I dropped my unit

[ROT]

I dropped my unit on the driveway while I was getting out of the car yesterday. It wasn't a big drop, about a foot and a half. Function wise, the unit is OK. But the case was all scratched up exposing the white plastic underneath. I had a Casio BE300 before, the build quality was excellent. It had survived all these drops, the worst one dropped from the second floor onto a shoe rack and then bounced off onto a tiled floor. No superficial damage can be detect, everything's fine.

It seemed that the case of the Axim was made of some really cheap plastic, plus the paint wasn't that scratch resistant. I guess pay for what you get.

Now, I am looking for some touch-up paint for some cosmetic surgery on the unit.

[imported_Covert]

Originally posted by ROT
It seemed that the case of the Axim was made of some really cheap plastic, plus the paint wasn't that scratch resistant. I guess pay for what you get.
Well that's not good to hear, but at least the internal components seem durable enough. :(

[Yuta]

Originally posted by ROT
...the worst one dropped from the second floor onto a shoe rack and then bounced off onto a tiled floor. No superficial damage can be detect...

I'd call that a true shock-resistant gadget, dude!:D

[kikedeolivos]

Originally posted by ROT
I had a Casio BE300 before, the build quality was excellent. It had survived all these drops, the worst one dropped from the second floor onto a shoe rack and then bounced off onto a tiled floor. No superficial damage can be detect, everything's fine.

I also had a BE 300 and dropped it violently, from 4 feet to a tile floor. and not a single scratch, nothing.

[12Paq]

The driveway probably had a rougher surface and might have caused greater damage then a smooth tile floor.

I always try to keep my hand on my "unit" whenever possible.

[ROT]

Well, here is a hard surface drop example.

This happen after hours in the machine shop. My BE300 slipped off my hand while I was hurrying home. The unit dropped from hip high onto the metal chips covered concrete floor in half running speed. The unit slide on the floor for at least six feet. The CF card flied out and slide underneath a rack of steel bar. The BE300 lying on the floor with the screen lite up the shop. I have to use the screen to look for the CF card. I do have a couple dent on the face of the unit. Since the dent were on the raw dark colored plastic. You don't see it unless up close.

I am pretty sure most BE300 owners agrees with me on how tough the little BE is.

Also, the BE still a speed champ compared to the Axium in quite a few program like Pocket TV, Calc 98...

The major advantage on Axium is the bigger and better screen, less hassle in getting software installed, SD expansion, removable battery and some real Pocket PC functionality like infrared red & voice recording.

Although my BE is sitting on side line for now. I still brought it with me regularly when I found the Axium to be too bulky in some occasion like jogging... etc.

[ROT]

Want to see hoe bad it is.

Here you go.

Please bear with my poor quality quick cam

[ROT]

Here is another one

[yunez]

my axim fell off my bed and hit a wooden floor. The battery popped out, but otherwise there wasnt a scratch on it.

[Tintin]

Mine dropped onto a wood floor - no problems. I think expecting it to survive a drop onto concrete without a scratch is a bit too much. Try dropping an iPAQ onto concrete and see what happens :)

Even an aluminum skinned Palm would get scratched.

[Yuta]

Originally posted by ROT
The major advantage on Axium is the bigger and better screen, less hassle in getting software installed, SD expansion, removable battery and some real Pocket PC functionality like infrared red & voice recording.

Hey, man, you don't even mention the awful battery life of BE against the awesome one of Axim.

PD: the name of the gadget it's AXIM not AXIUM. Just read the title of the thread.:rolleyes:

[neural]

Wow, it never ceases to amaze me how often people seem to drop these things (PDAs in general, not the Axim). As someone who hasn't yet owned a PDA (I'm getting my first one, an Axim, for Christmas) I realize I could be rather naive in my amazement, but I cannot help being quite shocked at how many threads/posts I've read on this topic over the past few months. I am starting to fear that I too will inevitably succumb to a dropping misfortune of my own. Maybe I should just glue the thing to my hand...

Sorry to hear about your accident, ROT, but I'm glad your Axim seems to still be functioning properly - you could even consider yourself lucky (as other posters haven't been so fortunate).

-neural

[hankhank]

I always try to keep my hand on my "unit" whenever possible.

I hope we still talking about the hardware ... I mean, your equipment ... shoot.. I mean.. u know :D

[Electroman]

It amazes me that these PDA companies haven't thought to put a simple provision for a wrist strap, just like a camera. I mean cmon, you hold a PPC as often as a camera, maybe even more often and a cheapo $20 camera has a wrist strap and PPC's costing hundreds don't. PDA COMPANIES, wrist straps please!!!

I had a Casio E-125 that I dropped from 6' on a hard lineoleum floor and it survived. Only 1 little crack on the corner that hit the ground.

ROT- To get those scratches, give it an "Aximacure"-

Gently file the rough edges with a fine-grit nail file.

Dampen a Qtip with nail polish remover (must have acetone) and apply gently to the scratched area, enough to wet it. Let it sit for a second or two. The acetone will melt the plastic a bit. It will help average out all the scratches in one new color. (I used to do this on the manufacturing floor to fix scratched cases at work). Then wipe the wetted plastic with your finger and smoothen out the rough spots.

[Tintin]

The 1910 has a location for a strap, like a camera and phone. Funny, I was thinking the same thing today (I work for a wireless phone company).

[ROT]

Thanks Electroman for the advice. I'll try your method.

A chunk of material were scraped away at the corner (not just the paint). That's why I say the plastic is not as tough as those on the BE. I kind of measured the two units in a very non-scientific approach. If you look at the Axim where the stylus were. a X-sect of the housing were exposed. It was about .08" thick.

I took apart the BE and the average thickness is about .05". Of course there are thicker section, but the overall thickness for extended flat surface is around that number. It sounds to me that Dell people beefed up the casing so that they can use some weaker material.

Again, this is an inconclusive observation. I don't want to take apart my Dell yet.