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PIC News Center | PDA Deals | Forums | Handhelds Click Here Main Menu << Home Page News Center Handhelds Reviews Features Top Articles News Search Comparison Shop Palm OS Software Discussion Forums Active Discussions PIC Anywhere --> Palm Graveyard Market Place Mobile Edition Avantgo Channel Register Log in Contribute News Feedback Advertising Info Click Here Special Deals palmOne Tungsten T3 Treo 600 Tungsten T3 Tungsten C Tungsten E Zire 72 Zire 31 Zire 21 More from palmOne Sony CLIE UX50 TH55 UX50 TJ37 TJ27 More from Sony Palm Reading? Buy the Book Here! Palm: The Ultimate Guide (Pouge & Hawkins) --- palmOne Specials Palm OS Software PriceGrabber News Highlights > Sony to Suspend Clie Handheld Line (181) > palmOne Wins Summary Judgment Invalidating Xerox's Unistroke Patent (53) > palmOne Zire 72 Handheld Review (127) > Sony Clie Organizer Software Review (17) > Top 10 Selling Handhelds and 2003 Market-share (26) > Sony Clie TH55 Review (74) > PalmInfocenter Launches Palm OS Software Store (38) > Q&A: Enhancing Your Clie Experience (10) Comments > RE: too bad... - alanh > Jonathan, where can I reach you?? - Zita > RE: I like the big light up tombstone - lamp > RE: Must be a slow news day - hkklife > RE: Not an appropriate buy IMO - vesther > RE: Is this an ad? - dsm363 > I like Jpeg Show! - Strider_mt2k > RE: too bad... - Strider_mt2k > Must be a slow news day - MasterSamwise > RE: I like the big light up tombstone - Strider_mt2k Hands-on Review: Palm cases for the Tungsten T By: Steve Gingras ( steve@gingras.org ) April 10, 2003 Like any new proud Tungsten T owner, I want to protect my investment...and data. Unfortunately, the clear plastic "cover" that ships with the TT is about as functional as the cardboard box that the unit shipped in. Clearly, Palm was just providing the absolute minimum in hopes of selling high-margin accessories...and I am just the sucker to buy them. Many vendors have cases on the market for the TT and we are sure to see many more in the near future. Unfortunately, many of these cases do not lend themselves to effective utilization of the TT's unique collapsible design. A good TT case should allow the user to extend the TT with ease without removing it from the case as well as provide access to the TT's controls and ports. Also, while many exciting third-party designs are available, most are not available in you local store...so trying one out on a trial basis is rather difficult without committing to the purchase. Thus, I decided to try out Palm's TT cases given their relatively wide availability in my local computer and office supply stores. I also assumed that the Palm cases would provide unparalleled functional design given the designers' unique and advanced access to the TT prototypes. Did these assumptions prove correct? Well, yes and no. Palm currently sells three cases for the Tungsten T. During the past week, I have had the opportunity to try all three and own two. The following is a short review of each based on my experiences. Your mileage may vary. Palm Tungsten T Scuba Sleeve Case ($29.95 USD) http://store.palm.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1195300&cp=1157586 The Scuba Sleeve case was my first choice. This case just looked cool and the description implied that it was pretty rugged...and that's what I need. My last Palm (a IIIx) lasted nearly four years in large part due to its bullet proof case – a Rubber Bumper model from Fellowes. Unfortunately, that case was rather large and, if you are anything like me, the TT's form factor helped sell you on the unit. Thus, I started looking for a rugged case that mated well with the TT. The Scuba Sleeve was candidate number one. So how bullet proof is the Scuba? Well, let's just say that I was ready to fire a couple bullets into it after using it for a day. The case consists of a lightweight internal metal structure covered with a black rubber-like finish. It's not actually rubber. It's softer and more pleasing to the touch. Palm refers to the material as a "scuba-finish surface"...if that means anything to you. I suppose that the surface does feel somewhat like a dive suit, but please avoid the obvious temptation if you go with this one The case description states that the case is a "sleeve." Here, the definition of sleeve means that the case is open on the top and bottom – not that the TT slides in. The case is hinged. Unfortunately, the case design does not seem to allow ambidextrous use. The case opens to the left as you face the TT. Thus, southpaws need not apply. This one is designed for the vast, unwashed right-handed masses...as are all of the cases contained in this review. Being right-handed, I cannot comment on any associated difficulties. I did notice, however, that the case did not open far enough. I constantly felt like the case was in danger of closing while I was using it. The lid tends to only open comfortably to the point that it is pointing straight at the user...threatening to close at any moment. Time and usage (i.e., wear and tear), however, might mitigate this issue. So how did I like the sleeve design? Well, open on the top and bottom should be a good thing. The Tungsten needs to slide open and closed and we need access to the universal connector, stylus, IR port, and SD Card slot. So how did the case fare in real world tests? Horribly. While the opening on the bottom did allow me to connect to my portable charge/synch cable, it provided no help at all to slide the TT open. This case is designed to allow the TT to slide out the bottom. This option sounds attractive since it should also allow you to place the unit in the cradle when extended. Unfortunately, sliding the Tungsten open in this case is nearly impossible unless you pry it open by placing your fingernails in the seam on the front of the TT and claw it open. Palm did not provide the same thoughtful cutout that they designed into the hard side case (reviewed below) to allow you to grip the unit. I struggled with this design flaw for a day before I boxed it back up and returned it. Not being able to open the TT with ease was just an absolute show stopper. If I still haven't scared you away from the Scuba, then I'll also mention that the case provides ready access to the record button, microphone hole, and earphone connector on the side. Personally, however, I don't care if the Scuba design provides front, top, bottom, and side access. It could get my newspaper off of the front lawn and fetch my slippers and I would still hit it with a rolled up newspaper. Any case that prevents me from opening my TT has no value to me. Bad case! Baaaaaaaaaad case! Get off of my PDA and go sit in the corner! PROS CONS Looks and feels cool Access to top, bottom, and side mounted TT controls and ports when case is closed Rigid design prevents inadvertent hard button presses when front lid is closed Right-handed design Case lid does not open very far Almost impossible to open the TT without getting a manicure RATING: 4.7 / 10 Usability: 1 Appearance: 4 Value: 2 Palm Tungsten T Slim Leather Case ($29.95 USD) http://store.palm.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1195296&cp=1157586 Okay, so with my TT and repackaged Scuba Sleeve in hand, it's back to the local Office Depot to try another case. The next case that I tried was Palm's slim leather case. Fortunately, my local Office Depot manager was kind enough to open the packaging and let me try the case with my TT prior to purchasing. He slipped into the back room and returned with the chainsaw that was necessary to break through the plastic packaging. Apparently, Palm designed the packaging to ensure that each case will survive a nuclear holocaust. I only wish that the flimsy plastic cover that ships with the TT was designed this well. After rescuing the slim leather case from its 20 mil thick plastic tomb, we dropped in my TT. The case uses a side clip scheme similar to the flimso-plastico-cheapo bundled TT cover to hold the unit in. While not rock solid, the connection is adequate. Extending the unit while it is in this case is a breeze as is gaining access to front, top, and bottom mounted ports and controls. When the case is open, the user has easy access to the face and all four sides of the TT. Access to the earphone jack, however, is not available when the case is closed. One interesting way around this limitation is to place the TT in the case upside down. This approach reverses the side on which the case opens and provides access to the jack even when the case is not open. This approach also has the unfortunate side effect, however, of inverting the business card holder on the inside of the front cover. Regardless of which orientation you choose, reports indicate that the case resting directly against the hard buttons on the TT's front face results in frequent inadvertent button pushes. While this design flaw is generally frustrating, it is maddening when those buttons control track skip and volume for your MP3 software. So what was the final assessment? Back into your tiny plastic tomb leather man! The earphone jack wasn't the show stopper for me. Instead, I decided to leave this one on the shelf simply because I didn't like the overall form factor. The case resembles a small day planner. The cover stays closed with a leather tab that is fairly secure. Nevertheless, the case did not strike me as being able to provide much protection for my beloved (and abused) TT. I am sure that the case would do fine if your TT went from your desk to your inside suit pocket and back out to a meeting room table, but that's not me. I'm not in sales or marketing. I develop software and I do not wear a suit. Instead, my Palms tend to get thrown around quite a bit. Thrown into my laptop case...thrown into my backpack...thrown into my Jeep's glove compartment...you get the idea. I need the case to fight back. This leather portfolio just wasn't going to cut it for me. If you are in sales or marketing, however, this case might work very well for you. It has space inside the cover for your business cards and looks rather professional. Personally, however, carrying around a Barbie doll size day planner just isn't my speed. I travel with geeks and we need bullet proof. I need a case that I can throw into the pocket of my floor length-leather jacket on my way to go rescue Morpheus from the agents. Well, something that will at least survive the trip in my backpack while mountain biking. This one just isn't for me. "Hey Mr. Manager, still got that chainsaw handy? I see one more case that I haven't tried yet." PROS CONS Looks professional Access to top and bottom mounted TT controls and ports when case is closed Easy TT extension while in case Built in business card holder Right-handed design, but less of an issue than with the Scuba Sleeve since the case opens fully No access to earphone jack and voice record control when case is closed Pressure on case cover will result in inadvertent hard button presses when front cover is closed Looks like Barbie lost her day planner RATING: 6.3 / 10 Usability: 2.5 Appearance: 3.5 Value: 3.5 Palm Tungsten T Aluminum Hard Case ($39.95 USD) http://store.palm.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1195298&cp=1157586 The helpful folks at Office Depot next used a machete to open up the Kevlar packaging on the aluminum hard side case. While I wasn't excited with the case's appearance, I was running out of options. Not that the case is ugly, but it just isn't up to the TT design standard in my opinion. The color is all wrong for a TT case. It's a coated brushed aluminum similar to that of a Palm V/Vx. I'm not sure why they didn't choose an alloy color that more closely resembles the TT's own color. Thus, I ignored this one on the first trip to the store. After the Scuba Sleeve debacle, however, I was ready to be a little more open minded. After bandaging our package-inflicted wounds, we dropped my TT into the hard case. My first thought was, "wow, nice fit." The TT fits snuggly and even locks into place using two tabs on the case that mate with two openings on the back of the TT (back, not the sides). I hadn't noticed the openings on the TT before, but I suppose this application is for what they were designed. Got to love an "all Palm" solution. The major difference between this case and the Scuba is that the TT slides out of the top of this case. In fact, the bottom of the case isn't even open. The case features a thoughtful cutout on the top portion of the case back to allow you to grip the TT firmly and slide it open. This feature works very well. So well, in fact, that I boxed it up and brought it to the register to take home. So how has it fared in day-to-day use? Better then horrible. In fact, it's pretty darn good. The case lid opens fully and locks in place when open or closed. The case opening on the top allows easy access to the stylus, IR port, and SD Card slot. Another opening on the side provides similar access to the record button, microphone hole, and earphone connector. The design of this opening also allows you to extend the TT without removing the headphones – a feature not offered by the popular Innopocket/Proporta/Rhinoskin alternative hard case. The TT slide action works well and the case is fairly rugged. The case also has two slots on the inside of the cover to hold your spare SD cards...a very nice touch, and also not offered by the Innopocket/Proporta/Rhinoskin case. So what's not to like? Well, besides the color, not much...except the complete inability to synch or charge the unit while it is in this case. The case features a spring device in the base to enable the rear-mounted tab locks to function. This design prevented Palm from providing an opening in which even a portable universal connector could fit. Fortunately, removing the TT from the case is a breeze. All things considered, it's a pretty darn good case. It's functional and rugged. I also won't mind if it