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PDA-Pak Sport Case Review
I received three different sized cases from Palmlife for review. My first impression when I removed them from the box was "Man, are these things cool or what!" Palmlife offers three different sized cases to meet all your needs. The cases come in 13 different colors, including black, white, grey, tan, dark green, burgundy, blue, aqua, bright green, yellow, hot pink, purple and clear. Half-clear/half-color combinations are also available.
The cases are constructed of a fiberglass reinforced ABS resin that is virtually indestructible and comes with a lifetime guarantee. They are said to be waterproof to 100 feet and have been tested to even greater depths than that(Please email me if you take your Palm down to 100 ft). Other than the smallest accessory case, all cases are lined in foam to provide cushioning and shock resistance. A small O-ring guarantees a waterproof seal(provided the O-ring remains intact). The latches snap shut and are sturdy enough that they almost can't be opened with one hand.
These cases are not for everyday use however. They add considerable bulk to the Palm and are not easy to get into and out of quickly. Where they really shine is in near bulletproof security when traveling. I used the cases for a week during work and found them to do an excellent job protecting my Palm as it flew around the cab of my truck.
Last weekend, I took one of the cases with me while hiking and I had no fear of damaging the Palm from an accidental bump or fall. It rained and I didn't worry about the Palm getting wet, and when I stepped into the stream just a little bit too far, well, it wasn't a problem at all. The PDA-Paks are a great way to protect your Palm in extreme conditions and the prices are great compared to similar products (most notably, Pelican boxes sold in camera shops and dive shops at 2-3 times the price).
What I like:
Superbly built/Lifetime Guarantee
Great Price
Watertight seal
What I don't like:
Some latches are VERY tight (although this can be a good thing!)
Not specifically designed for a PDA so it's not a perfect fit.
4 out of 5 rating
I received three different sized cases from Palmlife for review. My first impression when I removed them from the box was "Man, are these things cool or what!" Palmlife offers three different sized cases to meet all your needs. The cases come in 13 different colors, including black, white, grey, tan, dark green, burgundy, blue, aqua, bright green, yellow, hot pink, purple and clear. Half-clear/half-color combinations are also available.
The cases are constructed of a fiberglass reinforced ABS resin that is virtually indestructible and comes with a lifetime guarantee. They are said to be waterproof to 100 feet and have been tested to even greater depths than that(Please email me if you take your Palm down to 100 ft). Other than the smallest accessory case, all cases are lined in foam to provide cushioning and shock resistance. A small O-ring guarantees a waterproof seal(provided the O-ring remains intact). The latches snap shut and are sturdy enough that they almost can't be opened with one hand.
| At right, you can see the three different sized cases with a good sampling of the color combinations. The colors are bright, the plastic cases are well machined and the latches are very sturdy. A small black lanyard allows you to hold on to the case without fear of dropping it accidentally. Fortunately, the foam inside would provide some cushioning even if you did. |  |
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PDA-Pak Sizes Measurements OD = 6 1/2" x 3 7/8" x 1 5/8" ID = 6" x 3 3/8" x 1 1/4" $14.99 +shipping and handling Here you can see my Palm IIIx in the PDA-Pak along with two extra batteries in the available space up top. The Palm is safely cushioned in black foam that is somewhat visible in the upper corners. |
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PDA-Pak2 Measurements OD = 8 3/8" x 4 3/8" x 1 7/8" ID = 7 7/8" x 3 13/16" x 1 1/2" $19.99 +shipping and handling Here you can see my Palm IIx with an attached WeatherGuide. It is a decent fit, with some room around the edges. There is enough room for a pen or extra stylus and the foam padding is on both sides of the case. |
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Accessory Pak Measurements 4 3/8" x 2 7/8" x 1 3/8" OD 3 15/16" x 2 7/8" x 1" ID $9.99 +shipping and handling The Accessory Pak will hold a single Palm peripheral such as a Palm Modem or Navigator, or you can use it to carry keys, money or batteries. |
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The cases are solid. Palmlife has a photograph of a car driving over one (shown here) and they claim it was not damaged. I believe them! You can watch a clip of the tire running over the case here. *NOTE* After I posted my review, Tim Warner at PDAlife mentioned that the case was run over by the car about 10 times with only minimal damage to the clip where the lanyard attaches. Talk about taking a licking and keeping on ticking! |
These cases are not for everyday use however. They add considerable bulk to the Palm and are not easy to get into and out of quickly. Where they really shine is in near bulletproof security when traveling. I used the cases for a week during work and found them to do an excellent job protecting my Palm as it flew around the cab of my truck.
Last weekend, I took one of the cases with me while hiking and I had no fear of damaging the Palm from an accidental bump or fall. It rained and I didn't worry about the Palm getting wet, and when I stepped into the stream just a little bit too far, well, it wasn't a problem at all. The PDA-Paks are a great way to protect your Palm in extreme conditions and the prices are great compared to similar products (most notably, Pelican boxes sold in camera shops and dive shops at 2-3 times the price).
What I like:
Superbly built/Lifetime Guarantee
Great Price
Watertight seal
What I don't like:
Some latches are VERY tight (although this can be a good thing!)
Not specifically designed for a PDA so it's not a perfect fit.
4 out of 5 rating