Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 7

I just received Vaja Flip Top case today. This is one fantastic case: its workmanship is superb, and its fit and finish are flawless. (It even came in a nice-looking green leather pouch. My wife is eying at it.) Consider this case a Rhodiana case in high quality leather. Check it out at www.vajacases.com or www.directcase.com . Mine looks just like the one shown.

Two things to note: you'll have to remove it from the case to hotsync; it does have a clear vinal film over the buttons a la E&B Slipper -- it doesn't bother me as much as I thought it would.


??

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Baltimore MD, USA
Posts: 717

Sounds facinating.
How much protection does it supply if the Visor is dropped?

I do like the feature that you can do a reset without removing the unit from the case.

Registered: Feb 2000
Location: Moved to Clie Land
Posts: 331

This is it! I've loved my Rhodiana, but it was just too "rough" for a professional environment...Sent off for the Brown Ost. immeadiately. Shipping is high, but considering a nylon case(Rhodiana) is $38 + shipping, the price is defiantely NOT out of line...

Thanks for the quality tip!

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"It's NOT a tumor!"

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 7

Winchell,

The screen cover is very well padded. The rest is a thick leather, although it does cover all sides. I would think that the protection is better than E&B Slipper and about the same as (or maybe slightly less on the side and back and slightly more on the screen than) Rhodiana. It is just a beautiful and functional case that offers more than modest protection aginst impact.

??

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 114

-- shipping is high

It seems www.directcase.com provides free shipping ...

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Baltimore MD, USA
Posts: 717

Truly a tempting case.

However, I sort of like the elastic straps on the Rhodiana. Since I'm the sort who doesn't mind carrying something that looks like it came out of a "Mission:Impossible" movie, I guess I'll stick with my Rhodiana.

If I cared more for my corporate image, I'd definatly go with the Vaja.

Registered: Feb 2000
Location: Moved to Clie Land
Posts: 331

quote:

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Originally posted by xjx:
-- shipping is high

It seems www.directcase.com provides free shipping ...

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Sure wish I'd known...that would have saved 30% of my order cost...and I don't have the time to cancel/reorder


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"It's NOT a tumor!"

Registered: May 2000
Location: Kansas City, MO
Posts: 9

Mike STH

I have the EB Slipper and like it a lot. Is the Vaja any heavier than the Slipper? Does the belt clip work as well? Any other important performance differences?

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David Hunker

Registered: Feb 2000
Location: Moved to Clie Land
Posts: 331

David...I don't know as I just placed my order yesterday. I fully intend to post my impressions as soon as I receive the case. I will be able to compare it directly to the Rhodiana as that is what I have been useing the past months...

Personaly, I feel that leather is a much better material for my needs. I enjoy the feel of quality craftsmanship and the smell and the character it picks up as it ages. It also doesn't hurt that it matches my favorite pair of boots. I am actually quite anxious to give this new case a try

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"It's NOT a tumor!"

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 7

David,

I don't have Slipper; but from the photos, leather of my Vaja case appears to be thicker. The cover of Vaja is definitely a lot thicker than Slipper's. I assume, therefore, that Vaja is somewhat heavier. The beltclip works as well as any swivel type ones out there. It is very compact but solid. The design of the two are very similar, except that Vaja does not have the hotsync port open. Also, Vaja's cover has a snap, not Velcro. Its cover has enough storage capacity that I can almost use it for my wallet. Hope this helps.

Mike,

I can't stress to you enough how beautiful this case is. Everything about it screams "quality." I hope you'll get yours soon.

??

Registered: Feb 2000
Location: Moved to Clie Land
Posts: 331

I HATE long holiday weekends with no mail delivery!

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"It's NOT a tumor!"

Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 231

The cases look great. I need a new one since I broke my Shock Suit. I looked at the web address: vaja.com.ar. Well that's why shipping is so high--they're located in Argentina!

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: brooklyn
Posts: 268

quote:

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Originally posted by MIKE STH:
I fully intend to post my impressions as soon as I receive the case. I will be able to compare it directly to the Rhodiana as that is what I have been useing the past months...