gets scratched because the finish isn't on the top of my list of favorite features. All in all, it's a keeper. The nice folks at Office Depot can now lock up the jaws of life. PROS CONS Fairly rugged Access to top and side mounted TT controls and ports when case is closed Easy TT extension while in case Rigid design prevents inadvertent hard button presses when front lid is closed Built in SD card holder Locks firmly in place yet is easy to remove for charging/synching Right-handed design, but less of an issue than with the Scuba Sleeve since the case opens fully No access to universal connector while in case Finish not on par with the TT design RATING: 7.3 / 10 Usability: 4 Appearance: 3 Value: 4 Conclusion While many cases for the Tungsten T are on the market, the Palm-branded cases are likely to be the most plentiful in your local chain store. If you are like me and need immediate gratification, feel free to grab one to protect your new loved one. Just stay away from the Scuba Sleeve like the black plague wrapped in an Ebola virus crepe. The slim leather case is fine for executive types. The fit and finish is excellent for the price and the business card holder is a plus. The real winner in my opinion, however, is the aluminum hard side case. It's fairly rugged, allows easy extension of the TT, and provides access to all of the controls and ports except the universal connector...but hey, it's a clamshell, what did you expect? You might even consider the sealed bottom to just be an added measure of protection for your TT's delicate universal connector port. If lack of access to the universal connector while your TT is in the case is a showstopper, then consider the Innopocket/Proporta/Rhinoskin hard case as an alternative. This case, which is sold under these three brands, offers some of the same features as the Palm-branded hard case but also provides access to the universal connector while the TT is in the case. While you cannot place the TT in the cradle while the unit is in this case, you can connect a portable charge/synch cable. The case is also somewhat slimmer than the Palm aluminum hard side case. Unfortunately, no case is perfect. Users of this case complain about sharp edges, poor lid clearance for the front of the TT, and the inability to extend the TT while the earphones are connected. The case is also not widely available so you will most likely need to mail order this one. If Palm made a couple minor modifications to their cases, they would own most of this market. The Palm cases are available in most office supply and computer stores while their competition is primarily available via the web. Unfortunately (for Palm), the limitations of their cases have power users scouring the web for alternatives. Palm could stem the flow of this migration by just tweaking the existing designs. A simple cut out on the back of the Scuba Sleeve would make that case a winner. Change the finish on the hard side case and redesign the internal spring to allow access to the universal connector for a portable charge/synch cable and that case would also be nearly perfect. If Palm makes these changes, then I will be right back at my local Office Depot making another donation to my favorite charity. Until then, however, the market is still wide open for innovation. In the meantime, my TT will be safe in my Palm aluminum hard case bouncing around in my backpack. See you on the trail. SG. © 2003 Stephen Gingras Story Options... Start a new Comment Print Story Email Story Comments The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. PIC is not responsible for them in any way. Page 1 of 2 (54 total comments) 1 | 2 | ALL :-) sgingras @ 4/11/2003 1:57:11 PM First! ;-) RE: :-) Lucky Bob @ 4/11/2003 2:03:01 PM How nice (Why do some people say you can kill two birds with one stone when it's hard enough killing one bird with two stones?) RE: :-) TDS Computer @ 4/12/2003 1:37:53 AM Eighteenth! (I feel special, now...) I bought the leather flip case for my Treo 90, and after a few weeks of using it, it just felt to "Bulky" in my pocket. I went back to using the built in flip cover. That sure comes in handy! I will hopefully be getting the Tunngsten C at the end of the month, and It sure would be nice to have the built in flip cover on it! I don't think it does, though... Funny review, BTW... Visit us at www.tdscomputer.com RE: :-) adamrichman @ 4/14/2003 4:33:05 PM Great reviews here as always, though i would liked to seen some more on the Innopocket solution, as it's my favorite :). Also checkout this review of the 6 top cases for the TT. More pictures here of each case too. http://www.foxpop.ndirect.co.uk/Palm/ttcases_01.htm RE: :-) sgingras @ 4/15/2003 12:03:16 AM Thanks for the comments. Look forward to a complete Innopocket review, which will include a detailed comparison of this case with the Palm hard case. cheers, Steve Reply to this comment Palm Scuba Sleeve Thingy Louis Berk @ 4/11/2003 3:01:00 PM I completely agree with the review of the scuba case. I bought the Tungsten the day it was announced and was anxious from the get go to get a case. The only early option were the Palm cases and in fact I'd always been pleased with the Palm belt-clip case for my Pilot 500 which then worked quite well with my Palm IIIc. So, what they hey, I got the scuba sleeve. To describe it as dross is unfair to real dross which at least knows its place in the world as dross and not masquerading as something other than dross, which this case is. Not that I'd want to put you off, or anything. The flap does not really open far enough in my opinion to make it comfortable to use the Tungsten while in it. It is bulky. There is no belt clip. The flap does not even lock in place. There is no easy way to extend the palm, I'm forever getting thumb marks on my screen when pulling down the extension. I doubt this case was designed by Palm but whoever the subscontracted it to: you was robbed. The case is very solid but then the top and the bottom of the Tugsten are exposed. Am I complaining - yes. Did I do anything about it? Well, I'm such a wimp that I just put up with it - but as soon as I come across a case which I like then I'll unload this one into my rubbish bin. RE: Palm Scuba Sleeve Thingy posterboy @ 4/11/2003 10:41:49 PM I own a Palm Scuba Sleeve Case and I happen to love it! :) The inabillty to open the case 180 degrees might be a flaw, but the others listed (I totally disagree). How to "easily" slide the slider when the T is attached on the case? You use your thumb, place it on the horizontal center, directly on top of the 5-way navigator and gently slide it down. Magic? Not! Thumb marks all over the screen? Have you ever heard about screen protectors?! The screen protectors from Brando Workshop are smudge proof and washable (not disposable). http://shop.brando.com.hk/ Belt clip? Get a Body Glove PDA belt clip and attach it on your Sleeve case. Works for me! ;) Got Palm? Don't keep it, flaunt it! RE: Palm Scuba Sleeve Thingy Louis Berk @ 4/12/2003 6:18:13 AM Posterboy, look, I agree - these things are very subjective and I'm sure it works for you - as you can tell by my opinions I'm not delighted with the case but on the other hand I've yet to be taken with any of the alternatives. I'll check out the Rhino case you recommend, thanks for the response. Louis Reply to this comment Best Case . . . so far nakolo @ 4/11/2003 4:10:34 PM I bought my T|T back on 10/28 and spent weeks trying to find a suitable case (I was using an EB case for my IIIc). I *really* wanted to check out the Palm hardcase (I like the fold-around feature found on the case for the m515), but they were nowhere to be found. After reading an article in The Gadgeteer ( http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/comdex-2002-article.html ), I checked the Rhinoskin website and ordered one like in the pictures. I was planning to give it a one week "test," but still absolutely love it! While it adds a little bulk to the T|T, it fits nicely in my pocket, protects from the accidental falls (less than four feet), and has access to all the controls (including the earphone jack). I don't use the belt-clip thingy (just too nerdy), and the "through the case" syncing leaves a lot to be desired, but the "over the top" flap enables one-handed operation and and with the snap closure, I don't have to worry about problems with my credit cards. So . . . I went back to the Saunders/Rhinoskin site today . . . and they've replaced it with a side opening version! Why? Can't say, but the replacement looks *really* cheesy compared to mine. You can order a comparable one from Brando in Hong Kong ( http://shop.brando.com.hk/detungstentcasef.php ) -- just make sure to have it quarantined for SARS first (ooh, bad joke). ---------------- TT First Adopter, Purchased 10/29/2002 Palm III, IIIc, T|T RE: Best Case . . . so far Wollombi @ 4/11/2003 5:23:52 PM I looked at the RhinoSkin flip case, but opted for E&B's Slipper Tungsten instead, as I've owned other models of this case and have always been pleased. This time is no exception; I'm very happy with it. The only advantage I could see with the RhinoSkin case is that it offered a little more side protection than the Slipper. However, the Slipper is quite nice and offers adequate protection as long as I'm not mountain biking or anything, at which point I will buy a hard case for those "special occasions". Additionally, E&B's new "Techlock" clip is about the sturdiest clip I've ever owned. I'm hard on belt clips, even breaking an Ultra clip at one time. I have yet to even strain this thing. It's great. The design makes the PDA secure on your belt while still being easy to remove when desired. When I first saw it I thought it was cheesy, but now I'm sold. So if you're looking for a good flip/play though case that you *don't* have to quarantine (based in San Diego, CA), go with E&B. _________________ Sean It is not very comfortable to have the gift of being amused at one's own absurdity. -Somerset Maugham- RE: Best Case . . . so far Wollombi @ 4/11/2003 5:29:57 PM I forgot to mentiong that it is a syncable case. You can place the PDA in the cradle with still in the case. _________________ Sean It is not very comfortable to have the gift of being amused at one's own absurdity. -Somerset Maugham- RE: Best Case . . . so far Ben S @ 4/14/2003 10:17:14 AM I like the old RhinoSkin leather case too (I posted a few pictures on Brighthand if you care to search for them) -- my favorite "feature" is that you can flip the cover back and use it in a "tripod" mode -- coupled with an autoscrolling book reader (like PalmReader), it's very handy. It is a bit bulky so I've ordered a Palm hard case (based mostly on this review) for use this summer -- we'll see how it goes. Maybe one of my cases will end up on eBay! :) Reply to this comment Great review NR_Alien @ 4/11/2003 4:48:18 PM What a great read/review! Very entertaining. Had me lol a number of times. PIC should post more reviews like this. RE: Great review Altema @ 4/11/2003 8:16:20 PM Agreed, this one is a keeper. Informative and entertaining. Well done Stephen! RE: Great review niolonra @ 4/12/2003 8:39:06 PM I too loved the review. The only thing I would add is that in my experience the hard case from Palm has two additional flaws: 1) the memory card storage slots in the flip lid require you to store the card with the metal connectors facing out, and you almost can't help but touch them when you slide a card out 2) the open top means that when you drop the Tungsten into your backpack or jacket pocket upside down, when it lands the memory card or stylus can be pressed and pop out. It's only happened a few times, but it's a few times more than I like. OTHEr than that, I am very satisfied with its durability, access to the voice memo button (remapped to play OGG files) and headphone jack Richard RE: Great review Ling @ 4/12/2003 10:24:30 PM A really funny and comprehensive review! :) I own the Tungsten T Hard Case and am am concerned abt the inadeqancy of the memory storage card slots. As rightly pointed out, the metal connectors are pointing facing out. Would that spoil my memory cards esp. with frequent usage? RE: Great review peitron @ 4/13/2003 12:27:27 AM Kudos! Great Job! ________________________________________ "Why should I care about posterity? What's posterity ever done for me?" - Groucho Marx Reply to this comment Rating icons? alanh @ 4/11/2003 4:57:15 PM Is it just me, or is it almost impossible to tell the difference between a full and a half icon for the ratings? I have pretty good vision, and there's just not enough contrast.... It's even worse when I try to read the review on my T|T instead of my CRT. -alan RE: Rating icons? sgingras @ 4/11/2003 5:21:41 PM No...it's not just you. I struggled with these myself and I wrote the darned thing. ;-) If you are using IE, you can hover your cursor over the icon and the actual rating number will show up. Perhaps PIC will change the icons at some point to provide better contrast. I'll pass your comments on to Ryan. Thanks. cheers, Steve RE: Rating icons? abosco @ 4/11/2003 6:01:04 PM Actually, I suggested this myself a few weeks ago. I agree, it's hard to make see. Wow, I just had an epiphany. I very well may be the laziest person in America. -Bosco Proud Member of the Top Non-Mods Members: abosco and ImpReza M3 Now accepting new applications RE: Rating icons? abosco @ 4/11/2003 6:04:50 PM And I just proved it with my text editing skills on that second sentence. -Bosco Proud Member of the Top Non-Mods Members: abosco and ImpReza M3 Now accepting new applications Reply to this comment The case I have! Gage @ 4/11/2003 5:17:09 PM I strongly suggest getting what I have, and that is the Slipper tungsten case! http://www.ebcases.com/StoreFront.bok It's just COOL.... I use the one that has a belt clip! The E&B slipper case robman @ 4/11/2003 8:47:37 PM I've got the slipper, (but I made the mistake of buying the one with the belt clip, and I'm