Kevin Remhof
01-14-2005, 04:30 PM
<img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/remhof-dec04-egrips-0.jpg" /><br /><br /><b>Product Category:</b> Accessories<br /><b>Manufacturer:</b> <a href="http://www.egrips.com/">eGrips</a><br /><b>Where to Buy:</b> <a href="http://www.egrips.com/">eGrips</a><br /><b>Price:</b> $9.95 USD and up, depending on device.<br /><b>System Requirements:</b> PDA, cell hone, camera, any item that needs a little extra grip.<br /><br /><b>Pros:</b><li>Easy to apply;<br /><li>Long lasting;<br /><li>Makes your device slip proof.<b>Cons:</b><li>A little thick.<br /><b>Summary:</b><br />Is your PDA, cell phone, camera, or other device a bit too slippery? If so, check out my review of eGrips. They'll add some extra texture to keep your device from sliding out of your hands.<br /><br />Read on for the full review!<!><br /><PAGEBREAK><br /><span><b>What Are These?</b></span><br />eGrips are custom fit rubber grips for all of your electronics. I have an aluminum case for my iPAQ 1945 which is just too slippery. I hunted for a solution and found eGrips. They claim to keep your devices from slipping, sliding, and falling.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/remhof-dec04-egrips-1.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 1: My eGrips, iPAQ case, and an alcohol wipe.</i><br /><br />My hope was that eGrips would add some grip to my iPAQ case without adding too much bulk. I bought an aluminum case because they are so small and form fitting. The last thing I wanted to do was double the thickness of my case. Thankfully, eGrips delivered.<br /><br /><span><b>Installation</b></span><br />The eGrips retail package comes with several grips for your device. They will work for almost any cell phone, PDA, or other electronic device. Check out the selection on the eGrips site, it is quite extensive. I chose the Universal Multiple Sizes kit, which includes 11 different grips of various shapes and sizes. Very handy if you have a device of an odd size. The kits come with an alcohol wipe to prepare the surface to attach grips to. After a quick wipe-down, I was ready to install.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/remhof-dec04-egrips-2.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 2: My initial installation.</i><br /><br />To install, all you have to do is peel and stick. After that, these grips are stuck on really tight. The grips feel a bit chucnky at first, but are only around a millimeter thick. They add a bit of bulk, but given that they keep the device from slipping, they are worth it.<br /><PAGEBREAK><br /><span><b>Durability</b></span><br />I initially installed 3 grips. Two on the back and one on the front of my iPAQ. They worked great. However, there was nothing to give me extra grips on the sides. So I added a few more on the sides a few days later. They made a big difference. <br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/remhof-dec04-egrips-3.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 3: A close-up of the grips.</i><br /><br />One narrow grip I placed on the side of my iPAQ case has fallen off due to some abuse over the past few months. One other is starting to get a little ragged as well. But I can't complain about the durability of eGrips. They take a lot of abuse before losing their stickiness. The three main large ones that I originally installed are still going strong.<br /><br /><span><b>Conclusions</b></span><br />eGrips are a very nice product. They claim to keep your devices from slipping and sliding, and that's exactly what they do. I've had a set installed my my iPaq for over 9 months and they are still going strong. These solved my gripping problems and I'm sure they will solve yours too. They add a bit of bulk but are worth the thickness for the security they provide.