Database Users

DIY scratch protection

I noticed the first scratch on the corner of my Jam today. Since electronics always take the most abuse on the corners, I devised a quick and easy way to protect the corners of my Jam while I'm in Europe for the next 3 weeks. Take electrical tape or clear satin tape and place a piece over the corners. Works best if you cut a slit in the tape so you can fold it around the corner without wrinkles. In all probability the device will land on its corners if dropped or take the most abuse on the corners if scraped against something. Thus, problem solved; I did it to my digital camera too. It doesn't look half bad on either device, and if you can't stand the black corners, just use clear tape. Any tape works as long as the adhesive won't stick to the advice after you remove the tape.

damn that's dead sexy :lol:

Damn! Why didn't I think of that????
Why don't you run the tape all the way round? I think it will look somewhat better!... :wink:

I'm sorry, but that has to be the stupidest looking thing I've seen in a long time. Why don't you just get a silicon case for about $10 off of EBAY? I mean, if you REALLY need electrical tape and that's all you can find...great. But just get a cheap latex or silicon case such as the ones from JavoEdge.com.
Do you put electrical tape on the front and rear bumper of your car too?

GHETTOOOOOOO

Just curious, what specifically do you expect to happen in Europe over the next three weeks that would necessitate such a precaution when you don't prepare against similar risks at home :wink: ?

hehehehe... Good point JPreston!!! :lol:

I don't get it! People seem to get very upset when they discover they scratched the ball mirror on the back of their JAM. Now we have a JAM covered in electrical tape. Should we all carry our devices in the original box? Or better yet never use them to keep them in pristine condition? I am not saying I didn't get a little ticked off when I found a nice big scratch in the corner after a small drop but come on! I think we're all getting a bit too precious. Anyway, to each their own.
Of far more concern is the gunk that gets on the screen from my face every time I hold the JAM to my head! I mean yuck! What the heck is up with that? Is there that much oil on my face??? I just washed it! I gave my phone to my friend the other day to make a call and his face left some sort of super oil on the screen that wouldn't scrub off for several minutes! Its gross and embarassing! I think we need some sort of face oil protector!

Does anybody have any idea for cheap screen protection? I think the prices are outrageous for the slices of film sold as protectors.

I use the cheapest of them all...
They are made for Palm devices and are sold on flea markets or "One Dollar" stores... :lol:
They cost $1 dollar the 12 Pack!
Just cut them to size and go!

scratch? i've droped my mini 2 times and got 3 dent edges. damn sad. The stupid casing they gave me is getting pretty loose. I put it on my belt.... so everytime i knock it seems that pouch just flings out. The screw and the plastic seems to have worn off.
I think i'm gonna go to a skinning shop to hide the dent edges.

try to buy a leather case for Nokia 7610. it fits.
You dont use that in the box lether case. It will easily fall of that tiny hook.
Wit the lether case of Nokia, it is mounted sideway into the belt by a leather that is sewed.
mine has never fallen. Even if it falls off the belt when you undress, the leather case is so stiff that it will not dent the mini.

@Emil...
Can you post a picture of your JAM in the Nokia case for us to see?

vmirage said:
scratch? i've droped my mini 2 times and got 3 dent edges. damn sad. The stupid casing they gave me is getting pretty loose. I put it on my belt.... so everytime i knock it seems that pouch just flings out. The screw and the plastic seems to have worn off.
I think i'm gonna go to a skinning shop to hide the dent edges.
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Dropped mine on a concrete floor from about 1.5 meters and got a really ugly dent on one of the corners of the battery cover. The cover wouldn't even go back on!
Easy fixed though. Just took a plastic pen and pushed the dent out from the inside. It still shows a slight dent and small scratches if you look closely, but what the heck...

Anyone know of any metallic paint (model, SKU, UPC code) that I could use on my JAM? I rarely put on my seatbelt, and the one time that I decide to play safe, I scratch up the corner of my JAM. I'd never go "ghetto" as one person put it in the thread, but I'm sure there's something out there to match it up. Any ideas?

Get the jam off of your belt and put it in a proper car holder and you will not only protect it from getting scratches from your seatbelt, you will also get it charged while driving. And also one less reason not to wear a seatbelt that could save your life in the case of an accident.

Incidentally, can anyone recommend a decent car kit for the JAM? I want one I can mount with some amount of ease somewhere on the console... I don't like those ones that stick on the windscreen.

elyl said:
Incidentally, can anyone recommend a decent car kit for the JAM? I want one I can mount with some amount of ease somewhere on the console... I don't like those ones that stick on the windscreen.
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www.brodit.com

Just don't order it from Expansys as all their product descriptions for Brodit are messed up. Does anyone know where else to buy Brodit because I still need the mounting clip for my car (Expansys kept sending the wrong one). Can you buy from them (Brodit) directly?
Thanks.

