DSI/PDAir T3 Aluminum Case - first impression

[L8Bloomer]

Just got my case from DSI:
http://www.notestation.com/tungstent3.htm

Bottom Line: Very Nice! and cheaper than the competion too!

Details:
Looks to be very protective; plenty of neoprene lining. Nice solid feel. Has access holes for power button, SD card & IR port, stylus, voice memo button & headphone socket AND reset button. Has a couple of slots in it over the speaker area, and a fairly wide slot so the alarm LED is visible. Bottom part of case is open but overlaps the edge of the T3 and the case door has a lip that covers about 3/8 inch of T3's bottom edge. Adds about 1/4 inch to the length, width and thickness. Space for one extra SD card held in the door.

The T3 slide extends downward from the case, and it will fit in the hotsync cradle with the slide extended (leans forward slightly). Because of the lip on the bottom edge of the door, it has to be open when the T3 has the slide extended, which means also when it's in the cradle.

T3 is held in place by a couple of nubbins (technical term there!) that fit into the two holes in the back, and by friction fit with the lining. Seems very secure to me; can't see it slipping out.

Opens to the left, and feels comfortable to hold in the left hand with a couple of fingers supporting the back and a thumb across the corner of the cover and hinge area. Good for righties like me; not so good for lefties, though I suppose you could support it in the palm of your right hand.

Only drawback for me is getting the slide extended. I had been used to doing that by gripping the sides, but you can't do that once it's in the case. Still pretty easy to do with a finger over the top edge of the slide though, so I'm sure I'll get used to it.

Overall I think this is a winner. Better features than the Innopocket and a great price too. Last time I checked, DSI had free shipping inside the US!

Now I can carry in my pants pocket without wincing every time I smack it on the arm of a chair etc....

[snark]

Great review, thanks a bunch.
The case seems very interesting. Now I need to figure out a way to order it in Europe!

Any chance you can upload some pictures?

[L8Bloomer]

OK, here's the one picture I got before the batteries died! Shows most of the access holes...

http://prod.bsis.bellsouth.net/coDataImages/p/Groups/132/132384/folders/102873/851370case1.jpg

One source for Europe:
http://www.shirtpocket.co.uk/cat/product_info.php/cPath/22_38/products_id/105?osCsid=f4c97ea464bd79fe1568fcf51fb07e78

[bobbd]

Great review. This case seems to be getting good reviews all around. A couple of questions:

1) You mentioned that it adds 1/4" to the length, width, and thickness. Is it that much, especially thinkness? I suppose it has to be something in order to be protective.

2) I've asked this elsewhere but I'd like your opinion. How difficult is it to take the T3 out of the case and put it back in regularly? If it's too snug, or the neoprene will tear, then constantly removing the T3 is a bad idea. I know you can use the T3 in the case and in the cradle, but my desk at work is fairly tight and I'd prefer to remove the T3 from the case on a regular basis.

Thanks

Bob

[L8Bloomer]

1. Yes it's 1/4 inch extra. I measure the thickness of the naked T3 at 5/8 inch at the middle bottom edge, and the case is 7/8 inch at the same point. The case wall (one layer of aluminum + neoprene) is about 1/16 inch thick, and there is a small gap (except at the edges) between the case and T3.

2. I would be quite dubious about taking it in and out frequently. I have seen elsewhere people complain that they have to do that with the Innopocket case because it won't sit in the cradle, and the neoprene has torn after a while. I would be concerned about that with this case too, and also that the two retaining tabs in the back of the case that mate with the holes on back of the T3 would wear and eventually break. They are not metal, but plastic or maybe hard rubber. To remove the T3, you have to tilt the bottom edge up about 15 degrees to clear those tabs from the holes, and then pull it downward out of the case against the friction from the neoprene on the upper sides where the case curls around the edges. If done frequently, I'd be surprised if that part of the neoprene didn't eventually tear and/or the tabs break off. I'd say if you really want to take your T3 out of a case every day, you'd better get a leather flip case or something similar.

