aikidoka
17th March 2004, 12:14 PM
<center></center> <center>The Innopocket Metal Deluxe Case. I particularly liked the 2 SD/MMC card slots
</center> In all my time of owning a PDA, right up to my T3, I’ve always opted for a soft case. There was no particular reason for my choice – I guess I felt I could take reasonable care of my PDAs, and what I needed was something to prevent the inevitable signs of wear and tear appearing prematurely on my PDA, as well as to prevent the screen from being scratched. And thus far, a soft case has always fulfilled these basic requirements.
Still, it was a case of “never try, never know”, and after the Innopocket Metal Deluxe Case became my T3’s companion for a good month, here I am with the report.
The Innopocket Metal Deluxe Case felt heavier than any of my other previous leather cases. At the same time, it also felt sturdier and, I guess, more reassuring. Interestingly, it was NOT as thick and bulky as I feared it would be, and as the side on profile would indicate, the Innopocket Metal Deluxe case was actually THINNER than a comparable leather case I’d reviewed earlier!
<center></center> <center>Comparing the thickness of the Innopocket Metal Deluxe Case, with a leather case I had earlier reviewed - I was surprised that the leather case was actually thicker, when filled out!
</center> It has a “book cover”, hinged design, with the T3 housed in the left-hand side of the “book”, and the cover opening up to the right, as shown. This is presumably for the benefit of right-handers, I would imagine.
<center></center> <center>The "book cover" design, with the cover opening to the right.
</center> The cover snaps shut and is held closed by means of a simple clasp. There are no magnets or other fancy mechanisms at play here. The T3 is held very securely in place by a tight-fitting housing, lined by a neoprene-like material that REALLY grips! In addition, there are also 2 “spring-loaded” metal arms that further latches on securely to the T3’s back, as illustrated.
<center></center> <center>Everything about this case is about protection and more protection!
</center> There are the standard double slots for the SD/MMC cards to be found on the inside of the cover – and these slots have an added feature of being able to “lock” the cards in securely, unlike most leather cases.
Everything about the Innopocket Metal Deluxe Case spells safety and security.
Another thoughtful point in the design was how 3 cut-out holes had been made in the cover, matching the audio output/speaker area of the T3. The other standard cut outs are for ease of accessibility of the Voice Recorder button, and also for accessing the Universal Connector, at the bottom.
<center></center> <center>You'll never miss an alarm again!
</center> Unfortunately, the T3 cannot dock with the cradle while in the case, as such; the purchase of a 3<sup>rd</sup> party Sync cable is quite mandatory. Unlike the previously reviewed leather case, taking the T3 out and putting it back into the Innopocket Metal Deluxe case is somewhat a more daunting proposition, and indubitably a more challenging task!
Included with the case is an optional belt clip which some of us might find useful.
Pros:
1. Sturdily made, solid feel, a tank of a case.
2. Well thought out design – I particularly liked the cut-out holes for the speakers.
3. Optional belt clip.
4. SD/MMC cards are securely held in their respective places – no worries about them accidentally slipping out!
5. More likely to survive a waist-drop test than a leather case, but I’ll have to admit, I wasn’t clumsy enough to drop my T3 twice in one review session!
6. Not too pricey. At a tad over US$30, it’s a good deal for such solid all round protection.
Cons:
1. Book-cover design. If you’ve read a previous review of mine on a similarly designed leather case, you’d know I prefer the flip-top type of cases – for ease of one-handed utilization of my T3.
2. Inability to dock with the cradle, when housed in the case.
3. A possible design flaw in the bottom of the case (see illustrated) – where the joints are folded up to form the base, there are only 2 support points. It is natural that I had to push against the bottom to remove my T3. I can possibly foresee wear & tear to affect the weak-spots prematurely, especially if the T3 has to be taken out of the case for whatever reason (e.g. to use a non-IR enabled keyboard, for instance).
<center></center> <center>The metal has been merely "folded" up to form the bottom plate. To remove the T3, I naturally utilized the bottom plate for leverage. This caused the bottom plate to fold inward/outward as I tried to yank the T3 out. No big deal, but merely a point to note when you have to remove your T3 for whatever purpose.
</center> 4. No credit card slots.
While I still prefer a leather case, I can easily find situations where a hardier Metal case can come in handy, and the Innopocket Metal Deluxe Case will come in good use indeed. Good value for money, and for those preferring protection above everything else, a good case for your consideration.
Cost
About US$30.00
Availability
Innopocket Website (http://www.innopocket.com) or other major Palm Accessory retailers locally.
Rating:
Admitting to a personal bias against book-cover type of cases, I’ll take ¼ of a baby away and give it an overall
and ¾ palm babies.