PDAir case - so close to perfect!

I got the PDair case from eBay - £20 - since I find the way the keyboard interacts with the plastic clips on the standard case to be a bit irritating, and the pen-as-latch is just silly in terms of "catching on things in your pocket".
It looks lovely. I especially like the magnetic latch and leather panel to protect the front of the Ameo.
But.
Even though the magnets are in the keyboard.
Even though there is an established design for making the case efficient...
They put the keyboard in a plastic sleeve. No magnets.
And the plastic sleeve is not very flexible.
So replying to SMS, I press E or R... and the cover bends enough to register on the left softkey... and "send".
Magnetic attachment for the keyboard as per standard Ameo case, please! And a belt clip/belt clip attachment point. Then I'll pay £40, instead of £20, for it.
Still think it is nicer overall than the standard case, but the standard case is really very good for a 'freebie'.

Picture, please? Or at least link to the case.

PDAir.com might be a good start... (http://www.pdair.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=10100000_900000_11000092&products_id=5551)
I have the same case and feel exactly the same about it - nice case, good-looking, but this ugly plastic sleeve... :-/
I am using the standard case now and have grown quite fond of it; as Richard said: very good for a free case!

Did it come with a belt clip because on this site I understand that it does?
http://www.mobilefun.co.uk/product/13314.htm
If you read the descriptions on the page, it reads that a 360degree clip comes with the case.
This is a crazy idea but if you take marker and mark the center of each key on the plastic protector then use a hole punder to "cut" a hole for each key, it may give you the "flexibility" needed. Of course, it may ruin the plastic but just a suggestion...try at your own risk of course. ;-)

No, no belt clip on mine. I assume it's a standard form page. The pictured case lacks a belt clip, and TBH a belt clip on that design would perhaps be hard to make effective - if it's on the back of the device, the keyboard/flap is exposed, if it's on the keyboard side you can't rest it on a table...

PDAir Kaiser case

I bought the PDAir flip case for the Kaiser last week and got it in yesterday's mail. You can order it from PDAir direct -- there's also a guy on eBay selling them for $18.99.
The case is a very snug fit -- the keyboard slides into a pouch formed by the back of the case and a clear plastic keyboard cover. This works much better than the clear plastic & velcro keyboard cover their Wizard case used -- the Wizard case was pretty loose, and the Velcro doesn't hold up to repeated opening/closing.
The case cutouts (for buttons, USB jack, etc) match up pretty well once you get the Kaiser firmly seated -- that can take a bit of work since the case is so snug. These cutouts make the buttons easy to find -- especially the power button.
The only real problem with this case, IMHO, is the lack of microSD card storage -- previous PDAir cases have had at least one card storage pocket. Overall I'd give this case an 8.5 out of 10.

3waygeek said:
The case is a very snug fit -- the keyboard slides into a pouch formed by the back of the case and a clear plastic keyboard cover. This works much better than the clear plastic & velcro keyboard cover their Wizard case used -- the Wizard case was pretty loose, and the Velcro doesn't hold up to repeated opening/closing.
The case cutouts (for buttons, USB jack, etc) match up pretty well once you get the Kaiser firmly seated -- that can take a bit of work since the case is so snug. These cutouts make the buttons easy to find -- especially the power button.
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Nice review, I'll probably get one.
The only real problem with this case, IMHO, is the lack of microSD card storage -- previous PDAir cases have had at least one card storage pocket. Overall I'd give this case an 8.5 out of 10.
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I find an 8/16GB micro sd card enough, I put the spares in my normal money wallet.

I bought one a while back and it lasted less than a month,I was using the belt clip and the leather on the back became loose and the case became useless.!

PDA Air book type case
Bought this on ebay $15 + postage another $15 to GB
I don't use belt clips, it is a little thick and tight, may wear in. I seem to buy a whole shed load of accessories initially, see what I like, and then re-cycle the rest back onto ebay.
So far i quite like it if I'm walking about, but in the office, I tend to take it out and put it my shirt pocket (why do so many work shirts these days are less a pocket!!?)

I have both PDAir and Krusell case and to be frank, I like the PDAir more. However, beware of the screwed in belt clip as it might get loosen after some time, I dropped mine once but luckily on the carpet.

I Agree that the PDAir is a pretty good case, the belt clip post is the only part I changed. For a case that can stay on and be fully functional, and clip into a car mount, this one is hard to beat.
Here's my review and pics of my "improvements";
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=1648005&postcount=136
I have since switched to the Pocket Solutions "Signature Series" flip as it's the best of all worlds for me as I can use the phone as a touch screen type and then very easily slip the phone out of the case to use the keyboard and/or show off the phone with no case. It really has the best swivel post I've ever seen;
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=1790595&postcount=246

I bought the rectangular one with the free battery and it fits great and works great. The price for the whole thing was less then half the price of a battery from AT&T. Only thing is it took almost 3 wks to get.
I'm thinking about getting another one for my office.

