Product Requirements:
Device:
Palm V/Vx

Sometimes reviewing the same types of products over and over can get a little boring. Then something new and different comes along to snap me out of my reviewer's funk. Personality Packs from Parallel Design is just such a product.

Personality Packs consist of a clip-on screen cover and a stylus holder that are available in a wide variety of color combinations. The products are made of polycarbonate which is a tough and durable plastic. The covers come in either black non-see thru or translucent styles. Some of the colors available are: Lime, Blueberry, Grape, Tangerine, and Strawberry. There are 12 color combinations in total.

I think that the design of this clip-on cover is simple and elegant. The cover slides easily over the top of the Palm V and clips into the small slot in the back of the case (the same slot that the Palm V modem and other similar accessories use).

Removing the cover is just as easy as putting it on. You just have to lift the clip out of the slot on the back of the Palm V and then slide the cover off. 

When installed the cover lays flat on the face of the Palm V. It is about 1/16th of an inch thick but it does not flex or bend. It does however flip up via a hinge at the top of the cover. It will open a full 180 degrees but will not fold back around to the back of the PDA. The cover is very light and only weighs .56 oz.

The hinge has a nice amount of friction to it so that the cover does not fall open on its own. Even if you hold it upside down, the cover won't fall open. It's possible that the hinge might loosen with use though. But, I've been using the cover for a week now and haven't had a problem with it.

The translucent covers are nice due to the fact that you can see thru them. The screen isn't perfectly clear, but you can see alarm notices etc. I wouldn't use to try to look up an address though... unless you use the largest font.

You can also beam and hotsync while this cover is on with no problems.

The only tiny problem that I had with the cover was that I would forget to turn the power on before opening the cover. It is a little awkward to turn the unit on when the cover is flipped up.  

The Personality Pack also includes a stylus holder. This little plastic doo-hickey (for lack of a better term) slides into either of the stylus slots and gives you a tiny well to put your stylus in. Your stylus won't snap into this holder, it just rests in it. So, it is best to use if you are at your desk. You would not carry your PDA around with the stylus in this holder.

One thing about the holder that I don't like is that it is a &^#@ to get out. It fits really snug in the stylus silo. Which gave me an idea that you could probably put a string thru the hole in the holder and use this to wear the Palm V around your neck. By the way, Parallel Designs doesn't advocate this  :-)

I think it's about time that someone came up with a hard screen cover for the Palm V. The Personality Pack is stylish and useful at a price that is nice. 

Price: $17.99 ($15.99 for clip cover, $2.99 for stylus holder)

Pros:
Very cool looking
Functional
Protects screen while retaining slim form factor

Cons:
Can't use the Palm V Modem (and other devices that use the slot on the back of the Palm V)
Stylus holder difficult to remove