OESF Portables Forum
Everything Else => Sharp Zaurus => Model Specific Forums => Distros, Development, and Model Specific Forums => Archived Forums => C1000/3x00 General discussions => Topic started by: maslovsky on March 23, 2005, 02:54:02 pm
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I was exchanging emails with Piel Frama salesperson and was told that they will have a new leather case for Zaurus C3000/C1000 soon, in about a month or so. I've been using their cases with Zaurus 5500 and C750 and I can say they are great!
I got some pictures of the new upcoming case:
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I got some pictures of the new upcoming case:
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Isn't our C3000 looking fine in that case *LOL*.
We sent them the C3000 6 weeks ago and _today_ they
had the first sample ready (which we will get hopefully
tomorrow). Now i see it here in the forum, life is strange
After we received the sample, we'll have some more pics
on our website. If it's OK and we give them a GO, we expect
them to be available mid/end of the april.
Compared with the SL-C7xx/8xx cases there will be some
modifications in this series. Customers often complained that
the Zaurus will not fully close while in the case. This is now
solved with the new design.
More info soon !
///TRIsoft
Marc Stephan
-------- EDIT --------
And we don't know, why they make the sample case always
in BROWN . The color for the final case will be black.
Other colors will only be available upon request.
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...
And we don't know, why they make the sample case always
in BROWN . The color for the final case will be black.
Other colors will only be available upon request.
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Really? I'm probably in the minority, but I like brown leather.
R.
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Actually this looks pretty good. The big problem that I have with cases for these devices is that they tend to add a lot of bulk but this looks like it won't but will add just enough protection.
Piel Frama could take a design lead from Vaja Cases though.. they have some wonderful combinations of textures and colours.. a little more exciting than the plain brown or black case... or for that matter any single colour/texture case.
Its a shame that they don't do Zaurus cases.
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Oh, the Piel Frama cases I thing are the best - very neat looking - all black is my fav and also very trong and feels nice and sexy to the touch :-)
I still have my Piel on my 5000D.
Maybe I will just get a C1000 for the Piel case itself (mad idea)
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I like the black/tan combination.
Marc, could you, please, report here (when you get the case sample) how good is typing on the keyboard when zaurus is in the case? I'm a bit worried about the transparent film used to hold zaurus. I hope my worries will be pointless...
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Hi everybody,
looks like every1 like the case
The colors:
Every PielFrama case is available in black / brown /
black-tan (bicolor) / black ostrich and black crocodile.
But the experience showed that 99 from 100 users will
take the black case, so we normally only have the black
version on stock.
For sure we can deliver every combination, but you will
have to wait up to 4 weeks for these special cases.
Every case is handmade, there's no real "mass production"
at Piel Frama. Check their website at www.pielframa.com (http://www.pielframa.com)
for more informations.
The typing / i/o ports:
Theres no complete cover over the keyboard. If you take
a look at the SL-C7xx/8xx cases you'll notice that theres a
small leather belt at the display hinge to secure it. Lots of
users complained that the display won't close completely
(due to the thickness of the leather) and they also feared
that they may break the hinge itself (if you've ever seen
the mechanism, you won't fear that ).
To avoid these complains we asked PielFrama if they could
do the belt in plastic instead of leather for the 3000 series.
This wasn't easy, normally they _only_ use leather as material.
So we have a small, transparent plastic stripe holding the
Zaurus in place.
But the keyboard and all ports are still accessable. We
will post close-ups of all details after we got the sample
in our hands.
Stay tuned
///TRIsoft
Marc Stephan
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hi all,
i'm really interested in this new case ! the black/tan version might be my favourite one... i'm waiting to see it
so here is my question : is it possible to attach the case on a belt ? and is it possible to buy the belt clip with the case ?
loran
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Hi everybody,
the sample has arrived and, as promised, here we go with
tons of pictures: C1000/C3000 case (http://www.trisoft.de/media/pfc_akita_spitz)
Please note that this is the first sample case. The "real" case
may look a bit different in details (the sample is also missing
our "Zaurus" brand mark). That's the reason why we don't have
it announced on our website. The link above is for the ZUG
readers only
Instead of the planned thin plastic stripe, there's a transparent
sheet covering the whole keyboard area:
Like the SL-C7xx/8xx cases, it's not planned to wear it on a belt.
///TRIsoft
Marc Stephan
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Yep, looks pretty good.... it's a shame that we don't see cases of this....
http://www1.vajacases.com/images/notebook/...o111in/main.jpg (http://www1.vajacases.com/images/notebook/sony/vaio_tr2a/nso111in/main.jpg)
...quality for the 3000 though (and before you say its $350... this is a laptop case... the PDA cases are cheaper but still relatively expensive.)
