The Flip-Clip and cover are a very simple design. So simple, in fact, that it's almost foolproof. Both pieces have corresponding detents at the fully closed and 120 degree open positions. While the cover doesn't actually "snap" closed, the detents keep it in place and prevent it from swinging open if the Visor is held upside down. With a little practice, opening the cover while holding the Visor with one hand is easy to do. HotSync's can also be performed in the cradle with the cover attached.

In the 120 degree open position, the weight of the cover can sometimes cause it to close with only a slight movement. To overcome this, I adopted the "hold-open-with-the-left-thumb" technique to keep it from closing during use. This technique does not help if using the Visor with a Stowaway keyboard however. I found I either had to open the cover to the full 180 degrees (impossible with an oversized module), or remove it from the clip.

I had suspicions about using any kind of flip cover in conjunction with a Springboard module, especially oversized ones. Well, the good news is that the Flip-Clip and cover can be used with any standard sized module. The cover can be opened as far as 180 degrees as long as there's nothing protruding from the top of the module (like the dongle on a Thinmodem, which only limits a full opening slightly). For use with an oversized module (by definition for this review, an oversized module is one that extends above the top of the Visor, like the Handspring Modem), the cover opening is limited to the default 120 degrees. Tactilis has tested the Flip-Clip and cover with the following modules and found them to be compatible: Handspring Modem, Innogear MiniJam, Minstrel S, Glenayre @ctivelink, and the VisorPhone. I tested with the Backup, Thinmodem and SpringPort modules.

How you carry your Visor is a matter of great personal preference. For those who prefer slipping it into their pocket, the Flip-Clip and cover should work. The cover seems durable enough to offer a fair amount of screen protection. The poor fit of the reproduction cover, however, causes it to sometimes pop off its mounting tabs if too much pressure is applied to the face. Hopefully, the Flip-Lid will eliminate this with its form-fitting design. I personally like to carry my Visor on my belt. Having used an E&B Slipper for a while, I recently started using a Handspring Sport Case. The Flip-Clip and cover still allow me to use the case, even though the fit is snug due to the added width of the clip and cover.

One of my biggest concerns when using my Visor is how to protect its screen while sitting on a desk or table. For some reason (attributed to that guy named Murphy, I think), the exposed screen has always bothered me. Well, no more. The Flip-Clip and cover have given me an added level of security about placing the Visor on my desk.

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