Good luck! :)

[o24urcm]

I've been using the DSI for about a month now and it's been a pleasure. I'm also left handed. I also use the boxwave cradle to sometimes charge. As described above, you still have to extend the t3 to fit any cradle. In my opinion it has not be necessary to remove the t3 fom the case at all. Just extend and carry on.

Take care all,
o2

[bobbd]

Thanks L8Bloomer and o24urcm for the feedback. I guess I've got a decision to make about how I handle my PDA.

Bob

[tanker_bob]

I've had this PDAir case for a couple of weeks and have yet to remove my T3 from it. Just no reason.

I don't believe that regular removal would be as much of a problem with the PDAir as it is with the competition. PDAir used a double thickness of neoprene at those contact points, which will greatly increase its resistance to tearing. It's easily 4x thicker than the competitions, which is very thin. The plastic nubs, OTOH, will probably wear over time with constant removal.

[joeycan]

Tanker you gave up on the Proporta case, I love it but major isssue is it want fit in the cradle.

So you like the PDAir better I take it?

Cheers

Joey

[snark]

Lots of pictures and a nice review in French of this case at PalmAttitude (http://forum.palmattitude.org/viewtopic.php?p=124461#124461)

[tanker_bob]

Originally posted by joeycan
Tanker you gave up on the Proporta case, I love it but major isssue is it want fit in the cradle.

So you like the PDAir better I take it?

Cheers

Joey
Yup, much.

[AnthonyM]

I have been using the PDAir case for several weeks now. I have also found that there really is not a need to remove the PDA from the case. The one thing that always strikes me about this case is that it gives me such a good feeling of security. I am not too worried about damage to the PDA when it is in this case. The snug fit and solid feel of the case puts you at ease.

[mattcube64]

Wow, sounds like a great case. I recently purchased the Palm branded aluminum case for my T3, and returned it the next day after realizing what a piece of crap it was. The thing was completley plastic. This PDAir case sounds great, but am I gonna be disappointed like I was with the Palm case. Can you assure me that this is indeed Aluminum (metal), and not plastic? Plus, I can deal with it being thicker, but is it much wider? Would you trust you Palm in your pocket while in PE class?

Also, can you tell me how the clasp works. Do you think it will last? Is it made of metal or plastic? As you can tell, I'm gonna be putting my T3 through hell, (I'm only 15, and I don't trust my T3 anywhere further than my pocket at school, darn those thieves!)

[L8Bloomer]

Originally posted by mattcube64
Can you assure me that this is indeed Aluminum (metal), and not plastic? Plus, I can deal with it being thicker, but is it much wider? Would you trust you Palm in your pocket while in PE class?

Also, can you tell me how the clasp works. Do you think it will last? Is it made of metal or plastic?

I can assure you it is metal not plastic. And like I said, it adds about 1/4 inch in all directions (length, width & thickness).

The clasp is just a molded extension of the top half of the case which snaps over a wide plastic piece set into the lower half of the case. And yes, I think it will last. Take a look at the pictures in the link to PalmAttitude posted by snark earlier in this thread. It has a good pic. of the clasp.

[tanker_bob]

It's aluminum--I know the difference. Not much wider. It will be fine in your pocket for everything short of a suicide bombing or nuclear attack.

The clasp consists of a metal tab that snaps over a nylon/plastic piece embedded in the metal case. It would probably wear over a decade, but I don't see it happening over a normal lifetime of use (i.e., 2-3 years). It's exactly the same clasp system used by the Proporta/Innopocket case.

[IndyDave]

I've had my T3 just over a week, and still not completely convinced it's the right replacement for my beloved m515. Part of my anxiety has been a case...I loved the 515's Palm branded hard case because the door folded around to the back when open. And it rode in my back pants pocket for over two years without any harm. Almost bought the TE for the case and form factor (...better screen, processor, memory etc were primary NEEDS, others more personal).

