Protecting the REX is a key issue for owners of this small
wonder. It isn't exactly delicate, but it can be damaged by too much pressure
directly on the screen, or through twisting motions. Once a screen breaks,
the entire REX must be replaced - there isn't any generally available REX
screen replacement service. With production stopped by Intel, making sure
your REX is well protected (in a fashionable way, of course!) is a good idea.
The REX comes with varying combinations of three cases, depending
on when and where you purchased your REX. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme
or reason to explain what cases come w/any given REX 6000. The three cases
are: 1) a wallet case with stylus; 2) a clear plastic slot case w/no stylus,
and; 3) a two-color plastic slot case with stylus. Here are pictures
of the three cases. The clear plastic slot case is not as useful for the
REX 6000, as it does not provide a way to carry a stylus.
Luckily, due to the small size of the REX, and to the fact
that it is based on the PCCARD format, there are a lot more options out there
than you might expect, including:
Cases designed for the REX
PCCARD holders
Business card holders
Misc. holsters/holders (Take
your REX underwater!)
Greg's REX protection
page!
In addition to the info on this page, Greg
also has an excellent summary (w/picures) of many case options (particularly
business card holders) with links on
his site!
For pictures of the REX in the various cases that come with
it, some examples of converted business card cases, and comparisons to other
PDAs, see our REX Pics page.
Amazing - REX 6000 Leather Wallets for
sale - $3.95!
REX leather wallets (not normally available
by themselves) are for
sale here for ony $3.95. They appear to be the REX 6000 wallets that
have the steel plate in them for added protection. The sales pitch is a
work of art - the author should be writing for the J. Peterman catalog:
"Imagine yourself walking down the
street, after setting a very important appointment in your Rex PDA. You
decide that you desperately need to take a break after your harrowing
day at work for a mocha. In you go to the coffee shop, you order your
coffee, you sit down at a table to relax for a minute and you hear a *CRUNCH*
from your back pocket. Unfortuantely, you didn't have your Rex stored
in any protective case to prevent the fragile little screen from cracking
and now it's broken! What are you going to do?...."
Posting this on March 11, 2002. Not sure
how long they will be available....
From Tubalips:
Some more information on the leather wallets
for sale - see below for the original story on March 8:
"Regarding the REX leather cases found
here:
http://www.compgeeks.com/details.asp?invtid=REX-WALLET
These sound like factory-seconds, from
the full description (see bottom of the page). However, they describe them
to be "Made of Fine Quality Faux Leather".
I was under the impression that the wallets
were REAL leather! At least both of mine seem to be. If they are faux leather,
then it is the best I have ever seen! Good price tho'!"
Baker
Products
Baker products sells leather cases for
holding the REX, including a billfold, wallet, and checkbook!
Tech
Center Labs
Several REX products including titaniam
inserts for your REX case, and several other types of REX cases.
Tech Center has removed their REX products
from their order page, due to low demand (they were focused more on the
REX 5000). If you are interested in any new products, drop Gary a line (link
to his email is on the site).
The DS2 case (From Zmcnulty)
"I was clowning around on the DS2 page the other
night, and I found this: http://dataslim.angel.co.jp/products/ds2_need_option.html.
IMHO this is the optimum case for a DS2, the R6K even fits. I know cause
I already own it! It's the included case that you get when you buy a DS2."
The clear hinged flip-top allows you to both see and access
the REX screen. It also appears to allow acess to the REX button controls,
and has an attached pointing device. While not exactly "corporate looking"
it does have some nice features lacking in the alternate two-color plastic
case that comes with some REX units. NOTE: It turns out that the pointer
is not included with the case - you must order it separately from the case.
The REX community completed a group purchase of these cases
via Zmcnulty (who was in Japan for several months in late 2001 and early
2002. It is not possible to order them from Citizen from outside Japan.
If you are interested in one of these cases you will need to have a contact
in Japan who can order them and ship them to you.
Microtech
Vault
"After
a bit of hunting I found the following case from Microtech which offers
excellent protection for my Rex when I feel the need to stuff it into the
back pocket of my jeans and sit on it!