not a belt clip guy). It's WAAAAAY better than any of the cases Palm offers. The E&B case does have problems though. One, while the buttons on the front of the Palm can't be turned on accidentally while the case is closed, the POWER button on the top and the voice memo button on the side can be easily turn the Palm on accidentally. I also often find my SD card half ejected (which really scares me, because it could potentially fall out unnoticed.) Two, out of the box you can't really open your Tungsten T without sort of half pulling it out of the case. This is easily fixed with a piece of double sided mounting tape (a well documented and effective solution) but E&B still ought to include a piece of the tape in the box. Three, the case almost completely hides the indicator LED on the front of the Palm. So, you can't see the silent alarms, and when you put your Palm in the cradle you have to crane your neck around to the side to see if you seated it properly and the charging light is on. I'm expecting this problem to become more frustrating when I upgrade to OS 5.xxx that actually turns the light off when the Palm is fully charged. Four, the case primarly exists for screen protection, not shock absorbtion. The left and right side of the Palm are almost completly exposed, and the leather covering the bottom and back is thin and flush with the Tungsten's body. If you're looking for a case that would protect your Tungsten on even a few inches drop to a concrete floor, this case would only save you on the front side. This means that for rugged use it's not much better than the included plastic Tungsten doohickey we all love to hate. Five, it's $35.00 plus shipping. I think we're paying for fine leather with these products (finer still in Vaja-land) and I personally could not care less. It's not worth $35.00, but it's the best case in it's price class, if that makes any sense. Hope that helps. Palm Researcher at the University of Texas at Austin http://www.edb.utexas.edu/petrosino/pda Reply to this comment I'll miss my slide connector palmgator @ 4/11/2003 9:04:43 PM In a classic palm engineering screw up I think they totally missed the boat when they got rid of the slide connector on either side, as in the V series. this is a piece of design mastery, a slick way to place your stylus in either side and a way to solidly connect a slim case without any extra gizmos (mine even stays in my hard case every day when I drop it! . what the heck were they thinking, give me a 5.2 os V series pleaaase! the only two things keeping from a tungsten are 1. inadequate cse selection and 2. Im waiting for them to ship with graffiti 2 Training sales and real estate professionals on effective palm use! RE: I'll miss my slide connector ggeoffre @ 4/12/2003 9:39:46 PM I will agree that I did enjoy the slide connector of my Palm V, and I really liked the Palm Hard Case for my Palm V that used this slide connector (as well as the Franklin binder clip). But one design opportunity would have been not to use plastic on the inside rim of the slide connector. I had the top edge chip off making the locking mechanism useless. I would have to say that the stress on the edged of the plastic rim of the slide connector may warrant some re-engineering from my point of view. I am happy to see Palm continue the innovation and try out the side clasps of the T|T that the cases seem to all be utilizing. My T|T snaps right into my Scuba Sleeve Case. I would hate to have to go to a velcro based solution. RE: I'll miss my slide connector JBonds007 @ 4/13/2003 7:27:44 AM I have to admit, I miss the quality of the better hard cases offered for the Palm V series compared to the TT cases. I fell in love with the alumninum Palm Vx Hard case (and I'm talking about the original shiny aluminum hard case and not the cheaper aluminum cases now being offered for the V series). However, as much as the slide connector was effective in keeping my Vx connected to the case, it was a pain to remove the Vx from the case for syncing. I now use the Palm hard case which is a breeze to remove the TT for syncing. Prior to my purchase of the TT Palm hard case, I did inquire with RhinoSkin whether they had plans for a hard case for the TT, but the salesperson was either unaware of future product offerings (this was in Nov. 02) or could not discuss about their case. I probably would have waited for the RhinoSkin TT hard case, but given its restrictions agaisnt allowiing extention of the TT while headphones are connected to the audio jack, I probably would have sold the case by now anyway. I also appreciate the dual SD card slot of the Palm hard case. I'll probably end up buying the Covertec case given its ability to sync while covered and better quality of leather finish compared to other leather cases. Just a few other comments about my TT hard case...first, I wish it had the softer neoprene padding of my Vx RhinoSkin hard case, second, I agree with the others about the stupidity of having to insert the SD cards with the metal tabs exposed. This design flaw also doesn't allow you to see the cover of the SD cards in the event you want to label them or if you use different memory size cards or brands of SD cards to differentiate the data content. Third, I wish the Palm hard case had a locking clasp to prevent the cover from opening on its own (a la RhinoSkin hard case). Lastly, because I needed the ability to carry my TT on my belt (which the Palm hard case doesn't have an option to provide), I ended up buying a $10 Targus black nylon case with a velcro belt loop at my local Fry's to slide my TT with the hard case into. This Targus case has worked well as an added shock absorber on at least one occassion when my Palm flew out of my hands while exiting a co-worker's van (as I got bumped by another person) and also protects the hard case against further scratches. I know this is overkill to use the Targus case as a cover for my hard case, but its been very helpful for accomodating my need to be able to carry my TT on my belt. As I mention above, I'll probably buy the Covertec case since it provides a quality finish and allows easy syncing while in the case. Reply to this comment Tungsten Cases NAHuber @ 4/11/2003 9:06:05 PM I own all 3 of the Palm branded cases (leather, hard and scuba)Ok, I am a case junkie. I really liked the hardcase the best too..at least initially. However, after several months of use, the 2 ribs just above the card slots on the front cover left wear marks on the front of my Tungsten. I switched back to the scuba case for a few weeks..and even being a lefty found it to be not too bad. The cover opens more as you use it. I am currently using the leather case, but would really like to get a flip up leather case (ala Slipper, Vaja) but have been disapponted with the quality of the Slipper case..seems kind of unfinished. I have been totally mystified by the attitude of Vaja and their funky marketing techniques..like what is the difference between the 54, 85 and 100 dollar cases..other than the fact that the 54 dollar cases are "sold out" and I can't get the leather combination I want in the more expensive cases (so what makes it custom???? and worth the extra $$$)) Well..I guess I will continue to wait!!!! RE: Tungsten Cases peitron @ 4/12/2003 2:52:58 PM I totally agree. I own both the Palm hardcase and leather case. I HATE the wear marks that the hard case leaves on the Palm. Makes it look dirty. I do, however, think that the hardcase is the best Palm branded case out there. The leather case is sleek and I love that I can recharge without removing the TT, but it's kind of afeminate and I just hate that I can't plug my headphones in when it's closed. Has anyone tried the Convertec TT case yet? It looks like it's the best of all possible worlds, you can recharge without removing the PDA and listen to MP3 when it's closed. ( http://www.mobileplanet.com/private/covertec/Default.asp ) _______________________________________________ "Why should I care about posterity? What's posterity ever done for me?" - Groucho Marx RE: Tungsten Cases sgingras @ 4/12/2003 9:28:35 PM The Covertec case does look very nice. I am attempting to get access to one for a forthoming review. cheers, Steve RE: Tungsten Cases bringer @ 4/14/2003 1:42:39 PM I dont' know if you guys are pressing the cover harder into the Palm while it's in your pocket or something because I've had the hard case for a couple of months now and I don't see any marks on my Palm. Just looking at it, it doesn't look these ridges even touch the Palm normally (unless I press down on the case at that point). RE: Tungsten Cases ptc @ 4/14/2003 2:25:00 PM Palm hard-case marks on my Tungsten are very subtle - and not permanent. Just dirt smudges. If I take a damp cloth to it, they disappear... _________ Paul C. Reply to this comment Sena Tungsten Case SuperUser @ 4/12/2003 2:47:16 AM Sena Tungsten case also looks cool : http://www.senacases.com/tungstent tim Reply to this comment Palm Slim Leather Case tsinvest @ 4/12/2003 2:10:04 PM I bought this case and must say I like it quite fine. I would consider myself somewhat particular and waited a while before I bought a case, but this one seemed to have the least annoying features of all. It also has storage space for 2 cards. You can hotsync with the palm in it (which was a big consideration of mine) and the palm comes out easily if you wish to change over to the original plastic cover for occasional suit pocket use. All in all I would rate this one higher than the review. Regards, Tom S. Reply to this comment The Best Case... informationrules @ 4/13/2003 5:22:24 AM The best case for the leather friends is the one made by covertec. I guess it is not widely spread in the USA because it is made in France. But i can asure you that this is by far the best leather case that i have seen for the T|T. It uses the clip mechanism that also the original plastic cover uses. When it comes to ultimate protection i use the InnoPocket alu case, which is just great... RE: The Best Case... scopes @ 4/13/2003 10:13:31 AM I agree, I first thought the Covertec looked best also. I am personnally looking for the best leather flip case I can find, but have none as of yet. If you look closely though, you'll see that since there is no slot by the universal connector, you must sync only after extending the slide-out portion of the Tungsten. I try to slide out as little as possible and when walking in to work in the morning do not want to use two hands to slide out and fasten to cradle when sitting down to my desk. I also liked the idea of using the side slots for attachment, but if you tinker with your clear supplied cover you'd see it is actually quite loose, which would be magnified in a case of this sort. I am seriously considering the Vaja, EB Slipper and Sena cases, price no object, but want the best leather, smallest size, easiest use flip case. I might use a belt clip occasionally, but will not get a permanent belt clip, since it would be in the way most times. Any suggestions ? RE: The Best Case... scopes @ 4/13/2003 10:20:02 AM I've also decided that the extra latching strap that takes an extra step to latch is, not in my best interest, even though more secure. I would prefer the simple flap with magnet. RE: The Best Case... informationrules @ 4/13/2003 11:25:19 AM i hot sync via a usb cable, so it fits into the palm even in the covertec or the innopocket case. i ordered a bluetooth adapter for my pc, so hopefully soon i will sync without any cable... RE: The Best Case... peitron @ 4/14/2003 4:55:49 PM Bluetooth syncs are useful, but USB is still much faster. I wouldn't throw out the craddle when you get your adapter. A good solid, but at the same time slim, case that allows you to sync with the craddle without removing the Palm is still my utopia. _____________________________________________ "Why should I care about posterity? What's posterity ever done for me?" - Groucho Marx Reply to this comment Palm-branded TT cases and SD cards Navamske @ 4/13/2003 3:13:45 PM I tried the Slim Leather Case and found I couldn't remove the SD cards from their slots unless I carried a tweezer with me. I tried the Aluminum case and was appalled to see that the default way to place the SD cards in their slots is with the front side facing in. This makes it rather difficult to tell which card is which. Also, the SD cards are easier to remove from the Aluminum case, but sometimes they remove themselves -- I've found them at the bottom of my backpack. I've settled on the Vaja i-Vod case. Anyone in the market for a slightly used Slim Leather Case and/or a slightly used Aluminum case? Reply to this comment I don't understnad the adulation for the hard case ckrupsha @ 4/13/2003 3:26:42 PM I have purchased the palm branded hard case on the basis of this review, and I have to say that although the review is probably spot-on in regards to the other cases -- the hard case is inadequate at rugged environment protection. My previous hard case is the palm branded model for the m500 series. That thing could take a bullet. First off, if you drop the TT in the case, I GUARANTEE that the TT will jump out of the case after the first bounce. Not a Big deal on carpet or maybe wood surfaces, but how about asphalt and concrete? Furthermore, the case has no substantial method of staying closed -- anything pressing against the joint will push it open. This case also uses a significantly thinner gauge aluminum than the m500 palm hard case. As a result, the shell is quite flexible. I work as a plant manager in a manufacturing setting, and have concerns that this case will live up to the reptuation of its older brother. Don't get me wrong, this case is decently designed for what it is. But what it is NOT, is $40 worth of accident protection for your TT -- based upon Palm's own prior hard case achievements. I'd say the value is more around $25. and good protection from average -- but not serious abuse. Reply to this comment Now displaying 40 comments per page. Jump to Comments Page: 1 | 2 News Center | Reviews | Handhelds | PDA Graveyard | Polls | Home | TOP | Search | Forums | Privacy | RSS | Contact | Advertising © PalmInfocenter.com PalmInfocenter.com is not affiliated with or endorsed by Palm Inc, palmOne or PalmSource in any way. Any use of the word Palm is for discussion purposes and is a registered trademark of Palm Inc. © PalmInfocenter.com, all rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly forbidden. Site Meter