Read so much about Proporta/Innopocket/(Rhinoskin?) cases, and only found a couple of mentions of this one. Looks very similar, but I can sync/charge in cradle without removing the case. Until it arrived, I was worried that I made the wrong choice (over Innopocket). But it wasn't. Impressed with quality and feel, and happy that it opens to the left vs right of Innopocket's. AND I can sync without removing.

Case arrived at noon, so only 13 hours so far. Have sat with it in back pocket throughout rest of day without any problems. Thicker than I was used to. Noticed only because I was conscious that I was sitting on my new $300+ gadget. (And I'm 6'2", nearly 200#!)

Still not sold on the slider of the T3, but hope it grows on me. The PDA Armor case though is a sure winner....only suggestion is find a way to allow door to fold all the way behind the case. Now if only the rumored new Palms aren't what I was REALLY looking for....Ha!

[yOyOYoo]

isn't it hard to use the palm in your hands since the case opens to the side?

I remember when I had the innopocket aluminum case for my NX70 it was side opening and made using my palm a bit difficult and clunky to hold since it opend from the side and doesn't fold all the way around, unlike those flip top ones, which don't get in the way of the grip.

[AnthonyM]

Originally posted by yOyOYoo
isn't it hard to use the palm in your hands since the case opens to the side?

I remember when I had the innopocket aluminum case for my NX70 it was side opening and made using my palm a bit difficult and clunky to hold since it opend from the side and doesn't fold all the way around, unlike those flip top ones, which don't get in the way of the grip.

If you are right handed and therefore hold the PDA in your left hand, it isn't a problem. The door swings back far enounh that you can put your thumb over the hinge between the door and body.

I have tried to figure out how a lefty would hold it in their right hand and I cannot find anything that would work for me. I think lefties may have a hard time with this case.

[mattcube64]

Thank you, appreciate the input!

[torifile]

Originally posted by AnthonyM
If you are right handed and therefore hold the PDA in your left hand, it isn't a problem. The door swings back far enounh that you can put your thumb over the hinge between the door and body.

I have tried to figure out how a lefty would hold it in their right hand and I cannot find anything that would work for me. I think lefties may have a hard time with this case.

Well, I just got mine today. I'm left handed and I don't find it any harder to use than other cases. It's just something you get used to as a lefty...

[C-Nut]

Is there anywhere else this case is available besides DSI?

[tanker_bob]

I had another link in my review at PDABuyersGuide.com.

[C-Nut]

thanks.

haha from DSI, the shipping to Asutralia is nearly twice the cost of the case! US$41.00 !

[bobbd]

I found a supplier on eBay (eForceCity). The shipping was quite reasonable. When I went to DSI, the shipping to Canada was as much as the case cost.

Bob

[dbump]

I thought I'd append my impressions of the PDAir case after a week of use:
I love it! It looks very sharp, and it doesn't hamper normal use of the T3 at all, which was a concern for me. I don't even worry about dropping it any more.

One unexpected perk: I used to activate the voice record button by mistake when the unprotected T3 was in my front pants pocket--the case prevents that completely. I will say that it's difficult to use the voice memo button with the case open, but I generally have no need to do that (and I could use the stylus anyway). It's easy to hit the button with the case closed.

On my case, I found that I needed to very slightly bend the top piece (the one with openings for the stylus, SD slot and power button) in towards the T3, so that the hinged cover butted against the edge of this piece fully. Before bending this, I found that if I put any pressure on the cover (by leaning against a counter, with the closed case in my pocket, and between the counter and my leg) I'd hear a popping sound as the cover slipped past the edge of the top, and started to press in towards the T3. Now that I've tweaked it, the cover firmly hits the entire edge of the top piece, and there is no deformation at all.

