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Page Two of Active Armor for the Handspring Visor
Another well thought out feature is the ambidextrous design. The case is equally easy to use in either your right or left hand. The dual stylus holders allow the user to place the stylus where it is most convenient and even carry an extra just in case. However, third party styli or even the Handspring Stylus Pen will not fit in these holders. Keep that in mind if you prefer a stylus other than the standard Handspring stylus.

Overall, the Active Armor is a great case, especially if you like to use your Visor in rough locations. The Active Armor also works very well with the Magellan GPS Companion module. I have used the Active Armor and GPS Companion together on many road trips and campouts, and I am very impressed. I wouldn't even attempt to use the Visor in the outdoors without the Active Armor. Even the urban jungle can be quite hazardous to a PDA user. The Active Armor is able to handle all the bumps and jars of daily life.

In fact, since receiving the case, I have dropped the Visor many times. Many of these would have certainly broken the Visor if it wasn't for the Active Armor. While hard-shell cases made from aluminum and titanium will provide similar protection, they cost many times more than the Active Armor and cannot accommodate modules. The Active Armor is much cheaper than a single screen replacement and only a fraction of the cost of a hard-shell case. The peace of mind alone is worth the purchase price.

I have found only a few flaws in the Active Armor case. The main issue with the Active Armor is the lack of access to the hotsync connector. You cannot use the hotsync cradle or any type of keyboard while the Visor is inside the Active Armor. The Visor must be removed from the Active Armor to use a keyboard or cradle. The Visor must also be removed from the case to access the battery compartment or reset hole.

In addition, the Active Armor case makes the Visor a little too large to put in most pockets. Unless you have very large pockets, be prepared to carry the Visor elsewhere. I have found that attaching the Active Armor to a belt loop with a carabineer works quite well if you don't have a spare hand.

Finally, the Active Armor case likes to get dirty. For some reason the type of rubber the Active Armor case is made from is quite the dust magnet. The engineers at Blue Ideas have researched this problem extensively and have come up with a highly technical solution: soap and water! A good cleaning every once and a while will keep the Active Armor looking as good as new.

These few inconveniences are not nearly enough to make me reluctant to recommend the Active Armor. The Active Armor case provides protection on par with a hard shell case without sacrificing any accessibility or module compatibility like other products. Whether you want to use your Visor outdoors, in the urban jungle, with your favorite GPS module, or even if you just want the cool Batman-like look, the Active Armor is the case for you. With a suggested retail price of $29.99, the Active Armor is far cheaper than the cost of a single screen replacement. I wholeheartedly recommend the Active Armor to everyone who can spare the slight size increase.

Availability:
The black version of the Active Armor will be available 4/25/2002 direct from Active Armor or Amazon.com. It will be available at major retail stores soon after. Suggested Retail Price: $29.99. The Translucent Active Armor designed for the Visor Deluxe and Neo and the Silver Active Armor designed for the Platinum and Pro should be available within a month after the release of the black version.

Rating:
4.75 out of 5 Stars

--Steven Roos
Visor Editor

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