Reviewed 14-March-2001 by Linda Anneling
with help from Marsha O'Neill and KM Kelly.
Product update: 14-Jun-2001

Do you hate the snap cover that came standard with your Handspring Visor? I certainly do! It is incredibly awkward and time consuming and I was constantly losing it among the papers on my desk, especially since the original clear cover of my Visor Deluxe tends to camouflage itself quite nicely. There were days when I would get so disgusted I would be tempted to leave it lost and just use the leather slipcover without it. Yet, I always had a nagging reluctance for fear of scratching the screen or pressure damage.

The FlipCover has been the perfect solution! The first thing that struck me when I opened the package was how identical the design of the FlipCover was to the original cover. When installed, at first glance it is practically impossible to tell that it is not the original. And speaking of installation – how incredibly simple! Just pop out the module port cover and pop in the cover. No hassles or other parts to assemble.

The FlipCover is so easy to use on a day-to-day basis that I refuse to even consider going back to the original cover. The FlipCover opens easily and is essentially hands-free. You can either flip the cover to the back or just leave it hang down. It cuts out all the hassle and time spent fumbling around with a loose cover. Furthermore, although the cover needs to be open, you do not need to remove it to hot sync the unit, unlike the original cover. Also, unlike other flip covers I’ve seen advertised, you have complete access to the stylus in any cover position.

I had a hard time finding faults and for my purposes, the couple I could think of were minor. The first: When the cover is flipped completely open and to the back of the unit, the bottom latch prevents it from lying flat on a desk or other surface. A simple solution is to flip it open flat onto the desk instead of around to the back when you set it down. Second: Because the cover attachment takes the place of the empty module port cover, you need to get a retrofit attachment if you have a module on board.

All in all, I am very pleased with the FlipCover and would highly recommend it to anyone with a Handspring Visor.

Pros:

• Small and lightweight – does not add any bulk to visor
• Cover design is identical to original cover so it doesn’t look like a tacky add-on
• Extremely easy to use – a huge improvement over snap cover that comes with Visor which is easily misplaced when detached.  No need to worry about dropping or misplacing this cover!
• Cover flips all the way around – low profile when opened
• Easy access to stylus in any position
• HotSync port not blocked
• Multiple colors to match original cover or to add style.
• Easy to remove
• Easy to replace
• Remains open during use – joints are very fluid
• Can use with original leather slip on carrying case
• Can see display through clear covers, though can’t read small fonts.

Cons:

• Need special adapter if you have a Springboard module
• Can't use Springboard modules that are oversized
• Does not lay flat when lid is flipped open all the way to back.
• Colors are a good match although not precise match.

The FlipCover works with the Visor Solo, Deluxe, and Visor Platinum is available for US$12.96 at http://www.FlipCover.com in Graphite Black, Ice, Orange, Green and Blue.  A black Visor Prism Cover will be released this weekend; FlipCovers in Platinum and Cobalt Blue are planned for the future.

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