I have been waiting expectantly for a new gadget to make driving and PDA use a more pleasurable and safe experience. When got to the lab I saw that I had I received a deceptively heavy package from www.RevolveDesign.com in a small box. Upon opening the box I discovered what I was anxiously awaiting, the RoadWriter from Revolve Design.

The basics:

• Touch Type Keyboard
• Fully optimized for use with handhelds, for fast data entry and access
• Comes with integrated UniMount Dock and on-board handheld charging system. 12V Cigarette lighter adapter cable supplied.
• Dual D-Sub 9 Serial pass-through connections for use in conjunction with GPS receivers, phones, printers modems, etc. Mechanical Switch provides Handheld Serial Port isolation to D-sub A, D-sub B or Keyboard. One port is connected only for each position of switch.
• Fast, one-handed mounting and removal of handheld


In the box there was also Revolve Designs very useful gooseneck mount that featured:

• Heavy-duty flexible support shaft
• Mounting foot adapts to vertical or horizontal positioning
• Screw mounting
• 14" Long
• RoadWriter can be removed from vehicle by loosening the top swivel joint


The design of the RoadWriter is very thoughtful, they seem to have put a lot of time is engineering a keyboard that includes a solid mounting device providing an integrated look and feel. The RoadWriter is not some cheap plastic mounting system; they use a heavy duty metal frame on the mounting portion and ABS for the iPAQ cradle system. Of particular interest in the iPAQ cradle system, you can place an iPAQ with the dual PC Card sleeve with no trouble at all. There is even a spring bard system that keeps he sleeve taught.
On the back of the mounting system you will find your charging cable and two 9 pin serial adapters. This will come in handy for in car GPS units and other serial accessories. On the front of the unit is a mechanical selector switch to select from serial adapter inputs and the keyboard use.

Mounting the unit in my Mini was a bit of a challenge. I did not want to run long screws blindly into the floor or tranny hump. I decided to mount the gooseneck to the parking brake housing. The housing was a bit thin but amply holds it in place and is an easy thing to replace if I deside I need to later. I do notice on bumpy roads that the whole unit will sway a bit or bob up a down. On the Revolve Design website I see that they now have a no drill removable pedestal fort eh RoadWriter, I think that may reduce the unit movement while the car is traveling.

Using the keyboard is very handy even though is a smaller form factor than I am used to. They have included hot buttons for quick app switching and a stylus holder. The driver install went off without a hitch and I have little trouble with unit. It is nice to be able to type a quick note in Instant Messenger while stopped at a light or waiting in traffic. Quick word docs should be fine but long term typing on the small keyboard may prove a challenge, but remember that’s not what it was designed for. Overall I would give this unit 5 out of 5 for innovation, ease of use and design.

Pros:
• Heavy Duty Mounting System
• Two Serial Ports
• Accommodates Dual PC Card Sleeve
• Well Designed Drivers

Cons:
• Gooseneck mount may sway while driving

5 out of 5 Stars

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--Bill Landon
Senior Editor