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MultiPivot
PDA Accessory
Reviewed
by: Jack
Reikel, send
e-mail
Published
by: CyberKnight
LLC, go
to the web site
Requires: Can
be used with most PalmOS or PocketPC PDAs, GPS units, GameBoy
Advance, many MP3 players, calculators, TV remote control
devices, small electronic meters and multimeters
MSRP: $19.95 |
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I
dropped a Handspring Prism the other day. Needless
to say, a drop on-edge from about 3 feet (1 meter)
onto concrete destroyed one side of the case, cracked
the screen and rendered the device inoperable. I
had been using the PDA as a reference while typing
on a laptop. Someone called me, I turned, bumped
the laptop which bumped the Prism which tumbled over
the edge of the desk on which everything was placed.
Bye bye Prism. I had already received the MultiPivot
PDA accessory for review when this accident took
place and immediately wished I had been using it. |
The MultiPivot is a simple device designed to hold a PDA,
MP3 player or other small device, propping it up at different
angles on a desk or shelf, or securing it to different surfaces
while displaying it at a particular angle. The MultiPivot
consists of three flat aluminum plates. The plates are connected
by a lockable axle which is loosened and tightened by two
thumbscrews. Attach a device to the MultiPivot by means of
supplied, adhesive backed Velcro patches. MultiPivot's manufacturer,
CyberKnight, provides an extra velcro patch which can be
used to secure the MultiPivot itself to different surfaces.
Getting used to the MultiPivot takes a bit of time. Although
the device is quite sturdy enough for most regular use, avoid
overtightening the locking thumbscrews or you'll strip their
threads quickly. Remembering to use the MultiPivot in the
first place is something else to worry about - old, bad habits
die hard apparently. It took about three weeks to become
accustomed to the differences between a 'bare' PDA and one
attached to a MultiPivot. After placing a patch of velcro
(being careful not to cover the reset hole) on a new Sony
Clie TG50 (the replacement for my Visor Prism) I was able
to attach it to the MultiPivot vertically, horizontally and
set it for a variety of different viewing angles. Locking
the device position was a simple matter of tightening the
pivot axle thumbscrews. One of the aluminum plates on the
device has a curled edge which I found hooked nicely onto
the upper edge of a copy holder next to my monitor, making
it easy for me to transcribe notes from the PDA.
I am getting enough use out of the MultiPivot in enough
different locations that I decided to hit the local fabric
store for some additional velcro. With additional desktop
patches at home and at my office, the MultiPivot can be used
securely everywhere I need it.
Cons: The edge finishing on our review unit was good but
not great. A little more polishing is needed to really smooth
things. Although the MultiPivot can be configured to hang
on your belt with the PDA attached, we don't recommend this
sort of carry because it's too easy for the PDA to get caught
on the edge of a door or other object and be stripped off
the velcro and onto the ground. Use of the MultiPivot perched
or semi-clamped to the top of a laptop screen (as suggested
in the product documentation) is also a questionable practice.
The documentation is poorly laid out and crowded onto both
sides of a single sheet of paper using a rather small font
in order to get everything in.
Pros: It works as advertised. I've been using MultiPivot
for weeks on my desk and in the car and it hasn't failed.
My Clie does not reflect glare from ceiling lights into my
eyes anymore while I'm working at my desk because the PDA
is now always supported at a proper reading angle. The MultiPivot
is one of those things that you don't think you need until
you get one, after which you find all sorts of uses for it.
If you're constantly placing your PDA or MP3 player on flat
surfaces, try the MultiPivot.
Letters
to the Editor are welcome and occasionally abused in public.
Send e-mail to: whine@kickstartnews.com
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