Registered: Nov 1999
Location:
Posts: 62

After ordering a slipper case with belt clip from E&B Cases on November 24, I called yesterday to find out what is up with the delays. As it turns out, they received them yesterday and today I received e-mail notification that it was shipped. Since I live in MA and they are shipping from CA others may get theirs first, but I will post my thoughts on this anxiously awaited item.

I did have second thoughts after reading the review of the Rhodiana case which looks pretty nice, but I will wait and see.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 13

What color did you order? I ordered a burgandy case on Jan 4th. I am getting a little anxious.

Registered: Jan 2000
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Posts: 3

I ordered this case as well, and the question I have is if a PDAPanache Custom Visor stylus will intefere with the case at all. I am considering buying one, but want to make sure the case is compatible. If anyone has both, could you let me know?

Thanks

Registered: Nov 1999
Location:
Posts: 62

I use the PDA Panach Stylus so I will know next week if there are any problems.

I ordered black BTW.

[This message has been edited by beaker (edited 01-21-2000).]

Registered: Nov 1999
Location:
Posts: 62

Today I received my E&B Slipper case for the Visor and I would like to post a review after using it for a day.

First Impressions:

I ordered a black slipper case with belt clip (it is also available without the clip). The case is very professional looking and well made. The front cover has a stiff insert sewn in between the layers of leather and provides very good protection from a direct assault on the screen. On the inside of the front cover are 2 pockets, one for business cards and another longer pocket that would be perfect for money or credit cards. Two velcro strips hold the cover down while hanging from your belt. The velcro seems to be quite adequate.

The part of the case that wraps around the Visor is thin, soft leather that conforms to the shape of the Visor. Friction holds the Visor in the case which really does "fit like a glove". The PDA is not falling out of this case under any circumstances.

Cutouts in the leather provide access for the IR port, Hotsync port and cradle hook.

Hotsyncing in the case:

This was a bit problematic at first. The case prevented the Visor from making contact with the cradle at first, but after applying the supplied spacer to the back of the Visor and applying more than usual downward pressure to lock it in the cradle, hotsync was performed without problems.

Wearability and Useability:

The Belt clip attaches positively to your belt and a retainer feature prevents the clip from becoming detached without first opening the clip. The Case w/Visor is easily and smoothly retreived from its perch by depressing the release with your thumb and pulling slightly up and away from your belt. It is a breeze. Putting it back is just as easy after a few practice runs.

The case has a lot of freedom to move and rotate when retained in the belt clip. It is extremely comfortable when sitting, standing and even driving. I didn't feel it at all. While moving around I was very confident that it would not fall off.

I use the PDA Panache stylus for Visor and this fits with absolutely no problems. As a matter of fact, I think you are better off with this stylus in this case than a standard stylus since access from the side is a little limited but still adequate for the stock or deluxe Handspring stylus.

Access to the Visor:

The screen is fully accessable while in the case. The buttons, including the power button, are covered by a clear PVC membrane. At first sight it looked like the membrane would make pressing the buttons awkward, but I soon realized that this fear was unfounded. I had no problems accessing and pressing any of the buttons at any time. And the clear cover will more than likely protect the symbols from wearing off the buttons with use.

Overall, a fantastic case for anyone who wants a professional looking, easy to use, low hassle case. I have already recommended it to many people at work (even a Palm Vx user!)

I love the belt clip feature. The Visor has fallen out of my shirt pocket 3 times when bending over and with the belt clip I don't have to worry about it any more.

Two thumbs way up!

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 23

Beaker -
Will the Slipper interfere with any springboard modules? Do you have to remove the visor to use them?

~CYMagic

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 13

Thanks for your great review. I can't wait until I get mine!

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA Interests: Women, Drums, Visors, Computers, Home Theater and any cool gadgets.
Posts: 138

Sounds good. I think I made a good choice then

I ordered mine two weeks ago, I hope they ship them soon for us "backorderd" people

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 9

I also just received my Visor Slipper with the belt clip, and I am very happy with it so far. It fits the Visor very well, with well-placed cutouts for the hot sync port, hot sync notch, IR port, and stylus. It even has a small hole for the microphone (which isn't very useful yet). It does not have an opening for the reset button, but that shouldn't be too hard to add.

The belt clip seems very secure and feels comfortable, and the visor looks much less geeky on my belt than I thought it would. It looks like a large pager or odd-shaped cell phone--not very obtrusive, and quite professional looking, especially in the black color.

I am still not sure how much I like the clear plastic covering the buttons. It gets in the way much less than I thought it would, but I don't think I would want to play Tetris with it there. I am tempted to cut it out, but I'm not sure if the leather strip above it would be too unsupported then. If anyone else tries that, let us know how it works.

I don't know how well springboard modules will fit in the case (I don't have any yet). I think that a module that doesn't add too much to the depth or height of the visor could fit okay. The flap can be velcroed a little higher than usual, leaving a small space at the top for a module to stick up a bit.

I really like being able to replace the hard plastic cover and the leather slip cover with just one case. I don't think the Slipper provides the same level of protection as the hard cover and slip cover together, but it has the advantage that it can be hotsynced in the case--the time when I would drop it would be when I had removed it from both cases to hotsync.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 46

Say...how does that belt-clip model do if you set it on a desk? Does it lay flat...or do you need to hold it in your hand?

Registered: Nov 1999
Location:
Posts: 62

Regarding the springboard modules, I think that you could get away with something that sticks above the top of the Visor by by a Maximum of 7/16". Anything that is flush is fine. I think that the 6-pak would be fine. I think that you would have to keep the case open with the GPS. One nice thing is that you can easily pull out the springboard cover and insert a module without removing the case.

The belt clip stays on your belt and the only thing sticking out from the back of the Visor is a small steel retaining knob. They made the back of the retainer rounded and flat so the Visor sits very flat and stable on a desk without any problems.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Durham, NC
Posts: 78

Well, thanks to Beaker's review (and others) I've placed my order for a black EBCase for the Visor. They've got them listed as "backordered". I suppose that's Beaker's fault too. :-)

Thnx for all the info. Makes shopping easy!