Good Deal on Mini Keyboard

[roknrol]

As an alternative to the 'ole keyboard drawer ...

SabrePC has a BOGO offering on the Zotac Mini Wireless (RF) keyboard (model ZA-MINIKB-BK). You can get two keyboards for $19.99 shipped. I haven't personally used these before, but for the price I'll give it a go.

Use coupon code EXC8L5265K for the free ground shipping.

http://www.sabrepc.com/t-Exclusive_Deals.aspx?utm_source=Member&utm_campaign=111ccc6c61-Zotac_Keyboard10_10_2013&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6efa5aaa29-111ccc6c61-420000489

[macattack]

I have a few of these. Work great on my virtual pins


WWW.Xtremepinball.com

[BadMouth]

The last 2.4Ghz mini keyboard I bought (Lenovo) didn't work so well , but for the price they're worth a try.
If they work and don't interfere with each other, they'll be perfect for my twin driving cabs.

Thanks for the heads up.

[roknrol]

My pleasure. Everyone's been so nice about answering all my lame-o questions, I just wanted to give back. 

I'm curious as well as to how the RF connections will work -- and hopefully not interfere with each other. I have two sets of Microsoft 7000 keyboards I use at home on my two HTPCs which are paired to their respective receivers (bluetooth). They work really well. I've installed two sets of Logitech RF wireless sets in opposing conference rooms at work and they don't interconnect (rooms about 40 feet apart).

[lilshawn]

anybody else have an issue with the checkout?

click submit my order but it just comes back to that same screen. the first time it had me go to paypal etc. confirm the amount and then has me go back to the site like it normally does...but it just comes back to that same screen. I tried to start all over again but it doesn't even call up paypal anymore. no error message or anything.

[matt4949]

when does someone build  a keyboard hack/ wireless arcade contoller out of this?

[lilshawn]

I just contacted them via the online chat and they sorted everything out. A+ service.

kind of funny actually, i seen this keyboard yesterday on another site in an ad banner and clicked on it to check them out. the site had them for like 39 bucks or something like that. browsed ebay... found some cheaper ones for $19 plus shipping.

then this post popped up. 

2 for the price of one, i'm sold.

[BadMouth]

I just contacted them via the online chat and they sorted everything out. A+ service.

Yeah had to do the same thing.  They sent me an invoice via PayPal.

[yotsuya]

I just quit trying to order one. But I had the same issue.

[roknrol]

I had some squirrelly stuff happen when trying to use the coupon code for the free shipping. It wouldn't work correctly the first time through checkout ... going back, logging in with my account info, and then doing it again worked correctly.

FWIW, it appears their checkout site uses fancy scripting along with Flash or something similar. I've noticed these types of sites are becoming more browser and browser-version specific all the time. Switching browsers will often solve the problem. YMMV.

[VoltaTom]

Thanks for this! It wouldn't work for me with PayPal but worked fine (I hope) with Google Checkout.

[BadMouth]

Received mine today and they are perfect.  Have them hooked up to computers 5ft apart + another 2.4ghz keyboard being used and they work great without interfering with each other.  (can't say that for the Lenovo mini keyboard that I have)

You can't really hold them like your texting on a phone because of the touchpad being on the side, but for games that require a mouse or keys not on my panel, they'll do the job.

These two will find their way into the driving cabs.
I'm considering ordering another pair if the deal is still available.

[VoltaTom]

I'm considering ordering another pair if the deal is still available.

Says the sale ends tomorrow (18th). Hurry!

I'm looking forward to getting mine. Order says it hasn't even shipped yet.... I'm impatient 

[thatpurplestuff]

Hey BadMouth do you think these keyboards would be suitable to play ScummVM games or are they a little small to use for extended periods of time?  I want to have a wireless keyboard in my arcade for old Sierra/LucasArts games and these keyboards look awesome, but if they are super tiny I may have to go with a keyboard that is slightly larger.

[BadMouth]

Hey BadMouth do you think these keyboards would be suitable to play ScummVM games or are they a little small to use for extended periods of time?  I want to have a wireless keyboard in my arcade for old Sierra/LucasArts games and these keyboards look awesome, but if they are super tiny I may have to go with a keyboard that is slightly larger.

Not in my opinion.  It is pretty small.  The actual keyboard area not including the top row of other buttons is only 1.5"x4".  It's kinda weird because your right hand has to reach across the trackpad. That throws the whole texting on a phone feel out the window.  I ended up using my index finger on the right side of the keyboard instead of my thumb.  It would be good for typing in searches on a HTPC, but not for any real typing.  The trackpad works really well though and would be fine for the point and click parts.

