.FLYINGHEAD A CASE STUDY
.TITLE How to choose a PalmPilot case
.OTHER
.SUMMARY There’s a case to be made for using the PalmPilot’s original case. But perhaps you want something more rugged, cooler, or more attractive. If so, there are many options for you to choose from. In this comprehensive case study, S. Fred Green takes us through the different types of cases and makes a case for each style. Just in case you wanted to know.
.AUTHOR S. Fred "Fredlet" Green
Just as you buy clothes that fit your lifestyle and needs, you want a case for your PalmPilot that will be suitable for the use (and abuse) that your PalmPilot is subjected to on a daily basis. What you’ll need to do is decide what look and which protection level you want your PalmPilot to have. Are you a rock climber (or just klutzy like me)? Then you need a case that will stand up to knocks and bumps. Are you in meetings all day? A stylish organizer case could make your life easier.
At this point you need to grab your PalmPilot and jot down your requirements for the case. What strength level are you looking for? Low, medium, extra durable? Do you want a leather case? Will this case take the place of a wallet? Also take into account that you can get more than one case, since not all cases will transfer perfectly from meeting room to the great outdoors.
Go ahead, I’ll wait.
OK. Ready?
.H1 Business
I’ll start with the businesslike cases. In general, they are made of leather, however some companies have non-leather options for those who prefer not to use animal products.
If you just can’t give up your organizer, Franklin-Covey has a binder attachment for your existing setup (though the whole point of getting a PalmPilot is to cut down on the bulky organizer.) You can try to wean yourself away from your large organizer with Dooney & Bourke’s portfolios that have full size note pad for serious note taking, card slot, a pen holder and of course, a place for your PalmPilot. Innovations to Industry’s (i2iuk) WrapExec holds all of that and more. It is more of a portable desk with the space for a cellular phone and six card slots.
Portfolios are nice, but what if you are ready to take the plunge into something smaller? A wallet style case is by far the most common style case in the marketplace now. Chances are you’ll be able to find something that suits your needs and tastes to a T.
.H1 Wallets
At your desk, the PalmPilot is easy to handle. Away from your desk, however, allowing the PalmPilot to fulfill its capacity for a time saver, it needs to have a case that serves double duty. There’s no point in getting a case that’s too much of a pain to carry around with you. The wallet style case lets you hold a credit card, driver’s license, business cards, the PalmPilot and occasionally a note pad.
The 3Com slimline case (shown in Figure A), EBCases’ CoPilot and SlipIt, i2iuk’s Wrap series, Levenger’s DataGlove, Devian’s DVP-7, DVP-9, Bettercase PPL-200, Targus PalmPilot and Synergy Solutions Flip Case are stylistically close. They are slightly larger than the PalmPilot itself, but still leave you some room to hold a card or two. All are about 1/4 inch larger than the PalmPilot, so you still have the capability to put it into a jacket pocket or in a shoulder bag without feeling like you are carrying a tank. For those who need just a bit more than the available space, there are variations on the theme available.
.FIG A This is 3Com’s slimline case.
EBCases’ CoPilot-10 has an elastic loop for spare batteries as well as the standard card slots. Despite the extra feature, the CoPilot-10 only adds about a 1/2 inch of clearance to your PalmPilot and the added convenience of the spare batteries more than makes up for any extra bulk. 3Com’s deluxe leather organizer has a notepad and several slots for credit cards or business cards. Devian’s DVP-2 and DVP-3 are closed with a zipper around the edge. They come with either credit card slots or a notepad. The DVP-4 is more in keeping with a tri-fold wallet that includes a pen loop, 5 card slots, notepad and a pocket for currency. Bettercase also fills the tri-fold bill with their PPL-100 case. i2iuk carries two Cashwrap models, one with a beltclip, one without. The cashwrap, as shown in Figure B, is more in keeping with the standard billfold look, holding 4 credit cards and cash. The PalmPilot is kept in a separate section that allows you to HotSync without removing it from the case.