Dimensions: 108 x 73 x 25 mm. The Vault is a fine product, but, alas,
on the heavy side. I carry happily the leather case in my shirt pocket:
no way I can do that with the Vault. But it protects the REX much better
than the leather case. (Franco)
It increases the size of course, but it
is meant to be for those no-jacket days. Best thing is that it costs only
$20 and can also be found in the UK for £20. . . I've doctored it
to take business cards and a pen/stylus courtesy of my old Victorinox Swiss
Card. Very simple to do... and now it really is the ultimate
in protection and convenience. Now I just need to fix on the bottle opener
and corkscrew... :)"
Customized Microtech Vault case looks
mighty cool. (From Roger)
When Roger discovered that the Microtech
case didn't come with a spot for the stylus, so he went to work creating
one. His results look very nice indeed:
And another Microtech Vault customization. (From Luke)
"I have been using the MediaVault case to carry
my REX everywhere (and I love it). I did make some small changes to it
and thought others might be interested. You can see it here: http://www.erinat.com/rex/casemods/
The hole I made so the alarm would be louder didn't work
as well as I thought it would. For some reason I thought that by putting
a hole over the reset button, it would let more sound through - but I
don't think it turned out that way."
Steve has located the Media Vault case on Outpost.com
at a better price, with cheaper shipping.
"Yesterday you posted info about the Microtech PCMCIA
case, and said you can get it for $20 from Microtech. You can actually
get it for $15.95 from outpost.com,
and the shipping is cheaper, too."
Roel found it cheaper at another
site (Feb 27, 2002):
"Just a quick little remark: the
Mircotech Mediavault isn’t cheapest @ www.outpost.com
(which now prices it $25, BTW), but at www.d-store.com.
It is sold at $10.00 over there."
Here's a direct link - currently (June
4, 2002) at $16.50USD:
http://www.d-store.com/Merchant/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=ds&Product_Code=MVPCMCIA
Source for Vault cases in Australia
"Source for Microtech Vault in Australia
http://www.conexus.com.au.
Price AU$37.40 which compares favorably with others given the exchange
rate and delivery. They are in Sydney and don't seem to have an online
store."
Cardstor case options...
(From Jack)
"The Durastor and Cardstor cases are
available from shapenet.com,
pretty cheap, IMHO."
Cases from Shapenet
(Click on Computer Products and select Durastor from the drop-down list.)
Videocases
Plus
PCMCIA card cases that might work well
for your REX case needs. (Thanks, Stephen.)
PCCARD
Packaging
They have tons of options for carrying
and protecting REX-sized PC Cards. Worth looking into! (Thanks, Stephen.)
Includes "hold safe" clips.
From Bill: "I had contacted PC
Card Packaging some time ago about their plastic cases for use with
PC cards. They have a light clear case and a heavy duty case. Their reply:"
"From: Bonnie Kaiden
Subject: RE: where to buy your products
Hi Bill, Thanks for your inquiry. We do actually get calls from private
individuals wanting a case for the Rex Pro. We don't actually sell the
POCKET BOX or any of our other products retail or web based at this time.
But, we're happy to deal with the public on a direct basis. They can contact
us on our email which is [email protected].
We take either a personal check or an individual can pay via Paypal, which
we explain to them. It works quite well. Hope this is helpful.By the way,
can we help you?? Best regards, Bonnie Kaiden PC Card Packaging, Inc."
REX in a standard plastic PCMCIA card
case - the smallest form-factor available. <back
to top>
From Alex
"Well, I just got my "PCCardPackaging"
case, and I love it. They're called "Pocket Box", and you need to specify
that you do not want the "open end" option.
Small, light, strong, what else do you
need? Oh, perhaps somewhere to store the stylus. Well here's my solution:
cut a 1-inch piece of rubber band, loop it, and superglue the two ends
to the top of the case. It works well end looks like this:
To get your own, just PayPal [email protected]
$2 for each case plus $5 for S&H. That's it!"
Available at most computer stores and you may even have
one that came w/a PCCCARD you use on your laptop now! Small, simple, strong,
and best of all, cheap!
Staples case idea (From Peter R.)
"I picked up a Blomus
calling card case at a local Staples. It's stainless steel and looks like
a large flatten Zippo lighter. The Rex 6000 fits with a little room to spare.
A litte felting would probably help keep it from rattling around. The case
is strong enough to sit on without any deflection. Perfect for when you
need a lot of protection. It was only $9.99. You should be able to get it
in Europe as it's made by sks design GmbH. A web link www.blomus.com is
listed on th packaging. The case will only accept upto 1/8" diameter stylus."
