PDACorps Reviews Proporta's 19xx Crystal Case

[Pat Logsdon]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.pdacorps.com/default.asp?key=pages/proportacrystal.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.pdacorps.com/default.asp...ortacrystal.htm</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/logsdon_20040501_cryscase.jpg" />You can't throw a Pocket PC these days without hitting someone who wants to sell you a case for it. This is a good thing (the cases bit, not the throwing part). "Proporta, well-known for their leather and aluminum PPC cases, has recently added a whole new line of Crystal Cases to their offerings. The cases are currently available for the iPAQ 19xx, 22xx and soon the 41xx. The most striking thing about these cases is that they are absolutely clear! In fact, they're so clear that when I received one for review, I actually squinted to make sure there was really something in the plastic retail pack it arrived in; I could see right through it!"<br /><br />But what if you actually want to throw it? Would the case be up to snuff? PDACorps weighs in: "The Crystal Case is made from polycarbonate. That's right; this is the same stuff used to produce protective eyewear and bullet-resistant glass. Proporta's press release states that it's "extremely durable and scratch resistant." I believe that's true, though I didn't want to drop it on the pavement to prove it" Awww... :wink: Is this case something you'd find useful?

[Kacey Green]

why y'all always throwing PPCs huh?

you could give 'em to me even if they're palm based (palm = ebay)

anyway, these look better than the other clear case we saw here on the front page :)

[danesh]

Is this the same case that JavoEdge sells?

[sylvangale]

"The Crystal Case is made from polycarbonate. That's right; this is the same stuff used to produce protective eyewear and bullet-resistant glass."

LOL... and used to make CDs. :mrgreen:

[hhong]

Hey I just posted a comment on these cases a couple of days ago. But I was commenting on the one for the 2215. I assume my case is similar to the one you mentioned. Mine said it was made of PC Plastic. I think the PC stands for Polycarbonate.

I have a few comments. First of all the case is not scratch resistant. Or at least it doesn't resist scratches that well. The case originally comes with protective clear adhesive sheets to protect it during shipping. The same kind that comes on a pda screen when new. Once these are removed (and you have to remove them for the case to be of use) the scratches start. They are not deep noticeable scratches. More like the swirls you get on your cars paint finish when you wax. Only noticeable under certain light. But their their and even a tissue will make them. The case still looks great, and the scratches are not that noticeable unless you look for them, but they are there.

As for the PDA Corps review, it seemed to be way off base. The hinge may look like a weak point, but they are not. Like I said in my previous post, I dropped my case onto concrete and the hinges were intact.

No belt clip is a rediculous compaint because since this is a hard case, you can easily stick a swivle clip on the back of it.

No screen access is also rediculous because you can simple flip open the lid. It purpose is to be able to use the hardware buttons for a quick look with the cover closed and use the stylus with the cover open. If it were not meant to be opened, why put so much thought into designing a hinge that flips all the way around.

And as for impact resistance, my case certainly saved the day when I dropped mine.

[sylvangale]

Bah! Now looking at the pics in detail is it a RE-BRANDED JAVOEDGE case.

While a nice looking case. If you drop your PDA in one of these the case is likely to pop open and spit out your PDA. The hinge is also not that secure. In normal use it should not break, but if you place any pressure on it... say pushing on the hinge by mistake with your finger... it will break. The hinge is only supported by thick toothpick like polycarb (think CD plastic).

They are display pieces only for showing off. Not for security in the least.

[hollis_f]

No screen access is also rediculous because you can simple flip open the lid. It purpose is to be able to use the hardware buttons for a quick look with the cover closed and use the stylus with the cover open. If it were not meant to be opened, why put so much thought into designing a hinge that flips all the way around.
Yup, one of the more moronic comments I've read in a review. Just how many cases has the reviewer used that do allow access to the screen when the case is closed?

The advantage of the clear case is that it can be used closed. So I can look up a PI Contact, or check my agenda with just a few button presses. I'd hardly ever used the buttons before - now I couldn't do without them.

[Pat Logsdon]

Bah! Now looking at the pics in detail is it a RE-BRANDED JAVOEDGE case.

Actually, neither JavoEdge or Proporta makes these cases - they are both rebrands. :wink:

[Blue Zero]

....JavoEdge's TWIN???

