Keyboard with built in trackball

[Bokononist]

Peeps,

I'm looking to find a keyboard with a built in trackball which can be used as the mouse. Done the standard searches but not come up with anything . Anyone got any ideas on this.

Preferably wireless ( RF not IR ) but wired would do.

Thanks
Keith Hurst

[scrapbook]

I was looking for something similar myself recently.

There were two options i preferred most:

a) keyboard with built in touchpad ala notebooks
b) keyboard with built in trackpoint ala ibm notebooks

I went with option b in the end as i could never really get on with the touchpads on notebooks so i always buy IBM notebooks.

You can find option a on a few websites, or both options on the IBM website.
I went for option B which also had two usb ports built that acts as a hub

NB
Neither are wireless...but as it was for a computer under the tv and i always have xbox control wire coming from the unit i didn't worry to much. THe keyboard was usb so just plug into the front of the PC, much like u do with game controllers

http://www-134.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/st...826&langId=826

[JimmytheSaint]

I was looking for one as well and found this one which I am currently using :-
Keyboard with trackball

[Werner]

the manhattan keyboard quoted in the link is an ir device. It is the same (almost) as the one used by Hi-Grade in their DMS range of htpc's. Range is pretty good (over 10ft easily) but it has a relatively narrow angle for line of sight. About 100degrees.

[sniffer66]

I have the Manhattan and TBH I'm not that happy with the IR LOS AND the trackball movement ! Typing is OK but mouse is very jerky !!

(I'm also gutted that I payed £50 from Radioshack for it !!! )

[Werner]

yeah, on the proper manhattan the trackball doesnt spin freely, which makes it a bit of a pain to use. The DMS version spins when you flick it, and somehow, it "just works" nicely..

[Bokononist]

thanks for all your posts guys, will check them out.

KH

[Branxx]

I have over the last few years bought about 10 different wireless keyboards. None of them work really well.

I am now waiting for some comments on iNPACE Wireless Bluetooth keyboard with trackball.

It is quite expensive @ £140 but if it works well than its worth it.

From the cheaper keyboards I like USB RF Wireless Keyboard + Joystick Mouse for £20. It has good range and keyboard and the receiver do not need to be in the line of sight.

[fearbat]

I've also been on the lookout for a good quality wireless(RF/Bluetooth) keyboard but being left handed I really need the trackball/joystick to be on the Left. I know it's a real shot in the dark, as the many searches I have made have lead to nothing, but does anyone here know of such a device? If anyone here's using or knows of one a link would be greatly apreciated.

[Bokononist]

Originally Posted by Branxx

I have over the last few years bought about 10 different wireless keyboards. None of them work really well.

I am now waiting for some comments on iNPACE Wireless Bluetooth keyboard with trackball.

It is quite expensive @ £140 but if it works well than its worth it.

From the cheaper keyboards I like USB RF Wireless Keyboard + Joystick Mouse for £20. It has good range and keyboard and the receiver do not need to be in the line of sight.

Bran,

thanks for your input on this. The 140 quid job looks nice but no way I could justify paying that amount for a keyboard. In the end I did a search on FleBay and bought...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...sPageName=WDVW

Again a little more than I was hoping to pay and would have looked at the one of the keyboards you gave a link to. Alas found your post a little too late however, ah well.

Regards
Keith Hurst

[TheCrow]

Originally Posted by Branxx

I have over the last few years bought about 10 different wireless keyboards. None of them work really well.

I am now waiting for some comments on iNPACE Wireless Bluetooth keyboard with trackball.

It is quite expensive @ £140 but if it works well than its worth it.

From the cheaper keyboards I like USB RF Wireless Keyboard + Joystick Mouse for £20. It has good range and keyboard and the receiver do not need to be in the line of sight.

Branxx, thanks for the link just ordered myself the "USB RF Wireless Keyboard + Joystick Mouse"

Cheers

[Branxx]

The common problem I found on keyboards with trackball is that the ball attracts the dirt (and grease from fingers) and starts playing up after a short period of time.

The joystick keyboard have a nice feature that the joystick can also be used to click (and double-click), allowing for number of operations to be performed with only one hand.

The ideal keyboard would be long range wireless and have illuminated keys so that you can see them in the dark cinema room.

[schillaci0]

Just bought a logitech DiNovo wireless not the bluetooth one and it's superb, works so far upto 4m away, have not tested any further cost £79.99 with mouse and number pad seperate exactly same as the bluetooth one.

[schillaci0]

This one http://www.overclock.co.uk/customer/...roductid=18228

[SimonInd]

I've just taken delivery of the keyboard/joystick combo that Branxx recommended and I must say for the money, about £21 delivered, it's unbeatable. I've got a Gyration suite on another PC and I still think that's the best solution for wireless control, but for a quarter of the cost this is fantastic.

Thanks for the recomendation

Simon