The EdJacob’s case company sent The
Gadgeteer a whole slew of leather PDA cases to test and review. Available for
the Palm, Sony, Compaq iPAQ, Casio, HP and other PDAs, these cases seem to
appeal to the more formal or business user. Here, we look at several and give
you our opinion on their construction and usability…

Flip Case for Sony CLIÉ
700
by Judie Clark

This flip case is very similar to most of the Vaja-style cases available today.

It features access to every port, and a clear view of the CLIÉ‘s
screen with no "clunky" leather bar cutting across the face of your PDA. There
are three credit card slots in the plastic reinforced lid, as well as one deep
pocket behind them.

While I found the stitching to be very nicely done and the quality of the
leather to be very good, I was surprised to see that the cut-outs on the
side of the CLIÉ seemed to have been made by hand
with an ex-acto knife. As a result, they seem a little bit "off" and uneven.
Making sure my CLIÉ was pushed all the way into the holster of the case did take
care of the uneven alignment of the case, however.

For a case that is made in New Zealand, and that
is as nicely done and as professional in appearance as this one is, I think the
price is remarkably reasonable.

Price: S$78.00 / $44.00 US
Available in Black, Blue Velvet, Nocturne, Olive, Raspberry, & Setter

Pros:
Professional looking
Very well made
Reset button is accessible while PDA is in case

Cons:

Cutouts on side of case seem to have been done by hand and are slightly
uneven

Insert Clasp Case For Palm m500 Series
by Judie Clark

The Insert Clasp Case for the Palm m500 series is a classic book-style that
is held shut with a tab and loop closure.

As with many better-quality cases, the m500 is held in place by the use of a
slide-in side rail.

The interior of this case includes a pleasant surprise: not only can it hold two
ID or credit cards, but it also holds four SD/MMC cards with a deep business
card pocket behind this storage area.

As with the previous case I reviewed, I found the stitching to be very nicely
done and the quality of the leather to be very good. This case is one that
anybody would be proud to carry; it is professional in appearance and looks like
it costs more than it actually does.

Price: S$72.00 / $40.65 US
Available in Raspberry, Black, Teal, Blue Velvet, Setter, Olive, & Nocturne

Pros:

Professional looking
Very well made

Cons:

None

Fold-Over Case For Palm m500 Series
by Judie Clark

The Fold-Over Case for the Palm m500 series is a simple book-style case. The
only beef I have with this case is that since they made it without a strap to
keep it closed, it tends to flop open, as you can see in this picture.

 Like the Insert Clasp Case reviewed above, the Palm is held in place by
the use of a slide-in side rail, and this case’s interior also holds a pleasant
surprise. There are three ID or credit card slots on each side of this case’s
interior. There are also business card pockets on each side running behind the
slots.

This case is also professional in appearance, very well made, and of superior
quality.

Price: S$72.00 / $40.65 US
Available in Black, Teal, Setter, Raspberry, Nocturne, Olive, & Blue Velvet

Pros:

Professional looking
Very well made

Cons:

With no tab to keep it closed, case can just flop open

Zipper Palm m500 Series
by Julie Strietelmeier

This zipper case for the Palm m500 series does not appear on the EdJacob’s
website for some odd reason. It is almost identical to the
Palm Vx Zipper
case which does appear on their site however.

This is a book style case with a nylon zipper. An inch long leather tab is
attached to the zipper pull to facilitate opening and closing of the case. I
found the zipper action to be relatively smooth and did not have any problems
with jamming or slipping.

The PDA is held in this case by a metal rail that is inserted into the left
stylus silo. The rail has 2 small rubber O rings at the top which helps make the
rail fit securely in the silo. It is really almost too snug of a fit as it took
quite a bit of tugging to remove my m505 from the case. I found that the rail is
also a bit too long and stuck out of the top of the silo.

The left side has 2 horizontal business card or credit card slots, and 4 SD
media card slots. Behind these slots is one larger vertical slot for money or
papers.

This is a classy looking case that is made well and would fit easily into a
business setting.

Price: S$ 78.00 / $44.00 US

Pros:

Classy looks
No Velcro

Cons:

Attachment rail sticks out of silo

Button Clasp
Cases For Compaq iPAQ 36/3700 Series
by Julie Strietelmeier

This case for the Compaq iPAQ is made of Napa leather and is available in a
variety of colors including: Black, Teal, Setter, Raspberry, Nocturne, Olive, & Blue Velvet.
I was sent the Setter version to review.

Made in the familiar slipper style, this case has one large cutout for the
screen, application buttons and joy pad in the holster portion. The holster
itself is slightly flimsy and lacks any stiffener to help it keep its shape.

The cover portion of the case has 3 card slots and one larger slot behind
them. It is reinforced with a stiffener to protect the screen and is held closed
with a snap.

The case although made well, just feels boxy and mediocre… Priced at
approximately $52.00, I would pass and go with a similar case from Vaja or Piel
Frama.

Price: S$92.00 / $52.00 US

Pros:

Available in different colors

Cons:

Must remove PDA to sync and charge with cradle
Holster is flimsy

Button Clasp Case for Palm V/Vx Series
by Mike Riegel

A snap-closure book case, simple and elegant, as you can see. Outside stitching
is precise and strong and the case fits perfectly around my Vx.

The stylus rail that the this case uses for attachment has two O-rings at the
top for a little extra in both the grip and form factors.

Though this case is small, there is quite a lot of storage available; three
credit/business card slots and a back pocket that can accept folded dollars.
While the space is quite nice, I don’t think it’s enough for me to get rid of my
wallet anytime soon.

In and out, this case reeks class and elegance, a really nice suit for your
aging (but still alive and kickin’) V/Vx.

Price: S$ 72.00/ $40.65 US

Pros:
Good Storage
Elegance and class abound

Cons:
Not a big fan of the Raspberry color (but there are five others to choose from)

Insert Clasp Case for Palm V/Vx Series
by Mike Riegel

Essentially identical to the Button Clasp Case above, but with a tab closure
method. As with the other model, the construction is really topnotch.

The tab is much less precise than the snap closure, and as a result, the case
does not seem to be as perfect at fit as its button-brethren. Also, the tab
closure is a little more time-consuming to open and close – if you whip out your
PDA as fast as a car salesmen with a business card, this might not be the case
for you.

Inside, the same rather generous pockets will hold cards and money.

The tab closure definitely looks classier than the snap method, but is less
practical in the real world. I consider myself a practical person, but there are
other who want different things.

Price: S$72.00 / $40.65 US

Pros:
Good Storage
Elegance and class (still) abound

Cons:
Tab closure somewhat awkward and not as formfitting as snap method

Fold Over Case for Palm V/Vx Series
by Mike Riegel

Okay, we’ve done the snap and the tab – what else is there? How about nothing?
That’s right, the fold-over case doesn’t have a darn thing to keep it shut.
Construction and materials are all the same high quality throughout.

This book case does not want to stay shut, however, I carry my PDA in a pocket
or bag where there is pressure on the case to remain closed, so this was not
such an issue.

As with many things in life, there are tradeoffs. The pockets that I liked so
much in the previous two cases are DOUBLED in the Fold Over.

With this much room, I can say “bye-bye” to my wallet without question. I’m just
an all-in-one kinda guy…

Price: S$72.00 / $40.65 US

Pros:
Excellent Storage
Still pretty classy

Cons:
Lack of closure method
Case will not stay closed without assistance

Button Clasp Wallet For Palm M500/505 and V/Vx Series
by Mike Riegel

EdJacob has but their own spin on the Palm V wallets that were all the rage two
years ago. Attempting to make a case to accommodate both the V and M500 series
platforms can create some difficulties though.

First, there is no reset hole, but that is really not much of an issue because
(despite the cut-out) the user will be taking their V/Vx out of the case
frequently for all their charging and synching needs – none of my cables would
fit through the hold.

This is the only model that I had with the belt clip. The mounting pivot and the
belt hardware are pretty standard – but I don’t like the idea of wearing my PDA
and wallet on my hip for anyone to grab.

Flipping out the wallet, there is plethora of storage for credit cards and cash.
However, loading up the wallet (as I did) makes for a pretty thick bundle to
carry around – even with just the PDA in this case, it is quite large.

Price: S$99.00 / $55.90 US

Pros:
Full wallet capability

Cons:
Adds considerable bulk
No reset hole
Hotsync Cutouts are nonfunctional for V/Vx

Filed in categories: Windows Mobile related

Tagged: Belt Clip, Case, Leather, Palm, Palm OS related, Pocket PC, Zippered

EdJacob PDA Cases Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 24, 2002 at 12:00 am.

Product Requirements:
Device:
Most Palm / Pocket PCs

So, I’m sitting in the movie theater watching Resident Evil and one of
the elite security personnel (the techie geek) whips open a little
Libretto-looking jobber strapped to his left forearm with maps and information
about the secret lab complex.