And this case is NOT scratch resistant!!
I got my scratched the second day I got the case...
Now I have a big fogged up spot at the upper life hand corner, which block 1/5 of my veiwing area


Scratch resistant claim = FALSE ADVERTISEMENT :?

[Kacey Green]

seeing as how this is the same product, I take back my acknowledgement that it could be a bettter product

[JuryDuty]

"Way off base"

"Ridiculous"

"Moronic"

LOL Tough crowd! I've written some idiotic things in my time, but I didn't think my review of this product was THAT bad. :D

[hollis_f]

LOL Tough crowd! I've written some idiotic things in my time, but I didn't think my review of this product was THAT bad. :D
So, come one, tell us. How many cases have you tried where you could tap on the screen with the case closed? Or was it that the case is just so good that you couldn't think of anything bad to say? :wink:

[JuryDuty]

So, come one, tell us. How many cases have you tried where you could tap on the screen with the case closed? Or was it that the case is just so good that you couldn't think of anything bad to say? :wink:

The case is definately a great case. Reread the review and the summary and you'll see that it was really a very positive review. There is a LOT I liked about the case. It looks awesome and for the right type of user, it could be perfect.

The point I was trying to make though, is this: Compared to other hard cases, it's not quite as durable (as members here pointed out). Compared to other soft cases, it's not quite as impact-resistant.

So what's its real advantage? The fact that you can use it closed. Which is great if you read ebooks or a GPS. But most of us want to tap the screen, in which case you'll use it open all the time...and if you're going to do that, there are better cases for the money.

[sylvangale]

"Compared to other hard cases, it's [crystal case] not quite as durable (as members here pointed out). Compared to other soft cases, it's not quite as impact-resistant. "
The case is impact resistant and durable except for the hinge that can snap like twig with too much pressure and that the case will pop open and throw your PDA across the room if dropped. My h1945 is marred for life because my javoedge slipped from my lap in my car and fell onto asphalt, the case survived, but my PDA was teribbly scratched and I still can't get some of the black asphalt off the PDA. :cry:

"So what's its real advantage? The fact that you can use it closed. Which is great if you read ebooks or a GPS."
The fact that the case is more sensitive to scratched than CDs doesn't bode well for viewing while the case is closed. I've managed to get numeroud mars on the surface my case even though it only goes in and out of jean/docker pockets. You can't read an ebook comfortably when you have so many scratches it creates a blur.

[hhong]

The case is definately a great case. Reread the review and the summary and you'll see that it was really a very positive review. There is a LOT I liked about the case. It looks awesome and for the right type of user, it could be perfect.

My response was not to say your review was overly negative or positive. I just wanted to point out that what you pointed to as strengths, such as scratch resistance and what you pointed out as negative, such as can't use a stylus or not impact resistant were all incorrect.

My h1945 is marred for life because my javoedge slipped from my lap in my car and fell onto asphalt, the case survived, but my PDA was teribbly scratched and I still can't get some of the black asphalt off the PDA

That really sucks about the damage to your Ipaq. While the case for the 1945 may tend to pop open and throw out it's contents, the case for the 2215 has clips in the back that tend to hold the pda in place when dropped. The clips are there thanks to the accessory holes on the back of the 2215. This was fortunate for me. My 2215 survived it's fall without a scratch thanks to the clear case.

This is not a perfect case. I'm sure a metal case would be a little more secure. The clearcase does scratch. You must protect it if you want to minimize scratches and preserve visibility. But with a metal case scratches would not be a visibility issue. You could always put a screen protector on the front of the case.

I disagree with the lack of faith in the hinge. I think it is quite durable. I don't think anyone has actually tried to break the hinge. Well, actually I did read a review where a reviewer put force on the hinge to see if it would snap but he said it did not. Has anyone else tried? I haven't heard any say they dropped theirs and the hinge broke.

The hinge is also not that secure. In normal use it should not break, but if you place any pressure on it... say pushing on the hinge by mistake with your finger... it will break. The hinge is only supported by thick toothpick like polycarb (think CD plastic).

My experience shows that the plastic tends to stretch rather then snap. It's not as brittle as a CD case. CD cases are not polycarbonate, CD's are. CD's tend to be durable, just not scratch resistant.

[jbachandouris]

Try this out...for those of you who have scratched these cases-Brasso. Believe it or not, Brasso will take out some scratches depending on the plastic its used on. As always, try it on an inconspicious area first.