Author Topic: could two numeric keypads work at the same time (Read 44449 times)

nudone · « **Reply #25 on:** May 04, 2010, 11:11 PM »

good point. i've seen a company (that i can't find now) that make a large flat board with button like keys you position anywhere on the board. i think they must be magnetic. i remember talking to timns about it. if i find the company i'll post an image. it was a good idea but the product didn't look like something you'd want to type with.

nudone · « **Reply #26 on:** May 04, 2010, 11:34 PM »

this isn't the company i mentioned, still can't find it, but i found this keyboard that's meant to be available later this year. looks brilliant is some ways (it's programmable) - terrible in others (a bit extreme)...

http://www.guru-board.com/

quick review here: http://technabob.com...uru-custom-keyboard/

skwire · « **Reply #27 on:** May 04, 2010, 11:41 PM »

i've seen a company (that i can't find now) that make a large flat board with button like keys you position anywhere on the board. i think they must be magnetic.
-nudone (May 04, 2010, 11:11 PM)

I think you're talking about this one: http://accessories.u...=19&sku=a0643515

nudone · « **Reply #28 on:** May 04, 2010, 11:47 PM »

yep. that's the one.

thanks.

here's their main page: http://www.ergodex.com/mainpage.htm

mouser · « **Reply #29 on:** May 05, 2010, 12:17 AM »

some reviews:

nudone · « **Reply #30 on:** May 05, 2010, 05:29 AM »

hmm, sounds like a good product - if you use windows xp. lots of complaints about missing drivers for vista/7.

so, that's another one to cross off of the list.

mouser · « **Reply #31 on:** May 05, 2010, 09:24 AM »

lots of complaints about missing drivers for vista/7.

i looked around and i think there seems to be good working win7 drivers now, coded by a 3rd party. See http://www.ergodex.c...c.php?f=5&t=3181

nudone · « **Reply #32 on:** May 05, 2010, 09:31 AM »

interesting. that's good to know then. i'll put it back on the list - but i think it's more useful for someone that wants to lay their hand over a set of keys and keep them there, i.e. whilst playing a game. it does look like a nice tool though - maybe with more keys, it could be the ultimate keyboard.

mouser · « **Reply #33 on:** May 05, 2010, 09:36 AM »

i wouldnt try to use it as a replacement for normal keyboard for sure -- i think it's useful as an additional set of keys for people who like to have lots of customizable extra keys.

Target · « **Reply #34 on:** May 06, 2010, 01:05 AM »

here's a couple of other reasonably (?) priced suggestions

the MS sidewinder X6 is promoted as a gaming keyboard, though I don't see why it wouldn't be suitable for your requirements (seems to offer plenty of options for customisation). Big bonus with this one is that the numpad is detachable and can be clipped to either end of the keyboard so you could retain the numpad AND add a second device if the builtin options aren't enough

and logitech have a cordless numpad (see here - worth noting that my supplier of choice has these at half the price quoted on that page)

nudone · « **Reply #35 on:** May 06, 2010, 02:34 AM »

well, what can i say. that sidewinder x6 keyboard looks absolutely fantastic. it even has illuminated keys!

i'm so glad i'd not already ordered a different keyboard (though i have ordered a cheap numeric key pad - i can try the autohotkey dual numeric keys trick though).

thank you, Target, you are my hero of the month (i would never have found that keyboard otherwise).

i'm going to have a quick read to see if i've missed something bad about it - then i'm hitting the buy button.

nudone · « **Reply #36 on:** May 06, 2010, 03:19 AM »

i'm off to collect the sidewinder keyboard from a store a few miles away. i'm so excited.

interestingly - if i'd just walked into the store (PC World) without reserving the keyboard first, i'd have to pay £70.

making the reservation means i get the item for the online price £40. that is crazy.

moral of that story: if you are in the UK, don't ever buy anything from a PC World store without phoning them up and trying to reserve it first.

edit:
just seen the keyboard on ebay for £20 (including postage) so i've ordered it. it's missing a game function key on the top row - no problem.

this is the keyboard. i'm undecided about the cursor keys still being stuck on the right. being able to move them to the left also would have been nice - but i suppose it's enough to just make a bit of room by removing the numeric keys (and at only £20 i can't really complain if i don't like it).

