Feedback on PS3 wireless keypad for DS3?

[Michelasso]

I'd like to know how it feels using it in FF XIV. I just care about chatting, not interested on setting up hotkeys if any is even available. Also I'd like to know if it gets in the middle when pressing the shoulder buttons, how much ergonomic it is.

[Mezolitik]

I'd like to know how it feels using it in FF XIV. I just care about chatting, not interested on setting up hotkeys if any is even available. Also I'd like to know if it gets in the middle when pressing the shoulder buttons, how much ergonomic it is.

My personal opinion is that the keypad is useless for anything other than short statements - yes, no, over there, etc. The buttons are too small.

I used it for about a week before I upgraded to the full PS3 keyboard. It's a vast improvement over the keypad - and it's about the same price in some places, e.g. Argos in the UK.

[RyuPower]

i have no trouble pressing the shoulder buttons with the keypad on the controller

but using the keypad can be tricky if you are a slow texter

[16bitBounty]

I had the Microsoft one long ago before I switched to PS3 and hated every moment of it. The Keys are too small and make typing difficult. You're better off with a Minimalist Keyboard.

[Jonathan12uiz]

i use it regulary... never had any issues with it... I don't have fat thumbs so the buttons were not too small for me. The only issue i have is that I wish the keys were backlit. I can't see what i'm typing in a dark room.

[Michelasso]

Thanks everybody for answering. Unfortunately yesterday I had to go so I couldn't reply.

i have no trouble pressing the shoulder buttons with the keypad on the controller

Ok, that should be fine, then.

i use it regulary... never had any issues with it... I don't have fat thumbs so the buttons were not too small for me. The only issue i have is that I wish the keys were backlit. I can't see what i'm typing in a dark room.

I don't have fat fingers either, so I should ok from that point of view. At the end it shouldn't be worse than the keys in any old phone, should it?

Apart from obvious small keys issues, is it immediate enough to get into the chat in FF XIV? Or I still have to press many buttons making a mess as usual (like zooming the windows by mistake instead of typing in it. I am sure if Apple designed the UI it would have taken off half the clicks…

PS: I read now that the keys can emulate a touchpad. Does it work in FF XIV?

[Yurimi]

I tried the one that attaches to the controller as well as several others (I started a feedback topic in the beta forums and got a lot of positive responses on things to try) the one that attaches to the controller is ok for a quick ok or Ty but anything more and It gets annoying. I personally had issues typing with it because it's above the controller making it rather awkward as with my phone and 360 I type with my thumbs so it's not really comfortable.

I have a ful sized Logitech keyboard it works but as in the other thread you said you don't have space I won't recommend it.

I have tried an iPad keyboard which was nice but again probably too big still.

For quick communicating on a mini keyboard I would recommend a "mini Bluetooth keyboard" you can find them on eBay for like a tenner and it's fairly small so it can just sit on my leg or the arm of my chair. (for size reference http://www.techmania.ca/wp-content/u.../02/867088.jpg ) takes about 3hrs to charge via USB and lasts a fair bit on that charge so it you plug it in every few days you should be fine and it takes about 30s to set up via the ps3 system menu.

[Whizawk]

Cons:
- The keys are extremely small and because you're most likely to use your thumbs to type all the time, you can make a lot of mistakes and typos.
- If you accidentally hit one of the face buttons below the keys, it brings up the XMB which can be inconvenient, especially in focussed gameplay.
- It can make the controller feel a bit heavy when attached.

Pros
- Long battery life - I am a frequent typer on the game and the keypad has lasted almost 2 weeks on a full battery.
- The design and placement is good. I have never been obstructed from the shoulder buttons by its use.
- It's much better than the controller in that you don't have to wait for the PS3 to bring up the onscreen keyboard and messages are typed and sent typically faster than with the controller.
- It has the same functions as a normal keyboard (q,w,e,a,s,d) are all movement keys, r is automatic run, etc...

[JerDaBear]

I love the txt pad for ps3 takes a bit to get used to but most of the time people dont even realize im using it. I can type just as fast as a keyboard the only issue i have is making certian symbols because of how you have to shift to them on the pad and the great thing about it is you can just start typing and it appears in the chat box so you dont have to hit select then triangle just tyle only thing you have to do is hit select to change chat types

[Niwashi]

Apart from obvious small keys issues, is it immediate enough to get into the chat in FF XIV? Or I still have to press many buttons making a mess as usual (like zooming the windows by mistake instead of typing in it. I am sure if Apple designed the UI it would have taken off half the clicks…

I use a full-size keyboard rather than the one you're considering, but I assume getting into chat mode works the same. The / key that's used at the start of commands will put focus to the chat line, so I use that whenever I want to start typing. If what I'm typing doesn't need a / command, I just backspace over it, leaving focus there for whatever I type next. It's far easier than the [Select] [right arrow] [X] [triangle] or whatever it is to put focus there with the controller.

Just starting typing will usually put focus to the chat line, but not as consistently as the / key does. (I think the difference has to do with whether any other HUD elements have focus, but I'm not certain.)