No, this is not a movie review – bear with me…

My initial thought was: That would be soooo cool! Just having your PDA on
you and access it while doing other things – like filling your coffee cup…or
blasting zombies. Ironically enough, not long after seeing the movie I got
my hands on the PDA Plus, by PDA Skins.

This little jobber does not attach to your arm (a good thing, considering the
way I smack my wristwatch against every door jamb I pass through…) but can be
“mounted” about your person in a variety of different ways – more on that later.

The niche that PDA Skins has found for themselves is in the hinged case. Once
the PDA portion of this case is unzipped, Velcro-adjustable hinges hold the case
(and your PDA) open at any angle that you desire – ensuring that you can view and
use your PDA without it being in your hands. I tested all of the devices in the
house (CLIÉ 615C, Palm Vx, and Visor Deluxe) and all fit just fine.

Attachment to the hinged portion is accomplished with (perish the thought)
Velcro. However, for an extra $14.95 you can purchase a matching leather
Internal Sleeve to house your PDA in and out of the Plus. This is a nice
alternative to those anti-Velcro folk out there (I only like it on my
shoes…remember those?).

The case is made of black leather of medium-high quality. The very front of
the case has a small pocket for small, often-used items. All of the stitching
seemed solid and there was no fraying of the seams during my trials. The forward
pocket that contains the PDA hinge also contains several credit/business card
slots opposite the PDA and a stash pocket behind.

The PDA Plus features not only the PDA hinged section, but an additional
storage pocket behind with storage for pens, batteries, Springboards (for you
Visor folk) – I even managed to fit my cell phone in there.

There are several ways to “mount” the PDA Plus on your person. First, there
is a belt clip/loop combo that can allow for temporary, easy-removal access
(clip to the belt) or more permanent, secure (belt through the loop)
waist-wearing.

Don’t wanna be a super hero? Okay then, the PDA Plus also comes complete with
an adjustable strap that can be worn over the shoulder or around the neck.

Due to the immense amount of room that this case had to offer, I decided to
throw caution to the wind and go sans wallet for my test drive of the case. All
of my credit and ID cards fit just fine in the forward pocket, and my cash was
folded over once and inserted in the pocket behind the cards.

Well, how was it???

Honestly, I was a little disappointed with the operation of the case. The
arrangement of the Velcro hinges made it very difficult to access the graffiti
area of my PDA – I found myself ripping it off of the Velcro mounts more often
than using it in the case.

I do have to note, however, that my main active use of my PDA is that of a
note-taking device in meeting and tours. Were I to use it for more of a
reference purpose, I think that the case would have been much more usable for
me. Many moons ago, I was a Floor Manager for a small retail store. For checking
stock and performing inventory, I think that this case would have been perfect.

Another downside of the case is the size – this sucker is big! It was
constantly getting caught on my clothing and the arms of my chair, and it
completely blocked the seat belt latch in my car. Luckily, I was just using the
belt clip and removed the case quickly (glad I didn’t have the thing looped
on…might look strange undoing my belt in the parking lot…).

When my time with this case was over, I was actually a little relieved to get
back to my Ishibumi case and wallet. While my time with the PDA Plus was not
completely positive, I really can not fault the case – it is well made and has a
lot of storage, but just isn’t for me.
 

Price: $40

Pros:
True hands free access to PDA
Lots of storage space

Cons:
Velcro (unless internal sleeve is purchased)
Graffiti area hard to access
Adds considerable bulk

Filed in categories: Uncategorized

Tagged: Belt Clip, Case, Generic PDA related, Leather, PDA, Zippered

PDA Plus Case Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 30, 2002 at 12:00 am.

Product Requirements:
Device:
Palm m100 series PDA

When Franklin sent out their "Back
to School" e-mail catalog last August, this binder was one of the objects that
caught my attention, and I figured that I ought to take a closer look. For those of
you that like to combine a paper binder with your PDA, this case may be just
what you have been waiting for.

The Pocket Performance Sport Binder is made of a tough, stain-resistant,
tightly woven fabric that covers a padded book-style case. All of this Frankie’s trim is
done in black.

The spine of the Sport Binder is made of a black rubbery yoke that is perfect
for gripping. The zipper has a black lanyard attached to it, which adds to the
binder’s sporty feel.

The  Sport Binder measures 7.12" (18.1cm) tall x 5.4" (13.7cm) wide x
1.8" (4.7cm) thick, and it accepts "Pocket" sized refills (3.5" x 6").

Because of the the curves inherent to the rubber yoke, the binder just lends
itself to nestling in your hand comfortably. If you are always running from
meeting to meeting – you might want to consider this binder just for the fact
that it is so easy to handle. If the cobalt blue is too casual for your
office, then you could get this same binder in black with black trim.

This Franklin is available for a variety of handhelds, but the binder I will
be evaluating today is made specifically for the Palm m100. What sets it apart
form the other similarly styled Franklin PDA binders is the use of a molded
plastic holster that fits across the m100′s bottom and is positioned on
the left side of the open binder.

The m100 will simply slide into this holster, where it is then held quite
securely. I am very impressed with this system, and not just because it forgoes
the use of Velcro – although that is a big accomplishment in my book.
Actually, I am even more impressed with the fact that the holster doesn’t
attempt to cover up the entire PDA. It is a minimalist approach that works very
well.

There is an elastic stylus loop next to where the m100 is held, and a deep
slash pocket runs the length of the case vertically behind the PDA.

A ¾" metal binder holds a series of blank
"Notes" pages that you can arrange behind numbered tabs, should you desire to do
so. Behind the paper section is a small organizer section that can hold three ID
or credit cards, business cards, as well as bills or receipts in the long
vertical slash pocket. A wide elastic pen loop will hold your favorite writing
implement.

You will have to remove your PDA from the binder for syncing, but you should
do just fine by leaving it in for other day to day operations.

I think that this binder is a very good choice for those that still need a
paper pad handy, but that are married to their PDA.

Price: $59.95
Available in cobalt blue and black

Pros:

Molded yoke holds m100 securely
Rubber yoke adds eye appeal and provides a comfortable grip
Addition of paper binder makes this a great choice for "note-takers"

Cons:

Expensive

Filed in categories: Uncategorized

Tagged: Canvas, Case, Neoprene, Palm, Palm OS related, Zippered

Franklin Pocket Performance Sport Binder for the Palm m100 Series Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 21, 2002 at 12:00 am.

Product Requirements:
Device:
Small PDAs including but not limited to:
Palm III series (not IIIc), Palm m100 series, Palm V/Vx, Palm m500 series,
Handspring Visors, Compaq iPAQ without an expansion sleeve

PDA cases come in a variety of shapes and sizes. You’ve got your slim fitting
slipper style cases made for a specific PDA model. You’ve got your hard shell
cases made of metal or plastic. You’ve also got the zippered book style cases.
The Marware SportSuit IV is just such a
zippered case.

This case which is made of neoprene, comes in 6 different colors (Red,
Yellow, Blue, Black, Graphite and Olive). The SportSuit IV is a PDA generic case
because it is not made for any specific PDA. I have found that there are quite a
few smaller PDAs that work well with it including the Palm V, m100, m500, and
Compaq iPAQ (without a sleeve). There are actually quite a few other PDAs that will work fine in
this case, but these were the ones that I personally tested with it.

To give you an idea if your PDA can fit in this case, here are the size
dimensions of the inside and outside of the SportSuit IV.

As far as the materials and workmanship that have gone into this case, I’d
have to give it a thumbs up. I really like the styling and can’t find anything
major to gripe about.

The majority of the case is covered with a soft rubbery neoprene grip that
wraps around the front and back. I really love the texture of the neoprene. It
allows you to keep a good hold on the PDA so that you can avoid dropping it.
And, this is going to sound crazy (typical for me huh?) but I also like the
smell of it…. ) It reminds me of new sneakers!

Besides the neoprene grip, the SportSuit IV also comes with a detachable hand
strap. I personally never use these straps, but I know some people that love
them.

The entire case is nicely padded and reinforced with plastic inserts. The
case of course isn’t crush resistant, but I think the padding would protect a
PDA from short drops with no problems.

The PDA is held in the case with Velcro which as most people know, is not my
favorite method of attachment. If you don’t want to use the Velcro, you could
just use the case to hold the PDA without actually affixing it to the case. This
is what I usually do.

The inside of the case is lined with a really soft black knit material. The
left side of the case has an elastic stylus holder. There are also two card
slots on the left side. There is a see thru ID card slot and behind it a larger
slot. You probably wouldn’t want to use the larger slot for credit cards as it
is kind of sloppy and the cards might easily slide out of it. While testing the
case, I used this slot for folded dollar bills.

The SportSuit is held closed with a zipper that goes around 3 sides of the
case. It has really smooth action and I never had problems with it jamming. I
also like the little plastic covered metal pull. 