From Peter M:
"You recently added a tip from somebody named Peter
(another Peter, not me) regarding a stainless steel case designed by Blomus
and available at Staples. I have not been able to find the case on the Staples
web site, but did see what I think is the same card case at www.letterfolders.com
for $19.99. In particular, see http://www.letterfolders.com/blomstainste.html
, with a nice large picture at http://store3.yimg.com/I/letterfolders-office-equipment_1688_658694
.
And Blomus - Germany speaks!
"RE Blomus card case (from Ralf):
There recently (end of May) were 2 guys named Peter and
Peter discussing about the Blomus business card case holding the Rex 6000.
The one @ letterfolders is the same the other Peter purchased @ Staples.
The card is available in several stores within the US. On www.blomus.com
you can search for a local dealer or you can contact the American subsidiary
company SKS USA in Illinois. Here at SKS design, the manufacturer of the
Blomus products
We thank you for the publicity. None of
us had the idea of sitting on the product to test its quality.
Regards Blomus - Germany"
Netique
Business Card Cases - Looks like they might fit the REX. Very elegant.
Another interesting case option. (From Kellina)
Kellina has another colorful case option that works well
for her.
"I also have a case that I use that others might
be interested in. Since everyone else is sharing their ideas. You can
get it from http://www.baumgartens.com.
It is item stock# 21100. [Click on the
It comes in several translucent colors (see attached
the picture from their website). You can read the REX through the plastic.
It is exactly the size of the REX with the exception of a little space
down the side which I use for a cut-down stylus. The REX fits quite snugly
but I have had no problems getting it in or out. If you don't push the
REX down all the way (1 mm from the bottom?), you can reach all the "toolbar"
buttons and the side buttons. The bottom button (the down arrow) is the
only exception. I suppose a creative crafty person could cut a space out
to reach that. I find I don't use it that much, so I didn't care. It's
other plus is that since it is a business card display case also, you
can set it to a perfect angle to read off the REX at you desk. Or you
know, kill your batteries playing games. The price is right though!! $1.95!!
They charge $5 shipping for each order though."
These cases come in a 12 pack, so you kind of have to commit
to them or buy them as a group. No - we won't be setting up a group buy
. . . :-) Kellina has a few extra - let
me know if you're interested in purchasing one from her.
The
Writer's Edge provides more case options.
(From Carl)
Follow "Card Cases" link under
the Retro 51 section on The Writer's Edge web site for some interesting
card cases that might work well w/the REX:
The White Nickel card case - other metal cases available on their site!
The Attache case
Things
Remembered Business Card Case Option w/Integrated Pen. (From Chuck)
"I have seen a lot of cool cases on
this page and thought I would add my two cents.
I found a business card case at Things
Remembered. There is a small slot to put the Rex and a place for a few
busines cards or plain paper. The key to holding my REX in place was to
use a set of small plastic, self-sticking feet. There is a pen which holds
the case shut that I use as the stylus. The case does a good job of protecting
the REX, but I still would not put in my pants pocket. I have a Microtech
case for that. I have included a picture from the Things Remembered web
page and how I use the case.
Compared to the Microtech Vault
Chuck's case is called the "Pocket
Memo and
Card Case," (Item #502362) and retails on the site for $19.95 USD.
Classy REX business card case option.
(From Laurens)
Laurens has a REX case suggestion that
looks very nice - and a wonderful web page with many pictures and detailed
descriptions:
"A while ago I bought this stainless
steel business card holder. It's strong, looks good, and fits a Rex very
nicely, and leaves a bit of space for stylus (pen), paper, batteries,
etc. For me, I think this is a pretty good candidate for 'best Rex case
option'. I put together a quick & dirty web page with some data &
pictures at http://members.tripod.lycos.nl/schrynem/
.
Oh, and sorry for the Lycos pop-ups :-)"
From Jack:
"...I carry my REX on my belt in a
Ripoff Pager Holster. It's, um, a brand more familiar with cops, and other
people involved with tac gear. You can find it at galls.com.