I find it's easier to hold the T3 now, since the cover provides a large 'handle' (like holding a book in one hand), and the neoprene interior gives great grip for my thumb. It feels much more secure than gripping the somewhat slick T3 by itself.

[About To Buy]

Are there any available belt clips for the PDAir hard case? made by PDAir? If so, any feedback on the performance/durability of the belt clip? Also, where can I buy? (the DSI belt clip looks like a generic one and not the one made by PDAir - any reviews of the DSI belt clip?)

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

[Heather]

Thanks for the great review. I have a quick question though. How far back does the cover go when its open (a picture would be great :) )? I'd really like an aluminum case with a cover that flips all the way around to the back when open but it doesn't look like that's a possibility so I am wondering how much I have to compromise.

Thanks!

[tanker_bob]

Thanks for your kind assessment!

The PDAir cover only opens about 225 degrees, i.e., about 45 degrees back from flat horizontal or so. The only hard case of which I'm familiar that folds all the way back, so to speak, was the Titanium Slider case by RhinoSkin. I don't think that they make that model for the T3, though.

[snowdog1967]

I've had this case for about a month now, and I love it!

I wish it had two SD card holder slots on it, but otherwise, it is pretty much the best hard case available that I have seen.

Considering that I didn't have to pay Rhinoskin prices for this level of protection, it's a bargain.

[tchuanye]

Just bought the case recently, and would just like to share some comments:


Introduction
I purchased my Tungsten T3 sometime in May 04, and I bought a leather case along with it (can’t remember which brand). I owned a Palm Vx previously, and I also bought a Palm leather case. I was very pleased with the Palm Vx leather case as it was slim and compact. Thus, I had assumed that all leather cases would be slim. However, after trying the T3 leather case for awhile, I discovered that it was really bulky. I could not put it in some of my business shirt pocket, or I had to remove my pen before I could put the T3 in. Also, it felt bulky in my pants pocket. So, this initiated my search for an alternate T3 case.

I search extensively over the net, and found that the metallic case is and can be slimmer than a leather case. I also found two brands of metallic case, Innopocket and PDair that looked quite promising. The former was reviewed in SPUG, while the latter was mentioned in the forums. A very good review of the two cases can also be found in http://www.pdabuyersguide.com/tips/Palm_T3_cases.htm. In the end, I decided to go for the PDair case, as it allowed me to Hotsync and soft reset with the case on.

Technical Specifications
The PDair aluminium hard case is made of aircraft grade aluminium, and thus it is light and strong. The one I bought came with a belt clip.

The specifications are as follows:
Color :Silver
Weight :59 g
Fully Closed (mm): 114 (L) x 79 (84 inc hinge & clasp) (W) x 23 (H)
Case Type :Annodized Aluminum

Description Overview
http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/users/40f4ba78_4f09/bc/6564/__sr_/4645.jpg?phgdR9AB1S7HwDCf http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/users/40f4ba78_4f09/bc/6564/__sr_/b9ad.jpg?phgdR9AB7tRaKsSC
The PDair case is aluminium case that is designed to open as a book cover i.e. right to left. Unlike the Innopocket case, the PDair case holds the Tungsten T3 at the top, and the unit is extended by lowering the bottom. It provides a storage space for 1 SD/MMC card on the inside of the cover.

http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/users/40f4ba78_4f09/bc/6564/__sr_/b725.jpg?phgdR9ABm8QfFvW6
This means that the maximum SD/MMC card that can be brought in the case is two, one on the T3 and one on the case as shown.

http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/users/40f4ba78_4f09/bc/6564/__sr_/a0e2.jpg?phgdR9ABepDoARkW
One of the benefits of this case is that it allows the T3 to be hotsync on the cradle, while it is still in the case! This is done by extending the T3 and setting the connector on the cradle. This would also mean that the T3 must be sync with the cover opened. A better picture can be seen from DSI (http://notestation.com/tungstent3.htm).


