Registered: Mar 2000
Location:
Posts: 97

James (and the rest of the Visor community),

I'm looking to purchase a slim case for my VDX but cannot decide between the Rhodiana, Cobra or the Vaja case. (I'm probably leaning towards each case in that order too.) I think that they're all good cases but I'd like to hear some discussion comparing the cases.

Also, I'm waiting for James to review the Cobra. (hint-hint.)

The following things are important to me in my quest for the perfect slim case:

(1) Protection. (Probably why I ruled out the EB Slipper)
(2) NO Velcro.
(3) Wearable without being obtrusive.
(4) Sync in case. (or ease of removal from case--also, I'm concerned about eventually wearing out the case in removal and re-insertion time and time again.)
(5) Price. (because I assume I'll want to either upgrade my Visor to whatever Handspring comes out with next or I'll get an oversized module someday. I currently only use the Backup module.)

Covertec Cobra

Rhodiana

Vaja

Help!

Registered: Aug 2000
Location:
Posts: 107

Well I don't know much about the Cobra, I did look at the Vaja before I decided to go with the Rhodiana. I will give my 2 cents point by point.

(1) Protection: Can't say much about the Vaja here as I've never actually seen one, but from the pictures it looks like minimal side protection. The Rhodiana protects all surfaces of the Visor with a sort of high density foam and the screen with an (optional) Lexan insert. Although the Vaja does offer some protection, I think the Rhodiana wins here.

(2) NO Velcro: Neither of these have Velcro.


(3) Wearable without being obtrusive: Again I can't speak for the Vaja but it looks like it adds no size or bulk to the unit. The Rhodiana adds a tiny amount due to the padding. Actually I was amazed to see how small the Rhodiana was when I got it. I almost flipped out thinking that they had sent me a case for a cell phone. Sure enough though, the Visor fit. Perfectly. I couldn't beleive how snug the fit was. Once it's there it's never falling out. The Vaja would be the same small size if not even smaller due to less padding.
The swivel belt clip works well too. It swings up out of the way when you sit down etc. These cases are anything but obtrusive.

(4) Sync in case: Currently neither one of them can synch in the case. Although there were complaints that the early Rhodianas were difficult to remove from the case, it appears that this flaw is omitted from the latest generation. I think the Vaja will soon (if it hasn't already) release athe case in a syncable version so if you are not in a hurry you may want to wait this model out. I see that they have released them for other Palms. The Rhodiana would never be able to synch in the case because of the thicker padding.

(5) Price: Although the Cobra is cheaper, it appears to offer next to zero protection. Next cheapest is obviously the Rhodiana then the Vaja.

So far I am VERY please with the Rhodiana. The two selling points for me were protection, and the simple fact that it's not leather. Lot's of people probably think the opposite. I personally am sick of leather cases so it was time for a different looking case for me. The Rhodiana appealed to me because it still looks very professional as well as extremely durable. The case looks and functions well at work or at play. The heavy nylon weave is practically indestructable.

If I had wanted yet another leather case, and protection wasn't a huge thing then the Vaja would have won hands down. Those things are gorgeous.

Hope I helped,
Ark

Registered: Feb 2000
Location: Moved to Clie Land
Posts: 331

Might be able to help a bit as I have both the Rhodiana and the brown ostrich Vaja. Actually both provide about the same protection and this has been proven by the number of times (2x each) I have sat down and dropped my BVDX to the raised floor of the computer room(HARD!) The Rhodiana has the padded nylon approach while the Vaja has the Leather seam approach. Both are effective.

I have had dealings with both the customer service departments (original order on the Vaja and a repair on the Rhodiana) and I am impressed with both. IF you have to choose just one, I would base the decision on your environment. I have found that the VAJA is perfect for those board-room meeting days and the Rhodiana fills in just about all the rest of my "knock-around" time. I truly appreciate BOTH cases, they just have different applications in my mind. In any case, I feel that you would be pleased with either case. As for the Cobra, I have no experience....

* I'll be jumping on the new offerings when they come out from handspring and I feel certain that VAJA and RHODIANA will be able to outfit my new device with the same protection and class that they have provided my older unit. Hey....it's only $$$

__________________
"Stupid Handspring."

Registered: Mar 2000
Location:
Posts: 97

Does anyone have with a Cobra have a comparison?

Anyone with a Cobra case have a comparison against the Rhodiana? Especially in terms of protection?

