Device:
Compaq iPAQ: Naked, or with the style pack sleeve, the CF sleeve, the PCMCIA sleeve, or the Dual PCMCIA Expansion Sleeve

I am the first to admit that I am one of the biggest PDA peripheral junkies on the face of the planet. Since my daily driver is the Compaq iPAQ, it is only natural that I go a little crazy making sure that it is outfitted with the latest and greatest add-on toys. 

If there is a sleeve, card, or other doo-dad that I can try on or with my iPAQ - I have to give it a shot...sometimes to the major detriment of my bank account. 

There are times when I like to take my iPAQ out and about in its naked state, but the majority of the time I will either have GM's Silver Slider, or the PCMCIA sleeve attached. Soon (crossing my fingers), I will also have the Dual PC Card Expansion Sleeve. 

As you can imagine, if I want to make sure that my screen is always protected with a padded cover, I must use a case of some sort. Since there are so many different ways that I might be carrying my iPAQ around on any given day, and since there aren't many cases that can accommodate all of these configurations; it could get mighty expensive buying a different case to fit each possible scenario.

That's why I was interested in the OmniCase that HandheldPlanet is offering. This looks like it might be a case that I could carry all of the time, no matter which way I happened to have my iPAQ configured. 

The OmniCase is a slightly textured, black leather, book-style case. Unlike other cases of that type that I have reviewed in the past, it neither zips around nor does it use Velcro to secure your iPAQ. Instead, the OmniCase utilizes front and rear leather panels, forming a "cradle" with elastic sides. There is a Flap that snaps across the front of the iPAQ, offering screen protection.

The edges and sides of the iPAQ are not protected for the most part, so this is not a case for those that are worried about banging their investment into everything.

While the Front flap is padded and will provide some protection from routine bumps, the case is certainly not crushproof.

I like the fact that for the most part, the OmniCase is plain black leather, with black stitching. There are no labels or brand names sewn or embossed anywhere on this case. The OmniCase has a clean, professional appearance. It's only ornamentation, is a matte silver snap on the front flap, that holds the cover closed.

This front flap has a handy deep pocket, also edged in black stitching,  that can hold a spare PCMCIA or Compact Flash card. This will be very convenient for those of you that want to be able to switch between a memory card and a modem card at any given time. You could even use this pocket to store business cards, as there are no other places in the case to do so.

Upon opening the case, you will find that the front flap opens to the left, like a book would. While it is not uncomfortable to hold the OmniCase in your left hand with the flap draped over your thumb and palm, if you are a "leftie", it may be somewhat more difficult. Although I would like it if this flap could pull around to the back and lie flush, I also realize that there really is no practical way to have made it do so; especially when one considers the thicknesses that the back of the case can stretch to when accommodating various sleeves.

With the case open, on the left side you will see the leather and elastic cradle for the iPAQ. 

The front panel of the cradle has cutouts for the button and the screen areas. While all of the cut-outs are perfectly aligned; aesthetically, I would like it better if there was no leather dividing-bar between the screen and button areas. If there were not one, it would open the area up a bit  more, and keeps things from looking cramped. As things are now, for anything other than random taps at the buttons, it does feel as if that dividing-bar is in the way. 

The front leather portion does not cover the power button, or any of the other sensors on the top-front of the iPAQ. 

The rear of the case is a full sheet of thick black leather. There is a small metal button protruding from the middle of the upper-back, for the detachable belt-clip. Upon closer study, I have found that this case uses the exact same clip as the Vaja line of cases. 

The sides of the case, that cradle your iPAQ, are made out of 2" wide strips of elastic. While this is the feature that allows the case to expand to meet just about any of your expansion sleeve requirements; I can see where this might lead to a few problems down the road, as we all know that elastic will stretch out over time. If you are carrying the PCMCIA sleeve in your OmniCase most of the time, and then you decided to carry the naked iPAQ - or the iPAQ in a Silver Slider - you might find that the elastic had stretched to the point that it no longer fits the smaller configuration snugly.

The record button is easily accessed.

The iPAQ is held in the leather cradle with a flap of leather that Velcros onto the back side of the OmniCase. This flap is adjustable, so that you can compensate for any thickness caused by the different sleeves you can attach to the iPAQ.

It is possible to synchronize while the iPAQ is in the case. You simply pull the leather tab away from the bottom, and flip it to the front. I found that the best way to sync, was to pull the entire front flap over the front of the cradle, instead of trying to fit it inside. This picture shows you what I mean. 

What I find to be the main selling point of the OmniCase, other than the obvious fact that it can accommodate so many sleeves, is the fact that the top of the iPAQ is left completely open, and easy to access. This means that not only can you insert earphones unencumbered, but you can also use some of the odder shaped Compact Flash cards, like the PocketSpider, or a modem with a dongle, without removing the iPAQ from the case. You can also use some of the longer wireless modems that are available, such as the Minstrel or the Sierra 400. Yet another plus, is that it is not necessary to remove the attached antenna when the case is closed and a wireless modem is inserted..

One of the nice finishing-touches that the OmniCase has is the fact that all of the leather surfaces that come into contact with your iPAQ have been covered in soft suede. 

For the most part, the craftsmanship of the OmniCase is exceptional. I only found one area that I thought was lacking, and that involved the elastic sides. For the price that this case fetches, I would like to not see any glue on the elastic. The back of this case and the sides are sewn together, and look very professional. The front of the case and sides are also sewn together, but for some reason that I can't fathom, there is glue all over the elastic - just enough to make case look slightly less than perfect. The more the elastic is stretched out, the more this imperfection shows. I realize that I am being picky, but it is something I don't like, and if you purchase the case - you will probably notice.

I found that the OmniCase seemed to fit slightly loose when the naked iPAQ was inserted. However, it was easy to compensate for this by tightening the leather strap at the bottom of the case. With the Silver Slider inserted, the case fit perfectly, and there was no play. I tried the basic style-paq sleeve, and found the same results. Since I didn't have my PCMCIA sleeve to test with, as it is off being modified by Whitney, I simply experimented by pulling the elastic and the back portion of the case until it was as far out as the PCMCIA sleeve would take it. The good news is that there is more area than necessary that the case can stretch. I doubt that there will be any problem making it fit the Dual PCMCIA Expansion Sleeve when that product (finally) hits the market.

If you are not a fanatic about protecting your iPAQ's edges, and if you need the kind of expandability and access that this case can allow; then you would do well to give the OmniCase a try.

Price: $49.99

Pros:
Extremely expandable 
Design allows for almost any kind of PCMCIA or CF card to stick up from top of iPAQ, while inserted in case
Can carry extra CF or PCMCIA card in front pocket of case
Can sync in case


Cons:
Expensive
Does not offer much protection - other than for screen and back
Naked iPAQ may slip out of case through open top
Dividing-bar between screen and buttons makes it hard to access hot-buttons
For price - would like to see case finished out a bit more (i.e. - no glue showing)
No extra pocket for business cards or ID