I like this case quite a bit. Which for me says a lot because I don’t normally like
zippered cases. The SportSuit IV will make a nice home for your PDA while
looking good and feeling great in your hand.

Price: $23.95

Pros:
Padded protection
Rubbery hand grip

Cons:
Not big enough to hold my iPAQ and Whitney CF Mod (

Filed in categories: Uncategorized

Tagged: Canvas, Case, Generic PDA related, Neoprene, PDA, Zippered

MarWare SportSuit IV Neoprene Case Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 25, 2001 at 12:00 am.

Product Requirements:
Device:
Palm V/m500 series

As you might imagine, I see a lot of cases come and go across my desk. Every
now and then I’ll get one that makes me think, "What a great idea!"
The Lodis PDA Mobile
Office is one such case.

Done in luxurious black Onyx  leather with only the slightest hint of a
grain, the Lodis is sure to please if you have the right tools to fill it. Black
stitching completes this case’s professional looks.

Opening the box that the Lodis arrives packaged in, you will at once smell
the intoxicating aroma of fine leather.

When you first observe the outside of the Lodis, you might be fooled into
thinking that it is a simple zippered book-style binder; although the leather
looks more touchable than most. Measuring in at 7.75" (19.7cm) tall x
6.5" (16.5cm) wide x 2" (5cm) thick, this case is slightly smaller
than a "classic" sized binder. 

The front of the Mobile Office is plain, except for the discreet LODIS name
embossed on the right edge. The back side shows the embossed brand name on the
right edge again, but there is also a deep gusseted zipper pocket.  

Both of the zippers on the mobile office have a leather pull tab, adding to
the case’s finished look. 

Unzipping the main compartment of the Lodis reveals a very well thought out
work area.

As you can see, this is not your typical paper binder. 

Where the metal binder apparatus would have been, there are two loops. One is
perfectly proportioned for a larger diameter ball-point pen. My Mont Blanc, Rotring
Executive, and even my Delta
Dolcevita all fit with room to spare. The smaller loop will hold an
aftermarket stylus quite well. Here you see it holding an E&B
iP3C stylus.

The top half of the Mobile Office features a leather wallet section that will
hold four ID or credit cards, and your Driver’s License through a window that
uses a black screen material instead of clear plastic. There is a slash pocket
behind the credit card slots that is large enough to hold an American
Passport. 

On the right hand side of this top half there is a built- in phone holder
with a leather front, and elastic on three sides. The Lodis logo is embossed on
the front of this pocket. I had to laugh, because this pocket looks like it will
hold a pack of cigarettes perfectly. Just for fun, I took a pack of Marlboro
Lights from my husband’s "secret stash", and sure enough, it fit. Hey,
this could be an important feature for some of you! :0)

In all seriousness, measuring 3.5" (9cm) tall x 2.75" (7cm) this
pocket is sized perfectly for any flip-phone in the Motorola Startac size range.
I have a Samsung 8500 pictured in the large shot at the beginning of this
review, and it fits very well. There is not enough "head-room" for my Kyocera
smartphone (6" tall, including antenna), but the pocket was definitely
wide enough to accommodate it. That might help give you an idea of if your phone
will fit. I would imagine that most Nokias without the extended-life batteries
should also fit just fine.

Moving down to the bottom half of this case, there is a tablet of plain white
paper on the right hand side, perfect for when you need to jot a note to a
friend that doesn’t have a PDA you can beam to. Behind the notepad, there is
also a deep vertical pocket that runs the length of the pad. Perfect for stowing
folded bills or receipts.

Then there is the PDA holster. Although the name of this case says PDA, make
no mistake about it: once you open the Lodis, the cutout where your PDA will fit
screams Palm V or Palm m500. It has the same curve at it’s bottom as the Palm
V/m500 series, and it fits those PDAs flawlessly.

I tried every other PDA I have in the holster, just to see if any others
might work, and the second best fit I came up with was with my Visor Deluxe.

The other PDAs I tried either looked "wrong" by being too tall for
the top leather bar, or the leather sides curved into the screen area in a
distracting manner.

So, there you have it. This case offers a very beautiful, yet professional,
place for everything you might possibly need to carry on those days when you are
"out and about". The only thing that might make it better, is if the holster could
hold a wider variety of PDAs. 

The Lodis PDA Mobile Office is available at Stylus
Central, and other fine retailers.

Price: $110

Pros:
Convenient, efficient storage for your PalmV/m500 series PDA, cell
phone, and personal items
Sumptuous, smooth, aromatic leather
Very sharp, professional case
Does not use Velcro to secure PDA

Cons:
Custom fitted to hold the Palm V/m500
series only (but you can make it work for the Handspring Visor)

Filed in categories: Uncategorized

Tagged: Case, Generic PDA related, Leather, PDA, Zippered

Lodis PDA Mobile Office Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 25, 2001 at 12:00 am.

Device:
Carries all 5 1/4" x 3 1/4" or smaller
PDAs
Exterior phone pocket holds all 6" x 1 3/4" phones

There are times when you don’t want to be burdened by carrying a full size
gear bag or purse. These are the times when you want to grab the necessities, so
you can just "get out and go". One such occasion might be when you are
on vacation, and you want to travel as lightly and efficiently as possible.

Lodis, a leather
company out of Los Angeles, has an all-in-one case for just such occasions. 

The Lodis Zip-Around
Phone & PDA Case, as the name implies, will hold both your standard
sized phone (like most Nokia models) and PDA in the same compact case. It will
also hold all of your ID, credit cards, and cash. In fact, for a case so efficiently
sized, it can hold a surprising amount of "stuff". This case is
crafted of smooth Napa leather, and appears slightly shiny, with a slight grain.
Coordinating black stitching follows all of the edges.

Built like a regular book-style binder, the Lodis happens to have a leather
cell phone holder affixed to the front cover. 

There are two main zippered compartments to the Lodis. 

First, you have the wallet portion. It is opened by a 1" (2.5cm) metal
zipper pull, that features the Lodis logo. There are seven ID or credit card
slots, one has a plastic view-window. A convenient zippered coin or stamp pocket
is located where the eighth slot would have been. 

As you can see, there is a small embossed Lodis logo on the coin pocket. This
is the only brand placement anywhere on the case (other than on the metal
zipper). It is discreet and tasteful.

A wide and deep currency pocket runs along the back of the ID section. This
pocket is so deep that it could easily hold receipts as well as some of the
wider foreign currencies out the re. The pocket is also sized so that it can
easily hold a passport. 

Behind both of the Credit Card and ID slot sections run deep pockets, perfect
for holding receipts or miscellaneous scraps of paper.

The second zippered section opens with a leather tabbed zipper pull to reveal
a deep horizontal slash pocket on the left side, which has an included white
paper tablet inserted. 

The right side of this section reveals a Velcro attachment to affix to the
back of your PDA. I tested this case with the Palm IIIc, m100, HP 548, Casio
EM-500, Handspring Visor Deluxe, and Compaq iPAQ. Each PDA fit fine – after
removing the pad of paper. I found that the pad actually added just enough bulk
that the case would slightly distort when any PDA was inserted. The pad adds
.18" (4.45mm) to the thickness of the PDA, so that is easily
understandable.

For those of you that don’t like affixing Velcro to your PDA, you are out of
luck – unless you happen to own a Visor or an iPAQ. 

The Visor can be attached with the stock detachable screen cover.

The black style-sleeve that is shipped with most iPAQs can be affixed with
the Velcro that so that your iPAQ can simply slide in and out of the sleeve for
charging or syncing.

One thing I would like to see added to interior of this case would be a loop
for a shorter pen or extra stylus.

An even deeper vertical pocket runs behind both the notepad and PDA sides of
this second compartment.

The cellular phone holder appears to fit most of
the Nokia type phones. Since it has easily expandable Velcro sides, it should
stretch to accommodate most of the "classic" cell phones available.
They give acceptable phone measurements as up to 6" (15.2cm) x 1/34"
(4.5cm) phones. There is a leather flap that securely fastens over the top of
your cellular phone, using Velcro.

I inserted a Nokia 6120, and found that even with the extended battery
installed, it fit in the slot just fine.

There is a detachable, thin shoulder-strap included with the Lodis. When
attached, it may strike some male users as slightly "purse-like". It
reminds me of something that I have seen European men carry on some of the
vacations that we have been on, so there is a chance that many men will not mind
the strap – and rather embrace the convenience of being able to carry the case
"hands-free". 

Personally, I liked that the strap was long enough, being 51" (129.5cm),
to wear bandolier style across my chest when traveling

When traveling, the Lodis Mobile Organizer puts everything you could possibly
need in one centralized location. I think that with summer coming, and the
vacations that go hand-in-hand with that season, this case could be a lifesaver.

The Lodis is available at Stylus
Central, and other fine retailers.