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Registered: Feb 2000
Location: Moved to Clie Land
Posts: 331

Couple of updates...I had my Vaja case personalized with my name and the advanced grafitti characters...that was reported to add 5 days to the delivery time of 48hrs. I just recieved a e-mail that the case shipped today. By my calculations, that is EXACTLY 5 business days as VAJA promised, but worth noting, there was a two delay when the staff at VAJA read my previous post and e-mailed me to see if I'd like to cancel my order and re-order through the site with no shipping. It was my delay in replying that slowed the process.
THAT'S A POINT FOR VAJA

Another point to note...my Rhodiana developed a small stress crack in the plastic retainer from heavy use(removing for syncing etc). I called the company and they were very apologetic and told me I could get it fixed for just the shipping fees. I thought this was more than fair, so I fed-x'd it out and recieved a BRAND NEW CASE on my door step in 2.5 business days. That is incredible...
THAT'S A POINT FOR RHODIANA

Realize that these incidents included the long 4th of July weekend.

In summary, both cases merit close attention. It appears that both companies will go out of their way to insure customer satisfaction. In my mind, both are winners and I have no regrets looking foreward to having a choice between both the Rhodiana and the Vaja.

I will give my impressions in the VAJA as soon as I receive it...gee, kinda like Christmas


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"It's NOT a tumor!"

[This message has been edited by MIKE STH (edited 07-07-2000).]

Registered: Sep 1999
Location:
Posts: 106

I noticed that the Palm cases have the option of not getting the belt clip. Does anyone know if this is also true with the visor version? Seems like everything I've read indicates that the belt clip is standard for Visor (I prefer none). Thx

Registered: Feb 2000
Location: Moved to Clie Land
Posts: 331

My impression with the custom handtooling that is offered is that these are CUSTOM CASES, thus you could have anything your heart desires. Would suggest you e-mail them for clarification.

Registered: Feb 2000
Location: Moved to Clie Land
Posts: 331

My Ostrich case was waiting on the porch when I got home.

WOW! this is a totally handmade case with slightly tighter stitching than my Rhodiana case. The finish is exceptional with a sealant of some sort that seals and smooths the edges. The ostrich is beautiful and soft. The harness leather is smooth with no imperfections. It seems substantial enough to provide some measure of support and protection for the Visor. This protection is accomplished at the bottom of the case with the rigidity brought on by seams on the corners that double the thickness of the leather. The top flap corners are not as stiff, but the extra space above the Visor top provides a cushion of air that will provide adequate protection for the top corners. 3 credit card slots and one money pocket provide ample storage for your business cards and those you collect. All stress points are double stitched and my name is imprinted in script above the screen. The plastic that protects the buttons is supple yet seems sturdy. It is much more pliable than the plastic in the Rhodiana. This is a good thing as Vaja elected to cover all the buttons including the on/off switch. The lining is buttery soft and is imprinted with a nice script extolling the virtues of the product. Cutouts for reset and IR beam provide easy access. The snap is easy to operate and the belt-clip attaches to a post with the familiar push button release. Hopefully, this smaller belt-clip will be more durable than my larger Rhodiana belt-clip which has been replaced twice. In either case, the failures were probably user generated by sitting in chairs with the unit still attached to my belt. No matter, the belt-clips can be picked up at any place that sells cell phones.

Above all else, this is a beautiful case. It smells wonderful and oozes class. My impression is that it will gain character and good looks as it ages and I look forward to using this in a professional environment.

The Rhodiana excels at being practical and I'm glad to have it when I choose not to endanger my "pretty" case.

Thus, the summary...Both the Rhodiana and the Vaja are exceptionally fine cases. Perhaps the very best the market offers for belt-attached cases. They each cater to a separate niche. The Vaja is an impressive piece of art, befitting your Visor. The Rhodiana takes the utilitarian market. Both offer similar protection and somewhat similar layouts. The trick is to determine your needs and buy accordingly.

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"It's NOT a tumor!"

Registered: Feb 2000
Location: Moved to Clie Land
Posts: 331

Oh yeah, my Vaja came in a butter-soft tan handmade leather pouch...yet another nice touch

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Texan in Calgary for a while
Posts: 1361

I'm working on a review of the case now, and I'm very impressed with the case. Light, swivels well, and looks fantastic.

The review should be up later this week.

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James Hromadka
VisorCentral.com
Personal Website: http://www.Hromadka.com

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 7

Mike & James,

I told you so!

Two thoughts on improvement: 1) I would like to have a cut-out slot for the hotsync cable. Its leather may be too thick to accommodate the cradle, but the cable slot would be really nice. It may also work for the Stowaway keyboard. Since the leather flap goes over the bottom of the case to snap on the back, the contact area will not be exposed when the case is closed. 2) I'm a
little concerned about the vinyl sheet covering the microphone. It would hinder the capacity of a voice module. If the voice module (6pak, My-Vox, Total Recall, etc.) becomes available, I may have to poke a hole over the microphone.

??