Just when you thought that there couldn't possibly be another Vaja-like iPAQ case manufacturer, along comes a new line of cases from the company Galanteya of eastern Europe. But before you say "ho hum" and press the BACK button on your browser, read a little further. What sets this company's cases apart from others on the market is the fact that they are available in some unique patterns and configurations.

While the majority of most iPAQ cases are made for the iPAQ without expansion sleeve (a.k.a. naked), Galanteya's cases are also available for the iPAQ with CF sleeve, PC Card sleeve, Dual PC Card sleeve and even Silver Slider sleeve.

Judie and I were sent 4 cases to review, read on to see what we think...

G1 3800 Series Naked Case
[Julie]

This is your typical slipper style case and is available currently only in plain black finely grained leather.

The iPAQ slides into the holster portion of the case and is held there securely with friction. The holster is lined with a soft beige suede material.

One large cutout gives access to the screen, joy pad and application buttons. Cutouts at the bottom of the case allow access to the reset switch and serial port. Although you can not sync or charge this case in the cradle, you can use an optional cable easily.

The screen cover portion of the case is nicely padded and has a stiffener to protect against accidental bumps. The interior of the cover has 2 card slots with a larger slot beneath them. An oval cutout in the cover gives access to the earphone jack at the top of the PDA. A snap is used to keep the cover closed.

There isn't anything super special to set this particular case apart from similar cases. It is made well with good fit and finish. The price is the 2nd lowest that I've seen for a 3800 iPAQ case. The lowest case at $29.00 is the Krusell case which I like a little better due to the unique belt clips available for it.

Price: $30.00 ($33.00 with belt clip)

Pros:
Nicely made
Low Price

Cons:
None

G3 3100, 3600, 3700 Series CF Sleeve Case
[Julie]

This case is available in several colors and textures that have yet to be seen in other company's offerings. I was sent the Alligator Limited version which is a shiny reddish brown faux alligator texture.

Like the case above, the iPAQ slides into the holster portion of the case and is held there securely with friction. The holster is lined with a soft beige suede material. I found that top of the holster slightly covered the power button at the top of the iPAQ.

One large cutout gives access to the screen, joy pad and application buttons. Cutouts at the bottom of the case allow access to the reset switch and serial port. Although you can not sync or charge this case in the cradle, you can use an optional cable easily.

I wanted to point out that although Galanteya's website shows that this case is also supposed to fit the 3800 series iPAQ, it will not work well. The screen cutout covers the two outer application buttons.

The description of the case also says that it may work with the Silver  Slider. I found that the case was much too loose with my original Silver Slider.

The screen cover portion of the case is nicely padded and has a stiffener to protect against accidental bumps. The interior of the cover has 2 card slots with a larger slot beneath them. A small circular cutout in the cover gives access to the earphone jack at the top of the PDA. A snap is used to keep the cover closed.

This case is made well with good fit and finish. If you like the Vaja look and want a bigger selection of textures, this might be the case you've been looking for.

Price: $34.00 ($37.00 with belt clip)

Pros:
Nicely made
Low price

Cons:
Top edge of holster slightly covers power button and status LED

G4 3100, 3600, 3700, 3800 Series PC Sleeve Case
[Judie]

Like the case Julie just reviewed, the G4 is available in a very large variety of textures. Color selection is not so vast - you basically have the option of black or brown, or a combination of the two - which is what I was presented with.

  
This case is virtually identical to the G3 case Julie reviewed, except that my sample came with the belt-clip attachment. This system used a plastic nub and a plastic clip.

This case may say it fits the 3800 series, but I feel it is more for the 31, 36 and 3700 series. Why? Because every con I have regarding this case has to do with typical fit issues that keep most cases from fitting the newer 3800 series iPAQs. Namely, the bottom buttons are covered by the holster, and the leather bar that forms the top of the holster is awkwardly cut for the 3800.

Here you can see an iPAQ 3600 on the left, and an iPAQ 3800 on the right:

There is a reset hole cut in the bottom of the case, but it did not line up with either my 3650 nor my 3835.

This is the iPAQ 3650. Notice that you do have clear access to the charging port on the iPAQ itself.

This is the iPAQ 3835

There is also a cutout for a head-phone jack, but it is so tight and narrow that it may not be practical for those that want to keep their head-phones plugged in while the case is closed. My head-phone jack kept popping out.

Inside the flip-lid, there are two ID or credit card slots, and since the case snaps shut (instead of using magnets) you can safely store cards with magnetic strips in the slots.

So with that in mind, I don't recommend this case unless you have a 31, 36 or 3700 series. If you have one of those iPAQs, then this case should work very well for you.

Price: $36.00 ($39.00 with belt clip)

Pros:
Nicely made
Low price
Plethora of texture choices to choose from

Cons:
Bottom buttons of the 3800 series are covered by the lower edge of holster
Top edge of holster seems too high on 3800 series
Headphone jack hole is cut too tight and narrow

G5 3100, 3600, 3700, 3800 Series Dual PC Sleeve Case
[Judie]

I had completely forgotten how freaking huge my iPAQ was while in the standard dual PCMCIA sleeve. When I inserted it to do this review, I was just taken aback! I am trying to remember why I was so excited when these first came out - oh yah, it was so I could turn my iPAQ into a cellular phone. Goodness, what was I thinking!

In any case, the G5 is definitely one of the better Dual sleeve cases I have seen. It doesn't add much more bulk to what is already a huge package.

Unlike the G4 I just reviewed, this case does not have any issues that would prohibit one from using a 3800 series with it. The only aesthetic problem I have with the case is that the holster bows around the screen of the iPAQ.

This case also has a cutout for a head-phone jack, and like the G4, it was near impossible for me to keep my jack inserted. There are also holes on the bottom of the case to allow pushing the reset button and to run a charging cable to the dual pack, but neither holes were lined up well enough to be useful on either my 3635 or my 3835. There was clear access to the charging port for my 3650, however.

This is the iPAQ 3650. Notice that you do have clear access to the charging port on the iPAQ itself.

This is the iPAQ 3835

Like the previous cases, this one has two ID or credit card slots inside the flip-lid. Once again, and since the case snaps shut (instead of using magnets) you can safely store cards with magnetic strips in the slots.

If you are not worried about being able to charge your dual PC sleeve or being able to do resets while your iPAQ is in this case, and if the bowed holster doesn't bother you, then you might want to check the G5 out.

Price: $39.00 ($42.00 with belt clip)
Available in plain or grained black leather

Pros:
Low price

Cons:
Holster bows out around edges of PDA's screen
Headphone jack hole is cut too tight and narrow

Galanteya cases are available at Super Buy Online, and other retailers.