How about this one ? Not sure how bulky it is but it looks nice.
_www.seidioonline.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=896

RemE said:
I Agree that the PDAir is a pretty good case, the belt clip post is the only part I changed. For a case that can stay on and be fully functional, and clip into a car mount, this one is hard to beat.
Here's my review and pics of my "improvements";
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=1648005&postcount=136
I have since switched to the Pocket Solutions "Signature Series" flip as it's the best of all worlds for me as I can use the phone as a touch screen type and then very easily slip the phone out of the case to use the keyboard and/or show off the phone with no case. It really has the best swivel post I've ever seen;
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=1790595&postcount=246
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Where did you bought your vent clip???
thanks

Fuze owners: Recommendations for car mount?

I'm shopping for a new car mount. I want something with a suction cup that sticks to the windshield or dash - not looking for a vent or cup mount.
I've been looking around at several models, but most of them seem to fit poorly for a Fuze - sides covering volume/PTT buttons & back covering the rear speaker.
I use my Fuze as a GPS device in landscape mode. I'd like a holder that doesn't cover any hardware buttons or the rear speaker. I also use a case once in awhile but not always - so the width should be adjustable.

I have the suction cup mounted type and did not like it.. they seem to wobble/vibrate more than the vent mount ones.. also car theifs will break into you car if they see thesuction mount thing on your dash, as they assume whatever goes on it is still in the car... jsut a warning.. you locat people to not use that type in the Milwaukee area... if you do decide to get the vent mount... Target sells one at the stores for $15 that works well... quick release button and all that... decent quality too (not cheap feeling like some are)

Thank you for your response, you bring up some important things to consider.
I have tried vent clips, but in my vehicle the weight of the phone causes the screen to point downwards.
My wife bought me a universal holder, which the vendor said is compatible with the Fuze. It mounts to the windshield, has a long gooseneck and the holder barely fits the fuze w/o a case. It blocks the rear speaker and the sides cover the volume/PTT buttons.
One nice thing it came with was a disc the size of the suction cup, with some very thick sticky tape on the bottom. While the disc isn't really pretty, it allows me to mount on the dash or even the console - avoiding the conspicuous windshield attention grabber.
I would just like a good, adjustable holder that doesn't cover buttons or the rear speaker.

ProClipUSA
Try http://www.proclipusa.com/
You buy the clip in two parts: vehicle mount and device holder.
I have one and because it fits so well, I never used the double-sided tape that comes with it. Whenever I change devices, I purchase a new device holder.
These are far more secure than a suction cup and all the years I've used these, they never fell off.
I don't have a need for it, but they also have an extension mount so you can mount 2 devices. Really great concept if you have the need.
Although these may cost a little more, they are definitely worth the price.

pischk said:
Try http://www.proclipusa.com/
I have one and because it fits so well, I never used the double-sided tape that comes with it. Whenever I change devices, I purchase a new device holder.
These are far more secure than a suction cup and all the years I've used these, they never fell off.
Although these may cost a little more, they are definitely worth the price.
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Seconded! I've used the Brodit Proclip for over a year now and had no issues at all.

Thanks for the suggestion!
Thanks, you guys made me take a second look at this vendor.
Would you guys trust the holder to hold the phone if it was mounted for landscape viewing?

eudaemonic said:
TWould you guys trust the holder to hold the phone if it was mounted for landscape viewing?
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Yes, no problem.

DIY mount

This post was inspired by thematrixkid17 from this post.
You are going to need the following items to complete this mount.
Drill
small flathead screwdriver
1/4" drill bit
dremel with sanding disc
1 1/4" hole saw
plastic epoxy
I started with a belt holster like this from ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=400110870258
It has a cutout for the headphone jack, usb and camera.
The holster itself.
The first thing you want to do is pry out the pin holding the clip
itself. Use a small flat head screwdriver. The pin is only press fit
in so it will come out easily.
The pin
You will be left with these parts.
You can then use a 1/4" drill bit to slowly remove the plastic rivet
holding the rest of the clip.
As seen here.
Once the rivet is removed you can remove the rest of the belt clip.
You will be left with a belt holster that looks like this.
Then take out your trusty dremel and grind down the extrusions on the
back of the holster.
You will be left with a piece that looks like this.
Next you will need to move on to the windshield holder or some other
holder that you wish to use. I chose to use the garmin nuvi series.
It uses a plastic ball and socket type mount that allows you to swivel
to any angle. They make windshield, bicycle, vent, and friction
mounts. You can find them all over ebay. The seller I bought from
appears to be gone now.
The most important piece you will need first is the actual bracket
mount itself which will be permanently mounted to the belt holster you
have prepared.
The piece looks like this on the front and this on the back.
Then using that 1 1/4" hole saw without the centering drill bit you
can mount the bracket in a vice and remove the excess off of the
bracket as it won't be needed.
You will be left with two pieces that look like this.
The most important piece is going to be the socket.
Now with some plastic epoxy you will mount the socket piece to the
back of the holster.
It will come out looking like this.
Once it dries you can use whatever ball mount you have chosen.
Example with the windshield suction cup.
With the phone mounted from the front and back
As you can see, you can still use the camera for layer or any other
augmented reality.
The rest of the pictures can be seen in this album.