I use a large one (Model CO-42), because I carry my REX in a Durastor case,
and I have a Cardstor case to hold a spare set of
batteries, a paperclip (to reset the REX), and one of those new lighted
stylus (stylii?). Before the lighted one, I used the thin HP Jornada stylus/stylii....Oh,
and the Ripoff Holster clips OVER the belt, so you don't have to take off
the belt to put the holster on it.
Pager
Case from Galls $12.99
Oh, I forgot, if you prefer something smaller,
I also found a nice pager holster available at Wilson's Leather stores.
It's just large enough to hold a PCMCIA case in it, and a small stylus."
Interesting leather case option
for REX. (From Tom)
"I found the
best REX case that I have seen yet at the Fossil Store.
The REX in the clear plastic slot case fits perfectly in
the back compartment along with the stylus. The front
compartment will hold quite a few credit cards, and to make it perfect there
is a money clip on the back to hold your cash.
The whole thing all loaded up is still smaller than a Palm
in its case. It can be carried in your front pants
pocket without fear of damage to your REX, since the REX is safely in the
hard plastic case. Or you can carry it in a shirt pocket if you prefer.
I bought mine for $13.99 at the Fossil Store at the Sawgrass
Mills mall near Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. Their website lists store locations
around the country, or you can buy
it from the website for $20."
Leather belt-clip case. (From Amy)
"Just thought I'd share a new case
idea I found. It's called the Leather Hip Clip. It's basically a small,
Rex sized leather wallet with a velcro closure that you can clip onto your
belt:
It's small, compact and perfect for what
I was looking for. You may want to put a few business cards in the front
of the case to help protect the screen. You could also keep the Rex it in
it's original leather wallet but it will require a little stretching of
the Hip Clip case.
I bought the case at the following website
for $14.95.
http://www.aperfectwallet.com/wallets.html
The owner of this website/business is really
nice. They get an A+ for customer service."
REX-compatible wallet from Brookstone
(From George)
"Brookstone has a two slot pants pocket
wallet with a belt clip. the rex can slide into one slot and the other will
hold business cards etc. Cost is $20.00"
Otterbox
Cases
For the outdoorsman/woman.
"The 1000 size Otterbox that will
hold a REX inside the Xircom clear plastic PC Card case. The Otterbox
case is just a watertight as the Witz case, plus it will hold plenty of
other tackle, plus it is *truly* crushproof. I feel comfortable going
sailing or canoeing or camping with my REX in one of these. You can get
Otterbox and Witz cases at your local REI."
4-3/8 X 2-7/8 X 1-3/8 Outside Dimensions
3-15/16 X 2-5/8 X 1 Inside Dimensions
Chisco
Cases
Assortment of waterproof cases. The Surf
Safe is waterproof to 100 feet, there is a clear model (read your REX at
depth) and it is only $6.99!! Scroll down on the Chisco page and click on
the "Misc" link in the first column of items.
Datasuit for PalmV makes a great
REX case. (From David)
For those who'd like to carry just a bit
more than their REX, a Palm can be turned into an excellent home for your
REX:
"Also have found a really good carrying
case - the Datasuit
for PalmV - has a clear plastic window where you can insert the Rex
and still use the buttons and touch screen. Also storage for stylus, bits
of paper, small notepad etc... and it's water resistant when zipped up.
Perfect!"
A couple interesting ideas from REX Rumor
Central on cases for the REX:
"Cases-- The case for the Iomega Clik!
drive holds the REX very well, but it doesn't hold the stylus. This is the
silver case. The case for the CF+ 2 adapter for the IBM Compact Flash 340
MB hard drive holds the REX very nicely. This looks like the Tech Center
field case--clear plastic see-through top. There is room for the stylus
near the hinge. There is space under the REX to hold extra batteries. Cut
a small notch in the moled form inside the case, and you could carry the
stylus, extra batteries, and a bit more."
Here are some links to Japanese
sites that show case options.
This
Japanese site shows what looks
like a very cool metal case with room for a sylus. It was custom made by
the owner, and is not available for sale, unfortunately!
www6.shizuokanet.ne.jp/tonet/dataslim/my-case.htm
- an interesting clamshell type hard case with a strap
homepage2.nifty.com/flower-bed/slim/case.html
- several pages of plastic and metal cases (most of the pics show the DataSlim1,
which is the Japanese version of the REX Pro/5000. These were the most interesting!
<g>
