I recently had the opportunity to evaluate a new case from Scribble. The Chameleon, for the Palm m100 series.

I was quite eager to field test the Chameleon because I had stopped wearing my PDA on my belt when, due to the daily abuse I put my PDA through while working, the screen broke several times.  The Chameleon appeared solid and offered the protection I had been looking for in a case.  The Chameleon would certainly stand up to my first impressions.

After using the case for several weeks in the field, it offered a level of protection and customizability that I have rarely found in a case for a PDA.  The Chameleon took many bumps and bangs securely clipped to my belt as I went about my job as a TV news cameraman. The m105 inside was as safe as could be.  I spent a day outside in the rain and snow and my m105 didn’t get wet one bit.

Even while my m105 was secure in the case, I was still able to take advantage of the clock feature of the m105 by pressing the Scribble logo button on the front of the case. The time and date then appeared in the elliptical window.

If you wear your PDA on your belt, the Chameleon has a handy belt-clip included, or if you prefer to just carry it in a pocket or briefcase the belt clip button quickly unscrews from the back of the case.  The Chameleon is made from purpose injection moulded from ABS plastic and lined with high-density impact absorbing foam.  If you're into accessorizing your case to go with what you wear or to go with the available coloured face plates for your m100 series Palm, the Chameleon has colour changeable snap-in sheets.  Another great feature is the built-in stylus silo on the back of the case so you don’t need to remove the m105 to access the stylus.

The only feature scribble needs to work on is a way to secure the PDA in the case.  If you open the case too quickly the PDA may fall out.  I customized mine by finding a small strip of Velcro and applying it to the inside back of the case and to the back of the m105, although I am sure that Scribble will address this problem quickly. [editor's note: I just received word today (07/05/01) that Scribble is, in fact, redesigning this case so the m100 is held securely in place.]

Over all, if you are looking for a rugged case that offers an extremely high level of protection and customizability, I suggest you give The Chameleon from Scribble a look.