Ed Hansberry
08-08-2002, 08:00 PM
Whitney has been making some unique leather cases for the iPAQ for a while now, all which have integrated Compact Flash slots. It makes the overall package much smaller than an iPAQ with CF sleeve and leather case.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/review-whitney/whitney-frontsmall.jpg" /><br /><!><br /><br /><i>Teaming with Krusell, Whitney has made a fantastic CF sleeve for your iPAQ.</i><br /><br /><b><span>Device Requirements</span></b><br />This sleeve works with any iPAQ, from the 3100 series through the 3900. Photos here were taken with 3600 and 3800 series iPAQs.<br /><br /><b><span>What's Hot</span></b><br />This Krusell Whitney sleeve will keep your iPAQ safe while looking very stylish and providing a compact flash slot in the smallest size I've seen.<br /><br /><b><span>Where To Buy</span></b><br />You can purchase this sleeve directly from <a href="http://www.madebywhitney.com">Whitney's site</a> for a special introductory price of $99. For a limited time they are also giving you a $25 credit if you send them your plastic Compaq compact flash sleeve. Shipping is free for US customers and $20 for international customers.<br /><br />Note that the sleeves are currently on backorder but they <i>are</i> taking orders. They expect to resume shipping in the next few weeks.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/review-whitney/whitney-front.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 1: The sleeve closed from the front</i><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/review-whitney/whitney-opened.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 2: The sleeve opened</i><br /><br />You can see in <i>Figure 2</i> the base is well constructed and requires no leather straps on the bottom to hold the iPAQ in place. I must confess, however, I was never able to get the iPAQ in the case to dock in the 3800 cradle with any reliablity, but the iPAQ cradles are notorious for being difficult to work with if the iPAQ is laden with any type of sleeve.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/review-whitney/whitney-thickness.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 3:The sleeve/case combo is the thinnest I've seen.</i><br /><br />Notice in this figure how there are two snaps. The one on the right is for the 3800/3900 series iPAQs. Their bulging tops where the SD slot is makes them taller than the 3100-3700 series iPAQs.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/review-whitney/whitney-vscfholster.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 4: This is the Krusell Whitney compared to an iPAQ with CF sleeve in a Piel Frama case.</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/review-whitney/whitney-vscfsleeve.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 5: Compared to an iPAQ in a CF sleeve, but no case</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/review-whitney/whitney-3600series.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 6: 3600 iPAQ in the sleeve</i><br /><br />Notice how snug the 3600 is in this sleeve. You can use the upper-most snap with this iPAQ. As shown in figure 3, the 3800 requires you to use the bottom snap. See figure 7 below.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/review-whitney/whitney-notsnug.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 7: The cover is a bit loose with the 3800.</i><br /><br />The snaps are right next to each other, but the location of the 3800 snap still leaves enough slack in the strap so that when a 3800 is buttoned up, the cover can move around and look loose when you set it on a table. <br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/review-whitney/whitney-misaligned.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 8: The frame the iPAQ sits in isn't square on my sleeve.</i><br /><br />You can see how it slopes down a bit from left to right. The Bluetooth indicator is almost completely hidden when looking at the 3800 straight on.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/review-whitney/whitney-bigdongle.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 9: The sleeve even handles the huge CF-II D-Link WiFi card</i><br /><br />As you can see, the Krusell Whitney case handles even my D-Link WiFi card. Removal of the stylus is slightly obstructed, requiring just a bit of effort to insert and remove. Removing or inserting a Secure Digital card is not recommended, as the result of the unique design of the Whitney sleeve makes it rather difficult, considering the flip cover is <i>between</i> the iPAQ and the CF slot. All other cases would mandate you have the cover open to insert any sort of card that extends out like this. I really like this feature of the Whitney!<br /><br /><b><span>Gotchas</span></b><br />None. Other than the fit not being perfect, there is simply nothing to complain about with this sleeve.<br /><br /><b><span>Conclusion</span></b><br />This is a fantastic sleeve. The overall construction and design of the case is superb. If you are in the market for a Compaq Flash sleeve and a leather case, you should definitely consider the Krusell Whitney sleeve. There is no doubt in my mind my old Compaq CF sleeve will be gathering dust.