Price: $68 MSRP

Pros:
Can carry everything in one place – phone, PDA, & wallet
Excellent for traveling – can even hold a passport

Cons:

Uses Velcro to attach PDA to case
Some men might find Lodis slightly purse-like when using the included strap

Filed in categories: Uncategorized

Tagged: Case, Generic PDA related, Leather, PDA, Zippered

Lodis Zip Around Wallet Mobile Organizer and Phone Carrier Case originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 14, 2001 at 12:00 am.

Product Requirements:
Device:

Fits most current PDA’s with dimensions under
5.45" (138.68mm) tall x 3" (76.22mm) wide x .72" (18.29mm) thick

The  PDA BodyGuard line of
products by Tech Media was shown not so long ago at CES. One of the accessories
that caught my eye while reading various reports from that show was a padded,
water resistant, book style EVA
Case. 

The seven colors this case is available in include: Ruby, Sapphire,
Tangerine, Lime, Lemon, Silver, and a more subdued Graphite. There is something
for everybody – the colors are mostly fun and bright – but if you need something
"quieter" you can go with the Graphite or even the Silver. 

While I would love to give you a shot of the silver case, at this point I
might as well tell you that while I did have a sample of that color sent to me
for review, Julie decided that it needed to be in Indiana with her! ) 

The EVA case zips on three sides, and as stated before, opens in book-style
fashion. A black zipper goes around every case, regardless of color. The zipper
seems to be of good quality, and has a 1" (25.40mm) metal fob attached to
its end.

On the front of this case, the "Tech Media" logo has been screen
printed in black, on every case but the Graphite. That case has the logo screen
printed in gray. 

The rear of the case has a sewn-in belt loop, made of nylon webbing. This is
the type of loop that you must pass your belt through, not that will clip on
your belt. It appears that up to a 2" (50.81mm) belt should be accommodated
easily, and the webbing will stretch a bit with use. If you never use this belt
loop, it will just lie flat against the back of the case, unstretched.

Unzipping the EVA, reveals a very simple interior. It is entirely padded and
lined in some sort of nylon fabric that appears to be non-abrasive, but not
quite soft. The thickness of this case’s padding is .055" (1.40mm)

When opened, the left side stands up in the air a bit. There is no slot for
an ID or business card on this left side, which may be inconvenient for some of
you. There is a "Made in China" tag, which can be cut out.

The right interior side of the EVA has a strip of Velcro sewn in. The is also
a  small piece included to affix to your PDA. 

To the right of where your unit will rest are two elastic loops. While these
are provided for carrying replacement batteries, I also found that these loops
were perfectly suited for carrying a shorter full sized stylus. This is perfect
for those with the Jornada Pocket PCs, as they have no built in stylus slot.

Depending on the size of the PDA you put in the case – the EVA can offer up
to 1/2" ( 12.70mm) insulation on all sides of your PDA – which may help
protect your investment in the case of a drop. While this case is slightly
insulated, it is definitely not crush-proof.

The EVA is a slim alternative to bulkier book-style cases. It does not offer
a lot of extras, but at such a fair price, there is no reason to quibble.

    

Price: $14.95
Available in Ruby, Sapphire, Tangerine, Lime, Lemon, Silver, and Graphite

Pros:
Inexpensive
Simple slim case in bright colors
Can carry extra batteries or a full size stylus

Cons:
PDA Attaches with Velcro
No ID or business card pocket

Filed in categories: Uncategorized

Tagged: Canvas, Case, Generic PDA related, Neoprene, PDA, Zippered

Tech Media EVA PDA BodyGuard Case Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 27, 2001 at 12:00 am.

Product Requirements:
Device:  
Naked
Compaq iPAQ

I began using a PDA years ago, because it liberated me from carrying around
all the information that I was always toting in my huge and bulging
Franklin Planner.  That planner held my ID cards, credit cards, my
checkbook, a pad of paper, as well as copies of every document I needed access
to in my day to day J-O-B; resized and printed to fit my Classic size binder. I
even had the little calculator that was also a bookmarker! 

The beauty of that particular PDA, which just so happened to be a Hewlett
Packard 95lx, was in the fact that I didn’t need to carry a 15 pound planner
everywhere I went anymore. Consolidating all of my information on that new PDA
made me even more efficient than I had been before. 

Over time, I actually went back to carrying the Franklin. Reason? Because I
needed things to be compartmentalized and categorized. I was having to keep
several business’s worth of information separate, and I found that the easiest
way to do this, at that time, was with a planner that I could divide into
whatever categories were needed. This was in 1995.

Fast Forward to 2001. My main PDA is now the Compaq
iPAQ, and although I have tried just about every PDA case available, there
are still times when I miss the simplicity of being able to just tote my Frankie
and its contents. There is something to be said for being able to carry a full
size pen and stylus combo with you, as well as a pad of paper. Since I have
experienced the paperless lifestyle for a while, I can see now that sometimes
either extreme might not be the answer.

If you weren’t aware, I have an unbelievable aversion to Velcro. I have
been tempted to carry my iPAQ in a binder style case, but I just couldn’t get
past the fact that I would have to affix that crud to the back of my
"baby". 

One day, while checking out the Franklin
website (mainly for nostalgia), I came across the Franklin
Planner Binder for the Compaq iPAQ. What they showed was a binder that had
been custom fitted with a leather and elastic cradle for the iPAQ. Realizing
that this could be the solution that I was looking for, I was eager to give the
case a try.

My first impression of the Franklin was that the subtly grained black Nappa
leather was soft, and had a pleasant smell – somewhat like a new car’s leather
seats. 

As you can see by the pictures, the Franklin is a classic zippered planner
style. When closed, your iPAQ will be quite secure inside, with no exposed
corners. I think that the nature of the binder, and the fact that the iPAQ is
held securely in place by the leather cradle would protect your PDA from most
falls. This binder is not crush-proof, however.

The styling of the case is professional and understated. Black stitching
follows around all of the borders, and the YKK zipper has a leather fob
attached, with a metal Franklin Covey logo centered on its end. This logo is
also discretely embossed on the lower front right of the case.

You’ll notice that the Franklin is a good size – though not huge. It measures
7.25" (18 1/2 cm) tall x 5.5" (14 cm) wide x 1.5" (4 cm) thick.

Upon unzipping the Franklin, you’ll find one of the first of many subtle
marks of quality: this case is designed with the zippers installed in such a way
that when opened, the case will lie flat on it’s spine.

The iPAQ cradle is installed on the left side of the opened planner. It has a
leather faceplate that holds and protects the front of your iPAQ, and long
elastic sides to keep it secure. A leather flap connects the bottom of the
faceplate to the binder. 

Upon inserting my iPAQ, I immediately saw that although I had access to all
of the screen area, space was a little tight down at the bottom where the 5 hot
buttons are. Mostly, I think this is because of the leather bar that goes across
the iPAQ, between the buttons and the screen. This bar does not prohibit you
from pushing any of the buttons – it just makes the area feel a bit more
cramped.

All of the sensors and the power button located at the top of the iPAQ are
accessible through perfectly centered cutouts.

The top of the iPAQ is left free, so there is no blocking of access to your
head-phone jack, stylus release button, or the stylus itself. 

Just in case you don’t feel like messing with your stylus, or if you are an
iPAQ owner that prefers not to remove your stock one; there is an elastic loop
located on the right of the cradle to hold another stylus.

A long, deep pocket runs the entire length of the wall behind the iPAQ -
perfect for stowing receipts or money.

Pocket Size pages are included with this planner. Instead of bothering with
supplying Address or Date pages (something no PDA owner needs), two sections on
"Values/Mission" and "Goals" are included. If you are
familiar with Franklin, you will recognize that these are part of the system
they have developed to help you identify your goals, figure out "what
matters most", and then set a plan to achieve what you want to accomplish.
There are also quite a few lined note pages, and seven numbered tabs to break
the note pages into sections, if you should choose to do so. As this is a metal
ring binder, you are free to add or subtract the items you want to carry in the
paper section. There is also an included Franklin Covey clear plastic
bookmarker, and a black plastic flap to keep the rear pages from getting
scrunched.

The right inside of the Franklin, or the "back page", is composed
of a long leather pocket that runs the height of the binder. This slot is the
perfect size for inserting your checkbook. The pocket is loose enough that you
can fit your checkbook register in behind everything – that is, if you are one
that doesn’t enter your checks into Money or some other program on your iPAQ as
you write them. 

The front of this pocket has three ID or credit card holders, and a deeper
bottom pocket – perfect for holding business cards.

A large sized pen loop finishes out this area.

If I had to make a single complaint about the Franklin – and this is
definitely not something that will bother everybody, it’s the fact that there
is no room for expansion sleeves in this case. Part of the beauty of the iPAQ is
its expandability through the use of various sleeves, and unfortunately – I
wasn’t even able to make the Silver Slider
fit without causing the leather around the edges of the iPAQ to buckle. If the
elastic on the sides had had just a little more give, I could have made it work
- and it would have been great! 

