Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Houston, Texas, USA
Posts: 46

Advice to prevent--and stories about--crunched, cracked, lost or stolen PDAs.

My own:
I pleaded with 3Com explaining that I just "tucked my Pilot in my shirt pocket--like the picture on the box suggested I could do" and I leaned over to pick something up and bye-bye Pilot.

After I told the rep that I "probably sold a hundred of these things for them" they fixed it for free. My second screen didn't survive a toss of my backpack into the backseat (Though nestled in an inside pannel "calculator" pocket).

Bottom line: in neither case did I have my Pilot in a...well..case.

Case...er...Story #2:
An Acquaintance told me that her PalmV was nearly snatched off her hip. Luckily the belt clip had a hook that snagged, foiling the would-be thief.

Bottom line: Look for cases with "sticky" clips and be mindfull in crowds especially if your case isn't "lidded" (And WHAT dummy ordered the open-back plastic belt clip case!!??)

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: PEI, CANADA
Posts: 33

what I am concerned about is protecting the screen from scratches. Does the screen really scratch from using the stylus?

Should one buy those plastic sheets. I read somewhere that good quality scotch tape can be use? Won't that leave gum residue on the screen?

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Houston, Texas, USA
Posts: 46

I've gotten mixed reviews on screen protectors--most of them elsewhere in this discussion group. My personal experience is that i've never run into the need for a protector...but I sure wouldn't put tape on the screen (though some have on the writing area and had good results saying that it improved the feel as well). You may look for "rightwrites". I forget who makes them.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: PEI, CANADA
Posts: 33

Thanks Elmorg. Another question is about the deluxe cases. It will come with the snap on case and the leather slip on case. Should these cases be used together? Will a leather case scatch the screen if it rubs while being carried in a shirt pocket if the snap on case is not also used. Maybe the snap on case is too big to go in the slip case.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 110

Redmund:

I have never used a screen protector on the screen itself. I can't imagine anyone but a serious power user would actually write on the screen often enough to need to protect it. (It can, however, get scratched by a metal object scraping against it. That's never happened to me in 2.5 years of owning a Pilot, but that's because I always carry it in a case.)

You do, however, need to protect the graffiti area. No matter what the mfrs say, the graffiti area abrades over time from bits of grit trapped between screen and stylus. I use #811 (in the blue box) Scotch tape. Yes, after a few months it may leave a tiny bit of gummy residue. Just use some alcohol on a kleenex to dissolve it.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 110

Redmund:

I have never used a screen protector on the screen itself. I can't imagine anyone but a serious power user would actually write on the screen often enough to need to protect it. (It can, however, get scratched by a metal object scraping against it. That's never happened to me in 2.5 years of owning a Pilot, but that's because I always carry it in a case.)

You do, however, need to protect the graffiti area. No matter what the mfrs say, the graffiti area abrades over time from bits of grit trapped between screen and stylus. I use #811 (in the blue box) Scotch tape. Yes, after a few months it may leave a tiny bit of gummy residue. Just use some alcohol on a kleenex to dissolve it.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 431

I'm another that's not a fan of screen protectors. I think they look goofy, feel crummy, and affect the clarity too much. After 2 years, my Palm is only showing wear in the graffiti area and I'd rather have that than bits of Scotch tape stuck across it. I have to admit I have tried both the screen protectors and the Scotch tape but I felt like a nerd who patches his glasses with scotch tape. I don't expect any Palm device to be used, before retiring it, for more than a period of 2 to 3 years anyway.

[This message has been edited by kalahari (edited 10-17-1999).]

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

I have used both the Scotch 811 tape and WriteRights (made by Concept Kitchen by the way, http://www.conceptkitchen.com ), and both have their drawbacks. But I am overly paranoid and the comfort I derive from having the screen protected is worth the reduced visibility to me. Besides, after upgrading from a Palim III to a IIIx I felt like I had plenty of visibility to spare.

tyler

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 200

I don't use a protection for my IIIx, but consider to get one for the writing area only.

I think an accident waiting to happen is me using my PEN on the writing area. The day will come!

