Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Potomac, MD
Posts: 22

I am looking for a high-tech style metal case for my Visor. I travel extensively, and also have been known to climb a mountain or two, Palm/Visor in hand.

I know about the Ti line from Rhinoskin; I was wondering if there are any other manufacturers making aluminum, titanium, carbon fiber, etc. cases/covers for the Palm/Visor lines?

Price is not an issue.

[This message has been edited by Chronos (edited 01-25-2000).]

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 12

Has anyone tried the PilotArmor by Okmik (either with the Visor or any other PDA)?

It looks good, but I would like to hear opinions considering the price ($70 at PalmGear).

Thanks, Sherri

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 46

I emailed okmik re: this very issue on 1-15-00. I got the following response to my question as to whether the Visor would fit in the PilotArmor...

quote:

---

Thank you for your inquiry.

We are looking into this. I could let you know for sure in 1 week.

Thank you again

---

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Midland, Texas
Posts: 231

If you are looking mainly for protection, over size and chic looks, then I would recommend a case I have found and love. It is not a case for carrying around in your pocket, but it provides great protection at a great price. The case is called a PDA pack, is made by Otter Box, and sold by PDA Life http://www.pdalife.com (At least I bought mine from pdalife and got very prompt service. Other places such as REI sell them under different guises for "outdoor" needs. Otter Box's web page links to several retailers.)

The case is strong reinforced plastic (they drive a car over it on a downloadable video on the site), water-proof to depths of 100' (I don't intend to check this), is foam lined, and comes with a life-time warrantee. The case is a slightly too big for the Visor, with room for extra batteries and stylus. The Visor does rattle around slightly in the case, so I intend to add a little additional padding to secure things. (The case is a general "technology case" according to Otter Box. It is not made expressly for the Visor.)

This is the only case I currenly own. I use the hard cover typically, and carry the Visor in a front pants pocket all day. Occasionally, however I need to throw the Visor in my backpack. Until now this hasn't been an option; however, now I just carry the case in my backpack all the time, and put my Visor in it when it needs to be out of my pocket and protected.

Oh yeah, the case is only $15, and pdalife didn't charge me shipping! (I don't think the shipping price is customary though. I had an error report on the shipping charges when I placed my order online. Because of that, my receipt showed no shipping charges. Without my ever contacting PDALife concerning the error, the case showed up and my CC was charged exactly as my receipt shows.)

Another note. I got the smaller case. They make one a few inches longer that should accomodate an extra sprigboard.

--I have no association with any of the above listed companies or products. (But I wouldn't mind, this is a cool case!)--

tyler

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Potomac, MD
Posts: 22

That is a great looking, protective case. I'll order one ASAP. It'll be great to throw into the old backpack.

A couple days ago a group of coworkers and friends, all Palm/Visor owners, agreed we'd kill for a nice carbon-fiber or matte-aluminum screen cover or visor case... something small and light enough to fit into a pocket, stylish enough to use in professional settings, yet strong enough to give some protection. I think the new Rhinoskin aluminum case for the Palm V/Vx is close- now if they'd only make one for us Visor users! Ideal- make it in Titanium.
Hmmm- anyone reading this board from Rhinoskin?

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 45

quote:

---

Originally posted by Chronos:
A couple days ago a group of coworkers and friends, all Palm/Visor owners, agreed we'd kill for a nice carbon-fiber or matte-aluminum screen cover or visor case... something small and light enough to fit into a pocket, stylish enough to use in professional settings, yet strong enough to give some protection.

---

Hmm... You would kill??? How much and how many? I have made just such a case for myself (aluminum covered with leatherlike cloth and smaller than Visor's standard case) see my comments in the dicussion "Topic:__ inexpensive Visor cases" for more details. If there were serious interest I would consider making more. Right now my digital camera is dead so I can't take photos but I am planning to get another camera soon and could post photos then.

------------------
Walter


BlackLightning's cool laser printer iron-on Transfer Toners
& Flash Magazine [email protected] or 1-800-252-2599

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Potomac, MD
Posts: 22

pubwvj-

Your case sounds great! This weekend I broke the news to my wife that I'd probably purchase the Ti slider from Rhinoskin as it appears okmik is going out of business and I wasn't able to find anything else. Please post a few pictures or send me an email to [email protected]

--Ever work with carbon fiber?

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 52

I've been thinking of making a case myself too. Carbon Fiber is not bad. Its actually pretty easy to work with. Just create your mold by shaving styrofoam into the shape you want. Apply release agent to your mold. Lay your cloth over the mold, and spread your epoxy.

Now, can anyone tell me how to mold Ti?