So, if I could improve one thing about this 2001 model Frankie: I would like it
if  the binder could be made a bit thicker, and with a cradle that could
accommodate the iPAQ while in the PC Card Sleeve. Since that’s how I mainly use
my iPAQ, not being able to keep this configuration is a con for me. 

If you are someone that usually carries a naked iPAQ, then this case will
work perfectly for you. Unfortunately, I always have my iPAQ in the PC Card
sleeve, and there is no way that the binder will even zip shut properly with
that monster inside!

Price: $99.99
Available in Black Napa Leather

Pros:

Extremely well made
Looks very businesslike and professional
Perfect marriage of PDA & paper system
Large pen loop
Lots of pockets
No Velcro!!

Cons:
Expensive
Slightly cramped in lower button area.
Not made to accommodate iPAQ with any expansion sleeve

Filed in categories: Windows Mobile related

Tagged: Case, Leather, Pocket PC, Zippered

Franklin Planner Binder for Compaq iPAQ Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 13, 2001 at 12:00 am.

Product Requirements:
Device:
Almost any PDA, such as: All Palm Models, All
Handspring Visor Models, Sony Clie, HP Jornada P/PCs, Casio E-series P/PCs,
Everex Freestyle, iPAQ, Phillips Nino, etc.

The Brenthaven Padded
PDA Case is made of military grade black ballistic nylon, with a zipper
going around three of its sides, and it opens similar to a book.

This case is made with excellent craftsmanship, here in the USA. The ballistic
nylon used is tough and virtually indestructible on the exterior.

On the interior, you will be impressed by the layer of thick, heavy,
foam-coated plastic on both the front and backside of the case. I pulled the
foam liner out of the case to give you a better idea of what I am talking about.

The best way for me to describe this inserted layer is to ask you to picture
a fabric bible-cover. You know, the type where you slip the front and back
covers of the bible into the slots of the cover, that make up two pockets when
your bible is in place. Well, that is how the foam layer fits into this case,
and it is in fact, removable – not that I am suggesting that you do so.

There is a very handy ID window for your driver’s license or business card, as
well as three pockets that can hold receipts or other flat items. There are also
two slots in the spine for a full sized pen, and a couple of batteries –
should you need to carry any.

The soft fuzzy right side of this case attracts the four included pieces of
spiny Velcro, which you are to affix to the corners on the back of your PDA.
They are small circles that are rather unobtrusive, all things considered.

This case offers excellent protection, especially if you are in the habit of
tossing your PDA into your Briefcase. I can definitely see using this case when
traveling on a plane; it would certainly protect your PDA in any carry-on
bag.  That in itself may be the greatest thing about the Brenthaven PDA
Case.

The interior pockets are long enough to put bills in, and I can see how it would
be a convenient hand-held wallet for someone that doesn’t like a bulge in
their pocket. In fact, the case is long enough that you can fit a checkbook in
it, on the side opposite of your PDA. You would still have the pocket behind
your PDA for inserting bills into, if you did decide to carry your checkbook.

Because it is so understated and simple, it would be easy to dismiss this bag
as being plain, or generic when you first lay eyes on it. That might be a
mistake, if you are a person who needs padded protection for your PDA, without
looking like you are out-fitting yourself with the latest “outdoorsy”
fashions. This case would be presentable in a business situation; however, it is
a bit on the casual side.

The Brenthaven PDA Case measures 4” x 6 ¾” x 1” and it weighs .3 lbs,
empty. Once your PDA is inserted, the case is easily 1 ½” thick, and weighs
the .3lbs. plus the weight of your PDA. I am pointing this out because this is
where I begin to have trouble with the Brenthaven case.

You’ll notice that it is simply called a PDA case – they are not
specifying which PDA, so that essentially means that it can fit a wide
range of sizes and styles.  I feel
that this case is almost too nonspecific in fit. A Palm V is shown in this case
on their website. I am reproducing their picture here for you:

Notice that the case looks a little big – but not enormous, correct? Well,
we all know how much bigger the Palm IIIc is than the V, so look at my picture
of the IIIc in the case, as well as the similarly sized Hewlett-Packard Jornada
548.

In my opinion, it fits way too big for my Palm IIIc, or my HP 548. It almost
looks like it would be large enough for the Palm IIIc with either a modem or the
Kodak PalmPix digital camera, if you scooted the Palm to the top of the case. In
fact, I went to Office Depot today, and Mark, the “world’s friendliest
salesperson”, allowed me to try both of those items in this case with my IIIc.

Say hello to Mark, everyone!

Unfortunately, with the Palm IIIc and either accessory, the case would not
zip closed – but it almost did.

With a Palm III – it might just work, since you are saving ½” by using a
shorter Palm.

For sure, you could easily fit your Palm with a Tale-light,
Tale-vibe or
one of those fabulous flash-plug
memory modules. If there are any smaller accessories that attach to your
smaller Pocket PC (I am not including the Casio E-115 here), they might fit
also.

With just your smaller PDA in the case, you have a good inch on both the top
and bottom that is wasted space.  Now
I realize that it may not actually be “wasted space”. By that, I mean that
since your PDA is basically not touching any edges due to all the extra length,
perhaps in a fall, it would make a big difference. I really can’t say. However
– I just want you to be very advised that this case will add quite a bit of
bulk and size to your PDA. I don’t believe it is a case you would ever want to
stick in your pocket – that’s assuming you could get it in there in the
first place!  J

You know, this case may be exactly what you are looking for, if you need serious
protection, and don’t mind the extra bulk or length.

Price: $39.50 (Brenthaven offers a Lifetime
Guarantee)

Pros:
Very padded
Lots of interior pockets for flat items

Cons:

Seems too long for the average PDA, yet too short for some added
accessories

Filed in categories: Uncategorized

Tagged: Canvas, Case, Generic PDA related, Neoprene, PDA, Zippered

Brenthaven Padded PDA Case Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 6, 2000 at 12:00 am.

Device:

Almost any PDA, such as: All Palm Models, All Handspring Visor Models, Sony Clie, HP Jornada P/PCs, Casio E-series P/PCs, Everex Freestyle, iPAQ, Phillips Nino, etc.

My first impression when I unwrapped the Base Camp PDA Bag by Grinder Gear was that this happens to be one rugged little beast!

The Base Camp looks like a slightly over-large Cordura pouch with honeycomb webbing & elastic lacing on the front. A closer look reveals that the honeycomb webbing is actually a pocket that closes with a small Velcro strip – making it an ideal place to carry little loose items, or your cell phone if you have a really small one, which I do.

Right on top of the webbing and elastic lacing are two zippers that open to reveal a handy drop-down compartment that can carry your ID, spare change, compact flash card, spare cellular battery, or even a couple Visor springboards.

Opening up the main compartment (which is also secured with a patch of Velcro), you will find a thick, padded fleece lining just waiting to cradle your PDA. I can’t think of a more protective or non-abrasive material to use for surrounding my Palm.

As you can see, I was able to put my Palm IIIc, my Motorola Vader, and extra cellular battery, my ID, and an extra truck key into this bag. Now before you start thinking that this is some huge "hip-monster", be aware that the approximate dimensions are only 4.3" W x 6.3"H x 2"D. Grinder Gear calls these measurements approximate, because they claim that the Base Camp will "stretch to accommodate your device". If you have a smaller PDA, it will be a little looser in the pouch; a larger PDA – the pouch fits a little tighter. It all hangs quite well from your belt.

There are actually a couple of ways that you can attach the Base Camp to your belt: there is the plastic belt clip for up to a 2" belt size; then there are two sets of webbing loops on the back, that you can run up to a 2" belt through. If you know that you will most likely never use the plastic belt clip, you can even remove it – underneath it are tough plastic slots that up to a ½" belt could pass through. There is also a loop on the top rear of the bag that is similar to a mini-handle.

While most of the cases that I use offer enough protection for normal everyday use; most are not practical for when I am taking care of business at my day job, which is managing a working cattle ranch.

As the mental image you may have just conjured up portrays, that means lots of 4-wheeler riding, occasional horseback riding, and more day to day dings and shocks than most PDAs will ever come into contact with. Which is why I usually won’t carry my Palm with me when I am doing these activities.

The best way to find out if a product will in fact do as it claims is to actually use it in the way it was intended. So, instead of leaving everything but my cell phone in the truck, like I usually do, I decided to load the Base Camp with my goodies and put it to the test…

The first thing that I realized was that the belt clip just got in my way. The literature that came with my bag did say that the belt clip is only intended for light-duty use, such as wearing around your home or office. It was easy to see that if I used it to secure the Base Camp to my belt, I would most likely be spending a good part of the day looking for my missing Base Camp, once I realized that it was gone. So I removed the plastic belt clip, and passed my belt through the Cordura webbing.

I wore the Base Camp threaded through my belt in the rear right position. Of course, this is a matter of personal preference.

