Thursday, May 16, 2002
Handheld Planet iPAQ Cases Review
Posted by Jason Dunn in "ARTICLE" @ 11:01 PM
Black, shiny leather? It looks good on a dominatrix, but even better on your iPAQ Pocket PC!
It seems to be a bit difficult to find quality leather Pocket PC carrying cases that don't break the bank. The new Vaja iVolution cases are gorgeous, but at $150 US, they're priced out of reach for most people. So what's a case-less Pocket PC owner to do? Handheld Planet to the rescue with their excellent-quality, and very affordable iPAQ Pocket PC cases.
Device Requirements
You need an iPAQ 36xx, 37xx or 38xx series iPAQ. There are multiple case types for each device.
In Brief
Attractive black leather iPAQ cases for under $30 US - what a steal!
Where to Buy
The cases can be purchased online directly from the Handheld Planet web site (affiliate link). Price varies by the case, but they start at $29.95 US and go up to $34.95 US.
Figure 1: The exterior of the case
A functional case
I took a look at two similar cases for the iPAQ: one was a case with a belt clip for the iPAQ 36xx/37xx series, and the other was for the 38xx series. Both cases were very similar, the only difference being the cut of the leather at the bottom. Speaking of the leather, while it's not quite as soft as some of the Vaja cases I have, it's black, glossy (without looking like cheap vinyl), and smooth to the touch. I didn't see any flaws in either of the cases that I was sent.
Figure 2: The iPAQ 36xx/37xx case
The cases are well-designed and have a hole punched for the headphone jack, access to power on the 37xx models, and the reset button for both. Although the docking port is cut away, like every other case I've tried, it's frustrating to try and dock the Pocket PC while still in the case. It's far less hassle to simply take the iPAQ out of the case.
Figure 3: The iPAQ 38xx series case
Well designed, well constructed
The cover is reinforced (likely with a piece of PCB), giving you some added screen protection. There are two credit card slots, and a wider slot for money, CF cards, or even a PCMCIA card (I managed to easily fit my D-Link 802.11b PCMCIA card in that slot, even with it's large antenna). Each model is available with an option belt clip - Handheld Planet made a wise choice to use the Ultraclip. Those clips are almost indestructible - they're very, very strong.
In terms of selection, you can get a case for the naked iPAQ 38xx series, one that hold the iPAQ + CF card sleeve, or iPAQ + PCMCIA sleeve. With the belt clip option, that's six different cases, the most expensive of which is $34.95. On the 36xx and 37xx front, slightly less options - naked iPAQ case with belt clip, or iPAQ + PCMCIA sleeve with belt clip. Also available is their older Omni Case model - it fits the iPAQ but can expand to accommodate a variety of sleeves.
Figure 4: Slots for your stuff
Gotchas
None - the cases do their job nicely.
Conclusion
All in all, I was very impressed with the Handheld Planet iPAQ cases. They're well designed, look good, will protect your iPAQ, and starting at under $30 US, Handheld Planet stepped up to the plate with a case that everyone can afford. There's nothing in this price range as nice, and I have a lot of cases.
They're also working on cases for the HP 56x, NEC MobilePro P300, and the Toshiba e570/Audiovox Maestro. If they can keep their quality high and their prices low, they'll have a winner with these cases as well.
It seems to be a bit difficult to find quality leather Pocket PC carrying cases that don't break the bank. The new Vaja iVolution cases are gorgeous, but at $150 US, they're priced out of reach for most people. So what's a case-less Pocket PC owner to do? Handheld Planet to the rescue with their excellent-quality, and very affordable iPAQ Pocket PC cases.
Device Requirements
You need an iPAQ 36xx, 37xx or 38xx series iPAQ. There are multiple case types for each device.
In Brief
Attractive black leather iPAQ cases for under $30 US - what a steal!
Where to Buy
The cases can be purchased online directly from the Handheld Planet web site (affiliate link). Price varies by the case, but they start at $29.95 US and go up to $34.95 US.
Figure 1: The exterior of the case
A functional case
I took a look at two similar cases for the iPAQ: one was a case with a belt clip for the iPAQ 36xx/37xx series, and the other was for the 38xx series. Both cases were very similar, the only difference being the cut of the leather at the bottom. Speaking of the leather, while it's not quite as soft as some of the Vaja cases I have, it's black, glossy (without looking like cheap vinyl), and smooth to the touch. I didn't see any flaws in either of the cases that I was sent.
Figure 2: The iPAQ 36xx/37xx case
The cases are well-designed and have a hole punched for the headphone jack, access to power on the 37xx models, and the reset button for both. Although the docking port is cut away, like every other case I've tried, it's frustrating to try and dock the Pocket PC while still in the case. It's far less hassle to simply take the iPAQ out of the case.
Figure 3: The iPAQ 38xx series case
Well designed, well constructed
The cover is reinforced (likely with a piece of PCB), giving you some added screen protection. There are two credit card slots, and a wider slot for money, CF cards, or even a PCMCIA card (I managed to easily fit my D-Link 802.11b PCMCIA card in that slot, even with it's large antenna). Each model is available with an option belt clip - Handheld Planet made a wise choice to use the Ultraclip. Those clips are almost indestructible - they're very, very strong.
In terms of selection, you can get a case for the naked iPAQ 38xx series, one that hold the iPAQ + CF card sleeve, or iPAQ + PCMCIA sleeve. With the belt clip option, that's six different cases, the most expensive of which is $34.95. On the 36xx and 37xx front, slightly less options - naked iPAQ case with belt clip, or iPAQ + PCMCIA sleeve with belt clip. Also available is their older Omni Case model - it fits the iPAQ but can expand to accommodate a variety of sleeves.
Figure 4: Slots for your stuff
Gotchas
None - the cases do their job nicely.
Conclusion
All in all, I was very impressed with the Handheld Planet iPAQ cases. They're well designed, look good, will protect your iPAQ, and starting at under $30 US, Handheld Planet stepped up to the plate with a case that everyone can afford. There's nothing in this price range as nice, and I have a lot of cases.
They're also working on cases for the HP 56x, NEC MobilePro P300, and the Toshiba e570/Audiovox Maestro. If they can keep their quality high and their prices low, they'll have a winner with these cases as well.
