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Wireless keyboard for arcade machine?
wxforecaster:
--- Quote from: CapriRS302 on October 18, 2010, 09:24:19 am ---I recommend saving some money and just getting a small usb hub, attach it inconspicuously to the machine (mine is under the control panel) and just plug in your keyboard there when you need it. Once you get things up and running you will NEVER (almost) need the keyboard, but you can still use the hub to attach gamepads, or in my case, a guitar to play "Fret's on Fire..." ;)
--- End quote ---
+1 to this. They have some really nice hubs or you can simply flush mount the female end of a few USB extensions to the front of your cabs with some clean hole cutting/chiseling. I like this approach so I can use NES, SNES, N64, and other USB adaptable console controllers in addition to a keyboard or any other USB powered device.
Of course, if you store the keyboard inside the coin door, this really defeats the question posed by the OP. :lol
fytr:
Hi,
I just dealt with the keyboard issue myself and decided to go with this neat little Lenovo HTPC keyboard.
Just tried it last weekend, the range is fine (works across the room even). It's really quite small also, but just big enough that typing isn't too difficult. I like the trackball too, but I use one daily on my workstation so I'm used to it.
The best feature is the dedicated volume buttons, I can use these now instead of putting a dedicated volume control on the outside of my cabinet.
The only issue is that there are no dedicated Function keys (F1, F2, etc.). I was planning on remapping mame to use Alt-1, Alt-2 instead, but haven't gotten that far yet to see if it's feasible.
As far as battery life goes, can't say yet, although it has an on/off switch on the back so I just turn it off when I'm not using it, should last forever at that rate. :)
It's small enough that I'm considering adding two small stick-on hooks to the side of the cabinet to hold it out of the way, but handy.
Got mine for $40 shipped off Ebay.
Ken
EvilNuff:
Your link is bad, try this:
http://www.everythingusb.com/lenovo-multimedia-remote-wireless-keyboard-18243.html
fytr:
Whoops!
All fixed now.
Thx!
nickynooch:
:)