I needed to ride fences and check livestock the day that I was experimenting with the Base Camp. On the 4-wheeler, I could feel the case lightly bouncing on my hip as I went over rocks and rough patches of prickly pear. For once, I was able to stop and make notations on my Palm about where deer and feral hogs had been making new holes in the fence, as I repaired them. I was able to consult my Palm when I counted the cattle in a particular pasture, to be sure that every animal was present and accounted for. Not only was I riding on the 4-wheeler, but I would also get off occasionally – trekking over to where I saw a deer antler "shed" laying on the ground, or a turkey feather I thought my daughter would admire.

It is safe to say that the Base Camp got a very good testing that day at the ranch. I am pleased to report, that not only was I able to write down events going on in the "office" as I discovered them; I also didn’t fear for the well-being of my Palm –
while it was in the case! Once it was out of the Base Camp however, that was another issue altogether. Since the Base Camp was firmly attached to my belt, I had to completely remove my "nekkid" Palm in order to write on it. That was a bit scary!

This point brings me to the one thing that I wish that Grinder Gear could improve: I use a belt clip with my cellular phone, and I’ve never lost it while at the ranch. Just the same, I feel like there has to be a durable clip that would work like that on this bag. I think that if Grinder Gear would have used a detachable hard plastic clip, something like what E&B or Extreme Limits Cases use, they could offer a belt clip that could take a little more abuse; yet at the same time, could come off the unit completely when you wanted to thread your belt through the loops for maximum peace of mind.

The clip that comes on this case, for lack of a better word, just seems cheesy. It grips the bottom of your belt somewhat, yet I fear that over time it may loose its integrity, and break.

Well, here’s something that happened when I got back home:

I thought it would be funny to emphasize how durable this case was to my 11 year old daughter, so I tossed it onto my office floor and said, "look at what a tough case this is!" What I failed to mention was that my IIIc wasn’t in it at the time.

I walked in a little later, and she decided to surprise me by doing the same thing –
only her Palm was in the case this time! I about died!

But believe it or not, when we opened the case up, her Palm was just fine. While I certainly don’t recommend playing "toss" with your PDA in a Grinder Gear Bag, or any case for that matter, I will say that in most drops, your PDA should be adequately protected in the Base Camp Bag. Be aware though, that while the bag is insulated for falls and dings, it is not crush proof.

As I mentioned, the one thing I would improve on this bag would be the type of belt clip used.

Otherwise, I think it is a great bag that delivers what it promises: "Toughest protection in the least obtrusive form."

Price: $39.95 – Grinder Gear is offering 5% off at this time.

Comes in Black, Royal Blue, and Forest Green (my favorite color!)

Pros:
Fleece offers excellent insulation & protection for PDA
Can carry lots of extra "stuff" with your PDA
Very tough case.

Cons:
Belt clip can only be used in low impact situations

Filed in categories: Uncategorized

Tagged: Canvas, Case, Generic PDA related, Neoprene, PDA, Zippered

Grinder Gear Base Camp PDA Bag Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 7, 2000 at 12:00 am.

In the words of the guys from Monty Python, "And now for something completely
different!" 

Different in the world of PDA carrying cases, that is. Just take a look at these flashy
zipper cases by IncipioTechnologies.  If
you think that the standard black leather or rugged khaki nylon styles are not for you,
perhaps one of these cases will catch your interest.

The Incipio cases are basically designed to fit Palm and Handspring PDAs, but other
PDAs might fit in them. (They say on their web site the cases also fit VTech Helio and the
Royal daVinci.) They are all about the same size, 5½" x 4½" x 1", and
they all have some similarities. But the Visor cases differ from the "generic"
cases in that they have a flap on the right side that you can use to secure the Visor.
This flap holds the Visor plastic cover, and then you attach the Visor to it. It works as
they have designed it, but I don’t have great confidence that this is a very secure method
of holding the Visor. And you would then have to flip the Visor around to protect the
screen when you close the case. (Also, remember the chat about the weak cover catch on the
Visor that tended to crack).

    />

The "non-Visor" cases have a large strip of Velcro for securing the PDA in
the place where  the cover flap is on the Visor cases. Anyone reading Gadgeteer
reviews will know what we think of putting Velcro on a PDA, but that aside, if you are
looking for a wild wallet style zipper case, these are nice cases, so you may not mind a
little Velcro.

I really didn’t want to do another case review where I showed every single case style
available, but I thought that it was important here because they have so many different
styles, and materials. Check them out below.

Blue Hawaii	Leopard	Zebra	Giraffe
Ocean Armadillo	Arctic Armadillo	Midnight Armadillo	Bubble-Retro- (Available in Green and Black)
100% Carbon Fiber	Ballistic Nylon- (Available in Yellow Blue or Black)	Vulcanized Rubber- (Available in Red, Blue, Black, and Gray)	Mountaineering Grade Nylon- (Available in Red, Yellow, and Black)

These are all well made cases, with strong zippers. All of the ones that I
reviewed were a bit stiff, which is a good thing if you want protection. (There is some
kind of plastic insert inside of the case to make it stiff.)  I don’t think that you
would have any problems if you dropped your PDA while it was zipped up in one of these
cases. They are all about 2 oz. in weight, which is very light.

As far as I can tell, all of them are water resistant. The cases also have
a removable safety strap (or cord), many pockets, and an area for currency. They all carry
a limited lifetime warranty. All of the material styles shown above are available for both
Handspring and Palm PDAs. They range in price from $24.95 to $54.95.

Wallet style cases are not my favorite, as a computer geek, I mean
"technology enthusiast", I prefer the belt clip styles. But these cases offer
plenty of options to the PDA user that is looking for something different. If you bought
your Ice Visor DX as an attention grabber, you just may be a candidate for the Zebra
Incipio case!

Price: $24.95 to $54.95

Pros:
Creative attractive designs.
Quality construction.
Protects the PDA.

Con:
Method of securing the Visor not preferable, but maybe better than Velcro.

Filed in categories: Uncategorized

Tagged: Canvas, Case, Generic PDA related, Neoprene, PDA, Zippered

Incipio Case Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 13, 2000 at 12:00 am.

A new line of leather PDA cases will be available soon through various OEMs here in the
US. The company which is based in Turkey is called Dimension. They produce a nice
selection of high quality cases. They were kind enough to send me their entire line (they
even embossed my Gadgeteer logo into the cases).

Deluxe Leather Flip for the Palm V

width="166" height="201" alt="dimension-palmv-suede2.jpg (2788 bytes)"/>

This is a nice light brown suede case specifically for the Palm V. A special plastic rail holds the Palm V securely in the case via the left stylus slot. There is no fear of the Palm V falling out of this case. The inside of the case has regular business card slots and one long slot behind them. The interior has a nice brown tweed looking knit material. The cover his held closed with Velcro strap.

height="213" alt="dimension-palmv-suede1.jpg (8857 bytes)"/> alt="dimension-palmv-suede3.jpg (7898 bytes)"/>

I used this case quite a bit and liked it more than the expensive Dooney and Bourke
case that is somewhat similar. The case is very well made and I really like the extra
slots that are available for use. At around $20 this is a terrific buy.

Price: $19.99

Pros:
Great price
4 card slots
Holds Palm V securely

Cons:
Uses Velcro to hold cover closed

Deluxe Leather Flip for the Palm V With Money Holder

width="186" height="202" alt="dimension-palmv-wallet2.jpg (3379 bytes)"/>

This case is a soft black leather case specifically for the Palm V. It too holds the PDA securely in the case with plastic rail. This is nice wallet type case that has a full length money slot, 4 business card slots (one with a see thru plastic window) and a longer slot. The interior of the case is made of a black tweed material.

height="208" alt="dimension-palmv-wallet1.jpg (9041 bytes)"/>  alt="dimension-palmv-wallet3.jpg (13821 bytes)"/>

I personally don’t care for this type of black leather (I think it looks like vinyl).
But, the case is made very well and I really like the full size dollar slot. Just don’t
put this case in your back pocket like a real wallet!

Price: $24.99

Pros:
Great price
Full size dollar bill slot
Holds Palm V securely

Cons:
Uses Velcro to hold cover closed

Suede Leather Belt Case for Palm III/x

height="215" alt="dimension-palm3-beltclip1.jpg (3401 bytes)"/> alt="dimension-palm3-beltclip2.jpg (3407 bytes)"/> alt="dimension-palm3-beltclip3.jpg (3524 bytes)"/>

This case is made for a Palm III/x, but a regular PalmPilot and even a Palm V will fit
into it also. The Palm III/x is the best fit with the Palm V coming in second. The
PalmPilot is a bit too snug although the leather would probably stretch some with use.

The case is a nice light brown suede leather. It has a hard, stiff shape that does not
collapse when the PDA is not inside it. The interior is made of padded black velvet. The
PDA slides into the case with the top part still sticking out (see right most picture
above). To remove the PDA, you have to grip the sides of the PDA and pull up.