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Mastering Palm Organizers --- palmOne Specials Palm OS Software PriceGrabber News Highlights > Sony to Suspend Clie Handheld Line (181) > palmOne Wins Summary Judgment Invalidating Xerox's Unistroke Patent (53) > palmOne Zire 72 Handheld Review (127) > Sony Clie Organizer Software Review (17) > Top 10 Selling Handhelds and 2003 Market-share (26) > Sony Clie TH55 Review (74) > PalmInfocenter Launches Palm OS Software Store (38) > Q&A: Enhancing Your Clie Experience (10) Comments > RE: too bad... - alanh > Jonathan, where can I reach you?? - Zita > RE: I like the big light up tombstone - lamp > RE: Must be a slow news day - hkklife > RE: Not an appropriate buy IMO - vesther > RE: Is this an ad? - dsm363 > I like Jpeg Show! - Strider_mt2k > RE: too bad... - Strider_mt2k > Must be a slow news day - MasterSamwise > RE: I like the big light up tombstone - Strider_mt2k Hands-on Review: Palm cases for the Tungsten T By: Steve Gingras ( steve@gingras.org ) April 10, 2003 Like any new proud Tungsten T owner, I want to protect my investment...and data. Unfortunately, the clear plastic "cover" that ships with the TT is about as functional as the cardboard box that the unit shipped in. Clearly, Palm was just providing the absolute minimum in hopes of selling high-margin accessories...and I am just the sucker to buy them. Many vendors have cases on the market for the TT and we are sure to see many more in the near future. Unfortunately, many of these cases do not lend themselves to effective utilization of the TT's unique collapsible design. A good TT case should allow the user to extend the TT with ease without removing it from the case as well as provide access to the TT's controls and ports. Also, while many exciting third-party designs are available, most are not available in you local store...so trying one out on a trial basis is rather difficult without committing to the purchase. Thus, I decided to try out Palm's TT cases given their relatively wide availability in my local computer and office supply stores. I also assumed that the Palm cases would provide unparalleled functional design given the designers' unique and advanced access to the TT prototypes. Did these assumptions prove correct? Well, yes and no. Palm currently sells three cases for the Tungsten T. During the past week, I have had the opportunity to try all three and own two. The following is a short review of each based on my experiences. Your mileage may vary. Palm Tungsten T Scuba Sleeve Case ($29.95 USD) http://store.palm.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1195300&cp=1157586 The Scuba Sleeve case was my first choice. This case just looked cool and the description implied that it was pretty rugged...and that's what I need. My last Palm (a IIIx) lasted nearly four years in large part due to its bullet proof case – a Rubber Bumper model from Fellowes. Unfortunately, that case was rather large and, if you are anything like me, the TT's form factor helped sell you on the unit. Thus, I started looking for a rugged case that mated well with the TT. The Scuba Sleeve was candidate number one. So how bullet proof is the Scuba? Well, let's just say that I was ready to fire a couple bullets into it after using it for a day. The case consists of a lightweight internal metal structure covered with a black rubber-like finish. It's not actually rubber. It's softer and more pleasing to the touch. Palm refers to the material as a "scuba-finish surface"...if that means anything to you. I suppose that the surface does feel somewhat like a dive suit, but please avoid the obvious temptation if you go with this one The case description states that the case is a "sleeve." Here, the definition of sleeve means that the case is open on the top and bottom – not that the TT slides in. The case is hinged. Unfortunately, the case design does not seem to allow ambidextrous use. The case opens to the left as you face the TT. Thus, southpaws need not apply. This one is designed for the vast, unwashed right-handed masses...as are all of the cases contained in this review. Being right-handed, I cannot comment on any associated difficulties. I did notice, however, that the case did not open far enough. I constantly felt like the case was in danger of closing while I was using it. The lid tends to only open comfortably to the point that it is pointing straight at the user...threatening to close at any moment. Time and usage (i.e., wear and tear), however, might mitigate this issue. So how did I like the sleeve design? Well, open on the top and bottom should be a good thing. The Tungsten needs to slide open and closed and we need access to the universal connector, stylus, IR port, and SD Card slot. So how did the case fare in real world tests? Horribly. While the opening on the bottom did allow me to connect to my portable charge/synch cable, it provided no help at all to slide the TT open. This case is designed to allow the TT to slide out the bottom. This option sounds attractive since it should also allow you to place the unit in the cradle when extended. Unfortunately, sliding the Tungsten open in this case is nearly impossible unless you pry it open by placing your fingernails in the seam on the front of the TT and claw it open. Palm did not provide the same thoughtful cutout that they designed into the hard side case (reviewed below) to allow you to grip the unit. I struggled with this design flaw for a day before I boxed it back up and returned it. Not being able to open the TT with ease was just an absolute show stopper. If I still haven't scared you away from the Scuba, then I'll also mention that the case provides ready access to the record button, microphone hole, and earphone connector on the side. Personally, however, I don't care if the Scuba design provides front, top, bottom, and side access. It could get my newspaper off of the front lawn and fetch my slippers and I would still hit it with a rolled up newspaper. Any case that prevents me from opening my TT has no value to me. Bad case! Baaaaaaaaaad case! Get off of my PDA and go sit in the corner! PROS CONS Looks and feels cool Access to top, bottom, and side mounted TT controls and ports when case is closed Rigid design prevents inadvertent hard button presses when front lid is closed Right-handed design Case lid does not open very far Almost impossible to open the TT without getting a manicure RATING: 4.7 / 10 Usability: 1 Appearance: 4 Value: 2 Palm Tungsten T Slim Leather Case ($29.95 USD) http://store.palm.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1195296&cp=1157586 Okay, so with my TT and repackaged Scuba Sleeve in hand, it's back to the local Office Depot to try another case. The next case that I tried was Palm's slim leather case. Fortunately, my local Office Depot manager was kind enough to open the packaging and let me try the case with my TT prior to purchasing. He slipped into the back room and returned with the chainsaw that was necessary to break through the plastic packaging. Apparently, Palm designed the packaging to ensure that each case will survive a nuclear holocaust. I only wish that the flimsy plastic cover that ships with the TT was designed this well. After rescuing the slim leather case from its 20 mil thick plastic tomb, we dropped in my TT. The case uses a side clip scheme similar to the flimso-plastico-cheapo bundled TT cover to hold the unit in. While not rock solid, the connection is adequate. Extending the unit while it is in this case is a breeze as is gaining access to front, top, and bottom mounted ports and controls. When the case is open, the user has easy access to the face and all four sides of the TT. Access to the earphone jack, however, is not available when the case is closed. One interesting way around this limitation is to place the TT in the case upside down. This approach reverses the side on which the case opens and provides access to the jack even when the case is not open. This approach also has the unfortunate side effect, however, of inverting the business card holder on the inside of the front cover. Regardless of which orientation you choose, reports indicate that the case resting directly against the hard buttons on the TT's front face results in frequent inadvertent button pushes. While this design flaw is generally frustrating, it is maddening when those buttons control track skip and volume for your MP3 software. So what was the final assessment? Back into your tiny plastic tomb leather man! The earphone jack wasn't the show stopper for me. Instead, I decided to leave this one on the shelf simply because I didn't like the overall form factor. The case resembles a small day planner. The cover stays closed with a leather tab that is fairly secure. Nevertheless, the case did not strike me as being able to provide much protection for my beloved (and abused) TT. I am sure that the case would do fine if your TT went from your desk to your inside suit pocket and back out to a meeting room table, but that's not me. I'm not in sales or marketing. I develop software and I do not wear a suit. Instead, my Palms tend to get thrown around quite a bit. Thrown into my laptop case...thrown into my backpack...thrown into my Jeep's glove compartment...you get the idea. I need the case to fight back. This leather portfolio just wasn't going to cut it for me. If you are in sales or marketing, however, this case might work very well for you. It has space inside the cover for your business cards and looks rather professional. Personally, however, carrying around a Barbie doll size day planner just isn't my speed. I travel with geeks and we need bullet proof. I need a case that I can throw into the pocket of my floor length-leather jacket on my way to go rescue Morpheus from the agents. Well, something that will at least survive the trip in my backpack while mountain biking. This one just isn't for me. "Hey Mr. Manager, still got that chainsaw handy? I see one more case that I haven't tried yet." PROS CONS Looks professional Access to top and bottom mounted TT controls and ports when case is closed Easy TT extension while in case Built in business card holder Right-handed design, but less of an issue than with the Scuba Sleeve since the case opens fully No access to earphone jack and voice record control when case is closed Pressure on case cover will result in inadvertent hard button presses when front cover is closed Looks like Barbie lost her day planner RATING: 6.3 / 10 Usability: 2.5 Appearance: 3.5 Value: 3.5 Palm Tungsten T Aluminum Hard Case ($39.95 USD) http://store.palm.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1195298&cp=1157586 The helpful folks at Office Depot next used a machete to open up the Kevlar packaging on the aluminum hard side case. While I wasn't excited with the case's appearance, I was running out of options. Not that the case is ugly, but it just isn't up to the TT design standard in my opinion. The color is all wrong for a TT case. It's a coated brushed aluminum similar to that of a Palm V/Vx. I'm not sure why they didn't choose an alloy color that more closely resembles the TT's own color. Thus, I ignored this one on the first trip to the store. After the Scuba Sleeve debacle, however, I was ready to be a little more open minded. After bandaging our package-inflicted wounds, we dropped my TT into the hard case. My first thought was, "wow, nice fit." The TT fits snuggly and even locks into place using two tabs on the case that mate with two openings on the back of the TT (back, not the sides). I hadn't noticed the openings on the TT before, but I suppose this application is for what they were designed. Got to love an "all Palm" solution. The major difference between this case and the Scuba is that the TT slides out of the top of this case. In fact, the bottom of the case isn't even open. The case features a thoughtful cutout on the top portion of the case back to allow you to grip the TT firmly and slide it open. This feature works very well. So well, in fact, that I boxed it up and brought it to the register to take home. So how has it fared in day-to-day use? Better then horrible. In fact, it's pretty darn good. The case lid opens fully and locks in place when open or closed. The case opening on the top allows easy access to the stylus, IR port, and SD Card slot. Another opening on the side provides similar access to the record button, microphone hole, and earphone connector. The design of this opening also allows you to extend the TT without removing the headphones – a feature not offered by the popular Innopocket/Proporta/Rhinoskin alternative hard case. The TT slide action works well and the case is fairly rugged. The case also has two slots on the inside of the cover to hold your spare SD cards...a very nice touch, and also not offered by the Innopocket/Proporta/Rhinoskin case. So what's not to like? Well, besides the color, not much...except the complete inability to synch or charge the unit while it is in this case. The case features a spring device in the base to enable the rear-mounted tab locks to function. This design prevented Palm from providing an opening in which even a portable universal connector could fit. Fortunately, removing the TT from the case is a breeze. All things considered, it's a pretty darn good case. It's functional and rugged. I also won't mind if it gets scratched because the finish isn't on the top of my list of