My first impression was that this device was really small (about 1/3rd the size of a regular computer mouse) and that my average sized hands would not be able to get comfortable with it. Well I was wrong for my hand fits nicely around it and I am comfortable using it hours at a time. There was obviously some thought was put into the design as it feels sturdy yet still light. Another nice touch is the on/off switch at the bottom to save your AAA batteries. It is also not a power hog for I’ve used mine for about a month about 3-4 hours a day and I’m still using the batteries that came with it. It also came with a carrying bag that protects the mouse from banging around in my briefcase or backpack.

The second thing I noticed was how easy it was to install the software on my computer (Win XP) and getting it to work on my PDA (Ipaq 4150). I do recommend however that you read the directions, for some of the installation options are not obvious. After everything is said and done you get a on screen pointer that works like your stylus but has a scroll button.

This mouse works excellent with my IR keyboard from Belkin, and seems to be a natural fit when using a keyboard to input data. I had always found it cumbersome to a use a stylus while I was typing.

I would not recommend this mouse for people who use their PDA primarily for contacts and scheduling. I would however highly recommend this mouse for people who type in word with a wireless keyboard, or go to coffee shops and surf the web while doing work. The scroll button is an excellent feature to read long PDF documents and to surf web pages.

It has been a long time since I have been this satisfied with a product. That being said there are some quirks. The first is that having BlueTooth run on your PDA will cut down on its battery life. However, I still get mine to run for about 2.5-3 hours with the backlight on before I need to plug it into a wall. Secondly, the program to get the mouse to run does take up some space on the PDA. Finally, when you restart the PDA it takes some time to “rediscover” the mouse. Approximately 5-10 seconds.

I’d highly recommend this mouse to anyone who uses a keyboard to input information into their PDA. I have currently written about 1/3rd of my Masters Thesis on my PDA at a coffee shop at night using this mouse and a wireless keyboard.

See larger image iGo MSBTUE Stowaway Bluetooth Mouse (Electronics) List Price: $79.99 USD New From: $39.99 In Stock Used from: $34.99 In Stock Release date June 1, 2007.

Product Features

• Works with smartphones/PDAs, desktops and notebooks
• Support for Pocket Word, Excel, Messaging and other applications
• Small but ergonomic styling for maximum comfort
• Powered by 2 AAA batteries

Technical Details

• Brand Name: Think Outside
• Model: MSBTUE
• Hardware Platform: PC, Mac
• Input Device: Mouse
• Form Factor: External
• Connectivity Technology: Wireless
• Movement Detection: Optical
• Minimum system requirements: Microsoft Pocket PC, Apple MacOS X, Microsoft Windows
• Width: 2.2 inches
• Depth: 3.7 inches
• Height: 1 inches
• Weight: 2.6 Ounces
• Warranty: 1 year warranty

What’s in the Box?

• Stowaway travel mouse
• 2 AAA alkaline batteries (batteries last several weeks when used 3 to 4 hours per day)
• Carrying case
• CD with Pocket PC drivers (Uses Windows driver and HID, no driver needed)
• Start-up Guide

They also remembered that one advantage to using a wireless connection is it gives the user an option to place the handheld to any convenient location within range. The cradle however requires a distressing effort of bending and twisting to remove, which makes the user fear breaking the cradle.  Additionally, this board is designed for use by experienced touch typists, and does not require users to re-calibrate the fingers to type on significantly smaller keys as does the Freedom Keyboard.

Finally, despite its slightly Rube Goldberg appearance, this keyboard is solid, with a refreshing amount of metal in it’s construction. It will take some reasonable punishment – the HP iPaq and Freedom keyboards are cheap plastic children’s toys by comparison.

Pros

• Near full-size key spacing. Easy to for a touch typist to use accurately with no loss of speed or learning a new keyboard feel
• Unfolds and Folds easily
• Unfolds and locks securely – can be used in a lap without risk of board assuming the characteristic “V” shape of bent HP iPaq and Freedom keyboards.
• Folds to small size
• Removable cradle
• Easy to use software
• Simple power management: powers down upon closing; powers up when opened.
• Protective case included.

Cons

• No number/symbol row. Need to use awkward alt-key combinations. Not appropriate for extended numeric data entry or spreadsheets.
• Cradle difficult to remove
• Protective case cheap vinyl
• Does not sit totally flat on a flat surface.

Were I able, I would dock the Stowaway ½ star on two points: The lack of a number/symbol row of keys and it’s instability on a flat desk.

The absence of a number/symbol row reduces the width of the folded board by only ¾”. Given that I could replace my laptop with a handheld and folding keyboard if I had reliable means to enter numbers onto a spreadsheet, I would gladly accept a Stowaway model which is 4.25″ wide when folded, instead of the current 3.5″.
In all other ways, iGo built this board for professional use. They forgot however, those of us who crunch numbers on Excel, requiring use of cumbersome alt-key combinations (which cannot be locked) for numeric entry.

Although very stable when sitting on a desk, the unfolded board sits on a thin base 5.75″ long, with two cantilevered “wings” extending 2.25″ in the air past the sides of the base.
Thus, if both hands are not simultaneously on the keyboard to balance it, a keypress on either the extreme left or right side will make the board imitate a catapult. A hunt-and-peck, one or two fingered typist will find this frustrating, though a touch typist accustomed to both hands on the home keys will have little, if any, problem.

Compared to the HP iPaq Folding Bluetooth Keyboard or the Freedom Bluetooth Keyboard — arguably the only other choices for mobile Bluetooth keyboards — this Stowaway is the only one worth the money you spend for it. Remarkably, it has the lowest retail price of the three on Amazon.

At the time of this writing, the iGo Stowaway Keyboard is the clear winner in design, construction, and functionality over all other mobile Bluetooth keyboards. There are simply no other choices for the mobile professional.

Technical Details

• Foldable, full-size QWERTY keyboard wirelessly connects to Bluetooth-enabled smartphones and PDAs
• Weighs less than 6 ounces; folds to 5.5 x 3.9 x 0.5 inches
• User-programmable shortcut and command keys for fast access to other applications
• Download drivers automatically from your smartphone/PDA–no PC needed
• Includes carrying case and detachable PDA/phone stand

See larger image iGo Stowaway Ultra-Slim Bluetooth Keyboard for PDAs and Handhelds (Wireless Phone Accessory) List Price: $149.99 USD New From: $204.99 In Stock Used from: $130.00 In Stock