The case can attach to your belt with a suede covered clip. The clip is quite strong. I
didn’t have a problem with it slipping off my belt. That said, I do prefer the ‘pinch
type’ quick release clips that E&B Cases use over this type of clip

This belt case is really well made and easy to use. I think this case would protect
your PDA quite well. Even if it would take a short fall.

Price: $24.99

Pros:
Hard leather case
Padded inside

Cons:
Uses Velcro to hold cover closed

Timberland Brown Palm V Cover

height="209" alt="dimension-palmv-cover1.jpg (3463 bytes)"/> alt="dimension-palmv-cover2.jpg (7808 bytes)"/>

This is a nice Palm V specific cover that makes a nice replacement to the original
cover that ships with the Palm V. The cover is made of a stiff dark brown leather. A
plastic rail is used to secure the cover to the Palm V. The hinge is made of leather so it
won’t tear like the rubber hinge used with the original cover.

Inside is a see thru card slot. 

This is a nice cover that is a good replacement for the original. The price isn’t too
bad either.

Price: $14.99

Pros:
Hard leather cover
See thru card slot

Cons:
n/a

Dark Cognac Palm V Case

This is a very nice Palm V specific case. The case is made of a rich brown colored leather. A
plastic rail is used to secure the Palm V in the case. The rail is a nice tight fit so I don’t
think there are any worries that the Palm V would fall out.

Inside are three card slots and one long slot behind the card slots.

The cover is held closed with a slide thru leather loop. This is sort of like a belt. I like
this type of closure because it doesn’t use velcro! Also, it is easily adjusted depending on how
thick you have the case (how many cards you have in it etc.).

This is a nice case that is made very well and is also very classy looking

Price: ?

Pros:
Belt like closure
4 card slots

Cons:
n/a

Light Cognac Palm V Wallet Case

This Palm V specific wallet case is very similar to the Dark Cognac case.
This case is made of a rich brown colored leather. A
plastic rail is used to secure the Palm V in the case. The rail is a nice tight fit so I don’t
think there are any worries that the Palm V would fall out.

Inside are four card slots (one has a clear see thru window), one long slot behind the card
slots and a large money slot that runs the length of the case.

The cover is held closed with a slide thru leather loop. This is sort of like a belt. I like
this type of closure because it doesn’t use velcro! Also, it is easily adjusted depending on how
thick you have the case (how many cards you have in it etc.).

This is a nice case that is made very well and is also very classy looking

Price: ?

Pros:
Belt like closure
Lots of card slots

Cons:
This case can be pretty thick if you use all the slots.

Soft Black Palm V Case

This Palm V specific case is not a wallet case, but it has a lot of storage.
This case is made of a soft black colored leather. Velcro is used to secure the Palm V in the case.

Inside there are three card slots (one has a clear see thru window). Behind it is one large
clear windowed pocket. There are also 3 other card slots and a stylus holder.

The cover is held closed with velcro.

This is a nice case that is made well and has tons of storage.

Price: ?

Pros:
Lots of card slots

Cons:
This case can be pretty thick if you use all the slots.
Uses velcro to hold the Palm V in the case.
Uses velcro to hold the cover closed.

Nubuck Navy Palm Case

This a zippered case that will fit any PalmPilot sized PDA.
This case is made of a soft navy blue suede leather. Velcro is
used to secure the PDA in the case. You don’t have to use the
velcro if you don’t want to though. I didn’t use the case ‘play
thru’ and just layed the PalmPilot in it. The case is nicely padded
and would protect your PDA incase of a drop.

Inside there are four card slots (one has a clear see thru window).
Behind them a long slot and behind it another long slot and a stylus holder.

The case is held closed via a zipper. The zipper is pretty pretty
stiff and a bit hard to open and close. It could potentially get better
with wear.

This is a nice case that is made well, has ample storage and is a
great color. The only real drawback is that it is thicker than most cases.

Price: ?

Pros:
Lots of card slots

Cons:
This case pretty thick.
Zipper is stiff.

Nubuck Camel Case

This a zippered case that will fit most larger sized Palm PDAs. I tested
the case with my Casio E-100 and it worked great.
This case is made of a soft camel suede leather. Velcro is
used to secure the PDA in the case. You don’t have to use the
velcro if you don’t want to though. I didn’t use the case ‘play
thru’ and just layed the Casio E-100 in it. The case is nicely padded
and would protect your PDA incase of a drop.

Inside there are four card slots and an elastic band that can hold a
compact flash card. Behind the card slots is a long slot and behind it
another long slot and a stylus holder.

The case is held closed via a zipper. The zipper is pretty pretty
stiff and a bit hard to open and close. It could potentially get better
with wear.

This is a nice case that is made well, has quite a bit of storage and is a
great color.

Price: ?

Pros:
Lots of card slots

Can fit a variety of PDAs

Cons:
This case pretty thick.
Zipper is stiff.

Matte Brown HPC/PSION Case

This is a larger case that will fit Psion Series 5 sized PDAs. I tested
the case with my Psion S5 and it worked great. This case is made of a matte brown leather.

The leather looks like it might have a potential to show scuffs more than
other types of leather. This might not be a bad thing if you like worn looking
type leather. The PDA slides easily into a stiff pocket.

The case is held closed via a magnetic button. This is a pretty neat
way to hold the case closed and I like it. The magnet is pretty strong
so I don’t think there would be a problem with it coming unhooked accidently.

Inside there are eight card slots (one with a clear window)
Behind the card slots is a long slot. There are also 2 elastic bands that
can hold batteries or a stylus.

This is a nice case that is made well, and has quite a bit of storage.

Price: ?

Pros:
Lots of card slots

Can fit a variety of PDAs

Cons:
Leather shows scrapes and scuffs easily.

Filed in categories: Uncategorized

Tagged: Case, Generic PDA related, Leather, Other PDA related, Palm, Palm OS related, PDA, Zippered

Dimension PDA Cases Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 1, 1999 at 12:00 am.

The PalmSuit by MarWare is a neoprene zippered
case for the PalmPilot, PalmIII, Casio E-10, E-11, Everex Freestyle, Palmax PD-300, and
Samsung Infogear PDAs.

For those of you that don’t know, neoprene is a soft stretchy knit material. This case
is made of 3mm neoprene which makes the case feel a bit padded. The PalmSuit is black and
has a zipper that goes around 3 sides of the case… when the case is unzipped, it opens
like a book. 

There is a pocket on the outside of the case that can hold business cards or small
items. On the inside of the case is there is also one pocket. This pocket has a hard
plastic insert that protects your PDA screen while it is in the case. You can remove this
insert though if you desire as it’s just held in via Velcro. Speaking of Velcro, you can
attach your PDA to the case with 2 pieces of Velcro to use it as a play through case. Or,
you can not attach the PDA and use it that way. I prefer not to use Velcro.

I tried the PalmSuit with my Palm III, PalmPilot and Casio E-11 and the case fit just
fine for all of them.

The PalmSuit also has a belt loop sewed to the back of the case so you can attach the
case to your belt. The loop will accommodate a 1 1/2" belt. I think this should have
been a metal spring clip instead of a belt loop though. I say this because if you put the
PalmSuit on your belt, it isn’t the easiest to unzip the case partially and then remove
the PDA from it. Also, if you Velcro your PDA into the case, you will have a heck of a
time getting it in and out while it’s attached to your belt.

The spine of the PalmSuit is reinforced and has a plastic D ring at the end. You can
attach something like a handstrap or a keyring to this if you wish.

The PalmSuit is a nice case that is easy to use and will protect your PDA from bumps
and bruises. It also feels nice in your hand. The only bad thing about this case is the
price. At almost $25, I feel it is just a bit overpriced.  I’d be more inclined to
buy it if it was priced at $19.95. The PalmSuit also adds a bit to the overall size of
your PDA causing it to be a tighter fit in a shirt pocket.

If you are looking for a small zippered case, and didn’t quite like the Rhinoskin RhinoPak (similar zippered case), give the
PalmSuit a look.

Price: $24.95

Pros:
Looks good.
Plastic insert protects the screen.
Easy to use.

Cons:
Belt loop isn’t really all that convenient.

For another viewpoint on the PalmSuit
read what the PalmGuru
said …

Filed in categories: Windows Mobile related

Tagged: Canvas, Case, Generic PDA related, Neoprene, Palm, Palm OS related, PDA, Zippered

PalmSuit Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 19, 1999 at 12:00 am.

Product Requirements:
Device:
PalmPilot, Palm III

Devian Enterprises offers 2 fully enclosed, palm size wallet cases for the PalmPilot or PalmIII, the DVP2 and DVP3. These are black leather wallet cases that are slightly larger than the PalmPilot/PalmIII, and are enclosed by a zipper. There are slots for credit or business cards, and flaps/pockets that you can tuck money behind. Both wallet cases include a notepad and a holder for a pen or stylus. The leather, zipper, stitching, and the general construction are of good quality. The size is rather large for a PalmPilot case, but since it doubles as a wallet, it may not be bothersome.