favorite features. All in all, it's a keeper. The nice folks at Office Depot can now lock up the jaws of life. PROS CONS Fairly rugged Access to top and side mounted TT controls and ports when case is closed Easy TT extension while in case Rigid design prevents inadvertent hard button presses when front lid is closed Built in SD card holder Locks firmly in place yet is easy to remove for charging/synching Right-handed design, but less of an issue than with the Scuba Sleeve since the case opens fully No access to universal connector while in case Finish not on par with the TT design RATING: 7.3 / 10 Usability: 4 Appearance: 3 Value: 4 Conclusion While many cases for the Tungsten T are on the market, the Palm-branded cases are likely to be the most plentiful in your local chain store. If you are like me and need immediate gratification, feel free to grab one to protect your new loved one. Just stay away from the Scuba Sleeve like the black plague wrapped in an Ebola virus crepe. The slim leather case is fine for executive types. The fit and finish is excellent for the price and the business card holder is a plus. The real winner in my opinion, however, is the aluminum hard side case. It's fairly rugged, allows easy extension of the TT, and provides access to all of the controls and ports except the universal connector...but hey, it's a clamshell, what did you expect? You might even consider the sealed bottom to just be an added measure of protection for your TT's delicate universal connector port. If lack of access to the universal connector while your TT is in the case is a showstopper, then consider the Innopocket/Proporta/Rhinoskin hard case as an alternative. This case, which is sold under these three brands, offers some of the same features as the Palm-branded hard case but also provides access to the universal connector while the TT is in the case. While you cannot place the TT in the cradle while the unit is in this case, you can connect a portable charge/synch cable. The case is also somewhat slimmer than the Palm aluminum hard side case. Unfortunately, no case is perfect. Users of this case complain about sharp edges, poor lid clearance for the front of the TT, and the inability to extend the TT while the earphones are connected. The case is also not widely available so you will most likely need to mail order this one. If Palm made a couple minor modifications to their cases, they would own most of this market. The Palm cases are available in most office supply and computer stores while their competition is primarily available via the web. Unfortunately (for Palm), the limitations of their cases have power users scouring the web for alternatives. Palm could stem the flow of this migration by just tweaking the existing designs. A simple cut out on the back of the Scuba Sleeve would make that case a winner. Change the finish on the hard side case and redesign the internal spring to allow access to the universal connector for a portable charge/synch cable and that case would also be nearly perfect. If Palm makes these changes, then I will be right back at my local Office Depot making another donation to my favorite charity. Until then, however, the market is still wide open for innovation. In the meantime, my TT will be safe in my Palm aluminum hard case bouncing around in my backpack. See you on the trail. SG. © 2003 Stephen Gingras Story Options... Start a new Comment Print Story Email Story Comments The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. PIC is not responsible for them in any way. Page 1 of 2 (54 total comments) 1 | 2 | ALL :-) sgingras @ 4/11/2003 1:57:11 PM First! ;-) RE: :-) Lucky Bob @ 4/11/2003 2:03:01 PM How nice (Why do some people say you can kill two birds with one stone when it's hard enough killing one bird with two stones?) RE: :-) TDS Computer @ 4/12/2003 1:37:53 AM Eighteenth! (I feel special, now...) I bought the leather flip case for my Treo 90, and after a few weeks of using it, it just felt to "Bulky" in my pocket. I went back to using the built in flip cover. That sure comes in handy! I will hopefully be getting the Tunngsten C at the end of the month, and It sure would be nice to have the built in flip cover on it! I don't think it does, though... Funny review, BTW... Visit us at www.tdscomputer.com RE: :-) adamrichman @ 4/14/2003 4:33:05 PM Great reviews here as always, though i would liked to seen some more on the Innopocket solution, as it's my favorite :). Also checkout this review of the 6 top cases for the TT. More pictures here of each case too. http://www.foxpop.ndirect.co.uk/Palm/ttcases_01.htm RE: :-) sgingras @ 4/15/2003 12:03:16 AM Thanks for the comments. Look forward to a complete Innopocket review, which will include a detailed comparison of this case with the Palm hard case. cheers, Steve Reply to this comment Palm Scuba Sleeve Thingy Louis Berk @ 4/11/2003 3:01:00 PM I completely agree with the review of the scuba case. I bought the Tungsten the day it was announced and was anxious from the get go to get a case. The only early option were the Palm cases and in fact I'd always been pleased with the Palm belt-clip case for my Pilot 500 which then worked quite well with my Palm IIIc. So, what they hey, I got the scuba sleeve. To describe it as dross is unfair to real dross which at least knows its place in the world as dross and not masquerading as something other than dross, which this case is. Not that I'd want to put you off, or anything. The flap does not really open far enough in my opinion to make it comfortable to use the Tungsten while in it. It is bulky. There is no belt clip. The flap does not even lock in place. There is no easy way to extend the palm, I'm forever getting thumb marks on my screen when pulling down the extension. I doubt this case was designed by Palm but whoever the subscontracted it to: you was robbed. The case is very solid but then the top and the bottom of the Tugsten are exposed. Am I complaining - yes. Did I do anything about it? Well, I'm such a wimp that I just put up with it - but as soon as I come across a case which I like then I'll unload this one into my rubbish bin. RE: Palm Scuba Sleeve Thingy posterboy @ 4/11/2003 10:41:49 PM I own a Palm Scuba Sleeve Case and I happen to love it! :) The inabillty to open the case 180 degrees might be a flaw, but the others listed (I totally disagree). How to "easily" slide the slider when the T is attached on the case? You use your thumb, place it on the horizontal center, directly on top of the 5-way navigator and gently slide it down. Magic? Not! Thumb marks all over the screen? Have you ever heard about screen protectors?! The screen protectors from Brando Workshop are smudge proof and washable (not disposable). http://shop.brando.com.hk/ Belt clip? Get a Body Glove PDA belt clip and attach it on your Sleeve case. Works for me! ;) Got Palm? Don't keep it, flaunt it! RE: Palm Scuba Sleeve Thingy Louis Berk @ 4/12/2003 6:18:13 AM Posterboy, look, I agree - these things are very subjective and I'm sure it works for you - as you can tell by my opinions I'm not delighted with the case but on the other hand I've yet to be taken with any of the alternatives. I'll check out the Rhino case you recommend, thanks for the response. Louis Reply to this comment Best Case . . . so far nakolo @ 4/11/2003 4:10:34 PM I bought my T|T back on 10/28 and spent weeks trying to find a suitable case (I was using an EB case for my IIIc). I *really* wanted to check out the Palm hardcase (I like the fold-around feature found on the case for the m515), but they were nowhere to be found. After reading an article in The Gadgeteer ( http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/comdex-2002-article.html ), I checked the Rhinoskin website and ordered one like in the pictures. I was planning to give it a one week "test," but still absolutely love it! While it adds a little bulk to the T|T, it fits nicely in my pocket, protects from the accidental falls (less than four feet), and has access to all the controls (including the earphone jack). I don't use the belt-clip thingy (just too nerdy), and the "through the case" syncing leaves a lot to be desired, but the "over the top" flap enables one-handed operation and and with the snap closure, I don't have to worry about problems with my credit cards. So . . . I went back to the Saunders/Rhinoskin site today . . . and they've replaced it with a side opening version! Why? Can't say, but the replacement looks *really* cheesy compared to mine. You can order a comparable one from Brando in Hong Kong ( http://shop.brando.com.hk/detungstentcasef.php ) -- just make sure to have it quarantined for SARS first (ooh, bad joke). ---------------- TT First Adopter, Purchased 10/29/2002 Palm III, IIIc, T|T RE: Best Case . . . so far Wollombi @ 4/11/2003 5:23:52 PM I looked at the RhinoSkin flip case, but opted for E&B's Slipper Tungsten instead, as I've owned other models of this case and have always been pleased. This time is no exception; I'm very happy with it. The only advantage I could see with the RhinoSkin case is that it offered a little more side protection than the Slipper. However, the Slipper is quite nice and offers adequate protection as long as I'm not mountain biking or anything, at which point I will buy a hard case for those "special occasions". Additionally, E&B's new "Techlock" clip is about the sturdiest clip I've ever owned. I'm hard on belt clips, even breaking an Ultra clip at one time. I have yet to even strain this thing. It's great. The design makes the PDA secure on your belt while still being easy to remove when desired. When I first saw it I thought it was cheesy, but now I'm sold. So if you're looking for a good flip/play though case that you *don't* have to quarantine (based in San Diego, CA), go with E&B. _________________ Sean It is not very comfortable to have the gift of being amused at one's own absurdity. -Somerset Maugham- RE: Best Case . . . so far Wollombi @ 4/11/2003 5:29:57 PM I forgot to mentiong that it is a syncable case. You can place the PDA in the cradle with still in the case. _________________ Sean It is not very comfortable to have the gift of being amused at one's own absurdity. -Somerset Maugham- RE: Best Case . . . so far Ben S @ 4/14/2003 10:17:14 AM I like the old RhinoSkin leather case too (I posted a few pictures on Brighthand if you care to search for them) -- my favorite "feature" is that you can flip the cover back and use it in a "tripod" mode -- coupled with an autoscrolling book reader (like PalmReader), it's very handy. It is a bit bulky so I've ordered a Palm hard case (based mostly on this review) for use this summer -- we'll see how it goes. Maybe one of my cases will end up on eBay! :) Reply to this comment Great review NR_Alien @ 4/11/2003 4:48:18 PM What a great read/review! Very entertaining. Had me lol a number of times. PIC should post more reviews like this. RE: Great review Altema @ 4/11/2003 8:16:20 PM Agreed, this one is a keeper. Informative and entertaining. Well done Stephen! RE: Great review niolonra @ 4/12/2003 8:39:06 PM I too loved the review. The only thing I would add is that in my experience the hard case from Palm has two additional flaws: 1) the memory card storage slots in the flip lid require you to store the card with the metal connectors facing out, and you almost can't help but touch them when you slide a card out 2) the open top means that when you drop the Tungsten into your backpack or jacket pocket upside down, when it lands the memory card or stylus can be pressed and pop out. It's only happened a few times, but it's a few times more than I like. OTHEr than that, I am very satisfied with its durability, access to the voice memo button (remapped to play OGG files) and headphone jack Richard RE: Great review Ling @ 4/12/2003 10:24:30 PM A really funny and comprehensive review! :) I own the Tungsten T Hard Case and am am concerned abt the inadeqancy of the memory storage card slots. As rightly pointed out, the metal connectors are pointing facing out. Would that spoil my memory cards esp. with frequent usage? RE: Great review peitron @ 4/13/2003 12:27:27 AM Kudos! Great Job! ________________________________________ "Why should I care about posterity? What's posterity ever done for me?" - Groucho Marx Reply to this comment Rating icons? alanh @ 4/11/2003 4:57:15 PM Is it just me, or is it almost impossible to tell the difference between a full and a half icon for the ratings? I have pretty good vision, and there's just not enough contrast.... It's even worse when I try to read the review on my T|T instead of my CRT. -alan RE: Rating icons? sgingras @ 4/11/2003 5:21:41 PM No...it's not just you. I struggled with these myself and I wrote the darned thing. ;-) If you are using IE, you can hover your cursor over the icon and the actual rating number will show up. Perhaps PIC will change the icons at some point to provide better contrast. I'll pass your comments on to Ryan. Thanks. cheers, Steve RE: Rating icons? abosco @ 4/11/2003 6:01:04 PM Actually, I suggested this myself a few weeks ago. I agree, it's hard to make see. Wow, I just had an epiphany. I very well may be the laziest person in America. -Bosco Proud Member of the Top Non-Mods Members: abosco and ImpReza M3 Now accepting new applications RE: Rating icons? abosco @ 4/11/2003 6:04:50 PM And I just proved it with my text editing skills on that second sentence. -Bosco Proud Member of the Top Non-Mods Members: abosco and ImpReza M3 Now accepting new applications Reply to this comment The case I have! Gage @ 4/11/2003 5:17:09 PM I strongly suggest getting what I have, and that is the Slipper tungsten case! http://www.ebcases.com/StoreFront.bok It's just COOL.... I use the one that has a belt clip! The E&B slipper case robman @ 4/11/2003 8:47:37 PM I've got the slipper, (but I made the mistake of buying the one with the belt clip, and I'm not a belt clip guy). It's WAAAAAY better than any of the cases