Registered: Dec 2001
Location: Holly Springs, NC
Posts: 124

Kensington Case

Has anyone used one of these? http://www.kensington.com/products/pro_mob_d1441.html

It looks like exactly what I am looking for, with the magnetic closure, and you can still use it while it is in the case. But I can't tell how big it really is from the pictures... Can anyone give me any hands-on impressions? Thanks.

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"Take me where my future's lyin', St. Elmo's Fire." - John Parr

Registered: Jan 2002
Location: Home: Vermont School: Liberty University Lynchburg VA
Posts: 37

I have the case, and use it often...

It is a very durable case...i leave it in my back pocket sometimes and then sit down...opps...but no damage to the Visor. I can open it with a flick of the wrist which is nice. Getting the stylus is a little tricky but if you use your index finger you can pop it loose. You can slide the visor in and out with ease. yet you don't have to worry about it falling out if you invert it. The down fall is that it once open the lids just sits there...it can be in the way ...doesn't fold back and you have to keep the visor at an angle so it doesn't close. one adantage is that the offset of the hinge gives the visor a slight tilt when flat on the table making it fairly easy to read. you Can't get to the hotsync port or use it with a keyboard and to beam you would have to slide it out just a tad. Good access to the power and other buttons. works only with standard modules though. the case is also lined in a felt type material which is soft and nice to the visor. VERY lightweigh adds hardly any extra weigh. the outer surface is smooth so it slides in and out of pockets well. the down side of that is that it comes off the dash a bit faster than my Fellow "bumper." When it did fall it took a healthy bump and doesn't show much cosmetic damage- finish is durable and wipes clean with a rag.
I have modified mine slightly. I added "the clip " to the back of mine. this made it easy to carry on my belt and didn't interfere with the case. I am also in the process of making it into a double hinge lids so it flips all the way back.

Usage for me is a problem. it is great when i may need to check a date or phone number. but if i need to work with it...ie take some notes, read a Word to Go document or even play a game of tetris it can be awkard. I am a student so i use it for classes and have to pull it in and out for every class so i can hook it up to my stowaway.

Bottom line I still use it when i don't think i am gonna need my Visor or when i don't want to think about it and stick it in a pocket. while it may be limited in it usability features it more than makes up for it in style, symplicity and protection.
If you can deal with its short comings and need a good sturdy case then this is the one for you. I would buy it again...

If you have any more questions feel free to ask.

P.s. I got mine on sale at bestbuy.

Dan

Last edited by danresqman on 01-30-2002 at 09:00 AM

Registered: Sep 2001
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 229

Do you think a prism will fit in it?

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Don't Worry It's Human Nature To Point Out The Obvious

Registered: Dec 2001
Location: Holly Springs, NC
Posts: 124

Thanks! You gave a ton of great info. I have ordered it from the Kensington Website, I havn't seen it at Best Buy in my trips recently. It sounds like what I want. If you get that double hinge working let me know, or post it.... cause I would love to do the same to mine.

I called the Kensington phone number and asked about what Visor models the case would fit. He was sure that it would fit the Solo, the Deluxe, Platinum, and Neo. He was not sure about the Pro.... My Pro will not fit in the leather cases Handspring sells on thier website. He said that he was 100% sure the case will not fit the Edge and the Prism.

I hope to get it in the mail any day now.... I did regular UPS Ground, but I'm starting to wonder if it woudl have been toooo much to spring for the $5 extra for 2 day... to late now.

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"Take me where my future's lyin', St. Elmo's Fire." - John Parr

Registered: Sep 2001
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 229

..and the search for the perfect case continues...

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Don't Worry It's Human Nature To Point Out The Obvious

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: New Orleans, LA
Posts: 86

I had the same case, but the m505 version....

A couple of notes:

1) The case is made of aluminum but it is very thinly coated in some sort of rubbery substance. This makes it nice and "grippy." However the coating DOES rub off and will come off very easily if scratched with a sharp, hard object (ie keys). The case itself is quite strong and light.

2) In other forums people have complained about the hinge pin coming out - I had no problems with this at all but you may want to watch for that.

In mine the edges of the case where the hinge pin was insert had been bent down or clamped down slightly to prevent the pin from falling out. I don't know Kensington just started doing this as a result of people complaining or if it was always like this and it was just ineffective.

In any case I thought it was THE best hard case for the price. It is light, durable, AND it opens vertically unlike most hard cases (which open like a book making it hard to hold sometimes).

-Trotsky

Registered: Dec 2001
Location: Holly Springs, NC
Posts: 124

I just got my Kensington case about 5 minutes ago. So far it is great! Exactly what I have been looking for. The vertical flip is the main thing. As Trotsky mentioned, the cases that open like a book make the unit hard to hold. I was not expecting the rubber grip to be coated over the whole unit, I was expecting just the bottom to get the treatment... I was looking forward to a shinny aluminum top, but I guess I will get my wish when the coating rubs off. I love the magnetic closure. I have been using a leather flip case, and the thing I hate the most is the fact that I have to thread the leather strip through the loop on the back to hold it shut. I can close my Kensington case with a flick of the wrist. I am very happy with the case. Thanks for all the info everyone!

My friend has a 505 and is looking at hard cases by Rhinoskin.... how was your Kensington case for the 505? Did it add much to the form factor? Thanks.

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"Take me where my future's lyin', St. Elmo's Fire." - John Parr

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: New Orleans, LA
Posts: 86

The Kensington case is THE best case for the m505 in my opinion. I'm VERY picky about cases (size, weight, size, style, and size are important factors) and my first choice was the Rhinoskin. However after looking at the molded aluminum Rhinoskin I was very unimpressed. The metal-working job was very poor, there were minor burrs and stress points, and the joints squeaked a bit. Also the whole thing flexed when I pressed on the center - this caused the door to pop open since it uses a side clasp that depends on friction. Other downpoints are that it is VERY expensive, it opens like a book, and it can be annoying to get your m505 out of the case if you want to use a keyboard.

The Kensington on the other hand is very slim, seems very solid, is EASY to get into and out of, closes well, and has a nice velvety padding inside. Very sweet and simple.

Keep in mind that I always kept my m505 in my back pocket and would always be sitting on it (hence the need for a nice hardcase) - the Kensington was GREAT for that.... I heartily recommend it over all the other hardcases. Trust me, I am very anal when it comes to selecting gadgets and accesories - I did my research.

-Trotsky

EDIT: BTW I forgot to mention that the Kensington case is ONE-THIRD the price of the Rhino! Your friend can use that saved money for a nice memory card or a keyboard!

(if he wants the keyboard I am selling an almost new m505 keyboard on ebay, hee hee! )

Registered: Dec 2001
Location: Holly Springs, NC
Posts: 124

Thanks for all the info... I will be sure to give my friend the head's up.

I just found out that I can beam without sliding my Pro out of the case. The case only covers about half of the IR port, but enough is still showing to still beam. Also, I have a Half Keyboard that uses a connector simmilar to the travel charger for the prism, instead of setting the Pro into a cradle. I can slide the Pro out of the case about half way, plug in my keyboard, and the case props the Pro up at an angle so it is easier to read. I don't have to hold it with one hand while I'm typing now. Now I am in love with this case... well worth the 35 bucks I spent on it.

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"Take me where my future's lyin', St. Elmo's Fire." - John Parr