Broken screen - the screen is the most sensitive part. If my IIIx screen breaks I wouldn't bother to fix it, most likely I will get a Visor or Palm V (or whatever good is available)

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Lewisburg, PA
Posts: 56

i never used a screen protector; but i wish I did; my leather case ahs a creditcard slot; and the creditcards rubbed up against the screen enough to scratch it down a good bit; kinda a bummer; thus i want to go for the writeright immediatelya fter recieving my visor.

anyone have spage writerights? 25$ seems excessive for 12 stickers;a nd i'd think 12 is excessive.

thanks.

------------------
Tom Alphin III - [email protected] - www.students.bucknell.edu/alphin/

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: NY, NY
Posts: 6

I've dropped my palm pilot personal a couple of times. I'd like to get a case for my new visor. I was looking at buying the
"ShockSuit SportCase" (http://www2.viaweb.com/pilotgear/neoprenecases.html). Has anyone had any experience with it or could suggest other cases? I want something that is thin, allows easy access to my visor and offers protection for accidental falls. .

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: SF, CA USA
Posts: 26

Redmund-
You state that a VDx will come with a leather slip case AND a plastic belt clip "holster". This is the first I've heard of the latter. Where'd you get the info? Can anyone corroborate?

------------------
Richard

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: PEI, CANADA
Posts: 33

Rellis, I was referring to the leather slip case and the snap on cover.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: CANADA
Posts: 46

Redmud did not say it comes with a holster, he said snap on case, ie:screen protector.

DC

[This message has been edited by CHIA (edited 10-17-1999).]

Registered: Sep 1999
Location:
Posts: 17

I'm a big fan of the Palm Glove I use for my IIIx (other reviews are on old boards here somewhere, too.) I'd imagine it would fit the Visor b/c its got room to spare inside.
It adds plenty of bulk and weight, but the protection factor is real high.
Since you'll likely be taking the cover off the VDx while in the case (the III just flips up) you'd likely want to find a stiff plastic insert to put in the pocket to protect the screen. It doesnt come with one, thats a drawback, but the padding is great for drops.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Houston, Texas, USA
Posts: 46

This from the Visor Owners Manual:

Batteries- "Use only alkaline batteries with your handheld."

Clean screen- Use a "soft cloth moistened with diluted window cleaning solution."

There's been much speculation on batteries with many reccomending NiCad, NiMH, and even lithium or some-such. I wonder about waranty coverage in such cases.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Streamwood, IL USA
Posts: 118

I had a Palm Pilot Pro for about a year and even in the case I managed to scratch the screen so I bought some Write Rights and used them. There has been alot of negative press regarding these and I admit the solution is NOT perfect, but after I got my Palm III I used write rights all the time and after a year the screen is Perfect! They get dirty and then it is best to replace them. Concept kitchen recommends every month, I can usually go about 3-4, but it does get VERy hazy near the end. I think that after I get the Visor with the new screen I am going to be very happy with the display through Write Rights.

One more point. I did not like the protector at first, but after about a week, I did not even notice a difference. At least until I borrowed a friend's to show him something and WOW the glare was AWEFUL!

I highly recommend Write Rights.

(Not a CK employee, just a satisfied customer!)

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 200

Batteries
Basically you can use any batterie you like. I suggest NiMH or Lithium, the later is the best, but maybe harder to get. NiMH is very good too.

Somewhere I read that you can modify a III cradle to 'charging', would be usefull for the Visor too.

BTW: I don't know why all makers request not to use rechargeables, there is no reason for it.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 54

Dancing trees...

I e-mailed Rhinoskin a little while back and they told me they were in production of a Shocksuit for the Visor. From most accounts, it seems to be very good protection for the price.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Montreal, Canada
Posts: 45

The rhinoskin will handle the viso except not the IR and not the cradle for replication, but size is good now, that's what they told me...The thing I wonder is how often I want to pull it out of that...The thing I really like is that universal clipp thing, that is also used by cell phones such as Nokia 6100 and 8800..its kind of nice that rotating clip...