In terms of size, the PDair case is quite compact. I do not have the Innopocket case, but in the pdabuyersguide review, it is said to be of the same size, though a bit lighter. Below are a few comparison pictures with my leather case, and with my Palm Vx.
http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/users/40f4ba78_4f09/bc/6564/__sr_/a1e9.jpg?phgdR9AB9ZKXYbRY

http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/users/40f4ba78_4f09/bc/6564/__sr_/e558.jpg?ph4mR9ABwsyNGX4I
Comparison of PDair case and Leather case
As seen, the leather case was considerably more bulky than the PDair case.

http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/users/40f4ba78_4f09/bc/6564/__sr_/661b.jpg?ph4mR9ABZOEIMGYdZOEIMGYd
http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/users/40f4ba78_4f09/bc/6564/__sr_/927a.jpg?ph4mR9AB_YOeW12w

Comparison of PDair case and Palm Vx Leather case
As seen, the PDair case was slightly smaller to that of the Palm Vx.


Description (External)
http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/users/40f4ba78_4f09/bc/6564/__sr_/4d42.jpg?ph4mR9ABQ4uOEEhO
The PDair case has a very nice and classy look. It has a brushed finished and it feels very light when empty. It opens like a book, from right to left. The cover has an oval protrusion so that the 5-way button will not be depressed when the cover is closed. At the top right, there is 2 slits for the speaker, so that the alarms can still be heard when the case is closed.

http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/users/40f4ba78_4f09/bc/6564/__sr_/a2c8.jpg?phmsR9ABvX5JCYJ1
At the top, there are openings or cut outs to allow access to the power button, SD card, infrared port and the stylus.

http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/users/40f4ba78_4f09/bc/6564/__sr_/146c.jpg?phmsR9ABSQS3g_sy
To the left, an opening is to allow for access to the headphone jack and the voice memo button.

http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/users/40f4ba78_4f09/bc/6564/__sr_/fb02.jpg?phmsR9ABnPewcvjg
To the right, is the opening mechanism. The clasp is on the cover, and the plastic retainer is on the case itself. It closes very tightly and provides a nice ‘click’ when closed. The clasp has a slight profile to facilitate opening. This can also be seen at http://forum.palmattitude.org/viewtopic.php?p=124461#124461.

http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/users/40f4ba78_4f09/bc/6564/__sr_/3b58.jpg?phmsR9ABJVvizeJL
At the bottom of the case is the opening for the hotsync connector. The bottom of the cover has a lower lip to prevent the T3 from extending when the case is closed.
http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/users/40f4ba78_4f09/bc/6564/__sr_/346a.jpg?phmsR9ABxmWTmN9d

The base of the case has a rounded opening to allow access for the finger to hold the T3 and pull it down (when the case is opened).

http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/users/40f4ba78_4f09/bc/6564/__sr_/9790.jpg?phmsR9ABg0jNl1Rr

At the back of the case, there are two holes, a threaded hole and a through hole. The through hole is to allow access to the T3 soft reset button when the T3 is extended. Thus, one does not need to remove the T3 from the case in order to perform a reset! The threaded hole is for the belt clip mounting. The following pictures will show the case with the mount and with the belt clip.

http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/users/40f4ba78_4f09/bc/6564/__sr_/cfb5.jpg?phmsR9ABf_JJYnM6
http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/users/40f4ba78_4f09/bc/6564/__sr_/4830.jpg?phmsR9ABM.HHYiaY
http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/users/40f4ba78_4f09/bc/6564/__sr_/5341.jpg?phmsR9AB91IlM5IJ

Description (Internal)
http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/users/40f4ba78_4f09/bc/6564/__sr_/26df.jpg?phmsR9ABcVE8gWkD
As mentioned before, the PDair case opens from right to left. Once opened, you will notice the neoprene rubber on the cover as well as on the case. On the cover itself, there is a slot for one SD/MMC card. The only place without neoprene is the slits for the speaker opening and the SD card holder. Generally, the neoprene is approximately 1 mm thick.