Moving up a bit in size, 3Com’s deluxe organizer and Devian’s DVP-5 are approximately 7 1/2 inches tall (about a business card’s height above the PalmPilot) and hold 5-8 credit cards, a notepad and a pen loop. The 3Com version has also a zippered change pocket and an optional carrying strap that attaches to the outside for easier toting.
.FIG B This is the Cashwrap from i2iuk.
.H1 Handsfree
If you don’t need all that extra baggage and are a person-on-the-go, a belt clip option on a case will really come in handy for you. Just attach it to your belt or a strap on your backpack and you have quick access to your PalmPilot throughout the day. 3Com’s belt clip case, Devian’s DVP-1 (shown in Figure C), the JetPac, and i2iuk Hip function solely to hold your PalmPilot. One version of the Hip has a standard clip another version with a loop. I call these the "IT case" since I see almost every IT (information technologies) dude I know is sporting one of these models. These clips are the same as you will find on a standard pager and will happily attach themselves to more than just a belt. However, these are strictly PalmPilot holders. There are no card slots or notepad options, so if you need just a bit more than the basics, read on.
.FIG C This is Devian’s DVP-1.
i2iuk’s Wrap series has the Wrap2 and Wrap5MKII models that feature quick release clips. It has a standard belt loop with a metal disc that slides into a slot on the belt loop (warning–these are for average belts, not anything wider than 1 inch, no hip bags or backpack straps fit in there). To release the case from its belt loop, simply press the two buttons together to release the hold on the disc. Its pretty sturdy and will hang on tightly in most instances. If you wear a belt everyday, this is a nice option for you. The Wraps 2 and 5MKII don’t have card slots, but they do have a slot for a small notepad. So you can simply forego the notepad and put some cards in if you like.
The CaseLogic PLT-1 made from luxurious non-leather Koskin has a belt loop as well as a snap off strap that can go around other straps as wide as 3 inches. It has a clear window for your driver’s license and a side holster for your stylus. This case, unlike many others, does not require Velcro to hold it inside. It uses leather straps across the plastic area just below the screen on your PalmPilot. EBCases’ CoPilot-20 lets you slide your PalmPilot out of the pouch with a Velcro strap to wrap around your belt for quick release.
Though many cases are emerging with built in belt clips and straps, there are just some that don’t have any way of attaching them to your person. Fortunately, some manufacturers are responding to requests for this functionality with options. I2iuk’s Pocket holds a wallet style Wrap and Rhinoskin has the Clip Pak for its Titanium Cockpit.
.H1 Have modem, will travel…
Accessories abound for the PalmPilot that makes it easier to travel solely with the unit. Modems are one of the most popular accessories so naturally cases for travelers began to emerge. Devian’s DVP-8, the RhinoPak 2000 (shown in Figure D), i2iuk Mobile Wrap Execs and Wrap Connect models all are designed for having your 3Com modem or your Minstrel modem in place ready to check mail or surf the web.
.FIG D RhinoPak 2000 is designed for storing your modem with your PalmPilot.
All of these cases have room for a phone cord and business cards, but the RhinoPak 2000 has external pockets along with several different carrying straps for easier wrangling on your travels. Consider this one a ‘sport utility case,’ while Devian and i2iuk produce a more business person’s travel model.
.H1 The Kirk Factor
As useful as all these other cases can be, sometimes you just can’t get away from the quality I call the "Kirk factor." Star Trek communicators live again with the 3Com flip cover, PiLid, and the Visionary 2000. I can’t tell you how many people I know that stand around and flip their cover of their new Palm III units with the new integrated cover and say "Beam me up Scotty…" then run around with the TriCorder app running making beep beep noises. It’s cute in a geeky sort of way.
