PDA Keyboard I can use in-flight?
 

I searched this forum and didn't see this discussed, so maybe I missed it or maybe it really hasn't been discussed. If it has, I'll appreciate any links to the previous discussions as answer to my question. (disclaimed enough? :rolleyes: )

My goal is to be completely portable for writing whenever, wherever. I'm looking for a full-sized foldout keyboard (like the Stowaway) for my HP iPaq 1945 PDA, but I don't know what technologies I can and can't use in-flight.

I'm having trouble finding a keyboard I can just plug the PDA into, which is what I really want. My significant other just bought me the Palm One Universal Keyboard, but it uses IR, and I don't think I can use IR on a plane. Can I use Bluetooth? Are there other options?

Thanks for any suggestions or help!

GG

I thinkyou might be a little confused about what is/isn't allowed on a plane

The FAA is concerned about RF (radio-frequency) emissions. The concern is that it will mess-up aircraft navigation/communication.

A number of people on this board (including myself) have expressed the opinion that cell phones/etc are not as dangerous as they are made out to be.

That said, you probably want to play it safe and NOT use anything that uses RF.

This means NO BLUETOOTH-it's RF

IR though, is just LIGHT. It's wavelength is MUCH MUCH MUCH longer than bluetooth.

IR is what your tv remote uses, it's present in sunlight. So, there is no more risk using IR keyboards on a plane than using a flashlight!

So, to sum it up, get an IR keyboard

Just search on google for "ipaq 1945 IR keyboard"

Okay, but...I was on an AA flight once watching a DVD and I used the IR remote to change the volume and the flight attendant walking by cautioned me not to use the remote. Was she wrong?

Can't I just resolve all of this by getting a keyboard my PDA will plug into?

GG

The FA probably didnt know what kind of a transmitter it was. I have used an IR keyboard on planes on and off for years and no one has said anything. The company Think Outside (www.thinkoutside.com) makes some really nice ones in my opinion.

Indeed, the flight attendant probably didn't know it was IR. But wrong or not, if the flight attendant tells you not to use it, then under FAA rules you need to put it away... at least on that flight.

A plug-in type keyboard shouldn't cause any more hassle than using a laptop, so yes, that would be the safest option.