The DVP2

This wallet case has 4 slots for credit cards on the left side and the pen/stylus holder and notepad are both on the right side. I’m not sure what the notepad is for, since this case is to be used to carry your PalmPilot/PalmIII. I would probably discard the notepad, and just use my PalmPilot for any notes. 

With regards to its size, it’s a perfect fit for either PalmPilot or PalmIII. But that said, once closed with a PalmPilot inside, the overall size is 5.5″ x 4.25″ x 1.25″ wide. And that is without any cards or other papers that one would carry in their wallet. This wallet would be too big to carry in a pocket, but if you are looking for a zipper type wallet, and want it to carry your PalmPilot or PalmIII, the DVP2 would do nicely. 

Although the DVP2 is used to carry the PalmPilot or PalmIII there is nothing to hold them in place. It sits freely. That means that when you open it, you have to make sure that you don’t drop your PalmPilot. But, if you decide to purchase the DVP2, you will also need some sort of screen cover to protect the display screen. Unless you remove the notepad, and place the PalmPilot/PalmIII upside-down, I would be afraid that the screen might get scratched. 

Overall, I liked the DVP2 wallet case, even though I am not fond of wallet cases in general. It has that leather smell to it. And it is padded quite well on the outside. It would definitely offer good protection for the PalmPilot or PalmIII, although perhaps not the screen. But you would need either a purse or a briefcase to carry it. (BTW- I tried to put the DVP2 and DVP3 in the BurroPak and neither fit.)

Price: $25.95

Pros:
Good quality.
Protects PalmPilot/PalmIII.
Holds some credit cards and currency.

Cons:
Large overall size.
Not enough protection for PalmPilot screen.
PalmPilot sits too freely.
Hard to carry without a purse or briefcase.

The DVP3

This wallet case has 4 slots for credit cards on the left side. But it also has a flap with 3 additional slots on its left side, and a notepad on its right side. There is also a pen/stylus holder on the right side and a Velcro pad on the right side as well. Again, as I stated above, I would probably discard the notepad, and just use my PalmPilot for any notes. 

Although the DVP3 has an extra flap to hold more cards, it was still the identical size as the DVP2. (See size listed in DVP2 review). One nice thing about the extra flap, is that in addition to holding more cards, it can act as more protection for the PalmPilot screen. (But you need to remove of the paper notepad first.)

Unlike the DVP2, The DVP3 has a Velcro pad that can be used to hold the PalmPilot or PalmIII. That means that when you open it, you don’t have worry as much about dropping your PalmPilot. Now, I know that some of you are thinking, “Why not buy the DVP2 and then buy some Velcro to hold the PalmPilot in place?”. Well, while it’s true that would be less expensive, I liked the extra flap that comes with the DVP3. And if you decide to go with either the DVP2 or the DVP3, it would be better to be able to secure the PalmPilot in some way.

Like the DVP2, the DVP3 has that great leather smell to it. And it is also padded quite well on the outside. It would offer good protection for the PalmPilot or PalmIII, and the flap would protect the PalmPilot screen somewhat. But like the DVP2, you would need either a purse or a briefcase to carry it. As I said in the DVP2 review, I am not fond of wallet cases in general, but if I had to chose between these two, I would chose the DVP3.

Price: $32.50

Pros:
Good quality.
Protects PalmPilot/PalmIII and its screen.
Holds more credit cards and currency.
PalmPilot can be secured with Velcro.

Cons:
Large overall size.
Hard to carry without a purse or briefcase.

Filed in categories: Windows Mobile related

Tagged: Case, Generic PDA related, Leather, Linux Based PDA related, Palm OS related, PDA, Zippered

Devian DVP2 and DVP3 Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 16, 1998 at 12:00 am.

The RhinoPak by Rhinoskin is a cordura zippered belt case for your Pilot or WorkPad. The case comes in two colors. Black/Tan or Black. The
inside of the case is lined with a soft knit material.  The front of the case which should face the Pilot’s screen is reinforced with a plastic insert. The RhinoPak has two mesh pockets. One on the outside of the case and one on the inside front of the case. The RhinoPak is made quite well. The material and stitching were both high quality. I did have a bit of trouble with the dual pull zippers getting stuck halfway down the sides of the case. I don’t think this is a problem with the zipper but of the nylon pull tabs cords. These pull cords have a tendency to angle the metal part of the zipper into the teeth of the zipper causing it to get stuck. When I say ‘stuck’, I mean that the motion of the zipper was not a smooth motion.

On the back of the case is a nylon webbed belt loop. This loop can accommodate up to a 2 1/4 inch belt. This is the type of case that once you put it on your belt, you leave it there (unless you unfasten your belt). Since the belt loop is quite large, I found that the case wanted to wiggle around when I needed to insert or remove the Pilot. I’ll admit though that the belt that I was using it with was just 1 1/4 inches wide.

The Pilot or WorkPad is held in the case by four elastic bands. These bands hold the corners of the PDA. I didn’t really like the bands and didn’t use them. They were too inconvenient to work with when inserting and removing the Pilot while on my belt. If you wanted to use this case without attaching it to your belt, the elastic bands might be easier to work with.

Inserting and removing the Pilot while it is on your belt can be a little difficult. It’s a two handed operation.  The somewhat difficult part is managing the Pilot, elastic bands, and zippers while the case is sliding around on your belt. Also, I found that when I tried to insert the Pilot into the RhinoPak that it would get caught on the inside mesh pocket. The mesh pocket also lays against the Pilot’s screen when the case is
closed which makes me a bit concerned about screen scratches.

If you leave your Pilot in this case all the time, you’ll want to use the hotsync cable or The Bridge (turn your Pilot upside down in the case)
to hotsync.

I personally would rather use this case off my belt rather than on it. It’s easier to handle that way in my opinion. Being honest, this isn’t a case that I would use every day or probably even buy as I prefer a ‘play through’ instant access type case.

Filed in categories: Windows Mobile related

Tagged: Belt Clip, Canvas, Case, Generic PDA related, Neoprene, Palm OS related, PDA, Zippered

RhinoPak Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 5, 1998 at 12:00 am.

The Wrap5 MKII case by Innovations to Industry is a leather case for the PalmPilot. What makes this case different from alot of the other
Pilot cases is its unique belt clip.  The clip is separate from the actual case. It slides on to your belt and stays there. The Wrap5 can then be attached or removed from the clip as needed. Another feature of the clip is that it allows the Wrap5 to swivel on the clip. Because of this feature, you can rotate the case horizontally when you sit down to make it more comfortable to wear.

The Pilot can be kept in the case with or without the supplied Velcro. During my review I used the Velcro which I attached to the top of the memory door on the Pilot. The Wrap5 has two strips of Velcro so that you can turn the Pilot so that the case opens like a notebook or so that the case opens towards you. I personally preferred it opening away from me like a notebook. Using the Pilot while it was attached to the case was not a problem including removing the stylus.

The Wrap5 is made of very nice Indian calf leather. The inside of the case is lined in black and has 2 credit card slots. The front and rear of the case are very stiff. I don’t think you’d have to worry about anything damaging the  Pilot’s screen while using this case. The case is opened and closed via a zipper. I didn’t have any problems using the zipper. It never hung up or got stuck on the corners of the case. The stitching is also top quality.

Attaching the belt clip is just a matter of sliding it onto your belt.  A 1 1/2 inch wide belt is about the largest that can be used with this clip.  After the clip is on your belt, the Wrap5 can then be slid onto the clip and clicked in place. It’s very easy to attach and from tugging up and down on it, I don’t think it would come off the clip on its own. It felt very secure.

Removing the case from the clip is another story though.  For me it felt awkward and unnatural. I was hoping that I could remove the case using one hand but for me it required both hands. To remove the case, it requires you to press the release buttons on each side of the clip. That requires the use of your index finger and thumb. I used one hand to press the release and one hand to remove the case.

I had a friend try it and she was able to just use one hand to remove the case. See the last picture on the right above.  This just didn’t feel comfortable to me and I felt like I could drop the case trying to remove it that way.

I think the idea of this case is great.  I like the separate clip. But, I think the release mechanism should be improved. Something on the line of the type of clips that the police use for their radios. With those type of clips you insert the device and turn it to lock it onto the clip. Removing it requires the opposite maneuver.

In summary, this is a very nice case. It’s made well and looks great. If you can get used to the clip, you’ll love it.

Price: £21.00 (check current exchange rates before ordering)
Construction: A
Ease of Use: B
Overall Rating: A-

Filed in categories: Uncategorized

Tagged: Case, Palm, Palm OS related, Zippered

Wrap5 Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 24, 1998 at 12:00 am.