Review by Dr John Chiam (johnchiam@spug.net)
24 Jan 2004
</center> In all my time of owning a PDA, right up to my T3, I’ve always opted for a soft case. There was no particular reason for my choice – I guess I felt I could take reasonable care of my PDAs, and what I needed was something to prevent the inevitable signs of wear and tear appearing prematurely on my PDA, as well as to prevent the screen from being scratched. And thus far, a soft case has always fulfilled these basic requirements.
Still, it was a case of “never try, never know”, and after the Innopocket Metal Deluxe Case became my T3’s companion for a good month, here I am with the report.
The Innopocket Metal Deluxe Case felt heavier than any of my other previous leather cases. At the same time, it also felt sturdier and, I guess, more reassuring. Interestingly, it was NOT as thick and bulky as I feared it would be, and as the side on profile would indicate, the Innopocket Metal Deluxe case was actually THINNER than a comparable leather case I’d reviewed earlier!
<center></center> <center>Comparing the thickness of the Innopocket Metal Deluxe Case, with a leather case I had earlier reviewed - I was surprised that the leather case was actually thicker, when filled out!
</center> It has a “book cover”, hinged design, with the T3 housed in the left-hand side of the “book”, and the cover opening up to the right, as shown. This is presumably for the benefit of right-handers, I would imagine.
<center></center> <center>The "book cover" design, with the cover opening to the right.
</center> The cover snaps shut and is held closed by means of a simple clasp. There are no magnets or other fancy mechanisms at play here. The T3 is held very securely in place by a tight-fitting housing, lined by a neoprene-like material that REALLY grips! In addition, there are also 2 “spring-loaded” metal arms that further latches on securely to the T3’s back, as illustrated.
<center></center> <center>Everything about this case is about protection and more protection!
</center> There are the standard double slots for the SD/MMC cards to be found on the inside of the cover – and these slots have an added feature of being able to “lock” the cards in securely, unlike most leather cases.
Everything about the Innopocket Metal Deluxe Case spells safety and security.
Another thoughtful point in the design was how 3 cut-out holes had been made in the cover, matching the audio output/speaker area of the T3. The other standard cut outs are for ease of accessibility of the Voice Recorder button, and also for accessing the Universal Connector, at the bottom.
<center></center> <center>You'll never miss an alarm again!
</center> Unfortunately, the T3 cannot dock with the cradle while in the case, as such; the purchase of a 3<sup>rd</sup> party Sync cable is quite mandatory. Unlike the previously reviewed leather case, taking the T3 out and putting it back into the Innopocket Metal Deluxe case is somewhat a more daunting proposition, and indubitably a more challenging task!
Included with the case is an optional belt clip which some of us might find useful.
Pros:
1. Sturdily made, solid feel, a tank of a case.
2. Well thought out design – I particularly liked the cut-out holes for the speakers.
3. Optional belt clip.
4. SD/MMC cards are securely held in their respective places – no worries about them accidentally slipping out!
5. More likely to survive a waist-drop test than a leather case, but I’ll have to admit, I wasn’t clumsy enough to drop my T3 twice in one review session!
6. Not too pricey. At a tad over US$30, it’s a good deal for such solid all round protection.
Cons:
1. Book-cover design. If you’ve read a previous review of mine on a similarly designed leather case, you’d know I prefer the flip-top type of cases – for ease of one-handed utilization of my T3.
2. Inability to dock with the cradle, when housed in the case.
3. A possible design flaw in the bottom of the case (see illustrated) – where the joints are folded up to form the base, there are only 2 support points. It is natural that I had to push against the bottom to remove my T3. I can possibly foresee wear & tear to affect the weak-spots prematurely, especially if the T3 has to be taken out of the case for whatever reason (e.g. to use a non-IR enabled keyboard, for instance).
<center></center> <center>The metal has been merely "folded" up to form the bottom plate. To remove the T3, I naturally utilized the bottom plate for leverage. This caused the bottom plate to fold inward/outward as I tried to yank the T3 out. No big deal, but merely a point to note when you have to remove your T3 for whatever purpose.
</center> 4. No credit card slots.
While I still prefer a leather case, I can easily find situations where a hardier Metal case can come in handy, and the Innopocket Metal Deluxe Case will come in good use indeed. Good value for money, and for those preferring protection above everything else, a good case for your consideration.
Cost
About US$30.00
Availability
Innopocket Website (http://www.innopocket.com) or other major Palm Accessory retailers locally.
Rating:
Admitting to a personal bias against book-cover type of cases, I’ll take ¼ of a baby away and give it an overall
and ¾ palm babies.
Review by Dr John Chiam (johnchiam@spug.net)
24 Jan 2004