The Palm III cover, shown in Figure E, now ships with the new generation Palm III’s and you can also order them in 2 other colors rather than staying with the matching gray. It attaches by two depression points in the Palm III casing and flips up to a 90 degree angle for viewing the screen. Unfortunately, it doesn’t flip all the way around for use. The PiLid is fashioned from airplane metal and attaches via a strip of adhesive to the top of the unit, though this will most likely work only with the older generation of PalmPilot without IR. The Visionary 2000 affords the least amount of protection with a clear plastic cover that allows you to view the screen while in place. This is probably most useful for people who want to do quick checks of info and who keep
their PalmPilot in their coat pockets.
.FIG E This is the flip cover that ships with the new Palm III. Beam me up, Scotty!
These cases are actually fun and useful for covering the screen only. If you bought the PalmPilot for its compact size, then one of these covers is for you. Keep in mind though that they DO NOT protect the PalmPilot from falls or bumps on the exposed sides of the unit. A lot of people do buy another case in addition to one of these for more protection.
.H1 Danger Will Robinson!
If life isn’t complete without attempting to scale Mt. Everest, jumping out of planes, bungee jumping, etc. You need serious protection for your PalmPilot (as well as a good helmet). Rhinoskin’s Titanium Cockpit, the Angel, and HiRizer Voyajer could very well save your PalmPilot.
Rhinoskin’s Titanium Cockpit, shown in Figure F, is the only case with its own place on the Table of Elements (Ti, atomic number 22). Titanium casing with a neoprene lining to hold the unit in place. It has room for a few business cards, but mainly serves and protects. The cool factor of this case is undeniable. For more information on this case, see the review "The Rhinoskin Titanium Cockpit: klutz proof!", in the April 1998 issue of PalmPower.
.FIG F The Rhinoskin Titanium Cockpit is serious protection for the PalmPilot.
Also made from metal materials (though not Titanium), the Angel and the HiRizer Voyajer are also good for the more risky lifestyle. However, they do have one big advantage over the Titanium Cockpit: left handers can use these cases. These two cases are designed around a centrally pivoting lid so that the PalmPilot can be used with either hand. Palm III users can use the Titanium case. I don’t know if the other two casemakers can accommodate the new design yet.
.H1 Your average Joe
So, you don’t go to business meetings, you don’t travel all that much, you aren’t into death defying stunts…what’s left? I’m glad you asked.
There are plenty of cases out there that will stand up to everyday life situations and still be casually chic. One of them, Rhinoskin’s RhinoPak1000, is made from tough cordura with a front mesh pocket for miscellaneous items. The PalmPilot slips into the pouch and is protected by the padding included in the case. HRPSports’ POD (Protective Organizational Device) and i2iuk’s Wrap 2, shown in Figure G, also function well for life in the modern world. You can also use most cases for any Palm unit with slight adaptations to the case. In most instances, the addition of a Velcro strip will solve the size difference. Creativity is one of the best solutions for specific needs.
.FIG G i2iuk’s Wrap 2 functions well for life in the modern world.
Just remember that your PalmPilot is an investment and you need to protect it, but you also bought the unit to have fun. So buy a case that suits your lifestyle and you’ll get more enjoyment out of the PalmPilot!
.BEGIN_SIDEBAR
.H1 Product availability
Devian’s DVP cases are available at http://www.devian.com.
EBCases’ CoPilot cases and SlipIt are available at http://www.ebcases.com.
The JetPac is available at http://www.jetpac.com.
Innovations to Industry’s Wrap Series and Hip and Pocket cases are available at http://www.i2iuk.com.
Synergy Flip Case is available at http://www.synsolutions.com.
Targus’ PalmPilot case is available at http://www.targus.com.
For a large selection of fine cases, visit Pilot Gear at http://www.pilotgear.com.
.END_SIDEBAR
.BIO S. Fred Green, a.k.a. Fredlet, is a graphic designer. You can email her at pilot@fredlet.com and visit the infamous Pilot site at http://www.fredlet.com/pilot.
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