.handheldmed.com that has reviews of all three of the new keyboards for handhelds. The site is geared to medical professionals who would have a real need for text entry. It is the only review of the Genovation Travelboard I've seen- check it out

chaz

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 38

Here is the site for the specific review of the Genovation.. http://www.handheldmed.com/code/rev...ravelboard.html ..looks like a USB interface is in the works... This is sounding good for those of us who don't need the small form factor of Stowaway.

[This message has been edited by cwestergard (edited 02-09-2000).]

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Mililani, HI, USA
Posts: 256

quote:

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Originally posted by arnall:
I noticed most of you seem to be holding out for the Stowaway. I was wondering why you are choosing it over the Go-Type...thanks!
jeremy

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Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Texan in Calgary for a while
Posts: 1361

I think some of the reviews of the Palm organizer version of the Stowaway may have made the "holding in lap" seem worse than it is. I got my hands on the beta of Stowaway, and will be writing what I can about my impressions of it hopefully by next week.

I'll say this for now: When extended, the only part that can be folded is the middle, and it won't fold downward. It bends slightly, but is stil very usable. And yes the Stowaway is as cool as everyone thinks it is

As for the Genovation keyboard, I am in talks with them to review the Travelboard 634.

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James Hromadka
VisorCentral.com
Personal Website: http://www.Hromadka.com

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 434

quote:

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Originally posted by JHromadka:
I got my hands on the beta of Stowaway, and will be writing what I can about my impressions of it hopefully by next week.

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Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 2682

...just wishin' i had James' job... bein' able to play with all the cool toys before the rest of the mortal world.

Can't wait to read the keyboard reviews...

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MarkEagle - Ice is nice!

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 38

James-
Just a thought... but since you are probably the only person out there who will have actually touched all three of these things....I would really appreciate a comparative review of all three. What do the keys feel like, comparatively; how do the options stack up between all of them etc...

I have an email out to the Genovation folks to see when the USB connection capability will be available. From the reviews I've read, the Genovation seems like an *industrial grade* model yet light and portable. Would it be worth it to have a keyboard that would still be useable even if you decided (or were forced ) to change to a WinCE or some other handheld that had a standard USB interfaced connection cable? Seems like carrying a small cable might not be such a price to pay for durability, portability and scalability.

James- we await your review!!