Nice work.

thats the best ive seen
I would gladly pay for one of those, im not a great DIY person =\

I definitely must get around to doing this! where the best place to buy plastic epoxy by the way?

Nice work, I've been looking all over for something like this and don't know why sprint or HTC haven't made one yet.
I have just ordered something similar to this But I don't like how bulky it is. I had ordered one that was a bike mount but the little foam thingy and one of the arms that holds the phone came off and I can't find it. So I just ordered me another one. I think however that the mounting type on the one I ordered would probably be a little better since the mounting piece if flat. All you would need to do is dremel the little 4 pegs from the mounting plate off and glue that to the back of the phone belt clip piece. I think you'd get a better job since the glue would have more of a contact patch to glue onto then with the OP's "ball joint" method.
I'll probably order me one of those belt clips and try it myself. I like the form fitting outcome of this mod as opposed to the big bulky universal phone holder that I got.

Great work.
I was inspired to find something nice and compact like this DYI mount. For those that do not have time or skills to do this, I just ordered the following for $9.99, $14.99 shipped.
http://shop.vendio.com/cellularqueen/item/2042534021/?s=1270540562
Ceger

Nice work. The only reason I didn't grind more stuff is that I wanted to be sure the epoxy was going to hold. But after some use, I think that the plastic would break before the epoxy comes loose
Looks great. More than augmented reality, I think this would be cool for doing a ustream of a trip or something. I may drill out a hole in my mount to do this.
I'll link this thread in my post too

Damn, I had all those parts from my old GPS unit that quit working, but threw them out a couple weeks ago. I had one with an extended arm, but the arm broke. Damn Wal Mart brand.

ro_bro said:
I definitely must get around to doing this! where the best place to buy plastic epoxy by the way?
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Any hardware store will do. I got mine at Ace. I'm sure you can find it it at Walmart/Lowes/Home Depot though.
I used the mount today, the phone isn't going to go anywhere. The bigger problem is the anti-glare for the phone.

davide169 said:
Any hardware store will do. I got mine at Ace. I'm sure you can find it it at Walmart/Lowes/Home Depot though.
I used the mount today, the phone isn't going to go anywhere. The bigger problem is the anti-glare for the phone.
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thx, just picked up one from home depot. but now i gotta go back for the round hole saw bit - shoulda did this in one shot!

davide169 said:
You are going to need the following items to complete this mount.
Drill
small flathead screwdriver
1/4" drill bit
dremel with sanding disc
1 1/4" hole saw
plastic epoxy
I started with a belt holster like this from ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=400110870258
It has a cutout for the headphone jack, usb and camera.
The rest of the pictures can be seen in this album.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very nice work. Cost wise ($$ and time) what are we talking? I'm guessing about 20 minutes worth of time, with a little extra for the epoxy to set, even if it is instant, I don't trust that.
I'm looking to unload my GPS now that I'm on the everything data and have it with my cell. Obviously I know I'm coming out ahead doing that, but just for reference when I try to justify it to the wife. LOL.
We'll see about that.

riggsandroid said:
Very nice work. Cost wise ($$ and time) what are we talking? I'm guessing about 20 minutes worth of time, with a little extra for the epoxy to set, even if it is instant, I don't trust that.
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The belt holster and garmin windshield mount cost under $10 shipped off of ebay. The epoxy was about $3.50 which will go a long way if I need to use it in the future for anything else.
The tools I already had so no expense there. If you have a dremel with a cut off wheel you could get away without using a hole saw. The hole saw just makes things cleaner and faster.
I'd say it took me a total of 10 mins to do everything. Most of the time just for grinding the holster flat which really didn't take all that much time.
The epoxy takes 5 mins to set and 24 hours to be fully cure.

davide169 said:
The belt holster and garmin windshield mount cost under $10 shipped off of ebay. The epoxy was about $3.50 which will go a long way if I need to use it in the future for anything else.
The tools I already had so no expense there. If you have a dremel with a cut off wheel you could get away without using a hole saw. The hole saw just makes things cleaner and faster.
I'd say it took me a total of 10 mins to do everything. Most of the time just for grinding the holster flat which really didn't take all that much time.
The epoxy takes 5 mins to set and 24 hours to be fully cure.
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I would definitely pay for one of these. If you wanna sell one let me know. I'd be glad to pay thru paypal.