Which flipcover do you like?

[DanT]

I just finished a TH55 flipcover project with my local machine shop. See the detail comparison in this eBay Item number: 120116840734 (http://cgi.ebay.com/Smoke-flipcover-replacement-kit-for-Sony-CLIE-PEG-TH55_W0QQitemZ120116840734QQihZ002QQcategoryZ64369QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem). Please tell me which one is better, the flipcover on the left or on the right or you rather have no flipcover?

[NX70BOY]

I bought my TH on eBay, and it didn't come with a flipcover, so I don't really know what it's like to have one. I have a case instead though. I would think, if you have a flipcover, you'd want it to be as see-though as possible right?

[DanT]

I like to be able to see through and smoke color seems to enhance the look.

The original one is actually a clear one with tinted smoke coating. The bad thing about that is after awhile the coating can get rubbed off and you'll see clear spots where the flipcover makes contact with the metal frame, especially around the bumpers. If you see closely on the 3rd picture on the right flipcover bottom part, I put a 1/4" wide strip of screen protector to prevent the tinted coating from getting rubbed off by the bumpers.

The smoke color flipcover on the left has no coating. So, no rub-off. ;)
Also its surface is less reflective than the original one, as you see on the pictures.

[mdlsimpson]

Looks great DanT !!! I'd love to get one!! I wouldn't mind having a clear one too!

I hope you are going into the custom TH flip cover business!

Great Job!

Mark

[DanT]

Thanks for the compliment, Mark. I have some limited supplies of these after market (AM) flipcovers. See my ad in 1src classified, TH55 AM Flipcover kit (http://www.1src.com/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=861).

If you want a clear one, I can remove the tinted coating off your original flipcover for $10 including return shipping. However, I can't polish the outer surface. Any scratches you have will stay that way. One thing good though, those scratches will be less pronounced once the tinted coating is gone. Just send me a PM if you are interested.

If anyone else likes the clear one more than the smoke one, please post your interest, here. If the demand is high enough, then I can ask my good-old machinist to make them. ;)

http://www.1src.com/classifieds/data/3/2949Kit-large.JPG

[LanMan]

Wow, the flip with less reflection is very nice! Good work, DanT.

[jj2me]

A soft rigid one that flips all the way back like on the SJ series. Hands down my favorite, wish something like it were available.

a. truly a flip of the wrist to get it out of the way.
b. flips all the way back out of the way, can even go flat against the back of the PDA.
c. doesn't torque the PDA, like the TH55's flip, which some suspect contributes to the camera problem.

[DanT]

Wow, the flip with less reflection is very nice! Good work, DanT.

Thanks. It looks even better with the naked eyes. ;)

[DanT]

A soft rigid one that flips all the way back like on the SJ series. Hands down my favorite, wish something like it were available.

a. truly a flip of the wrist to get it out of the way.
b. flips all the way back out of the way, can even go flat against the back of the PDA.
c. doesn't torque the PDA, like the TH55's flip, which some suspect contributes to the camera problem.

I thought about it once. However, with the large screen and slim design, the rigid flipcover helps support the TH55 from warping while in pants' pocket that may lead to bleeding LCD, which is the most expensive part of the TH55.

[HiRes]

The left one looks good!

[jj2me]

I thought about it once. However, with the large screen and slim design, the rigid flipcover helps support the TH55 from warping while in pants' pocket that may lead to bleeding LCD, which is the most expensive part of the TH55.

Hey, thanks for your thoughts on this! You moved me from two years of flipcover-cranky and dissatisfied to an ahh moment of comprehension, when everything is fine again. Often ignorance is *not* bliss.

[Bullitt]

hi,
i like the original smoky one, cause it dims the screen real nice when i'm reading books in the dark ! ;)

[DanT]

For those of you who like the OEM flipcover, you may want to put screen protector on the inside (bottom) of the flipcover before the tinted coating get rubbed off. armstation.com (http://armstation.com/hardware/screenprotector_crystal_touch_edition_sony_clie_th55_back_of_the_flip.php) sells the A.R.M Kit for the flipcover inside and outside flipcover protector.

http://armstation.com/imgs/product_screenprotector_crystal_touch_edition_sony_clie_th55_back_of_the_flip.jpg

[fullcarbonbike]

The left one looks great, but I'd prefer a perforated brass cover, as on a Star Trek Communicator, then if if would just power on and chirp when the flip cover is opened.

[DanT]

The left one looks great, but I'd prefer a perforated brass cover, as on a Star Trek Communicator, then if if would just power on and chirp when the flip cover is opened.

If you make them, then I'll buy one for $20. ;)

[Zxanphorian]

Left: less reflectivity!

[DanT]

hi,
i like the original smoky one, cause it dims the screen real nice when i'm reading books in the dark ! ;)

This AM smoke flipcover dims the screen the same way as the original one for reading ebooks in the dark. That is why I choose smoke color. To me it is better than the original one because
(1) it is less reflective so you can see the letters clearer through the flipcover and
(2) it has no tinted coating that might get rubbed off after many flippings on and off. At least mine did and the clear spots just make it looks ugly.

[DanT]

Left: less reflectivity!

You hit it right on the nose. That is exactly the point!

[PDA Fanatic]

I definitely like your design better. The original cover is too reflective and too prone to scuffs and scratches. Mine looks like it has been through the mill.

[DanT]

Speaking of too reflective, too prone to scuffs and scratches, here is one of the worst one I've bought from eBay. It seems to be just returning from a war zone. LOL. :D :D :D

http://www.1src.com/gallery/data/500/29493YO_OEM.JPG

[truffles]

sexy shades !

DanT, do you think something like this could be done to the TX with the original flip cover -- perhaps replace the fabric with one of these transparent hard covers?

[DanT]

I'll look at TX flipcover and let you know later.