InnoPocket HP1910 iPaq Hard Case

Gadgeteer Hands On Review by James M. Johnson

September 11, 2003

Product Requirements:
Device:
HP 1900 series iPAQ Pocket PC
 

I remember the first “armored” case that I ever purchased – a titanium Ti Slider by Rhinoskin. At the time I was traveling extensively and carried my old Handspring Visor Ice Deluxe with me in a pack or in a jacket pocket. At the time, several years ago, I read a review of the Ti Slider by Julie and was immediately sold. No matter where I was or what I was carrying, I could rest assured that my Ti Slider was protecting my Visor and its precious contents from every scrape, bump, and knock. Though it was boxy looking, I still miss that old Ti case with its gorgeous titanium patina and industrial look.

Several weeks ago, as I was packing up the family for vacation to Maine, I received an Innopocket Metal Deluxe Case for my wife’s iPAQ 1910 to review. Thankfully the professional looking plastic casing was not the type that requires heavy-duty shears and protective gear to cut through. Rather, the front of the packaging opened easily and provided access to the case. No cuts to have stitched up at the last minute at the ER! I slipped the iPAQ into the case, then into my old Tumi T2 backpack.

I had recently taken ownership of a new Microsoft Tanager/SPVx SmartPhone and wished to bring along another PDA as a backup. We were planning on spending over a week hiking, biking, climbing, “lobstering” and kayaking around the wilds of Acadia National Park. I then had an urgent business trip overseas. On both trips I found the case to be a blessing. Having just returned, I felt compelled to share my experience with the it. I forgot how much I loved the protection provided by a good metal PDA case.

The case is anodized aircraft aluminum. The anodized color is silver, and there is a nice texture to the finish. This texture not only provides a decent grip (even with moist hands from hiking) but also helps to hide fingerprints. The aluminum construction is quite sturdy yet lightweight. I tried Julie’s squeeze test on the case and it didn’t squeak, though it isn’t as stiff and resilient as titanium. All the gaps are uniformly tight with no puckers. The case closely mimics the case profile of the 1910, and includes a “bump” on the front of the case over the directional pad and the application keys. The back of the case is contoured around the iPAQ. The features, from the back of the packaging:

• Anodized aluminum protects your hp iPAQ Pocket PC h1910 handled from wear and tear
• Precision molded case to perfectly fit your handheld
• Neoprene lining holds your handheld securely in place and protects it against drops, shocks and collisions
• Cutouts give easy access to stylus, memory slot, headphone jack, IR port, record button and charging/synchronization port
• Size: 116x80x21mm
• Weight: approximately 70g
• Model Number: C9-0311
• Made in China
  
   

The case opens to the left, which I found a bit odd at first (I’m ambidextrous). However, I found myself becoming accustomed to it quickly. The interior of the case is covered in neoprene, which provides shock protection should the iPAQ and case be dropped. One nice detail is the SD/MMC card storage slot located under the cover of the case. I’ve become accustomed to traveling with more than one SD card, typically one for apps and one for MP3s/WMAs/MPEGs. I never noticed the card touching the screen, unlike some of the leather cases with built-in SD/MMC cards I’ve owned for other iPAQs. The finishing details were exquisite. The neoprene was fitted without a ripple, and there wasn’t a rough edge on the case (unlike some of the earlier aluminum PDA cases). Unlike the Ti Slider, which used friction between the neoprene and the Visor to hold the PDA in place, this Innopocket case uses two thin aluminum arms with small plastic beads on their ends to apply pressure to the back of the iPAQ. These arms and beads align with two dimples on the back of the 1910. With the iPAQ inserted into the case, I was unable to “accidentally” shake the unit out its aluminum cocoon (though I must admit I did not shake the case too violently).

The sides of the case provide well located cutouts for all the ports and buttons on this little wonder of a PDA. On the left side there is a cutout for the IR port and the record button. Though the record button is recessed behind the case, the button is still accessible and less prone to accidental button presses. However, the reset hole is blocked. On the right side is a cutout to ease access to the stylus.  The bottom provides access to the charge/synch port. My charge and synch cable worked flawlessly, but I doubt the PDA could be placed into the charge/synch cradle when enclosed in the case (unfortunately, I do not have such a cradle to test this).  The top of the case is open, so accessing the SD/MMC card or headphone jack is painless.

My biggest concern about using a metal case on the slim and attractive 1910 was the typical bulkiness and lack of attention to details that I’ve experienced in the past. However, this case has reset all of my expectations surrounding metal PDA cases. It only marginally increased the size and weight of this lithe little PDA, yet afforded it a level of protection that cannot be equaled. I was amazed at the cutouts provided, and how well they aligned with the many ports and buttons on the 1910. Even with my stubby fingers I was able to access the buttons. Amazing.

I carried the PDA/case combination with me everywhere we went. It fit well into the interior pockets of my trusty old Scott eVest 2.0 alongside my new Tanager. It spent hours at a time in a pack sharing space with bottles, snacks, and some climbing gear in my backpack. It even traveled through security and across the Atlantic Ocean and back inside of my eVest. I used the spare SD/MMC card slot to house a card dedicated to storing the images captured by my Tanager’s snap-on digital camera. There isn’t a scratch or dent on the case, and the 1910 is happy and secure in its new home.

The only real wish that I have for the case is some type of provision for a belt clip. Perhaps a threaded port on the back of the case for a screw-on style clip would be possible? In this manner it wouldn’t damage the slim form factor of the case during those times the clip wasn’t in use. Though I typically carry my PDA in a pocket in a jacket or bag, there are times that a clip on case could come in handy.

In summary, I was pleasantly surprised by the fit and finish of this case, and the high levels of protection it affords my (wife’s) beloved 1910. Whether on board a ship, hiking in the mist and fog on Cadillac Mountain, or strolling through Hyde Park in London, the 1910 never left its case when in use. Now that I’m back on home turf, my wife has taken custody of the wonderful 1910 and will not even consider removing it from the Innopocket case. Until Louis Vuitton, Orbino, or someone else creates such a stylish and protective case solution for PDAs, this Innopocket Metal Deluxe Case has found a home in my wife’s purse. That alone speaks volumes about its style and substance!

 

Price: $29.90 available at Innopocket

Pros: 
Lightweight, yet highly protective case
Well built (with no sharp edges) with access to most ports and buttons
Textured finish makes it less slip-prone than other anodized finishes
Simply gorgeous

Cons: 
Lack of a belt clip