Perry Mowbray · « **Reply #37 on:** May 06, 2010, 04:03 AM »

Can you let us know if the keypad can go anywhere, or is it attached either to the left or right?

nudone · « **Reply #38 on:** May 06, 2010, 04:08 AM »

will do, Perry. i've not seen any cables in the photos so i'm assuming it requires being attached - but you never know.

skwire · « **Reply #39 on:** May 06, 2010, 04:45 AM »

It has a switchable keypad: http://www.microsoft...b=systemRequirements

Click the Details tab if the link doesn't bring you there directly.

nudone · « **Reply #40 on:** May 06, 2010, 04:50 AM »

It has a switchable keypad: http://www.microsoft...b=systemRequirements

Click the Details tab if the link doesn't bring you there directly.

-skwire (May 06, 2010, 04:45 AM)

i think Perry was asking more if the numeric key pad could be used away from the main keyboard rather than having to fix it to either side.

mouser · « **Reply #41 on:** May 06, 2010, 05:38 AM »

sounds like nudone is in love.

nudone · « **Reply #42 on:** May 06, 2010, 05:47 AM »

sounds like nudone is in love.
-mouser (May 06, 2010, 05:38 AM)

well. like most things. the desire and the expectation are likely to be unfulfilled... who knows, though, this could be a match made in heaven.

and the numeric key pad i'd already ordered will just add to the keyboard/mouse party.

Perry Mowbray · « **Reply #43 on:** May 06, 2010, 06:25 AM »

sounds like nudone is in love.
-mouser (May 06, 2010, 05:38 AM)
well. like most things. the desire and the expectation are likely to be unfulfilled... who knows, though, this could be a match made in heaven.
-nudone (May 06, 2010, 05:47 AM)

That's half the enjoyment

and the numeric key pad i'd already ordered will just add to the keyboard/mouse party.
-nudone (May 06, 2010, 05:47 AM)

What type did you get? If you want to get rid of it I may be interested (I really miss my number pad with all the spreadsheet work I do)

i think Perry was asking more if the numeric key pad could be used away from the main keyboard rather than having to fix it to either side.
-nudone (May 06, 2010, 04:50 AM)

You got it. In many ways, I'd like to have my number pad like my tablet: pull-outable when I need it.

nudone · « **Reply #44 on:** May 06, 2010, 06:34 AM »

i've ordered this one from amazon http://www.amazon.co...538&sr=8-1-spell

i think it was the cheapest and i don't really need a wireless version - there is a programmable numeric pad but it's four times the cost - but i'm sure autohotkey will provide more programmable options and that's zero cost.

Target · « **Reply #45 on:** May 06, 2010, 05:49 PM »

thank you, Target, you are my hero of the month (i would never have found that keyboard otherwise).
-nudone (May 06, 2010, 02:34 AM)

no thanks necessary, hope it works out (keep us posted)

i wasn't actually looking for anything this, I just happened to see it when I was browsing a suppliers website for something else and it looked like a winner

FWIW the dreaded gadget goblin came out in me when I saw it and now I have an overwhelming urge to get one even though I have no need or use for it whatsoever (but it's shiney and new and it's got lots of buttons and backlighting it's gotta look really really cool on my desk, not to mention the potential geek credits at the next LAN day)

cranioscopical · « **Reply #46 on:** May 06, 2010, 09:49 PM »

the dreaded gadget goblin came out in me
-Target (May 06, 2010, 05:49 PM)

That must have been orcward!

Target · « **Reply #47 on:** May 06, 2010, 10:43 PM »

the dreaded gadget goblin came out in me
-Target (May 06, 2010, 05:49 PM)
That must have been orcward!
-cranioscopical (May 06, 2010, 09:49 PM)

ohoh, a troll...

cranioscopical · « **Reply #48 on:** May 07, 2010, 03:39 AM »

the dreaded gadget goblin came out in me
-Target (May 06, 2010, 05:49 PM)
That must have been orcward!
-cranioscopical (May 06, 2010, 09:49 PM)

ohoh, a troll...
-Target (May 06, 2010, 10:43 PM)

Let's cross that bridge when we come to it!

nudone · « **Reply #49 on:** May 07, 2010, 04:48 AM »

the numeric key pad has arrived (made by Trust). like most of their products it's cheap and looks like it's cheap. i'm sure it will be okay if no one stands on it

anyway, i can confirm that the numlock status on this new key pad works independently of the numlock key on the main (full) keyboard. whereas plugging two keyboards into the same machine makes their numlock keys mirror each other's on/off state.

if you are considering this Trust numeric key pad, Perry, then i'd say it's okay. it's very thin, i.e. the depth is about 1.5 cm at the most. the cable isn't very long - but that shouldn't matter for laptop use.

i may use this new pad with another pc i've plugged into a TV. as i don't need a full sized keyboard or mouse, i could create some hotkeys to work with this pad and so, it would behave like a control for KMPLayer.