Adapture PreZent PDA Case

Gadgeteer Hands On Review by Mike Riegel

April 15, 2003

Product Requirements:
Device:
Any PDA smaller than The Newton

Anyone out there remember my review of the PDA Plus case??? (If so, you get a Master’s Degree in Gadgeteer Third-String reviewer trivia; I used to be Second String but let’s not talk about the Axim).

Anyhoo, as I was reviewing said leather flip-out case, I kept thinking that if the item were more rigid (say…made out of a solid material...like plastic…any idea where this is going??) that it would be a better option for a wearable computing solution (okay, that’s it for the buzz words – stop me before I write "value-added").

Be careful what you wish for, because Adapture just might do it with the PreZent.

When I first saw pictures on their site, I was floored! This case was just the thing for those folks who need to use their PDA and have another hand free. The uber-geek inside of me was drooling at the prospect of this item.

When it arrived at my house, I was struck with one thought: I have a Clié, not a Newton!!!

This guy is big; I mean really big – I managed to park my Miata inside of the case during a sudden storm (okay, that may be a bit much). Were I still an Axim owner (no more flames, please…) I think it would have been just fine – as would any of the previous generation PocketPCs.

Okay, deep breath…this case is industrial, no doubt about that. A Palm-based PDA with a bar-code attachment would go just fine in here – but my old Clié T615 just looked silly, but I doubt that there will be many 615 owners who would buy this item.

Okay, enough with the size of the case…

It is made of plastic with metal hinge pins. There are two plastic belt clips on the back of the unit for waist wearing. These clips seem ultra-cheap upon first inspection, but after using the unit for a week, they were still in pristine condition (which says a lot about the durability of the PreZent if you folks know me at all…)

The PDA is attached via Velcro…enough said.

Something else was bothering be about this case, and it took me a few days of use to really ferret out my displeasure…the finish of the case is not up to current consumer standards. Looking at the item, you can see plastic stock sheet has been used extensively throughout the case, and many of the seams, while functional, are somewhat on the ugly side.

Once again, however, this is not a case will replace a Piel Frama or Vaja carried by a middle manager – this is tough item for tough jobs.

Operation of the device is simple. Push out on the tab at the top of the unit and your PDA appears magically at the approximate level of the top belt clip. The action is smooth and actually pretty cool (there is a link to a video of the operation from the Adapture Site). Once in place, the weight of the PDA (which is supported by four beefy plastic arms) is placed at the bottom of the case and supported by the wearer’s thigh. The PDA is provided some protection by the sides of the case. The screen is exposed but an impact from the sides/front/bottom will be absorbed by the case.

The arrangement of the case makes it next to impossible to remove or replace anything from the stock stylus silo, but a stylus has been included that fits in silo near the top. Frankly, this stylus is about the worst I have ever seen, making any of the stock styli with any PDA seem excellent in comparison. I believe that the stylus is a move on the manufacturer's part that any industrial user would be using a pen-based stylus, not a toothpick.

Will I keep using this case? No. Would I recommend it to my friend who likes to play games over his lunch hour? No. Someone in a warehouse logistics capacity? Sure. Field data gathering? You Betcha.

At fifty bucks, it really comes down to your needs as to the value (oops, there goes another buzz-word) of this case.

Price: $49.95

Pros:
Adequate Protection
True Wearable Solution (that adds value)

Cons:
Industrial Finish
Adds serious bulk
Velcro Attachment
Stylus an afterthought

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Review Summary

Manufacturer: Adapture Price: $49.95 More reviews like this one: OtterBox Armor 1900 PDA Case Review Armor 3600 by Otter Review Pygmy Pouch Review River Otter Bags Review Aquapac Products Review

Pros: Adequate Protection True Wearable Solution (that adds value) Cons: Industrial Finish Adds serious bulk Velcro Attachment Stylus an afterthought Categories: Cases (Generic PDA - belt clip) Cases (Generic PDA - plastic) Generic PDA related

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3D Baby Ultrasound

My word!!! That is unbelievable!!! :wow:

That is very cool. Almost a bit frightening in a way. The technology, that is. A baby in a womb is such a sacred and private thing, and to be able to peer into that world with that kind of clarity strikes me almost like stepping through a doorway that leads to a world beyond reality or into someplace forbidden. It just strikes me that way. But I'm really speechless. Apart from what I've said already, I really don't know what else to add.

Talk about getting a good idea of what your baby truly looks like. Really amazing.

Thanks for sharing that.

posted November 13, 2003 04:28:08 AM by One of One

Technology is really a powerful thing...

I sure wish that this had been available when I could have used it. I would love to have been able to share pictures like this with my daughter.

Can you imagine what it would feel like to see pictures of yourself taken in the womb? Amazing!

Judie :0)

posted November 13, 2003 08:30:28 AM by Judie

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