Palm offers. The E&B case does have problems though. One, while the buttons on the front of the Palm can't be turned on accidentally while the case is closed, the POWER button on the top and the voice memo button on the side can be easily turn the Palm on accidentally. I also often find my SD card half ejected (which really scares me, because it could potentially fall out unnoticed.) Two, out of the box you can't really open your Tungsten T without sort of half pulling it out of the case. This is easily fixed with a piece of double sided mounting tape (a well documented and effective solution) but E&B still ought to include a piece of the tape in the box. Three, the case almost completely hides the indicator LED on the front of the Palm. So, you can't see the silent alarms, and when you put your Palm in the cradle you have to crane your neck around to the side to see if you seated it properly and the charging light is on. I'm expecting this problem to become more frustrating when I upgrade to OS 5.xxx that actually turns the light off when the Palm is fully charged. Four, the case primarly exists for screen protection, not shock absorbtion. The left and right side of the Palm are almost completly exposed, and the leather covering the bottom and back is thin and flush with the Tungsten's body. If you're looking for a case that would protect your Tungsten on even a few inches drop to a concrete floor, this case would only save you on the front side. This means that for rugged use it's not much better than the included plastic Tungsten doohickey we all love to hate. Five, it's $35.00 plus shipping. I think we're paying for fine leather with these products (finer still in Vaja-land) and I personally could not care less. It's not worth $35.00, but it's the best case in it's price class, if that makes any sense. Hope that helps. Palm Researcher at the University of Texas at Austin http://www.edb.utexas.edu/petrosino/pda Reply to this comment I'll miss my slide connector palmgator @ 4/11/2003 9:04:43 PM In a classic palm engineering screw up I think they totally missed the boat when they got rid of the slide connector on either side, as in the V series. this is a piece of design mastery, a slick way to place your stylus in either side and a way to solidly connect a slim case without any extra gizmos (mine even stays in my hard case every day when I drop it! . what the heck were they thinking, give me a 5.2 os V series pleaaase! the only two things keeping from a tungsten are 1. inadequate cse selection and 2. Im waiting for them to ship with graffiti 2 Training sales and real estate professionals on effective palm use! RE: I'll miss my slide connector ggeoffre @ 4/12/2003 9:39:46 PM I will agree that I did enjoy the slide connector of my Palm V, and I really liked the Palm Hard Case for my Palm V that used this slide connector (as well as the Franklin binder clip). But one design opportunity would have been not to use plastic on the inside rim of the slide connector. I had the top edge chip off making the locking mechanism useless. I would have to say that the stress on the edged of the plastic rim of the slide connector may warrant some re-engineering from my point of view. I am happy to see Palm continue the innovation and try out the side clasps of the T|T that the cases seem to all be utilizing. My T|T snaps right into my Scuba Sleeve Case. I would hate to have to go to a velcro based solution. RE: I'll miss my slide connector JBonds007 @ 4/13/2003 7:27:44 AM I have to admit, I miss the quality of the better hard cases offered for the Palm V series compared to the TT cases. I fell in love with the alumninum Palm Vx Hard case (and I'm talking about the original shiny aluminum hard case and not the cheaper aluminum cases now being offered for the V series). However, as much as the slide connector was effective in keeping my Vx connected to the case, it was a pain to remove the Vx from the case for syncing. I now use the Palm hard case which is a breeze to remove the TT for syncing. Prior to my purchase of the TT Palm hard case, I did inquire with RhinoSkin whether they had plans for a hard case for the TT, but the salesperson was either unaware of future product offerings (this was in Nov. 02) or could not discuss about their case. I probably would have waited for the RhinoSkin TT hard case, but given its restrictions agaisnt allowiing extention of the TT while headphones are connected to the audio jack, I probably would have sold the case by now anyway. I also appreciate the dual SD card slot of the Palm hard case. I'll probably end up buying the Covertec case given its ability to sync while covered and better quality of leather finish compared to other leather cases. Just a few other comments about my TT hard case...first, I wish it had the softer neoprene padding of my Vx RhinoSkin hard case, second, I agree with the others about the stupidity of having to insert the SD cards with the metal tabs exposed. This design flaw also doesn't allow you to see the cover of the SD cards in the event you want to label them or if you use different memory size cards or brands of SD cards to differentiate the data content. Third, I wish the Palm hard case had a locking clasp to prevent the cover from opening on its own (a la RhinoSkin hard case). Lastly, because I needed the ability to carry my TT on my belt (which the Palm hard case doesn't have an option to provide), I ended up buying a $10 Targus black nylon case with a velcro belt loop at my local Fry's to slide my TT with the hard case into. This Targus case has worked well as an added shock absorber on at least one occassion when my Palm flew out of my hands while exiting a co-worker's van (as I got bumped by another person) and also protects the hard case against further scratches. I know this is overkill to use the Targus case as a cover for my hard case, but its been very helpful for accomodating my need to be able to carry my TT on my belt. As I mention above, I'll probably buy the Covertec case since it provides a quality finish and allows easy syncing while in the case. Reply to this comment Tungsten Cases NAHuber @ 4/11/2003 9:06:05 PM I own all 3 of the Palm branded cases (leather, hard and scuba)Ok, I am a case junkie. I really liked the hardcase the best too..at least initially. However, after several months of use, the 2 ribs just above the card slots on the front cover left wear marks on the front of my Tungsten. I switched back to the scuba case for a few weeks..and even being a lefty found it to be not too bad. The cover opens more as you use it. I am currently using the leather case, but would really like to get a flip up leather case (ala Slipper, Vaja) but have been disapponted with the quality of the Slipper case..seems kind of unfinished. I have been totally mystified by the attitude of Vaja and their funky marketing techniques..like what is the difference between the 54, 85 and 100 dollar cases..other than the fact that the 54 dollar cases are "sold out" and I can't get the leather combination I want in the more expensive cases (so what makes it custom???? and worth the extra $$$)) Well..I guess I will continue to wait!!!! RE: Tungsten Cases peitron @ 4/12/2003 2:52:58 PM I totally agree. I own both the Palm hardcase and leather case. I HATE the wear marks that the hard case leaves on the Palm. Makes it look dirty. I do, however, think that the hardcase is the best Palm branded case out there. The leather case is sleek and I love that I can recharge without removing the TT, but it's kind of afeminate and I just hate that I can't plug my headphones in when it's closed. Has anyone tried the Convertec TT case yet? It looks like it's the best of all possible worlds, you can recharge without removing the PDA and listen to MP3 when it's closed. ( http://www.mobileplanet.com/private/covertec/Default.asp ) _______________________________________________ "Why should I care about posterity? What's posterity ever done for me?" - Groucho Marx RE: Tungsten Cases sgingras @ 4/12/2003 9:28:35 PM The Covertec case does look very nice. I am attempting to get access to one for a forthoming review. cheers, Steve RE: Tungsten Cases bringer @ 4/14/2003 1:42:39 PM I dont' know if you guys are pressing the cover harder into the Palm while it's in your pocket or something because I've had the hard case for a couple of months now and I don't see any marks on my Palm. Just looking at it, it doesn't look these ridges even touch the Palm normally (unless I press down on the case at that point). RE: Tungsten Cases ptc @ 4/14/2003 2:25:00 PM Palm hard-case marks on my Tungsten are very subtle - and not permanent. Just dirt smudges. If I take a damp cloth to it, they disappear... _________ Paul C. Reply to this comment Sena Tungsten Case SuperUser @ 4/12/2003 2:47:16 AM Sena Tungsten case also looks cool : http://www.senacases.com/tungstent tim Reply to this comment Palm Slim Leather Case tsinvest @ 4/12/2003 2:10:04 PM I bought this case and must say I like it quite fine. I would consider myself somewhat particular and waited a while before I bought a case, but this one seemed to have the least annoying features of all. It also has storage space for 2 cards. You can hotsync with the palm in it (which was a big consideration of mine) and the palm comes out easily if you wish to change over to the original plastic cover for occasional suit pocket use. All in all I would rate this one higher than the review. Regards, Tom S. Reply to this comment The Best Case... informationrules @ 4/13/2003 5:22:24 AM The best case for the leather friends is the one made by covertec. I guess it is not widely spread in the USA because it is made in France. But i can asure you that this is by far the best leather case that i have seen for the T|T. It uses the clip mechanism that also the original plastic cover uses. When it comes to ultimate protection i use the InnoPocket alu case, which is just great... RE: The Best Case... scopes @ 4/13/2003 10:13:31 AM I agree, I first thought the Covertec looked best also. I am personnally looking for the best leather flip case I can find, but have none as of yet. If you look closely though, you'll see that since there is no slot by the universal connector, you must sync only after extending the slide-out portion of the Tungsten. I try to slide out as little as possible and when walking in to work in the morning do not want to use two hands to slide out and fasten to cradle when sitting down to my desk. I also liked the idea of using the side slots for attachment, but if you tinker with your clear supplied cover you'd see it is actually quite loose, which would be magnified in a case of this sort. I am seriously considering the Vaja, EB Slipper and Sena cases, price no object, but want the best leather, smallest size, easiest use flip case. I might use a belt clip occasionally, but will not get a permanent belt clip, since it would be in the way most times. Any suggestions ? RE: The Best Case... scopes @ 4/13/2003 10:20:02 AM I've also decided that the extra latching strap that takes an extra step to latch is, not in my best interest, even though more secure. I would prefer the simple flap with magnet. RE: The Best Case... informationrules @ 4/13/2003 11:25:19 AM i hot sync via a usb cable, so it fits into the palm even in the covertec or the innopocket case. i ordered a bluetooth adapter for my pc, so hopefully soon i will sync without any cable... RE: The Best Case... peitron @ 4/14/2003 4:55:49 PM Bluetooth syncs are useful, but USB is still much faster. I wouldn't throw out the craddle when you get your adapter. A good solid, but at the same time slim, case that allows you to sync with the craddle without removing the Palm is still my utopia. _____________________________________________ "Why should I care about posterity? What's posterity ever done for me?" - Groucho Marx Reply to this comment Palm-branded TT cases and SD cards Navamske @ 4/13/2003 3:13:45 PM I tried the Slim Leather Case and found I couldn't remove the SD cards from their slots unless I carried a tweezer with me. I tried the Aluminum case and was appalled to see that the default way to place the SD cards in their slots is with the front side facing in. This makes it rather difficult to tell which card is which. Also, the SD cards are easier to remove from the Aluminum case, but sometimes they remove themselves -- I've found them at the bottom of my backpack. I've settled on the Vaja i-Vod case. Anyone in the market for a slightly used Slim Leather Case and/or a slightly used Aluminum case? Reply to this comment I don't understnad the adulation for the hard case ckrupsha @ 4/13/2003 3:26:42 PM I have purchased the palm branded hard case on the basis of this review, and I have to say that although the review is probably spot-on in regards to the other cases -- the hard case is inadequate at rugged environment protection. My previous hard case is the palm branded model for the m500 series. That thing could take a bullet. First off, if you drop the TT in the case, I GUARANTEE that the TT will jump out of the case after the first bounce. Not a Big deal on carpet or maybe wood surfaces, but how about asphalt and concrete? Furthermore, the case has no substantial method of staying closed -- anything pressing against the joint will push it open. This case also uses a significantly thinner gauge aluminum than the m500 palm hard case. As a result, the shell is quite flexible. I work as a plant manager in a manufacturing setting, and have concerns that this case will live up to the reptuation of its older brother. Don't get me wrong, this case is decently designed for what it is. But what it is NOT, is $40 worth of accident protection for your TT -- based upon Palm's own prior hard case achievements. I'd say the value is more around $25. and good protection from average -- but not serious abuse. Reply to this comment Now displaying 40 comments per page. Jump to Comments Page: 1 | 2 News Center | Reviews | Handhelds | PDA Graveyard | Polls | Home | TOP | Search | Forums | Privacy | RSS | Contact | Advertising © PalmInfocenter.com PalmInfocenter.com is not affiliated with or endorsed by Palm Inc, palmOne or PalmSource in any way. Any use of the word Palm is for discussion purposes and is a registered trademark of Palm Inc. © PalmInfocenter.com, all rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly forbidden. Site Meter


