rhinoskin aluminum vs. innopocket magnesium case

[randomguy]

I ordered a rhinoskin aluminum case with ext battery support when I got my Axim X51v. It worked very well in term of protection. However, I am thinking about getting another metal case. Here is why.

1) I found that the standard battery lasts long enough for what I do anyway. 2) I found myself using the landscape view most of the time anyway. So the extra thickness and the less than comfortable landscape grip, and the of course the desire to burn more money on this toy lead me to post here.

I have narrowed it down to either another rhinoskin aluminum case with standard battery or innopocket magnesium case.

I imagine there must be people on this forum that have tried both cases and can tell me if rhinoskin or innopocket has a better grip for landscape view (in the open position, of course), as one has a side and the other top hinge.

Also if anyone can comment on the weight on the rhinoskin aluminum case. I know the weight of the innopocket case, but couldn't find the weight of the aluminum case even on rhinoskin's own web site.

Also to satisfy my curiosity. I noticed that there is Proporta magnesium case out there. From the picture, it looks like an oem Innopocket, but the weight listed is 41g vs 71g for innopocket. Can anyone comment on that?

[Rheya's Assassin]

Innopocket's Magnesium Case Review For A Dell X51v

I ordered my case from www.cases.com on Wednesday and received it Saturday with the least expensive shipping!!! (USPS Priority 2-3 day.)

I'll try and answer all the questions I had about this case now.

1> The case has a smooth, not textured finish as I would have imagined. But still "grippy."

2> The Axim slides into the case similar to a leather case (top down.) It fits VERY snuggly. This differs from the Rhino Skin...I found the Rhino scratched my case a little on one side. This case will not do that. If you have the need to remove it frequently throughout the day, for whatever reason, you may want to look at a different case. As it does not move in and out easily. Which is a positive for most people.

3> You DO need to remove it to sync in the cradle. However, I do not need to remove mine to use a sync cable as some others have. I have the wired Dell GPS system and the Belkin 3 in 1 charger/sync cable and both fit with NO issues.

4> Perhaps my favorite use...You can leave the Axim in the case while using it for GPS in the car cradle. The lid simply flips over, hanging over the back of the cradle, and is out of the way. It does not rattle as I expected it might. Now in every description you'll read they say "folds completely out of the way." Well that is not exactly true. The lid does not fold completely flat against the back, and there is an overlap of the lid to the bottom of the case of about .5" The lid does fold nearly flat however and does give you much better access to the Axim than does the Rhino case. I would describe it as a very slight angle at the top sloping down to eventually touch the bottom.

5> Weight and durability. I love the weight of this case!!! It is very light and doesn't add much in the way of thickness to the Ax. As far as durability goes...I haven't had it long enough to check the finish for wear but it does appear that it will hold up very well and will more than protect my expensive little toy very nicely should the unthinkable happen and I drop it. UPDATE....I've now had it much longer and the finish is holding up very nicely.

Overall I am very pleased with this case so far. It has ONE extra SD slot, which is fine for me, as I don't carry any extra memory cards anyway. I have a 1 GB card and it, for now, holds all the info I need. Also, I don't use a belt clip so I haven't tested that out. Update as well, (Uses the EXACT same clip as the Rhino, so if you like that one you'll like this one.) I always put the Axim in my pocket. I figure it's safer from accidents and would be thieves.

The only possible problem I see down the road could be with the closing mechanism. It is made of plastic and may be worn down over time. I'm not very concerned with this small issue and I don't expect it to be a major problem. Update...So far so good.....

I would highly recommend this case to anyone who is looking for an easy access case with high protection ability.

Let me know if you found this useful or if you have any other questions....

Take care....

[DarkGenesis]

I also have this case, Innopocket's Magnesium Case, from the same vendor.

Just another handy feature, to me at least, since you leave it in landscape mode is that the cover will act as a nature stand for it. You fold the cover over the back and leave it partially open and it will allow your Axim to sit on its side rather then on its back.

Now if they would only make a sync/power connector like the IPAQ where you can charge and sync the Axim, and still be powered up, while outside the cradle.

[Beweglich]

I have the Rhinoskin case and it is awesome. I can do everything except charge in the cradle and it has survived many drops. Rhinoskin even offers a Titanium version, talk about the ultimate in security and lightness.