Registered: Sep 1999
Location:
Posts: 54

I just received my RhinoPak 2000 from PalmGear.com, and I figured I'd drop a little review for the folks on the lookout for cases.

First of all, RhinoSkin was nice enough to put up a set of Visor-specific pages. Their RP2K page is available here. In the photo, RhinoSkin has placed the four elastic bands between the Visor and the cover attached to the Visor's back. This holds the Visor in the case very well. Currently, I have the Visor simply underneath the elastic bands without the cover at all. This keeps the Visor in the case, but the Visor will slide around under the bands. It doesn't slide enough to slip out from under them, however, so I feel reasonably safe using it like that. Either method of "attaching" the Visor to the case works well, since it doesn't require any velcro strips to be attached to the Visor itself.

Inside the case, on the spine are two small elastic pockets, each able to hold two AAA batteries. I also have a small paperclip behind the batteries of one pocket.

On the other side of the case's interior, there's an elastic band for keeping a pen or stylus and a large elastic net pocket, presumably for keeping cards, papers, Springboards, or other small items.

The case is closed with two zippers. On the outside of the case, there's another smaller elastic net pocket that's covered by a flap with the RhinoSkin logo. This flap is secured by a plastic snap closure, much like you'd find on a backpack. The flap also has a small zippered compartment. On the backside of the case are several loops (including a large belt loop) and another zippered compartment that runs the length of the case.

The workmanship is excellent. The case is made of the same material most backpacks are made of (cordura?) and it seems to be lined with rubber or plastic. I would certainly feel comfortable carrying it in the rain, though I don't know how well the zippers would hold up to complete immersion (not that I'm planning to take a bath with it...).

The Visor fits well inside the case. Based on the Springboards I've seen to date, there seems to be plenty of room to have a Springboard installed on the Visor and still have it secured in the case. This was my primary reason for getting this case, as most after-market cases (including all the cases from Handspring) don't have enough room for a Visor with a Springboard that extends past the Visor's dimensions.

I do have two concerns though, both to do with screen protection. First, this is a soft case, so a sufficiently strong jab at it would likely damage the Visor's screen. The cordura doesn't have a lot of give, so I think it would take more than day-to-day usage for this to happen. In other words, don't slam it against a table corner. The case is well padded though, so it should survive a fall just fine. My other concern lies with the case interior. It seems that any items you put in the pen holder or net pocket run the risk of rubbing against the screen and possibly damaging it. For this reason, I don't plan on putting anything in the pen holder. Likewise, I probably won't put anything in the interior pocket that has any sharp or rough edges.

All in all, I'm very satisfied with this case. The one minor problem noted above is more than outweighed by all its positive aspects. Two thumbs up!

Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 86

I just got two of these cases and I concur with your review. They are very well made (and I got one of the "2nds" although I sure can't see what made it a 2nd). They're very well made and I received excellent service. I received the product the day after I ordered it. I've since place another order and also received it the next day.

They're a good company to do business with.