Official Gadgeteer Hands On Review: Vaja Palm V Case by Julie Strietelmeier Last date revised: 04/17/2000 Device: Palm V/Vx Vaja is a high quality leather case company located in Argentina. This is a review of their Palm V series belt clip case. This play through case comes in a variety of colors: black alligator w/black leather, brown alligator w/brown leather, blue nubuck w/brown leather, green nubuck w/brown leather, horse leather(w/hair) w/black matt leather, brown ostrich w/brown leather, black ostrich w/black leather, and brown leather (all are made of embossed cow leather except the horse leather version which is actually made of horse leather). This classy case is made extremely well. I think it competes directly against the Ondata Palm V case for a very high quality case. The case has a flip up cover which is padded and has a stiff insert to protect the screen. On the inside of the cover are 2 business card slots and one large pocket which is behind the two card slots. The cover is held in place with a Velcro strap that wraps around and attaches to the bottom of the case. The cover fits flush against the case when it is closed. Even though I'm not a big fan of Velcro, this method works much better than the method that the E&B Palm V Slipper case uses to secure the screen cover. On the outside of the cover is a small metal badge with VAJA inscribed in it. Usually I don't care for insignias on cases, but I kind of like this one. The Palm V slides into the case from the top and is a nice snug fit. There are cutouts for the power button, and two stylus silos. The application buttons and up/down scroll buttons can also be accessed without any problems. I didn't have any trouble playing games that required using these buttons. Even though the leather is thick, it didn't seem to get in the way. The back of the case is padded and is a nice thick leather. It is much more substantial than the back of the E&B Palm V Slipper. The thickness of the leather and padding do increase the overall size but not enough to complain about. The case is lined with a softer light brown leather which is very pleasing to the touch. On the back of the case is a plastic stud that the swivel belt clip attaches to. I would rather this be a metal stud instead of a plastic one. The belt clip itself is small and attaches to your belt. It can accommodate belts up to ~ 1.25 inches wide. This might not be big enough for some wider men's belts. The clip itself stays on your belt. The PDA can swivel back and forth while on the clip. To remove the PDA, you have to rotate the PDA till it is upside down and then pull up and off the clip. This feels awkward to me and always required me to use two hands to actually remove the PDA. I really prefer the type of belt clips that E&B cases use. They have a button that you press that releases the stud so that you can remove the case. You can get the Vaja case without a belt clip if you wish. A great feature of the Vaja cases is the ability to customize them (for a separate fee). You can personalize the case with your name or company logo on the inside of the case next to the power button. Up to 30 characters on one line. The price is $10 and will delay your order for 3 days. The inside lining behind the PDA can also be embossed with up to 300 characters in 12 lines of text. This costs $30 and delays your order 10 days. The inside cover has a basic graffiti reference chart. Instead you can get an advanced chart with symbols or no chart at all. The advanced or no chart will delay the order for 5 days. What is nice is that once you do get a personalized case, you don't have to pay for the personalization a second time. If you want 10 cases with your company logo, you only have to pay for the logo once. I really like the Vaja Palm V case. It is made very well, provides adequate protection to your PDA, and can be uniquely personalized. It is also quite a bit less expensive than the Ondata case. Price: $49.90 ($47.90 without belt clip) Pros: High quality leather. Padded. Can be personalized. Cons: Belt clip is a bit hard to use. Have to remove to hotsync. Let me know your comments on the Vaja Palm V case and read what others have to say.


Official Gadgeteer Hands On Review: E&B Palm V Slipper Case by Julie Strietelmeier Last date revised: 05/15/99 The Slipper V by E&B Cases is a black leather play through case for your Palm V. This case comes in a belt clip and non belt clip version. For this review, I will be discussing the belt clip version. slipper-p5-1.jpg (7043 bytes) slipper-p5-2.jpg (6600 bytes) This case is a nice form fitting case that doesn't add much to the overall size of your compact Palm V. The Palm V slides into the case and does not require any Velcro or zippers to hold it in. Because of the slightly splayed out shape of the bottom of the Palm V, it takes a bit of effort to get the PDA in and out of this case. That's ok though because once you get it into the case, you can leave it there because you can hotsync while the Palm V is still in the case. This is accomplished due to the opening for the hotsync port at the bottom of the case. I found that the first couple times that I put the Palm V in the cradle, that it required me to press the PDA down into the cradle in order to make good contact. It seemed like after those first few times that subsequent syncs no longer required me to do this. I think that with use the leather stretches a bit around the bottom of the Palm V so that it can fit better into the cradle. slipper-p5-6.jpg (5588 bytes) The Slipper case has a flap over screen cover that has the E&B logo badge on the outside and one card slot on the inside. The cover has a hard insert to keep it stiff and to protect the screen. This cover is held in place with two small squares of Velcro at the bottom sides of the case. I noticed that on one side of my case, the Velcro sticks out slightly. The cover does not touch the up/down hardware buttons when it is closed so you won't activate them accidentally like on some other cases. slipper-p5-3.jpg (5049 bytes) When the Palm V is in the case, there is access to the power button, application buttons and styli (on both sides). Access to the application buttons is fine except for the down scroll button which is partially covered with leather. slipper-p5-5.jpg (3209 bytes) slipper-p5-4.jpg (5243 bytes) The back of the case has a metal knob sticking out for the belt clip. The knob is small and only sticks out about 1/8". The actual clip that you wear on your belt is a black plastic pinch clip. You have to squeeze it open like a clothespin to put it on your belt. The knob on the back of the case then slides into the clip with a nice audible 'click'. To remove the case from the clip, you just press the nice sized release button on the belt clip and lift the case up. It is quick and easy to use with just one hand. When the case is on your belt, it can swivel around so that you can sit down without the case being in your way. Wearing the Palm V in the Slipper on your belt is comfortable and is barely noticeable. ebcasio-3.jpg (4196 bytes) ebcasio-4.jpg (4105 bytes) I really like this case because it is slim, made very well and doesn't require me to remove it to hotsync. Price: $32.95 ($29.95 without belt clip) Pros: Doesn't add much to the overall size of the Palm V. Can hotsync while in the case. Cons: Leather partially covers the down scroll button. Let me know your comments on the Palm V Slipper and read what others have to say.


PDA Buyer's Guide Home Click Here Click Here PDA Case Review Roundup: Cases for the Palm Tungsten T3: PDAir, Surplus PDA, Proporta Posted December 2003 by Tanker Bob The Palm Tungsten|T3 hit the market just over two months ago, and cases for it have become more available. As usual, the flip cover accompanying the T3 provides minimal protection, leaving a wide-open opportunity to third-party vendors. In this first cut at available cases, we look at three quality leather offerings and one metal hard case. As a size reference, remember that the T3 comes in at 4.3” x 3” x 0.66” and 5.5 oz . Flip Leather Case from PDAir PDAir makes quality cases for a number of devices. This example we received provides an early option for T3 owners and fits the T3 very well. It holds the device with a plastic retainer at the sides and locates it in the case with two plastic stubs that fit in the corresponding holes in the back of the T3. The stubs and retainer are part of one piece of hard plastic that provides some stiffness to the back of the case. These combine to hold the T3 securely in place, even with the case open. The flip case consists of quality, smooth black leather on the exterior and soft black suede on the inside where the back of the T3 touches the case. A single, even row of contrasting white stitching holds it all together with an attractive touch. It would be at home in executive as well as informal settings. Opposite the PDA, the case provides two pockets for SD cards, two slots for credit cards, and a slide-in photo holder. A magnetic clasp holds all this securely together when closed. With the T3 firmly inside, this case's size suits it better to a briefcase or purse than a pocket at 4.75 x 3 x 1.4 (not including clasp) inches. It over doubles the T3's thickness. On the other hand, all that padding provides excellent protection for the front/top/bottom of the PDA. Although the leather of the case doesn't protect the T3 from the sides, the plastic retaining arms offer some protection there. Open or closed, the case provides easy access to the headphone jack, microphone, and voice recorder button. Since the open case folds at the top, the T3 slides open at the bottom without impediment. In fact, since the retainers are on the side, no part of the case when open interferes with the operation of the PDA except for the reset pin. The T3 must be removed from the case to access the reset pin on its back. With the slider open, you can even put the T3 into its cradle for charging and syncing while still in the case, sitting just a bit forward in the cradle. The PDAir Leather Flip Case provides more than just quality protection for your T3, adding the convenience of SD card, credit card, and photo carry. Formerly Dr. Palm, PDAir has recently expanded to accommodate their growing business. You can buy this case for a very reasonable $32 at Brando . Leather Zipper Case from Surplus PDA Surplus PDA markets a wide variety of PDA accessories, including cases. They provided two entries for this round-up, both sharing similar characteristics. At 4.6 x 3.8 x 1.1 inches, its small size fit pretty well in my front pants pocket and even my shirt pocket, but did bulge a bit in my shirt. As you can see from the illustration, this case is barely larger than the T3 itself, with only the stitched edging providing additional length and width. It directly exposes no portion of the T3 to damage, and the stitched edging would take the brunt of any impact that might damage the PDA. The zip case consists of quality black, fine grain leather held together by black stitching. It retains the T3 using the same plastic clips and stubs as the PDAir case. In fact, all the leather cases used this arrangement. The zipper uses tiny teeth and operates smoothly. A nice leather pull actuates the zipper, which did not mar my T3 in a week's heavy use. Like most T3 cases, this one opens to the right and permits unfettered access to all the T3's slider and controls. It even sports a tiny hole in the back so that the T3 can be reset while securely in the case--one of only two cases in this review to do so. With the slider open, the T3 fits in the cradle, sitting slightly forward, for charging and Hotsync. Once in the zipper case, there's no reason to remove the T3 again except to read the serial number off the back. With the case zipped closed all the way, however, you won't be able to listen to MP3s. The user can work around this by zipping the case partially closed or by working the headset cord around the T3 to come out at the small zipper closing gap. The zipper case's timeless styling provides a look that's at home in the boardroom as well as the Internet cafe. Two slots for SD cards perch opposite the PDA at the bottom part of the case. It also has a small pouch running down the length inside the spine with a small hole at the top to hold an extra stylus. SurplusPDA's Leather Zipper Case provides excellent protection from drop damage while offering clean styling and useful amenities. It can be had for just $29.90 from SurplusPDA's web site. Side-close Leather Case by Surplus PDA SurplusPDA's Side-close Leather Case shares many of the fine characteristics as its Leather Zipper Case. The quality black leather, simple, professional styling, and extra features generally parallel the zipper case. It shares the same plastic holding/positioning pieces, SD card holders, extra stylus slot, and reset pin hole as the zipper case. The magnetic closing clasp operates easily and holds the case closed securely. At 4.4 x 3.5 x 1.4 inches, it comes in slightly larger in width and thickness due to the clasp flap. This case will protrude more in a pocket than the zipper case. By its nature, the side-close case provides no real protection for the top and bottom of the unit, and only the plastic retaining and closing flap protect the side. However, this arrangement does permit easy MP3 play while closed in the case. Extending the slider on the T3 allows the PDA to fit in the Hotsync cradle, leaning slightly forward. At $29.90 from