Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 8

Merry Christmas everyone
I just got my rhino case in today. Obviously this case is NOT made for a visor.
1. The stylus is hard to get out.
2. Ir port is blocked by the case.
3. USB connection port hole on case is not aligned with USB port when visor is in case.
4. Plastic frame partially blocks power button making it hard to toggle.

That being said, it looks like one of the best cases to protect your visor next to the titanium model. Mine appears well made and no sign of bad adhesive. It fits in case very well, not too loose or too tight.

As far as the stylus i have a panache, which sticks out a little bit and works great with this case. I recomend this stylus for this case. The external stylus clips are cheap and I wouldn't use them except for around the home or office. Using the external clips also exposes your stylus tips to damage. I would recomend some kind of pocket. For the Ir port, does anyone know the best way to cut a hole in this material? This is what I want to do but am concerned with the material getting frayed. This would also apply to the USB opening as well. For the power switch, would the best method to cut plastic frame (about an 1/8" notch) be an exacto knife?

Would appreciate all your input. I do believe that this can become a visor case and a really good one.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 52

so if you keep your stylus in your Visor, it fits fine in the case? Can you easily remove the stylus while it's in the case?

So you just can't use the IR port or hotsync while it's in the case?

I'm trying to find the best case for me around the office...I like some of the slimlines but I hate carrying the thing around with me everywhere I go...I like the belt buckle feature...is it too bulky?

Thanks,

Harry

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Posts: 36

Well a Silver shocksuit was under the Christmas tree for me this morning. Initially, it looked like it would be a great case, but now I'm having second thoughts. First, I hate the stylus clip on the outside, and I got a new Cross stylus as another gift, and there is absolutely no place to put it inside the case. Second, the velcro attachment that holds the front flap sucks. It is weak and seems like it will come loose after a fair amount of use. Also, the hole cut out of the bottom of the case to accomodate a synch cable looks like it was cut out by a sleeping 4 year old using dull crayola scissors. It's pitifully crooked and ragged looking. Also, the power button is partially blocked by the plastic frame that retains the visor. Yet another grip I have is the lack of screen protection. There seems to be a mildly stiff plastic insert that covers the screen, but it looks like it could easily be compromised. Finally, the flap doesn't fold all the way back, and the black velvet-like interior 'sheds' all over the screen of my ice visor and is very annoying. Overlookin all of the sorry features of this case (which is about every feature it possesses) the case is cool. I would never recommend it, and I'm sending mine back. HOpefully, the cheapter $59 original TI case will fit the visor. we shall find out.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 8

Hi Harry,

Yes my PDAPanache stylus fits very well with this case. The stock stylus as you know fits flush with the top of the visor. The Panache stylus sticks out about an 1/8" making it easier to get out. This case fits snug along the sides of the visor which makes the stock stylus hard to get out. When the case is closed it leaves about a 1/4" gap from top of case and visor. I saw one post where someone had a panache stylus get pushed in too far in the visor stylus slot. Looking at my visor this is impossible. The plastic mounting screw hole in the bottom prevents this from happening. This guy either had a different visor or a different stylus.

The Ir port blockage is a problem for me because I plan to hotsync with my laptop at work this way. I hotsync with my cradle at home only once a day. So i do not have a problem with taking it out of case once a day.

I work on aircraft so I have concerns with dropping visor farther than 4 or 5 feet. I need it to handle 10 to 12 feet and brushing up against metal edges. If you are only concerned around the office and want a belt clip, I would look at the E&B cases. They are more of a slim-line case and I believe you can hotsync with the case on. With a belt clip they are also a little cheaper as well. I hope this helps.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 8

I agree with alot of what mactin had to say.

What I did for the shedding material was I used an old tooth brush to remove lint on the face cover. This did work very well.

I think any case with a belt clip will have a problem with folding back all the way. This case is not totally flush with clip removed but close and I can easily hold it in one hand. The front of the case has two ribs on front preventing it from being fully flush with clip removed. But it is close.

I do not know anything about the cross stylus but if it does not fit into the visor stylus slot you will have a problem. Like mactin said the external clips are not very good. If you can imagine having your stylus land on the tip (YIKES!).

I am not a big fan of velcro. With this case it has a small strip on both ends and I noticed that if you just close case it could easily be misaligned. If you align the velcro when you close the cover, it does make it much more secure. Velcro does eventually get frayed though. I feel they should have either used bigger velcro strips which would allow more tolerance in closure or used a small magnet with a small metal strip. Using a magnet might affect electronic operation though, so this would have to be tested.

As far as the power button blockage and Ir port. That is why I posted in the first place to get some input on modification. I don't mind doing some minor modification to the case to make it ideal. Lets face it no one has really made a GOOD case for the visor (yet).

I am also interested in the handspring deluxe cases for travel but I do not know enough about them. I am also worried about them screwing up the order and if this case is really made for the visor(Ir blockage, etc...). I like the idea that handspring makes a metal stylus (metal stylus works much better) but why do I have to buy 5 in different colors? Let me get one or two in the colors that I want. Also i will not buy that stylus until I am confident that they have fixed the problem with their tips.

Sorry for my ranting....Merry Christmas.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location:
Posts: 70

I only have experience with one case from Handspring -- the "Slim Leather Value Case"

First, let me say that this case isn't for rough handling. On this particular model, the front, back, and one edge of the Visor unit is protected; the rest are open. (Imagine a 3-ring notebook with a velcro closure strap.) It's leather and has a decent amount of protection for the casual user -- which is all I need.

All of Handspring's cases use their "sewn-in" attachment method, which is a standard plastic cover (the one that everyone hates that came w/ the Visor) sewn in TIGHTLY (yea!) and backwards, so it holds the Visor from behind. This, of course, means that any oversized Springboard modules won't work, and sync'ing is impossible while it's in the case. I can live with this, personally.

On the other hand, this method of retention doesn't require foam or other materials to grip the unit around the outside edges. Result? The IR port is not blocked at all. I simply make sure the case cover isn't blocking the data path and it's fine. If you get one of their zippered cases that encloses the Visor on all sides, you'll still be able to use the IR port and you'll have better protection than I have. Even so, I'm pleased.

___________
William

P.S. As pointed out by the post below, not everyone hates the standard plastic cover. I'd like to say that it was meant as an overstatement. I don't mind it that much, but I do prefer other methods. I have read many posts regarding this cover and I included the statement above merely because the majority of users seemed to dislike it.

[This message has been edited by wrp (edited 12-26-1999).]

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Rio Rancho, NM, USA
Posts: 129

WRP, not everyone hates the clip-on cover. I happen to like mine a lot. In fact, I carry the visor only with the cover. It offers the protection I need and is more convienient, in my opinion, then the flip up covers.