12-22-2003, 06:00 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 33
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Rhinoskin iPAQ 2200 Series Aluminum HardCase
One of the primary reasons I purchased my HP iPAQ 2215 is its size; The unit is sleek and small and can fit in my pocket. But the case that is provided with it is really just junk. What I need is a way to protect my precious 2215, without sacrificing the sleekness factor. Enter the Rhinoskin iPAQ 2200 Series Aluminum HardCase ...
In the days of my misspent youth, I carried a Palm Vx. I loved the small size and my favorite case for it was the Palm hardshell case, (plastic with an aluminum veneer) it followed the exact contours of the Palm Vx, maintaining the sleekness and adding almost no size. Moving to the Pocket PC world, I sort of missed the sleekness factor until I purchased my HP iPAQ 2215. Now, if I can just find a sturdy case which has the same sleekness factor as that ancient Palm Vx hard case....
You make a strong case...
My first impression upon opening the Rhinoskin iPAQ 2200 Series Aluminum HardCase was: �Wow! This thing is light!� My second impression, right behind the first, was: �Oooooh! Shiny!�
The case comes in a plastic blister pack which thankfully opens easily without risking the loss of a finger. Inside is the case, a small screw-in post, and a belt clip. The case is a thing of beauty with sleek lines, a sturdy hinge, strong clasp, and a suggestion of raised ridges along the top edges. The inside of the case is lined with black neoprene providing a small amount of padding within the case. There is also a small pocket in the lid for the storage of an extra SD/MMC card.
Figure 1: What you get in the package. Just as an aside, the blister packaging can be opened without using a military laser.
As light as this case feels, it can�t possible provide any real protection, right? Wrong. My first maneuver was to try to crush the case. I gave it a pretty good squeeze (without my iPAQ in it) and it really didn�t move. Next, I wanted to see how the metal would stand up to dents, so I employed the dreaded �Golf Ball Test� in which I drop a regulation weight Spalding golf ball onto the case from 6 feet (hey, I gave up golf and I have to find something to do with these things). Not even a mark on the case. Impressive!
Great fit...
The case provides good protection, but is it sleek? Oh yeah!. The case fits like a glove, and like the Palm Vx case I mentioned earlier, it holds to the sleek lines of the 2215, while adding almost no dimension.
Figure 2: The case empty.
Figure 3: The case filled.
Figure 4: Top view of the case showing access to card slots.
The case has a cutout in the top which allows you to keep a variety of CF accessories connected to the iPAQ, while still having the iPAQ in the case. There are also cutouts for the rear speaker, the reset button, and to access the stylus. The bottom of the case has a cutout to access the connector; I was able to connect a third party charge/sync cable while the iPAQ was still in the case. It is not possible to use the cradle with the iPAQ in the case.
The case attaches to the typical belt clip with a screw in post. If you will be planning to carry the case on the belt clip, than the post can stay attached, but you can remove the post, and carry the case in your pocket. I have found that I tend to leave the post on, because it gives me an added benefit of lifting the back of the case, and thus the speaker, off of the table (or whatever it is resting on and improving the sound quality. You have to be careful with this removable post however; refer to the �Gotchas� below.
The case is constructed of a beautiful aluminum with just the slightest bit of texture to hide fingerprints. The top and bottom left and right sides of the case have raised ridges for slip resistance. The case is quite slick, however, and a little more texture on these edges would be nice.
Gotchas
There are very few bad things I can say about this case, with one exception, which I must explain.
As I mentioned above, the case attaches to the belt clip with a screw-in post. This allows the case to pivot with your movements, adjusting to sitting, walking, etc. On one particular day, after wearing the case all day, I had the unfortunate experience of having the post unscrew itself, and having the case fall off. Luckily, it landed on my foot, and my iPAQ was not hurt. I should mention that I have worn this case extensively, and have had the problem only once. I do often check the post to make sure it is firmly attached, though...
Figure 5: The perpetrator: the screw-in post for the belt clip - sorry for the blurry picture.
Figure 6: The back with the post attached.
Also, as mentioned above, the metal of the case is a bit slick, and a little more texture on the case edges (ie peening) would have been nice, and would be in keeping with design of the 2215 itself.
Where To Buy
This case can be purchased for $34.95 usd directly from the Saunders Web site as well as many other online retailers, and Brick-and-mortar venues.
Specifications
This particular case only fits the HP iPAQ 2210/2215.
Conclusions
The Rhinoskin iPAQ 2200 Series Aluminum HardCase is the optimum mix of protection and size. It is a compliment to the design the iPAQ, and maintains HP�s sleekness. For me, it is a winner.
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12-22-2003, 06:09 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 27
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broke my belt clip
The day I tried out my hardcase, the beltclip (which seems more solid than standard beltclips I've used) broke in two when I sat down in my car. Guess not!
Regarding the screwpost, I used a strong pair of pliers to tighten the post very tight. I subsequently took the post out (which also required pliers) as everything else I own use the standard (larger) posts. It's too bad too, 'cause the case bumps out where the post goes, it would have been nicer to have a flat back. (I can still fit another post on the case, but it's suboptimal.)
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12-22-2003, 06:41 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 94
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I really like this case. I like the idea that I can remove the post. That way I don't have to have two cases, one for my pocket and one for my belt. I also don't have to deal with a post poking me in the chest. I noticed if I screwed in the post good and tight with my fingers, it was very hard to unscrew and wouldn't unscrew itself.
The two little posts inside the case to grab the 2210 don't really work well on my case. They just sort of push the ipaq forward leaving a gap between the case and the back of the ipaq. However, it has never fallen out.
I rarely use my cradle, usually preferring a sync-n-charge or wiFi connection, and the cutouts work perfectly and don't interfere with any of my accessories.
I was happy to find this item at my CompUSA about a month ago. It was a great purchase for the price.
Now if they would just get more Bluetooth headsets in..... 
__________________
"So Shut Up, Live, Travel, Adventure, Bless, And Don't Be Sorry." - Jack Kerouac
www.seadoc.net |
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12-22-2003, 06:59 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 127
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I've had mine for about 2 months now and I'm very happy with it  . Bought it from Frys for $29.95.
The second day I had it the post came unscrewed and fell off while I was in the middle of a crosswalk. The case hit the street pretty hard but there was no damage to the iPAQ. The case must've hit on the corner becuase there is a nice dent there now.
I've since taken a pair of pliers to the post and it hasn't happened again. Even with the post I can keep the case in a shirt pocket fairly comfortably.
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12-22-2003, 10:49 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 35
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The posts on newer cases (since about mid-November) have a little washer to help keep them from coming loose. The post on my 1900 case is so tight I can't undo it if I wanted to! :|
Maybe they should include a Leatherman tool to take the thing out.
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Linear Mode