The Lenovo Dinovo one I have feels great to type on with your thumbs because of the way it's held, but the mouse sucks and it doesn't work when near other 2.4Ghz devices.

[vorghagen]

Continental United States Only

Awwww crap.   

[BadMouth]

I'm looking forward to getting mine. Order says it hasn't even shipped yet.... I'm impatient 

Hmmm....ordered mine Friday and got an email with tracking number on Monday...received package on Thursday.
Just ordered another pair. 

[VoltaTom]

Continental United States Only

Awwww crap.   

I'm in Canada and it didn't charge me for shipping. We'll see if I pay duties 

I'm looking forward to getting mine. Order says it hasn't even shipped yet.... I'm impatient 

Hmmm....ordered mine Friday and got an email with tracking number on Monday...received package on Thursday.
Just ordered another pair.

I followed up yesterday. Apparently it did ship, but I wan't told about it until I submitted a ticket. Weird, but I'm glad it's sorted.

Was thinking of getting a second pair too (one for my Raspberry Pi) but I'll just stick to the original two. Good deal tho!

[knave]

I couldn't resist...just ordered a pair.

[lilshawn]

I'm in Canada and it didn't charge me for shipping. We'll see if I pay duties 

got a slip while i was away. my brokerage fees are 33.26. almost as much as my total order with shipping...34.99 (19.99 + 15.00 shipping)

---smurfing--- government. freetrade ---my bottom---.

anyone know of any way i can jew these UPS guys down?? seems like they want to charge duty for(2x19.99) even though it's bogo. and the value is 19.99.

[Rick]

anyone know of any way i can jew these UPS guys down?? seems like they want to charge duty for(2x19.99) even though it's bogo. and the value is 19.99.

It's not the government in this case. It's a brokerage scam to be brutally honest. UPS feels like they can charge whatever they want. They get away with it too.

In future, find a cheap broker. I'd check PBB - Peace Bridge Broker - I've heard good things over the years. 

[lilshawn]

anyone know of any way i can jew these UPS guys down?? seems like they want to charge duty for(2x19.99) even though it's bogo. and the value is 19.99.

It's not the government in this case. It's a brokerage scam to be brutally honest. UPS feels like they can charge whatever they want. They get away with it too.

In future, find a cheap broker. I'd check PBB - Peace Bridge Broker - I've heard good things over the years.

scam the scammers...

write a cheque...go to bank...cancel cheque. 

thing is, i don't get any kind of choice in the matter do I. they send it ups, ups bends me over the table.

I was under the assumption it was to be sent USPS "Priority Mail International Small Flat Rate Box" since that was the cheapest option and that's what I payed for.

i'm going to try this:

http://trueler.com/2010/09/13/ups-brokerage-fees-total-scam-fraud-cheating-avoid-it/

[Rick]

thing is, i don't get any kind of choice in the matter do I. they send it ups, ups bends me over the table.

Not so! You do NOT need to accept UPS as your import broker. They can hum and haw all they want, but you DO get this choice!

[lilshawn]

according to the site, all i have to do is refuse to pay the brokerage fee and tell them i will clear the package myself with the canada border services agency. take the slip from CBSA and go pick up my package.

there is a CBSA down the way at the airport, i'll report back once I've sorted this all out so people don't get screwed in the future with UPS. 

[Rick]

according to the site, all i have to do is refuse to pay the brokerage fee and tell them i will clear the package myself with the canada border services agency. take the slip from CBSA and go pick up my package. there is a CBSA down the way at the airport, i'll report back once I've sorted this all out so people don't get screwed in the future with UPS. 

That sounds like it may work. If you buy things consistently from the U.S., it doesn't hurt to have a brokerage account in your back pocket. They're literally nothing to set up - just an address and sometimes, a credit card - and you have peace of mind every time you order that UPS isn't going to try and snipe your shipment.

[lilshawn]

alright.

i called UPS and told them i'll handle the customs myself. they plink plonked some stuff into the computer. they said it had to go back to vancouver (the point of origin.) i said no, just have them hold it at the warehouse in edmonton, i'll go pick it up.

I went to the CBSA, and i'll tell you right now, Those guys DO NOT like to work. 

i brought everything i thought i would need - packing slip/order payment sheet, UPS notice door sticker with infonotice number.

unfortunatly the infonotice number did not work to track or anything so i luckily got UPS to give me the tracking number. apparently this wan't really good enough (the tracking number from sabrepc which i stupidly found later in my junk e-mail box... )

so with enough "yes mam" "no mam" and "thank you mam" and a 3rd degree (and first time there) i was able to have them process my request.

in short bring:

the shipping confirmation with the UPS tracking number from the company

the invoice from the company that shows exactly what you bought.

the slip from paypal or whatever that shows you paid for the item.


they punched a shitton of info into the computer and after my payment of:....