- Andy
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Yep, looks pretty good.... it's a shame that we don't see cases of this....
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Hi Andy,
what do you dislike at the PielFrama case ?
Actually we have still have the option to make changes.
Please tell us what need improvement.
///TRIsoft
Marc Stephan
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I don't dislike the case per-se. I think it's pretty good based upon the selection of materials. In fact I think it's the best leather case of its type that I have seen.
I do quite like the idea of more modern colour schemes and combinations that don't tend to fit the Piel Frama offerings. The Vaja Cases tend to have more of a designer feel about them and most appealing is the i-volution type case that they produce which is a leather 'hard case'...
The I-Volution line has a unique, new semi-rigid casing design consisting of three ABS layers that have been integrated with the lid, which turns our original all leather classic cases into a new semi-rigid product, enhancing even more the safety and protection against bumps and drops you want for your device.
Our I-Volution cases prototypes are fully developed with 3D software and subsequently handcrafted taking care of each detail according to the ancient tradition of leather artisans, in order to achieve the coolest cases ever. A clear example of our Vaja philosophy: constant innovation while keeping the style and quality; this has characterized us from the very beginning.
However, I realise that this is a very specific and expensive manufacturing technique to gear up for and don't see many manufacturers following suit.
As it stands from a designer appeal perspective I prefer to gaze at the quality of the SL-C3000 rather than a quality leather case that... lets face it looks like a quality leather case.
Whilst the Piel Frama case is classic, the Vaja case is a piece of art.
But I can respect the custom and reputation of Piel Frama and think that they have done a tremendous job with this case.... I wouldn't expect to go to a traditional Saville Row tailor to have him make me a coutture designer suit and wouldn't expect it to appeal to Piel Frama to offer these designer looking cases.
- Andy
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Andy,
thank you for the reply.
Now i understand your point of view.
///TRIsoft
Marc Stephan
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I tend to share the point of view of iamasmith.
I also think that the plastic film over the keyboard might be a problem, I wouldn't buy something like this without trying it myself before...perhaps a hundred of reviews stating that you forget about it could convince me but meanwhile....
Anyway I don't own a 1000 or 3000 so.....my 2 cents.
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Even with the keyboard covered by this sheet, typing is no
problem. First we were sceptical, but after testing it we must admit:
Good job, Piel Frama !
///TRIsoft
Marc Stephan
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Marc,
Is the feel of the 4-way navigation pad affected at all by the plastic covering the keyboard? Wondering especially for game play or applications where the 4-way pad can be used for navigation?
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Is the feel of the 4-way navigation pad affected at all by the plastic covering the keyboard[div align=\"right\"][a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=72128\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]
Nathanwms,
as mentioned in our post above, we're very satisfied with this
solution. The plastic is not really disturbing the usage of the
keyboard, including the navigation pad.
Give us and PielFrama about 4 more weeks. Then we can talk
about the final case and i'm sure there will be soon a lot of
reviews about them.
///TRIsoft
Marc Stephan
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Yep, looks pretty good.... it's a shame that we don't see cases of this....
http://www1.vajacases.com/images/notebook/...o111in/main.jpg (http://www1.vajacases.com/images/notebook/sony/vaio_tr2a/nso111in/main.jpg)
...quality for the 3000 though (and before you say its $350... this is a laptop case... the PDA cases are cheaper but still relatively expensive.)
- Andy
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Wow that looked real neat !!! It had some style.
Of course the Piel Frama cases are good .
Mark, I would love to have a crocodile leather case (if its not that expensive (and I detest the tought of having Crocodile leather on my Zaurus - another of those species on the endengered list) but I like the feel of that leather generally. Maybe you could stock a few, instead of having a 4 week waiting time.
The Plastic sheeting on the keyboard is putting me off a bit (without really having a feel of the thing true). Couldnt there be a different solution ? I mean touching the actual keyboard (since the C3000/1000 keyboard is better than the film types on the C7xxx) surely must feel better than typing over a plastic sheet. Thas one reason I avoided those spill proof keyboards - essentially there was just a plastic film or lamination on the keyboard.
Secondly, won't the plastic sheeting touch the screen when its closed down? I just hope that doesnt happen and there are no scrathes from the sheet onto the screen.
Is the sample fully finished and well cut ? I got a feeling the edges were not finished off nicely.
Marc, I am just trying to look ahead, not criticise the design beforehand. As you said, putting in my inputs before the final design decision is made. Otherwise the case looks very good - extremely hardy and professional looks about it.
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Nilch,
thank you for the clear opinion. And we LOVE to get criticism and
ideas early enough to change things before we have a product
finished.