I like the fact that the Cobra comes with the WAP belt clip standard instead of Rhodiana's piecemeal (that's a word I've heard arguments about... it it "piecemeal" or "piecemill"?) approach of case + belt clip + lexan stiffener. But that's just my own pet peeve. By the time you add all those "extras" you're close to the cost of a Vaja--a case that everyone acknowledges as a bit expensive.

Funny, no one says that a "loaded" Rhodiana is expensive.

Just my 2 cents...

Thanks for the responses so far everyone!

Registered: Jun 2000
Location:
Posts: 17

I narrowed my choice down to the rhodina and the vaja and I decided to go with the Vaja. The swivel Belt clip is exceptional especially since I am a liitle overweight. I have dropped my visor countless of times, on different kinds of surfaces, with no problems. The thing that I questioned was that the rhodina had a problem with the plastic cracking in the corners. I read a couple of threads about that here. Thats what turned me to the vaja.
AJG

Registered: Mar 2000
Location:
Posts: 97

Rhodiana's plastic Visor holding lip cracking?

quote:

---

Originally posted by katavia
I narrowed my choice down to the rhodina and the vaja and I decided to go with the Vaja. The swivel Belt clip is exceptional especially since I am a liitle overweight. I have dropped my visor countless of times, on different kinds of surfaces, with no problems. The thing that I questioned was that the rhodina had a problem with the plastic cracking in the corners. I read a couple of threads about that here. Thats what turned me to the vaja.
AJG

---

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 121

I read a lot about that too, but still got the Rhodiana. I've had it since April with no problems, plastic or otherwise. I usually only sync once a day, but removal and wear don't appear to be a problem. For the environment I use it in, I love this case and would recommend it to anyone.

__________________
If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice...

Registered: Feb 2000
Location: Moved to Clie Land
Posts: 331

Hence the experience with the Rhodiana Customer Relations dept

Yes, I had the plastic split once and it was promptly, and more importantly cheerfully replaced. I have noticed the same symptoms starting to show on the replacement unit...Still love the case though!

__________________
"Stupid Handspring."

Registered: Mar 2000
Location:
Posts: 97

Another New case!!!

Has anyone heard of the Case-Tech cases? My wife just stumbled across them in a Yahoo! search.

They make a custom Handspring case with a belt clip or one with a swivel case. A little pricey but look at it and see what you think.

I like way that the case holds the Visor. It reminds me of the way Franklin-Covey has the full sheath.



New Case-Tech Handspring Case

(PS. I'm not affiliated with that company in any way. Just a case shopper looking for some input from the rest of the community.)


[Edited by Corky on 09-27-2000 at 05:14 PM]

__________________
Pocket PCs, Palm... next victim, MS Windows!

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 70

The price for that case from CaseTech is in canadian dollars, so you can discount the price by about 35%. That makes the case with the swivel clip around $40 US.

Looks decent, although not as svelt as the Vaja.

Registered: Mar 2000
Location:
Posts: 97

Thank you. Canadian $$'s!

Great... I'm glad that you caught that.

I think I went with the Rhodiana. I'll take my chances with the plastic lip that holds the VDx.

Thanks everyone!

__________________
Pocket PCs, Palm... next victim, MS Windows!

Registered: Feb 2000
Location: GA
Posts: 17

I have the Rhodiana (about 5 months now) and love the case. I have had zero problems with it, decent amount of protection (one drop no damage), i only sync every other day so that is not an issue. A friend has the Vaja and I love the looks of it and credit card slots. If I had it to do over I think I would get the Vaja but I am not at all unhappy with the Rhodianna. Can't lose either way.

__________________
MOO!!!

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Simi Valley, CA
Posts: 110

I got a Rhodiana case several months ago and love it! Recently however, I noticed the "button" that slides into the beltclip was coming apart inside the clear plastic retainer. The "button" was about to break off the part that was behind the clear plastic. I sent it back to Rhodiana with a description of the problem, and to my surprise, I had it back in my hot little hands within 4 days! They must have had similar instances with other customers as my repaired unit featured a completely different mounting system. This new combo is MUCH better. I would have to say that I am very pleased with their customer service. When I get my new Visor Prism, I will again look to Rhodiana for my new case.

__________________
Joe V. - Simi Valley, CA

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 6

I have an almost-new Covertec Cobra I'm selling on Ebay. It's in great shape. I loved it, but have switched, gulp, to a Pocket PC (Sorry).

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAP...;item=458816149

Mark Allison