CaseTechWorks Spring Slim Visor and Prism Cases Review

So, you’ve got a Handspring Visor and an assortment of Springboard modules
that happen to protrude out the back of the PDA. You’re happy as a clam with
your PDA, but you wish you had a case that would allow you to leave your
oversized modules plugged in. What do you do? Well up till now, you pretty much
had no case choices other than maybe stuffing it in an old sock. But now, you
can check out the CaseTechWorks
Spring Slim Visor cases. These are smooth grained leather cases that have a
‘rumble seat’ in the back that can accommodate thicker Springboard
modules. 

There are several versions of these cases available including belt clips and
different colors. I’m going to review the Spring Slim Visor case for all Visor
models and the EM-P Slim case specifically for the Prism.

Spring Slim Case
Device:
Visor, Visor Deluxe, Visor Platinum and Visor Prism

The Spring Slim is a book style case that is compatible with all the Visor
models except for the thinner Visor Edge PDA. It is made of smooth grained leather
and comes in black, navy and tan colors. 

It’s really a simple case, but what sets it apart from similar cases is the
elastic ‘rumble seat’ right where the Springboard module is on the back of the
case. The ‘rumble seat’ is my term, and not CaseTechWorks… but that is what it
reminds me of. It is a square of leather that looks like the rest of the case,
but is held in place by elastic sides. These sides can expand to accommodate
larger modules. It looks like it might be able to expand as much as .5in
(12.7mm). If you don’t need that much expansion, it will just lay flat against
the back of the case.

I’ll admit that I don’t have any really large modules, but I can see that
this case will work great with them. It also should be noted that this case will
work great with the VisorPhone module.

The PDA is held in the case by a square of Velcro that you attach to the back
of the PDA. Testing it with my Prism, it fit perfectly.

You will notice that the screen cover portion of the case is taller than the
back cover.  This matches up perfectly with the curved profile of the
VisorPhone module. But even if you don’t have this specific module, the cover
still looks fine when closed. The front and back covers of the case are nicely
padded and the screen cover portion has a stiff insert to protect the display.
The cover is held closed with a Velcro tab.

The inside of the front cover has several card slots. There are three
standard credit card slots, and one large slot behind them for money or folded
papers. 

It should be noted that you will need to remove the PDA from the case in
order to sync and charge it with the cradle.

The Spring Slim is a nice case. The leather and stitching on this case are of
high quality. If  you have oversized Springboard modules, this is a great
solution at a nice price.

Price: $24.95

Pros:
Can expand to accommodate different sized Springboard modules

Cons:

Three sides of the PDA are exposed and unprotected
Requires Velcro to hold the PDA in the case

EM-P Slim Case
Device:
Visor Prism

The EM-P is identical to the Spring Slim case except that this is a Prism
specific case that uses a holster instead of Velcro as a means of holding the
PDA in place. This version is available only in black leather.

The Prism slides into the holster from the top and is held in place by
friction. It’s a nice snug fit so there isn’t any danger that the PDA will fall
out on its own. There are cut outs for application buttons, power button and IR
port. The stylus is also easily accessible while in this case. The holster is
made of a thick leather and as a result pressing the application buttons becomes
just a tiny bit more difficult. I think the holster could be improved by
removing the leather bar between the buttons and the screen. My main complaint
though is with the power button. It is really hard to press the button thru the
half moon cut out. I found myself sliding my thumbnail under underneath the
leather holster to access the button.

It should also be noted that you will need to remove the PDA from this case in
order to sync and charge it with the cradle.

The EM-P is a very nice Prism case. If the holster could be modified just a
bit, I would say it is one of my current favorites.

Price: $34.95

Pros:
Can expand to accommodate different sized Springboard modules
Doesn’t require Velcro to hold the PDA in the case

Cons:
Power button hard to access thru holster cut out