I don't see a chance to get rid off the plastic area over the keyboad.
We had a different solution for the SL-C7/8 cases, but the users
were uncomfortable with it. Also PielFrama uses excellent and very
soft leather, so using the plastic will hold the edges better in shape
compared to the previous cases.
Touching the keyboard is really fine even with the sheet over it.
The touchscreen of the C series models is a bit back towards the
cover, so i don't see a possibility to contact the screen or
damaging it.
The "crocodile" cases from PielFrama are not really crocodile
leather. They call it "cowskin crocodile", meaning that it will have
the look and feel of crocodile. I would stock a few but we're
working with PielFrama since 2002 and sold only 4 (!) cases in
crocodile in these 3 years .
Concerning the edges it looks a bit weird on the photos, but we're
also uncomfortable with the right side (the CF-slot) and they will
change the outline on that side a bit. We can be sure that the
finished product will be a blast
///TRIsoft
Marc Stephan
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...
I don't see a chance to get rid off the plastic area over the keyboad.
We had a different solution for the SL-C7/8 cases, but the users
were uncomfortable with it.
...
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I don't know if it's been suggested before, but looking at my C3000, there is plenty of room around the entire keyboard section to include a plastic lip, yet still leave the keyboard open via a "cutout", so to speak. There's even plenty of space around the rubber screen bumpers at the bottom of the keyboard. Would that be a possibility?
R.
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Being objective and putting aside my design preferences on the visual side for a momement I think that it's worth pointing out to people criticising the plastic film approach that this is what actually gives the case structural integrity.
If you look closely the corners of the leather are linked by single link stitches at the top. The structure of the main mounting area for the unit is actually created by the inclusion of the plastic film.
I would suggest two things.
i. Retain as much of the platic area as possible, if you open a window for the cursor pad then it will trap grime. If it works don't fix that.
ii. Round off the corners and overlock the leather rather than bring it to a point. Lock that with a couple of stitches down each corner and that will give the case more of a quality feel.
I don't have any ideas on how to avoid the buckle in the CF card area other than putting a zipper, velcro flap or a shaped metal insert over that area because the deformity seems to be coming from the stress on the portion of the leather coming from the screen depressing the plastic film.
One thing that's maybe not that obvious is that Piel Frama have obviously done a GREAT job in keeping the external dimensions of the case on the small side compared with a naked Z... there's still I thing a possibility that this case will still fit in a suit pocket.
- Andy
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I don't know if it's been suggested before, but looking at my C3000, there is plenty of room around the entire keyboard section to include a plastic lip, yet still leave the keyboard open via a "cutout", so to speak. There's even plenty of space around the rubber screen bumpers at the bottom of the keyboard. Would that be a possibility?
R.
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I think just making that lip (nstead of the whole plastic cover across the keyboard) will indeed make the hold structurally weaker. I guess that is all that is holding the Zaurus together to the case.
Maybe I will live with the plastic - hope its clear as anything.
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Marc,
only my 2 cents,
why don't You paste two small (removable) velcro-straps on the battery-cover and appropriate place on the case?
In this case IMHO there is no need of the film on the keyboard and leather-straps sidelog of Z anymore
Best regards
Cmpayc
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Marc,
only my 2 cents,
why don't You paste two small (removable) velcro-straps on the battery-cover and appropriate place on the case?
In this case IMHO there is no need of the film on the keyboard and leather-straps sidelog of Z anymore
Best regards
Cmpayc
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Then it would be just like every other C-series case in production. Every case I saw when I was in Japan was a leather wrap around that uses something (velcro, sticky plastic, or plastic clips) to hold the Z. It left all three sides completely open. At least the Piel provides some side protection.
Personally I just want a leather slipcase that fits the Z. I've used the Palm Pilot Pro slipcase that I got years ago with both my Palm Vx and Clie TJ35 and loved it. I haven't found anything similar that fits the Z, though.
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I am sure production date must be close...
but just one point - I hope there is a holder somewhere (a elastic loop maybe) to hold the USB cable that Trisoft also provides with the C1000.
With my SL-6000L I realised this problem - since I always carry the USB host cable (you never know when you need to plug in some USB memory stick or keyboard), it would be good to have a holder for that in the case itself.
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FWIW....
I recently got the PDAir Case for my C3000.
All in all, a very nice case and I've had several Vaja cases for other PDA's in the past...
Not saying that it's equivalent to a Vaja..but very good quality.
Just that it's a very nice case, well made, has some storage for cards; business cards and
CF/SD or credit cards, and doesn't rely on having a sheet of plastic over the keyboard area!!
Also, price is very reasonable...
Anyway, just my 2¢.....
