Official Gadgeteer Hands On Review: Targus Leather Belt Case
by Judie Clark
Last date revised: 11/13/2000

Product Requirements:
Device:
All Palm PDAs, All Handspring Visor PDAs, Sony Clie, HP Jornada 540 series, & perhaps others�

The Targus Leather Belt Case is a rich chocolate brown leather pouch, with a rotating leather covered metal clip on its backside for attaching to your belt or pocket. Contrasting gold stitching adds to the finished look.

Because the leather is so smooth and with such a soft grain to it, my husband at first asked if it was really leather - I told him to smell it, and that�s all the confirmation he needed. This pouch reminds me of a pair of well-oiled field boots; very smooth yet rugged.

The pouch flap closes with a tab of Velcro, which is okay. Ordinarily, I really hate to have Velcro on any case that I am using, however, the Velcro on this case makes it possible to carry such a variety of PDAs that I feel its presence should be overlooked.

The Targus Leather Belt Case is lined in soft velour, which seems like an ideal fabric for any PDA or its screen to rub against.

The exterior dimensions of this pouch are 5� x 3.25� x 1� with the pouch�s fold-over top closed down all the way. Targus designed this case to hold PDAs up to 4 3/8� x 3� x 5/8�; however, because of the wide Velcro tab closure, you can actually fit a slightly taller PDA into the pouch.

Because the belt-clip rotates, you can choose to either wear the case straight up or rotated on its side, when it is attached to your belt.

Although this case may have been specifically designed to hold the Palm III, V & the original Handspring devices, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that it would also hold a few other PDAs as well.

I put my Palm IIIc, Visor Prism, Palm m100, and HP 548 into this case, and all fit quite acceptably. I don�t have a Sony Clie yet (I�m waiting for color!), but due to the dimensions of this case I have no doubt that the Sony will fit perfectly.

Just as an example of what to expect with your PDA in the Targus case, flap closure wise:

With the m100 in the case, the flap will close completely.

With the taller Palm IIIc, the flap is closed, just not quite so far down.

For the tallest PDA I own, the HP Jornada 548, you will see a bit of Velcro under the flap. However, the case is still securely closed.

This case should be especially good news for those of you that have been waiting for a distinctive clip on pouch for your Palm m100. The m100 fits like a dream inside, either with, or without, it�s flip cover.

All in all, this case is an excellent choice, if you need a belt pouch for your PDA.

 

Price: $29.95

Pros:
Can fit a variety of PDAs

Cons:
None

Let me know your comments on the Targus Leather Belt Case and read what others have to say.