amrcanpoet
09-22-2003, 01:16 PM
Okay, so I picked up my Innopocket hard case at the local Airborne Express warehouse. That's right, I had to PICK IT UP! Be forewarned: If you purchase from GlobalSource, you need to be present when they deliver, or after 2 tries, they will keep it at the warehouse and you need to go get it.
That's the only major complaint I have about this product, though a few minor ones do exist. But hey, I'll start with the greats...
The Greats
-------------------
1. This is a HARD case. And I mean HARD. When I slide it around my desk at work, I am actually fearful of the desk getting scratched, not the case.
2. The finish on the metal is fanastic. It's textured, yet smooth enough to give it a nice glossy look. I know what you're thinking, "If it's smooth, won't I drop it?" Probably not. There are notches on the right side of the case where you fingers will be (if held in the left hand), and even notches right under the Capture button for taking pictures.
3. Gravity Lock - This is a great invention that I first found out about when I used to play the trumpet and dropped my case, but it never opened! This lock is very simple in design: When the case is right side up, or sitting on a desk ready to be opened, it simply just lifts open. No latches, no grapples to pull back. But, when you turn it upside down, the damned thing will not open, no matter how much force you put into pulling it apart. Nice choice, Innopocket!
4. Slots - Every outside slot on the case is exposed: CF, WiFi, IR, Capture, Hold, Jog, Back, Headphones, Stylus, and even Reset! Plus, there's a heavy duty screen that fits over the speaker, too! The CF/WiFi slot is nice, because I can switch CF cards for music without ever having to open the case. Speaking of WiFi.
5. WiFi Holder - That's right! They built in a secret compartment under the Clie that holds your WiFi. It will also hold a standard CFII card as well. Don' know about the Microdrives, but don't see why not!
------------------------
Not So Greats
------------------------
While this is a fantastic accessory, there are a few improvements to be made.
1. WiFi Holder - Okay, I praised it, now I'll bash it. It's too hard to get to in a pinch. You see, your Clie actually snaps into the case, it doesn't just sit there. So, in order to get to your WiFi card, you need to pull the Clie out of the snaps (which is a little troublesome), pull out the card, and snap if back in (which feels like it will break the case every time).
2. Size - It is not form-fitting, no matter what the web site says. It's bulkier than your Clie, but not too oversized; it actually feels pretty good, to tell the truth. Plus, it's understandable, since they needed to thicken out the bottom portion of the case where your Clie is normally the thinnest in order to make room for the WiFi Card. I think it's a fair trade-off.
3. It doesn't open on the right side. And by "right," I don't mean "wrong," I mean the opposite of left. Most of us are used to opening things like this as if it were a book. You hold the right portion, and swing open the left. With this case, the Clie is on the left, and the Door opens to the right. It takes a little getting used to, and doesn't cause too much discomfort, just an interesting design choice.
4. No Feet - There are no buttoned feet on the bottom of the case, which I was hoping for, since I tend to slide stuff around my desk a lot. W/o those feet, the case will probably get pretty scratched over time. But, it's the bottom that no one sees, and the speaker screen is recessed into the case, so it will never touch a surface.
5. This is a minor complaint, and shouldn't even be counted since most cases aren't equipped for this either, but you should know before you buy: You can't hot-sync while in the case. Yup, pretty much no case can do it, and this one is lumped in that category. But, if you really want to hotsync in the case, buy one of those retractable cables, and you'll be just fine (I picked one up at GlobalSource for $15, not that bad of a price).
That's about it! I'll let you know on the longevity of the case. It retails for $35-40, so a decent price for a case of this quality. Hope that helps anyone!
That's the only major complaint I have about this product, though a few minor ones do exist. But hey, I'll start with the greats...
The Greats
-------------------
1. This is a HARD case. And I mean HARD. When I slide it around my desk at work, I am actually fearful of the desk getting scratched, not the case.
2. The finish on the metal is fanastic. It's textured, yet smooth enough to give it a nice glossy look. I know what you're thinking, "If it's smooth, won't I drop it?" Probably not. There are notches on the right side of the case where you fingers will be (if held in the left hand), and even notches right under the Capture button for taking pictures.
3. Gravity Lock - This is a great invention that I first found out about when I used to play the trumpet and dropped my case, but it never opened! This lock is very simple in design: When the case is right side up, or sitting on a desk ready to be opened, it simply just lifts open. No latches, no grapples to pull back. But, when you turn it upside down, the damned thing will not open, no matter how much force you put into pulling it apart. Nice choice, Innopocket!
4. Slots - Every outside slot on the case is exposed: CF, WiFi, IR, Capture, Hold, Jog, Back, Headphones, Stylus, and even Reset! Plus, there's a heavy duty screen that fits over the speaker, too! The CF/WiFi slot is nice, because I can switch CF cards for music without ever having to open the case. Speaking of WiFi.
5. WiFi Holder - That's right! They built in a secret compartment under the Clie that holds your WiFi. It will also hold a standard CFII card as well. Don' know about the Microdrives, but don't see why not!
------------------------
Not So Greats
------------------------
While this is a fantastic accessory, there are a few improvements to be made.
1. WiFi Holder - Okay, I praised it, now I'll bash it. It's too hard to get to in a pinch. You see, your Clie actually snaps into the case, it doesn't just sit there. So, in order to get to your WiFi card, you need to pull the Clie out of the snaps (which is a little troublesome), pull out the card, and snap if back in (which feels like it will break the case every time).
2. Size - It is not form-fitting, no matter what the web site says. It's bulkier than your Clie, but not too oversized; it actually feels pretty good, to tell the truth. Plus, it's understandable, since they needed to thicken out the bottom portion of the case where your Clie is normally the thinnest in order to make room for the WiFi Card. I think it's a fair trade-off.
3. It doesn't open on the right side. And by "right," I don't mean "wrong," I mean the opposite of left. Most of us are used to opening things like this as if it were a book. You hold the right portion, and swing open the left. With this case, the Clie is on the left, and the Door opens to the right. It takes a little getting used to, and doesn't cause too much discomfort, just an interesting design choice.
4. No Feet - There are no buttoned feet on the bottom of the case, which I was hoping for, since I tend to slide stuff around my desk a lot. W/o those feet, the case will probably get pretty scratched over time. But, it's the bottom that no one sees, and the speaker screen is recessed into the case, so it will never touch a surface.
5. This is a minor complaint, and shouldn't even be counted since most cases aren't equipped for this either, but you should know before you buy: You can't hot-sync while in the case. Yup, pretty much no case can do it, and this one is lumped in that category. But, if you really want to hotsync in the case, buy one of those retractable cables, and you'll be just fine (I picked one up at GlobalSource for $15, not that bad of a price).
That's about it! I'll let you know on the longevity of the case. It retails for $35-40, so a decent price for a case of this quality. Hope that helps anyone!