.FLYINGHEAD PRODUCT REVIEW
.TITLE Global Source Zodiac Case
.AUTHOR James Booth
.SUMMARY With Senior Technical Editor James Booth’s recent acquisition of a Tapwave Zodiac, a lot of his focus of late has been finding accessories for it. For a product that’s been on the market for almost a year, there are suspiciously few accessories. But we found one and James gives it his stamp of approval.
.OTHER
With my recent acquisition of a Tapwave Zodiac, a lot of my focus of late has been finding accessories for it. For a product that’s been on the market for almost a year, there are suspiciously few accessories.
A case to protect a valuable investment is something that most handheld users like to have, and when it comes to the Zodiac there are only a few, two of which are merely pouches. Enter Global Source with their custom-fitted, padded leather, book-style Zodiac case.
.H1 The case for Global Source
Global Source actually offers two cases for the Zodiac. For the most part they’re identical, with the only difference being a belt clip and stylus holder.
Brando Workshop offers a similar case, but the stitching on theirs is white. When combined with the black leather, it gives the whole thing a made by Johnny in summer camp look. That’s why I specifically chose the Global Source model. It has black stitching and is just more professional looking.
The Global Source Zodiac case is held closed with a magnetic clasp, and the newer version has a non-swiveling belt clip on the flip side. Due to the form factor of the Zodiac, the case actually opens more flip-style than book-style.
As the padded leather case opens, it reveals the Zodiac compartment on the bottom and what I like to call the "wallet" section on the top. In between is a removable card case, and on the new version, a stylus holder on the inside of the spine. Figure A shows a shot of how it all goes together.
.FIGPAIR A The Global Source Leather Zodiac Case with belt clip.
.H1 The wallet side
The wallet section has two storage slots for SD cards, storage space for two credit card-type cards, and behind these, an additional storage pocket for more cards that can also accommodate the tail from the removable card case. When the case is closed, the insert completely covers the screen cutout in the lower portion, providing an extra layer of protection.
.BREAK_EMAIL There’s more to this case. Tap your mouse here and learn all about it.
.H1 The Zodiac side
The Zodiac slips into the handheld section from the top, so the shoulder buttons, IR, Bluetooth, and SD slots are easily accessible.
There’s one large cutout on the left side for the analog controller, speaker, and buttons. On the right side is a cut-out for the Action buttons, and three small holes for the speaker. And of course, a cutout for the screen as well.
The bottom of the Zodiac section has an opening for the power/sync cable connectors. You won’t be using a cradle with your Zodiac in the case, but you’ll have no problem using the cables.
Rounding out the newer version of the case is a stylus sleeve on the inside of the spine or fold, if you prefer, and a non-swiveling belt clip. The magnetic clasp in Figure B holds it all together with a strength that beats Velcro ten ways.
.FIGPAIR B No worries with this magnetic clasp.
.H1 Impressions
The leather Zodiac case from Global Source is a very nice piece of work. It’s no bigger than it needs to be, yet efficiently provides a lot of features.
The Zodiac fits very well in the handheld section, with the cutouts providing easy access to all the controls. In Figure C you can see how the Zodiac fits in the case. A felt backing on the inside of the case helps keep the unit from slipping. Stiff inserts in the leather provide an overall stability to the case and added protection.
.FIGPAIR C This case is a nice carriage for the Zodiac that also doubles as a wallet.
I really love the wallet section. When it comes to carrying a wallet, I’m pretty light to begin with. I only carry my driver’s license, insurance card, and credit card because my handheld is my address book, photo album, etc. With the SD storage slots and pockets for everything, the wallet section on Global Source’s Zodiac case has allowed me to leave the old wallet behind, and isn’t that what tech is all about, efficiency and convenience? If only Tapwave could pack a Verizon cell phone into the Zodiac as well.
I think the card insert has the potential to become loose and fall out when the case is open. But now that I’m finished with this review, I’ll remedy that with some double-sided carpet tape.
The stylus sleeve is a slim pocket that’s been stitched into the felt lining right at the fold. Personally, I think I would have moved the stylus sleeve further into the wallet section, or onto the back by the belt clip so that it didn’t stick out so much. I generally keep mine in a pocket, and the stylus sticks out just enough to catch. Also, the stylus removes from the left side, which feels kind of backwards for a right-hander.
I, myself, am not real big on belt clips because I lost my first cell phone due to a belt clip. But the one on Global Source’s Zodiac case, in Figure D, could be used as a pressure clamp. It’s not likely to slip off.
.FIGPAIR D The belt clip on the Global Source Zodiac case has a death-grip.
If you’re like me and don’t care much for belt clips, but want the stylus holder, some judicious tugging and wiggling will remove it, leaving a thin incision that can easily be closed with a little super glue.
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I give the Zodiac case from Global Source 4 out of 5. This case is almost perfect. My only real issue is with how much the stylus sticks out from the profile of the case. I certainly feel much better having my Zodiac protected with a fitted, padded case rather than floating loose in my pocket. And because of the card insert and extra pockets, I was able to eliminate one other item that I routinely carry.
.RATING 4
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.H1 Product availability and resources
For more information on Global Source’s Zodiac case, visit http://www.glblsrc.com/shop/customer/product.php?productid=16251&cat=252&page=1.
For more information on the Tapwave Zodiac, visit http://www.tapwave.com.
For more information on Brando Workshop’s Zodiac case, visit http://shop.brando.com.hk/bwzodiaccase.php.
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.BIO
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