Mark
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FWIW....
I recently got the PDAir Case for my C3000.
All in all, a very nice case and I've had several Vaja cases for other PDA's in the past...
Not saying that it's equivalent to a Vaja..but very good quality.
Just that it's a very nice case, well made, has some storage for cards; business cards and
CF/SD or credit cards, and doesn't rely on having a sheet of plastic over the keyboard area!!
Also, price is very reasonable...
Anyway, just my 2¢.....
Mark
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I agree with Mark. PDAir case is awesome. Very good quality without the plastic keyboard cover. I got mine from Japan!
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I had a PDair case for my C750, and a Piel Frama case for my 5000D
Quality wise - the Piel case is far better...
Wait till you get a Piel case in your hands guys...
and then you are going to be gushing
------------------------------------------------
The usual rejoinder - I am in no ways and means affiliated with Piel Frama blah, PDair and blah...
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To avoid these complains we asked PielFrama if they could
do the belt in plastic instead of leather for the 3000 series.
This wasn't easy, normally they _only_ use leather as material.
So we have a small, transparent plastic stripe holding the
Zaurus in place.
Hi Trisoft,
seems you have some influence on the product design of PielFrama.
Could You ask them to make a small hole in the back of the cases for the 860/1000/3000 Zauri, so that it will be possible to plug the charging adapter into the Z. while the case is being closed? Would be a great improvement!
Thanks
Andreas
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Andreas,
I would suggest this is a bad idea. Manufacturers design their equipment to be charged without regard to additional casing.
A byproduct of charging tends to be heat and I know that when I first got my G2 iPod and started charging whilst in the slip case there were some questions posted on the Apple website about the screen taking on some strange characteristics when charged this way... closely followed by a warning from Apple not to charge whilst in the case.
I'm pretty wary of this now and suggest caution especially with such a nice screen as the SL-C3000 has.
- Andy
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I always charged my C750 sitting in its case (Pdair) with the case closed on it of course.
Didnt see any problems or heat buildup . But one never knows.
Oh sure - the power charge hole should be there - its a pint to have to take it off the case to charge.
Plus I would love to have a holder for the USB host cable (provided by Trisoft themselves).
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Hi everybody,
thanks for the lot of opinions and suggestions.
Let's try to answer:
- The plastic sheet:
Lots of users complained about the leather stripe on the
SL-C7/8xx cases. So we begged PielFrama to use plastic
for the upper belt. They did, they use a sheet instead of
a belt and it provides a very good stability to the case.
It's definitely not disturbing the feel of typing and we like
it.
- Alternative mountings:
We and PielFrama don't want to paste _anything_ on the
device. All PielFrama cases hold a Zaurus without former
fixing of holders / straps etc. The Zaurus is perfectly
held in the case, easy to remove and protected from
all sides.
- Charging in closed case:
We have a hole for the charger in our SL-5500 case. And
it's a total mess . The hole is too small for the plug of
the EA-70S. If you would make it large enough for the plug
it would be HUGE. You can charge the SL-C series while it's
in the case, you just need to open the case, no need to take
the Zaurus out. I don't see this as a big deal.
- Cable holder:
The actual SL-C cases will fit in your pocket (OK, you may
have to put your Smith&Wesson elsewhere), but it needs
to be a big pocket
There're also slots for 2 x SD cards. If you make it big enough
to carry also the host cable, it won't fit in any pocket.
On the other hand: If you need to carry the host cable, this
means you want to use your USB-stick, USB-HD, USB-keyboard.
So if you carry external devices, just put the host cable to the
device.
Hope i haven't forgot anything,
///TRIsoft
Marc Stephan
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i like it a lot, but it's really too bad i can't have it on my belt.
anyway you've made a good job
loran
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i like Piel Frama cases, have one for my H3450, one thing they did right was anchor put the slasp snap on the back side. the PDair has it in front so it's always in the way of the keyboard when open. really though the only issue i have with cases with the C3000 is getting the stylus out. other than that i like the PDair since these 'cover everything cases' always have a problem lining up with one hole button or speaker.
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Simple fix about the clasp leather tab if you want to type while in the PDAair case....
Is to fold the tab over in half and put the end of it tucked just slightly under the edge of the bottom of the C3000.
This takes just a second....much harder to describe here than to actually do it.....
Also, no problem for me to take out the stylus....
HTH,
Mark
i like Piel Frama cases, have one for my H3450, one thing they did right was anchor put the slasp snap on the back side. the PDair has it in front so it's always in the way of the keyboard when open. really though the only issue i have with cases with the C3000 is getting the stylus out. other than that i like the PDair since these 'cover everything cases' always have a problem lining up with one hole button or speaker.
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