...
























$1.03  with an official looking blue and white government stamped form and everything!


now i just have to wait for my package to go back to the warehouse (it out for delivery today apparently) i may attempt to give the delivery guy my customs slip and see if he can give me my package if he does show up today.

[VoltaTom]

...
$1.03  with an official looking blue and white government stamped form and everything!

That sounds like quite the ordeal but amazing job to save all that money!

Mine is scheduled to be delivered Wednesday in Southern Ontario. I hope I don't have the same issues.... but sounds like I will . At least I got the avoid the shipping cost (for now...)

[lilshawn]

...
$1.03  with an official looking blue and white government stamped form and everything!

That sounds like quite the ordeal but amazing job to save all that money!

Mine is scheduled to be delivered Wednesday in Southern Ontario. I hope I don't have the same issues.... but sounds like I will . At least I got the avoid the shipping cost (for now...)

directory of customs offices in canada. you want to make sure they perform "LVS" courier low value shipment authorizations.

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/contact/listing/indexpages/index-e.html

while not everyone will be able to physically go to an office (maybe you live out of the way) you may get stuck paying UPS.

[lilshawn]

still no package for me. It's sitting waiting for authorization to have the COD removed. it will take a day or so, but thenm they will send it out for delivery again, so not a big deal.

I've figured out how to streamline this process after talking with UPS.

1) place your order
2) receive your itemized list of products (paper 1)
3) pay for said items
4) receive your paid receipt (paper 2)
5) wait until you get the confirmation e-mail from the company that has your tracking number. (paper 3)
6) call UPS/fed-ex immediately with this tracking number and tell them you are going to "self clear the shipment with Canada customs" (Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA))
7) Take your 3 papers (order/paid receipt/shipping confirmation) to CBSA and pay your tax and/or duty on the items.
8.) Fax the Customs declaration you receive from CBSA to the brokerage (UPS broker fax # is 506-447-three seven zero six)
9) when the package arrives in canada and hits the broker, it's paperwork you faxed will have hopefully been processed and will be put through so the package will slide on through.

whew. itr seeme like allot of steps, but still.

[wp34]

1Sale.com has this one for $19.99 today.

http://1sale.com/electronics/portable-electronics/logitech-wireless-keyboard/

We use one of these at work to manage digital signage and it is fantastic.

[JMB]

1Sale.com has this one for $19.99 today.

http://1sale.com/electronics/portable-electronics/logitech-wireless-keyboard/

We use one of these at work to manage digital signage and it is fantastic.

I use one of these as well. They work great. Having the on/off switch is nice to save battery life.

[knave]

They came in today. Pretty neat device, I was surprised and pleased it has a laser pointer...not than I need it but it's fun. Backlighting is cool too.

Trackpad works well. I am happy, $20 well spent.

[VoltaTom]

still no package for me. It's sitting waiting for authorization to have the COD removed. it will take a day or so, but thenm they will send it out for delivery again, so not a big deal.

I've figured out how to streamline this process after talking with UPS.

1) place your order
2) receive your itemized list of products (paper 1)
3) pay for said items
4) receive your paid receipt (paper 2)
5) wait until you get the confirmation e-mail from the company that has your tracking number. (paper 3)
6) call UPS/fed-ex immediately with this tracking number and tell them you are going to "self clear the shipment with Canada customs" (Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA))
7) Take your 3 papers (order/paid receipt/shipping confirmation) to CBSA and pay your tax and/or duty on the items.
8.) Fax the Customs declaration you receive from CBSA to the brokerage (UPS broker fax # is 506-447-three seven zero six)
9) when the package arrives in canada and hits the broker, it's paperwork you faxed will have hopefully been processed and will be put through so the package will slide on through.

whew. itr seeme like allot of steps, but still.

Mine came today. UPS was the broker... totaled $38 of fees....... WTF.

I wasn't home so my gf paid it for me. I guess 2 for $58 isn't all that bad (didn't have to pay shipping)..... Might need to go through that hassle next time.

If you buy things consistently from the U.S., it doesn't hurt to have a brokerage account in your back pocket. They're literally nothing to set up - just an address and sometimes, a credit card - and you have peace of mind every time you order that UPS isn't going to try and snipe your shipment.

How do you go about setting one up? Have you done this?

[lilshawn]

got mine today after the delay because of my self clearing.

no additional fees required! 

the hassle was definitely worth it. Even if i burned $10 worth of gas to get to the airport.