Surplus PDA web site, the Side-close Leather Case provides a quality offering in a very popular case format. Please read the review of their zipper case (above) to catch all their common details. Aluminum Case from Proporta Proporta sells quite a number of popular PDA cases, including aluminum hard cases. These hard cases have proven a favorite for the solid protection they provide to their contents. This case adds to that distinguished lineage. The shell consists of aircraft-grade aluminum. Its solidity easily thwarted my attempts to activate buttons and bend the front into the screen. Although the Tungsten navigator has worn its impression into the neoprene inside the cover, none of the button functions could be activate by pushing hard on the case. The surface has an attractive, titanium-colored matte finish that resists fingerprints and scratching. The case exterior looks brand new after a week's hard use. The case is lined with a thin layer of black neoprene to protect the T3. The combination looks great and the neoprene has a soft feel that will baby your PDA. Unfortunately, the trim strip that circumscribes the T3 tore one side of the neoprene off down to the metal on one side of the bottom of the test case. I took great care when inserting the T3 the first time and didn't think that the case was too tight, just appropriately snug. The case still holds the PDA firmly with the missing neoprene, but that corner of the case no longer has any padding to protect the T3 on impact. We contacted Proporta and they stated that they were aware of the problem and working with the manufacturer on a solution. Proporta stands behind a no-questions-asked guarantee, and they have already replaced some users' cases that experience the same problem. A snap-type latch firmly holds the case closed. This case holds the T3 firmly by the sides of its slider and two plastic-covered spring clips that fit in the two slots in the PDA's back. The PDA slides in from the top and seats securely against a bottom metal strap. When closed, a lip at the top of the front panel of the case also holds the T3 and prevents its sliding up. With the case open, the T3 can be opened by pulling it up rather than down, which is a bit counter-intuitive. Cutouts expose the audio plug, microphone, voice memo button, and speaker. In fact, there's no discernable difference in the alarm volume in and out of the case. The IR port, SD card slot, stylus, and bottom connector are also exposed with the case closed. Despite these exposures, if the case dropped with the PDA in it, the aluminum would take the brunt of the landing from any angle on a flat surface, with the neoprene absorbing a lot of the shock. The user must remove the T3 from the case for charging and HotSyncing in the cradle. Some charge/sync cables will attach to the T3 in the case, but they cannot have the stabilizing back piece that most cables possess. The handheld cannot be reset in the case. Aside from the lining, the case construction seems high quality. The edges are rounded with no sharp edges, and the conformal bends have smooth radii. The case conforms well to the T3, and at 4.45 x 3.3 x 0.87 inches adds the least girth to the handheld. This has been one of the traditional strong points of hard cases, and this offering upholds that standard well. At 2.6 ounces, the case doesn't add much to the weight, either. I found it to ride well in my shirt and pants pockets. Proporta provides two SD card holders inside the cover opposite the PDA, and comes with a metal, screw-in stud and plastic belt clip for those so inclined. The small bump on the case back that provides the mounting point for the belt clip stud is small and unobtrusive--not noticeable even in your shirt pocket. Proporta's Aluminum Case , which sells for $38, fits the T3 like a glove, provides good protection, and looks great. Aluminum Hard Case from PDAir We received a new case after completing the earlier portion of this roundup. It made enough of a splash to add it to the roundup. Rather than taking their cues from other cases, PDAir started from scratch with this one. They produced a real winner! The case consists of an aluminum structure with neoprene lining. The shell conforms to the general shape of the T3 extremely well. It holds the T3 by the top portion so that the slider opens down. The area holding the case has about twice the neoprene thickness as the rest of the case, offering considerable drop protection and avoiding the tearing/wearing problem of the Proporta case lining. The case uses a plastic locating plate glued to the inside back with two small plastic studs matched to the slots in the T3's back to precisely position the T3 in the case. This all results in a superb fit and hold for the handheld in the case, while permitting easy insertion and removal of the PDA. The attractive aluminum shell sports a light metallic hue with a matt finish and nice texture for gripping. This case provides a host of useful features, some enabled by the fact that it grips the T3 at its top. The top of the case has cutouts for easy accessibility of the power button, stylus, SD card slot, and IR port while providing protection for these areas as well. The headset jack, microphone, and voice recorder button have a cutout on the left side. Because the top of the T3 says fixed in the case, the side cutout doesn't move, making the voice memo button always easy to press. The bottom of the front cover lips around the bottom of the case, which when combined with a slight extension of the back piece provides good protection for the area around the Palm's universal connector, even providing a cutout area to ease sliding the T3 open. That also permits a reset hole in the back panel, which PDAir kindly provided. They also put in an SD card holder on the inside of the front panel. Since the T3 slide opens down in the case, the bottom of the T3 extends below the case when fully opened. That means…you can Hotsync the T3 in the cradle while it remains in the case! Other nice touches are the raised area on the front panel to avoid contacting the 5-way navigator and generous cutouts for the speaker on the front. Unlike most of the cases for the T3, this one hinges on the left like a book. It closes with a sliding snap catch just like the Proporta. Size comes in at 4.4 x 3.3 x 0.87 inches, the same as the Proporta case, but feels a bit lighter. The aluminum shell is at lea st as thick as the Proporta and the neoprene definitely thicker in places, so the PDAir must use a lighter alloy. It possesses excellent stiffness and stability, right down to the precision tightness of the hinge. The PDAir Aluminum Case sells for $29 at DSI and $29.99 at domL . If you're in the market for a T3 hard case that fits extremely well, fully enables all the features on the T3 including Hotsyncing in the cradle and resetting while securely in the case, and looks sharp all the while, look no further than the PDAir T3 Aluminum Case. I'm using it now as my primary daily case, and there's no reason ever to remove it unless I want to read my serial number. Click Here Back to PDA Buyer's Guide Home Questions? Comments? Post them in our Discussion Forum!


PDA Buyer's Guide Home Click Here Click Here PDA Case Review Roundup: Cases for the palmOne Tungsten E: Proporta and Surplus PDA Posted May 2, 2004 by Danny Han Proporta Leather Case (Book Type) for Palm Tungsten E Let’s get to the point: replacing the default flip case for the Tungsten E should be a priority if you haven’t considered it already. I won’t get into the details of how inadequate the included flip case is, but needless to say, it does not offer the kind of protection for your investment that a case such as Proporta’s leather case provides. Proporta’s solution is elegant in its design, and fits snugly with the Tungsten E via the spine insertion on the device. I found the fit to be very snug, lending an overall confidence in the case’s ability to hold the T|E in place. This design allows for the T|E to be flipped back and forth for access to the rear of the device (e.g. the occasional need to reset), and access to the rear cover of the case where extra memory cards can be stored. The case has room for additional storage of personal items such as bank cards, business cards and even room for two memory cards in specially fitted pockets on the back cover. The button clasp works well to ensure a closed case, utilizing a magnetized button that’s engineered to snap into place with almost no effort on your part. Finally, there is a small pocket along the spine of the case for a stylus. Some may opt to keep the stylus in the standard T|E location, but the additional pocket is a welcome addition as a secondary stylus insert. Whether the case is open or closed, all input and outport ports are exposed for accessibility. The rear of the case does not have a speaker cutout, so sound volume will be affected. The case accomplishes its job in overall protection of the T|E while maintaining a relatively small footprint. For those looking for a well fit, stylish soft case for the Tungsten E, you won’t be disappointed in Proporta’s book type leather case. www.proporta.com MSRP $31.95 Proporta Tungsten E case Proporta PDA case Proporta Leather Case (Flip Type) for Palm Tungsten E Proporta offers a flip up style leather case for those who prefer a “notepad” approach to case design for their Palm Tungsten E. The main benefit of this type of design is that the cover can fold back behind the unit in such a way to make using your Palm a bit more comfortable and natural. In many ways, this case is similar to the book style case offered by Proporta, but there were a few concessions made in this design. Since the magnetized button clasp is situated at the bottom of the case, it effectively blocks the USB and AC power inputs when the clasp is shut. Along the top of the case, a small hole is available for inserting headphones into the headphone jack. However, I did have some difficulty in maintaining a proper connection with my headphones, partly due to the off center alignment of the hole, but probably more in part due to the thickness of the case. Your mileage may vary depending on how your headphone jack is designed for tight fits. Also, keep in mind that headphones will get in the way of the flip case opening and closing. Like its book type brethren, the case interfaces with the T|E via the spine insertion, and the fit is very snug. You will not have any problems with the case disengaging from the T|E. A similar set of pockets are also available for items such as bank cards, business cards and memory cards. The memory card holders are located on the inside, back cover and the T|E simply folds away to the left to expose the pockets. There is no speaker cut out on the back of the case, which will have an effect on sound volume. Overall, it’s a good design in the area of ergonomics, since the T|E can be used in a more natural notepad fashion with this particular case. However, access to input and output ports are more limited with this case, which may be a consideration for some. www.proporta.com MSRP $31.95 Proporta Tungsten E case Proporta PDA case Proporta Hard Case for Palm Tungsten E Made of anodized aircraft grade aluminum, the Proporta Aluminum Hard Case for the Tungsten E may fit the bill for those looking for a lightweight, complete protection hard case for their T|E. There are pros and cons when opting for a hard case, and usually the most glaring complaint is that they tend to be bulky, and sometimes a hindrance to using the device for which they were made. In my experience, the only real complaint I had with this case was the difficulty in opening it. I like cases that open with relative ease, but this one had me exerting some force in prying it open. I learned quickly, however, that placing one hand at the top edge of the case, and the other at the thumb guide gave much better leverage in popping it open. I don’t think that’s what Proporta had in mind, but it was a lot easier on my hands and fingers. Let it be said, however, that this case accomplishes its mission in almost completely protecting your T|E. Inside, it is lined with neoprene to cushion the T|E which is held in place by the spine insert (as such, the T|E can be flipped left or right like a page in a book). The inside front cover has two slots for extra memory cards, but no other storage areas are available. All input and output ports are accessible whether the cover is open or closed, and any cables that are plugged in are not in the way of the case as it opens or closes. The back of the case has a speaker cut out so that sound volume is not an issue. Finally, a clip is available that allows the case to be tucked away on your belt. The case attaches to the clip via a small nub that protrudes from the back of the case. This nub does get in the way of the case lying flat on its back, but if you prefer not to use the belt clip system, the nub can be removed entirely. Aside from a somewhat stubborn open/close system, the Proporta hard case offers maximum protection in a stylish design. Wear and tear will expose itself on the surface of the case (mine already has a couple scratches), but I can’t think of any better way to protect what’s on the inside. www.proporta.com MSRP $39.95 Proporta aluminum case Proporta hard case for Palm Tungsten E Surplus PDA PU Leather Side-Open Case for Palm Tungsten E I’m of the opinion that a real case should be one of the first purchases anyone makes for the Tungsten E. Zoar Surplus provides a fine solution for those in the market for a respectable case, and though it does not have all the features of some other cases we’ve reviewed, it does offer a good, protective home for your T|E. The case holds the T|E in place via two plastic brackets that grip the device on both sides. Some may prefer the use of the spine insertion as seen on other cases, but I found the grip to be quite respectable, and I had very little worry tha