Vaja Small Univeral Case Mini-Review + Photos!

[Pat Logsdon]

I just got my new Vaja Small Universal Pouch a few days ago, and I was so excited that I thought I would share.

I think that the pouch-type cases are very overlooked in favor of the "open-face" cases, so I took lots of pictures that hopefully show the benefits of this type of case.

First of all, the box was nice. :mrgreen:

This is the 4th Vaja case I've ordered, and the presentation of this box was the best by far. When you open up the shipping envelope after paying ~$100, you expect to see something nice. Vaja does not disappoint:

http://mybunny.org/images/vaja/box.jpg

Immediately upon opening the box, you see a nice color cover with a plastic "credit card" naming the type of case ("Classic" for mine), with a brief blurb about their craftsmanship and some warranty verbage. Upon removing this, we see the case and the belt clip nestled snugly inside.

http://mybunny.org/images/vaja/in_box.jpg

The front of my case is green "floater" on the bottom, and tan "aniline" on the top. The leather actually looks MUCH nicer than the photos show. This case also carries the new "v" Vaja logo, which I think looks much nicer than the old one.

http://mybunny.org/images/vaja/front.jpg

Back shot with belt-clip post:

http://mybunny.org/images/vaja/back.jpg

Side shot:

http://mybunny.org/images/vaja/side_empty_left.jpg

Top shot:

http://mybunny.org/images/vaja/top.jpg

Bottom shot:

http://mybunny.org/images/vaja/bottom.jpg

When I first put my hp 4150 in the case, I was surprised at how well it fit. Past cases have always been a bit snug, and required a short break-in period. The 4150 just slid right in with no fuss. The leather at the bottom is slightly narrower than it is at the top. This has the effect of causing the leather at the bottom to mold to the shape of your particular PDA while holding it tightly in place.

There is very little play in any direction - side to side and front to back - this case fits the 4150 like a glove.

Note the pockets on the inside of the flap and on the front. More on those in a bit.

http://mybunny.org/images/vaja/inside_both_full.jpg

Now for the pockets. This case is a "Universal" case, meaning that it can accomodate several different PDAs. The small universal pouch will hold the hp 19xx, hp 415x, iPods, several different Palms, and a bunch of Clie models. Because the case will fit a Clie, Vaja made the pockets on the front of the case large enough for Memory Sticks.

Amazingly enough, I discovered that the dimensions of the SanDisk/Socket SDIO WiFi card are almost EXACTLY the same as a Memory Stick! Check it out:

http://mybunny.org/images/vaja/inside_ppc_wifi_bottom.jpg

Here's a side shot of the case with the 4150, an SD card in one of the flap pockets, and the SDIO card in the front pocket:

http://mybunny.org/images/vaja/side_ppc_sd_wifi.jpg

I also discovered that there was just enough space at the top of the closed case to accommodate a low profile headphone jack! (I use Sony MDR-EX70LP (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000067FCS/qid=1075027520//ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i4_xgl147/103-0966322-8460646?v=glance&s=pc&n=507846) earbuds). This means that I can easily use the case while listening to music. The Large Universal Pouch I had for my Axim did not have enough clearance to allow this.

http://mybunny.org/images/vaja/side_ppc_headph.jpg

In conclusion, this is an awesome case! As a 4150 owner, I don't need an SDIO WiFi card ( :wink: ), but this would be a GREAT case for any 193x or 194x users out there. In my opinion, Vaja has once again proven that they make the best PDA cases on the planet.

[Mike Temporale]

Great review :!:

I've always owned Vaja cases, but never a generic case. When I order the case for my new 4150, I will have to consider this case.

On a side note: Why do you have a SDIO WiFi card with a 4150??

[Aerestis]

hey, thanks for a good reveiw. I wish I could afford something beyond the wallet that will come with mine next week. I don't like the tacky black polyester look of it... But this Vaja case is nice and comfy looking in a super smooth style which in my opinion is ideal for most users. It would be cool to have one.

[Pat Logsdon]

On a side note: Why do you have a SDIO WiFi card with a 4150??
It's my wife's, actually - she has a 1945. :wink:

[JustinGTP]

Nice review!

I would never buy a universal case, but, if you think about it, almost any PDA you buy would fit in it. You wouldnt need to keep buying new cases!

-Justin.

[Aerestis]

And the cases are so expensive! I would go with a universal, personally. but that's partially because of my budget, too. I wouldn't mind getting top of the line cases for each and every model I came across.

[Pat Logsdon]

I had an open face Vaja case for my Casio e-125, but I found that I was taking it out of the case more and more as time went by. I found the flap annoying while reading and using a keyboard, and it added too much to the bulk of the unit while it was in use.

I decided that I like to go "commando" as far as my PDA's go. :wink: The case is for travel and storage of accessories, but it comes out when it's time to get to work.

[Pat Logsdon]

And the cases are so expensive! I would go with a universal, personally. but that's partially because of my budget, too. I wouldn't mind getting top of the line cases for each and every model I came across.
You can pick up a black one for around $50, and if you're a member of PPCT, you can get a certificate for $20 off, which covers shipping and then some. I don't think that's too much to pay for something that's REALLY well-made and will last for as long as you have the device.

Plus, the Vaja cases are very protective - the front and back pieces are very rigid (they have ABS plastic embedded in them, as does the flap). You can drop it on concrete from waist level with no worries (trust me on this), and it won't dent like the aluminum cases.

[Aerestis]

Oh, well that's pretty cool. I still don't have fifty dollars for a case :cry: But it is a nice sounding idea, to have something like that to protect the device.

[pocketdoc]

For $20 you can get a VERY THIN slip case from HandheldPlanet. They have them for 1900 and 4100 Ipaqs.

[haohmaru]

Great review, I would buy a case based on your pics & review.

[Pat Logsdon]

Great review, I would buy a case based on your pics & review.
Thank you! If you end up buying one, please consider posting your thoughts - more information is a good thing! :mrgreen:

[haohmaru]

I ordered the standard large universal pda pouch, will try to post pics when I receive it.