http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/users/40f4ba78_4f09/bc/6564/__sr_/a5f0.jpg?phnsR9ABeHUa_Qjl
At the top of the case, the neoprene is thicker (~2mm). This is the portion that grips the T3. The T3 is inserted to the top of the case and is gripped tightly by the neoprene.There are two plastic guides to align to the rear of the T3. Once inserted, the unit remains quite firm inside. Inserting or removing the unit can be done by lifting the bottom end at an angle of 15 degrees, and extracting/inserting it.
http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/users/40f4ba78_4f09/bc/6564/__sr_/13ef.jpg?phmsR9ABca_d6z.i
A close up examination of the top end of the case will show the tightness of fit with the T3.

The cover of the case can open more than 180o. It has an approximate angle of 225o or 45o below the horizon.
http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/users/40f4ba78_4f09/bc/6564/__sr_/9ff6.jpg?phmsR9ABGWwwsez2

At this angle, one would have problems accessing the voice memo button.

http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/users/40f4ba78_4f09/bc/6564/__sr_/e95f.jpg?phmsR9AB4AXJw.Vo http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/users/40f4ba78_4f09/bc/6564/__sr_/c69e.jpg?phmsR9ABAer4n43D

The cover would have to at an opened position of 120o before the button can be accessed comfortably. It is not too inconvenient to do that as that would require a minor adjustment from the normal holding position. For me, I find it quite comfortable to hold it like a book, as shown. Thus, accessing the button would require a slight shift of the cover.

Other Observations

There are other areas that I think I should highlight with regards to the case. Although the case holds the T3 very firmly, it does still allow the T3 to move slightly downwards, if force is being applied to the top of the T3, for e.g. when removing the SD card.
http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/users/40f4ba78_4f09/bc/6564/__sr_/e7d2.jpg?ph.1R9ABSnSt5bwu
This could be due to the tolerances between the plastic guides on the case with the matching holes on the T3. However, this movement is not much, and is about ~1mm. This can be resolved by easily pushing the T3 back up, or by holding the bottom of the T3 while removing the SD card.

Another issue is with those who own a Palm wireless keyboard. With this keyboard, the T3, by itself can be laid either in the Portrait or Landscape mode (with the top facing the left only). However, with the T3 in this case (no pun intended), the device cannot be place in the Landscape mode because the cover would interfere with the keys. Thus, if you intend to use the keyboard intensively, you would either have to remove the T3 from the case, or operate it only in the Portrait mode.
http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/users/40f4ba78_4f09/bc/6564/__sr_/5c05.jpg?ph.1R9ABd0SPppzm http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/users/40f4ba78_4f09/bc/6564/__sr_/5305.jpg?ph.1R9ABZwr9vZWR
Also, as observed in all the pictures of the case, if you are one who likes to put name cards, credit cards along with the T3, you would be disappointed with this case as it does not allow for any of those. But than again, this would be the trade-off if you want it to be compact right?

Conclusion
Thus, the PDair aluminium case is quite an impressive case, which provides the necessary protection to the T3 and yet still maintaining a light and compact profile. Furthermore, it allows the T3 to be able the hotsync and reset while it is still in its case!

Pros
• Looks good
• Compact and lightweight
• Allows hotsync and reset while still in the case
Con
• Does not allow Landscape use on the Palm wireless keyboard
• Does not allow space to put credit cards, name card etc.

[vasy48]

I am a bit confused. DSI and PDair are different companies, right? Yet their cases look the same. Am I missing something?
Thanks

[UnLoGiC]

That case looks really nice although they don't ship to sweden....they only list US,Mexico and Canada :(

[+Kardboard+]

I've got the PDAir case coming, just wondering if anyone was able to put the WiFi card in the SD slot?