I haven’t seen those little suckers before. Might have to get some for myself!

- Jeff

It’s hard to tell from the pictures if these little screw drivers would actually work in the strange screw head that Sony chose to use. The ones you link to, look like they have a star pattern to them. Am I missing something?

On another note, are you a guitar player? Just curious because of the link to Stewart MacDonald.

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Screwdrivers/Screw_Extractor_Set.html

I have a set of these and they do work nicely.

Originally posted by Julie
[B]drewgolden:

I’ve got a better idea, I’ll just take off the flip cover and fill in the gaps with the plugs I received from
http://www.glblsrc.com

BTW: if you want these plugs, you can get free shipping if you use the code: the-gadgeteer

The code expires on 4/30. [/B]

I really like those plugs. After I removed the cover to continue in my effort to get the stripped screw out I decided to try the plugs I ordered from GlobalSource a few weeks back. I kept the plugs in for a day but it sort of felt “naked” even though it was in the Brando case so I put the faceplate back on. I think with the right case, such as a slim Vaja or Sena I would leave them in to make the TH55 more pocketable. I’m anxiously awaiting case releases from these two companies to see if they tailor them to the TH55 without the faceplate.

Originally posted by drewgolden
Judie – use a softer stylus – like a q-tip – and the digitizer may last a bit longer. And if it DOES break again – quickly pack it back in the box and RETURN it for a REFUND – then get a new one with a fresh digitizer

I thought about using a q-tip, but it is so much more fun to use my sterling silver bolt stylus with my Zodiac2. No need to baby that PDA. Plus it is nice to have a stylus that doesn’t cramp your hand in the first five minutes of use!

I’ve got a better idea, I’ll just take off the flip cover and fill in the gaps with the plugs I received from
http://www.glblsrc.com

BTW: if you want these plugs, you can get free shipping if you use the code: the-gadgeteer

The code expires on 4/30.

Please stay away from the TH55s.

First Judie gets one and manages to break the digitizer safely inside the first two weeks of ownership. (Okay, IT broke, maybe she DIDN’T do it, but nonetheless it DID break, somehow.)

Then Julie gets one and manages to strip the faceplate screws attempting to ‘improve’ on a fairly good design. (In this case, the blame CLEARLY rests with the screwdriver, and not the Gadgeteer correctly operating the screwdriver.) Yeah, I know those faceplate fingerprints can be ANNOYING. But I’m certain they’re less annoying than staring at a STRIPPED screw on the finger-print laden faceplate.

(Julie, you’ll end up with a refreb assuming you can pass the blame back to Sony for making a strippable screw.)

My free advise:

Julie – go back to the Palm III. Faceplate easily snaps on and off, no need for potential faceplate damaging screw drivers.

Judie – use a softer stylus – like a q-tip – and the digitizer may last a bit longer. And if it DOES break again – quickly pack it back in the box and RETURN it for a REFUND – then get a new one with a fresh digitizer

Great luck!
drew

ps. Just taking a fun jab girls – have a great weekend!

I hope you don’t take this the wrong way, but I’m glad I’m not the only one that this happened to… Only because I don’t like giving a bad review to a product if it doesn’t deserve a bad review. Sounds like I was right on the mark with this one though… :rolleyes:

Thanks for the tip! I’ll have to check it out.

I am a first poster and am not sure if this belongs here or not. However, with the fate of your face plate screws, I wanted to at least let you know there could be an quick fix for your problem.

There is a special screwdriver made to remove safety, or “one way” screws (like the ones you see holding the bathroom stalls together) and they also work great for removing stripped screws as well. See the link below for a picture.

I used to work in a hardware store and know these are readily available. However, most locksmiths keep them in their toolboxes, so perhaps you could take your trusty Sony to your local lock guy and he could remove the screws for you.

Hope this helps.

- Jeff

http://www.shifflerequip.com/detail.phtml?cat_id=10&subcat_id=148&subsubcat_id=289&product_id=19737

http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/surpluspda-th55-faceplates-review.html

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