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Bellevue, Wa, USA
Posts: 72

To mold Ti, you need some heavy duty equipment. You don't so much mold it as press it into the shape you want. As far as I know, there are no hand tools for Ti . The easiest way to make a Ti case would be to bend it into place, working it just like sheet metal. I have been thinking about making an anodized aluminum, or Stainless steel case. Easy to work with and all. Make a patern, decide where you will need holes drilled for hinges and what not. then drill those while the sheet is flat, then use a sheet metal angle to bend it into a box. Isn't carbon fiber just like fiberglass just lighter and stronger? I mean it works the same right? I do fiberglass, but havn't used carbon fiber... can you get that retail?

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 52

Yes, carbon fiber is just like working with Fiber Glass. I'm not sure where to get it retail, they use to have it at Tap Plastics. Not sure if they still do. I found a few places that sells it on the web.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: venice, ca. USA
Posts: 32

Pilot-Armor case reviewed:

SHORT ANSWER:
It ain't ready yet. Just doesn't fit.

Okmik was kind enough to ship me a Pilot-Armor on spec to try out with my IVDx.

I tried it out, and shipped it back with recommendations for modification, which they may or may not attempt.

DETAILS:
Sad to day, the overall case was just wide enough, but not deep enough. When I slid the VDx into place, it did not reach the bottom of the case, as the case is designed explicitly for the Pilot III, and thus too narrow front-to-back.

The buttons collided with the front retaining panel, and when I tried to spread the panel and back apart to force things into position, the panel scratched the Up and Down buttons. Once the VDx was in position, the lower edge of that panel (which is also the upper edge of the buttons opening) pressed constantly on the UP button, rendering the VDx inoperable.

HOWEVER - I shipped the case back undamaged to Okmik, with a detailed report on how they could improve it to match the VDx form factor (recommending slightly larger overall interior dimensions, higher button holes, move the IR port, etc. etc., and possibly add neoprene lining as in the Rhinoskin - (I bought the Cockpit, by the way, and it's a *fine* piece of gear) which would elevate it from merely a snappy screen-protector to a true drop-resistant case.

I think with a few improvements, the Pilot-Armor could - at under $100, give Rhinoskin a run for its money. Aluminum's lighter than Ti, it comes in a variety of nifty colors, and might appeal to folks who don't need full-on bulletproof shielding and don't like the considerable weight of Rhinoskin.

What's more, the general shape of the Pilot-Armor case and the vertical sliding mechanism could - with modification by Okmik, accommodate some of the trimmer Springboards, *unlike* the Rhinoskin products.

Okmik is here: http://www.mixweb.com/okmik/okmik.htm


[This message has been edited by factoid (edited 01-27-2000).]

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 46

factoid,

Interesting post. But let me get this straight...the cockpit is the original Rhinoskin Ti case made for the Palm III, right? You're saying it fits the Visor? What about w/ a PDA Panache stylus sticking out 1/4 inch? I want a tought Ti case...but I also want my Panache (as much as I don't like it sticking out). So...would the cockpit work for me?

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: venice, ca. USA
Posts: 32

Lynn:

I doubt the panache would fit nicely in the stylus slot, as there is approx 1/8" clearance between the top of my visor and the lid of the Cockpit.

However, I *can* fit an extra Visor steel stylus *and* two spare AAA batteries into the space between the Visor's left rail and the Cockpit's hinge.
And I daresay the Panache - unbound vertically by the constraints of the stylus slot itself, would also fit *very* nicely in that space between the Visor and the hinge. I am able to tip the case slightly, and the stylus comes out in a fairly fluid motion.

Another solution would be (if you could stand such a hack) to affix a loop of ribbon or soft cord to the head of the Panache, so you could fish it out quickly.

I am loving this case.

You can get it for $60 at PalmGear. http://store.yahoo.com/pilotgear/highimpact.html

f


------------------
factoid
venice, ca http://www.well.com/~factoid/


[This message has been edited by factoid (edited 01-28-2000).]

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Bellevue, Wa, USA
Posts: 72

Factoid, does the Ti Cockpit only open up like a book? It doesn't fold back out of the way does it? I know the Ti slider is available, but it is a little to pricey. Do you take the visor out to use it, or just leave it in the cockpit case?

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: venice, ca. USA
Posts: 32

Cockpit opens like a book, Irene. The Visor is held firmly in place by the TI frame, and cushioned from shock by neoprene.

Photos and complete writeup can be found here: http://store.yahoo.com/pilotgear/highimpact.html

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factoid
venice, ca
http://www.well.com/~factoid/