http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/avoglio-pouch-review.html

That's just way too pricey. I know they are exotic but that's too much jones. It's ironic that I've suggested to a couple of companies to make the same thing in a nice soft leather but no interest!! Now I'm converted to the Ipaq 38xx coverpaq anyway so I doubt I'll be switching.

Have a good one

The only thing I would change is a flap with a snap on it to cover the top. Two main reasons...1- to completely protect it when in my purse...2- so my MS will stay put if it decides to pop out like it usually does.

Looks very nice!

I am engaged to a person from Louisiana, so I asked him about the Louisiana 'Gator industry. Even though I already knew that people eat alligator (heck, I've even tried it), I just wondered what he knew about the overall industry and how the animals were harvested.

He said that the lower end of Louisiana is total swamp-land. It is also over-run with alligators, which are a people-nuisance in some areas. The true Cajuns live in these areas. They actualy use boats to get around, not cars - they live in the swamps, with all that that entails, just like you see in the movies.

The aligator industry is state regulated, so these Cajuns have to apply for permits to harvest these critters, which they do as their sole form of income for their families.

Not a single portion of the alligator is ever wasted, whether it is to be eaten by humans, used for leather accessories, or whatever.

I can't really speak for the ostrich industry, but I do know that people also eat those birds' meat and their eggs. I would imagine that just like emus, the oils from the ostrichs' skins are used for many health products here and abroad. So I believe that this is another "total-animal" industry that is using the hide as a by-product of a "for-slaughter" animal.

I realize that as a vegetarian you may still find this disturbing, but as a rancher, I understand and respect the concept that nothing is going to waste, and that the animal is not soley being killed for it's hide.

Snikker: This case was designed to look like the sleeve that comes with the iPAQ, I stated that in my review. There are people that like the form factor of the sleeve design, but that want it to be made from something nicer than pleather.

Also, neither Louisiana Alligators nor ostrich are considered "rare" species, just exotic (which basically means they are not cow, goat or sheep).

Hope this helps,
Judie :0)

1) The aligator skin is not wasted in any way. Even the smallest parts of a skin will be used for production (not ours but other industry), e.g. for watch bracelets and other smaller items. Its a complete big worldwide industry.

2) By dealing with such exotic animals we need to follow strickt worldwide governmental rules. We need to get a registration number for <b>each</b> skin which we buy. This number certifies that that skin was gathered according to the Washington Convention to save animals.
We as a company keep this written document if we are being asked by customs or other authorities. Especially the US takes much care for such regulations.

3) In Louisiana there exist farms which keep aligators like others keep cows or pigs. Those are the skins we use as well as the ones Judie describes. BTW the Louisiana aligator is the worlds most prescious and famous.

The same applies to ostrich from South Africa. They have farms were ostrich are kept.

Be assured that no one of our partners deals with wild animals or their products.

One more word to the comments regarding the open top of the case:

The case is strong enough to keep your handheld inside even if flipped around 180 degrees. Personally I happened to have 3 recents drops of my iPAQ inside the cover and, guess what, the case absorbed it all from 1meter height and more. You won't need a top close.
The reason for the open top is important for iPAQ users. They will still be able to see the flashing alarm light when inside the Avoglio case. In addition its easier to get the handheld out of the case.

Regarding the pricing one last thing. Compare our products with the world market. You will find that many of the more sophisticated products easily reach 130-150 US$. For that price they offer ordenary cow skin. Are you really willing to buy ordenary cow skin (even if printed aligator or ostrich style) ? Would you buy a fake ?
Or would you prefer to add just some little more dollar (10-30) and have a dream come true: your personal real excotic leather case in your very own color !

Your case looks very interesting! I'll be contacting you for more info shortly.

For everyone else, check here:
http://www.adapture.com/PreZent/