Registered: Aug 2001
Location: Pamplona, Spain
Posts: 15

the cheapest and most protective case

I just was tired searching a good case for my hanheld, so I decided to build it myself. I discovered that dvcam video tape cases (the blue ones) from Sony were almost perfect as a visor case. You should only cut the little protuberancies inside the case (the ones which holds the tape...). If you want, you can put a smooth leather or similar inside the case, just to prevent little movements of the PDA.
And voila...you have a nice looking case (and cheap) for your visor!
I work shooting and editing video, so I have plenty of dvcam cases!!
If anyone is interested in how it looks, let me know!
KAYAC

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Chicago
Posts: 67

kayac -

thanks for the idea... can you give a pic and more info? where do we get one of these cases??

thanks,
Hitman

Registered: Aug 2001
Location: Pamplona, Spain
Posts: 15

custom case photos

Here are a pair of photos. Note that there is not (yet) a smooth leather or similar interior...
The case is a DVCAM 64 minutes tape from SONY.
Hope it will be useful....
Now I can work shooting video everywhere with my edge securely protected...

Attachment: edge1.jpg
This has been downloaded 185 time(s).

Registered: Aug 2001
Location: Pamplona, Spain
Posts: 15

second photo, sorry

here is the second photo...

Attachment: edge2.jpg
This has been downloaded 163 time(s).

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 1683

Nice!

__________________
We're all naked if you turn us inside out.
-David Byrne

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Nebraska- the Good life
Posts: 695

It occurs to me that a piece of self-adhesive padding, such as is often sold to reduce blisters, etc. would both help hold the Visor in place and absorb some of the shock- but WOW! That is a pretty cool case!

After reading this, I have been noticing how many other things there are around my house to use like this.

Rubbermaid makes a series of long, shallow, skinny tubs in their "Serving Savers" series- while it would not be a pretty case, with a little interior protection, it would make a nice, protective travel case for a device and some accessories- similar to an Otterbox.

My old zippered "At A Glance" planner, that I so loved before the Visor, has a removeable panel for the rings. With this gone, I have a series of small pockets and a pen loop in the front, and two big pockets and another loop in the back. I sewed some Velcro across the back and now it holds my Visor and the Stow-a-way or other accessories nicely! By the way- I use the Velcro on a spare snap-on cover. I can even leave my Visor in the Bumper Case or other cases! This way, I can carry the planner to work, then slip just the Visor in my pocket during the work day.

Camera cases, of course, are a pretty obvious solution and have been mentioned before.

An easy way to make a protective pouch for a camera, PDA, or similar device is to use the silver foil/bubble insulation sold at most hardware stores. Just cut it to make a simple box with a big flap, then tape it together with duct tape or a special foil tape, then use self-adhesive Velcro as a closure. Unless you like the high-tech look, it ain't pretty, but it is protective and easy to customize- works great for units carried in backpacks or something!

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Posts: 790

quote:

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Originally posted by Madkins007
It occurs to me that a piece of self-adhesive padding, such as is often sold to reduce blisters, etc. would both help hold the Visor in place and absorb some of the shock

---

The word you're looking for is moleskin

__________________
Jeff

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Nebraska- the Good life
Posts: 695

PDAEnvy-

Thanks, but actually, I was thinking more like 'molefoam' or the newer paddings from Spenco and others. Moleskin is just not thick enough to provide the sort of shock absorbancy I would want from a padding.

At work, we buy rolls of self-adhesive moleskin 18" x 25 yards around here, so I always have it available, but I rarely use it for padding situations. I vastly prefer 3M's Microfoam tape for small, mild-use things or either 1/8" Dura-Foam padding (Sammon Preston (800-323-5547, #7142, $6.95 for 18"x24") or 3/16" 'Firm Foam Padding" (#7170, $21.95 for 5.75"x25'). These are closed-cell foams with a bit of a 'skin'. I might put moleskin on the foam for a better fit, or to make it softer.

Other possibilities might be to use self-adhesive weatherstripping or even the foam cut from the sort of trays meat is sold on!

Registered: May 2001
Location:
Posts: 48

How about one for the Stowaway keyboard?

So, does anyone have a good idea for a Stowaway keyboard case? One that holds only the keyboard, not the Visor too.

Registered: Jun 2000
Location:
Posts: 49

A decent shock absorbing foam can be bought from any decent craft store under the name funfoam i believe. It comes in 2 thicknesses (1/4" and 1/8") and many colors and patterns.

A 9x12 size sheet is usually under $2


Joshua

Registered: Jun 2000
Location:
Posts: 49

Re: the cheapest and most protective case

quote:

---

Originally posted by kayac
I just was tired searching a good case for my hanheld, so I decided to build it myself. I discovered that dvcam video tape cases (the blue ones) from Sony were almost perfect as a visor case. You should only cut the little protuberancies inside the case (the ones which holds the tape...). If you want, you can put a smooth leather or similar inside the case, just to prevent little movements of the PDA.
And voila...you have a nice looking case (and cheap) for your visor!
I work shooting and editing video, so I have plenty of dvcam cases!!
If anyone is interested in how it looks, let me know!
KAYAC

---

Registered: Aug 2001
Location: Pamplona, Spain
Posts: 15

selling?

Trying to sell this kind of thing would make me feel like a stupid man...I'have plenty of this little boxes. I can send you one, but the shipping will not be cheap (from Spain). I think that the best way to get one is buying a DVCAM tape from Sony. I'm pretty sure that you can find it at every video/electronic gadgets store.
Also, you can ask Sony for a provider of profesional tapes near you.
You can look also at:
http://www.professional-videotapes....m_videotape.php

http://www.high-techproductions.com/dvcam.htm

You can also go to a video production company or tv station and ask for a dvcam "used" case. I'm pretty sure they will give it to you for free...

Hope it will be useful

Registered: Jun 2000
Location:
Posts: 49

I can't seem to find a dvtape (i can't find the cases seperately at all) for less than $11 plus shipping...

ANybody know a cheaper source?

Joshua