It’s a known fact that whatever PDA I get, you can be sure that we will get every type of accessory under the sun for it – since it’s a lot cheaper than pimping my Honda CRV, I spend whatever spare change I have on pimping my PDAs! Rawr!

Ok so here’s the latest to our “Pimp Your 8502″ edition, the iMate Ultimate 8502 Leather Case (Book Type). Like its flip type version already featured this week on the blog, you can use you iMate Ultimate 8502 while having it securely covered in the case. Unlike the flip type, it opens like a book.

Features of the Mr.Gadget iMate Ultimate 8502 Leather Case (Book Type)

• Made from cowhide leather
• Removable 360 degrees belt clip included
• Opens and closes with magnetic studs,for ease of use
• White stitch finishing, making this case look more classy

Mr.Gadget iMate Ultimate 8502 Leather Case (Book Type) @ Mr.Gadget Australia

imate Ultimate 8502 photo, originally uploaded by mrgadget_oz.

Here’s a picture that I took with my iMate Ultimate 8502 as one of our readers said he was having problems with the inbuilt camera. I think it looks ok for a 2MegaPixel PDA camera!
I’ve been using it for the last 2 weeks mostly for Address Book contacts and it’s been fine.

Thoughts?

24 hours after unboxing my new iMate Ultimate 8502 I thought I’d make a video and share it with the world!

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWqy-LN_PeY]

[photopress:imate_ultimate_8502_firstday.gif,full,centered]

I know, I know for the last couple of weeks I’ve been saying that I had my heart set on a iMate Ultimate 9502, but after revisiting the size and weight options I decided that the iMate Ultimate 8502 would be more suitable for me this time. I also liked the idea of not having to unclip my leather case to type out a detailed SMS or note. Besides the iMate Utimate 8502 has all the same specs without the slide-out keyboard with the bonus of being lighter and thinner.

So off I went at lunchtime to visit the only Telstra Store in Melbourne that had 8502s, Tshop Bourke Street. The 9502s are expected later this week. Kris, the Tshop assistant was helpful, organised my upgrade from my chunky JasJam and finally escape with the store’s first iMate Ultimate 8502.

Microsoft ActiveSync 4.5.0 took around 5 minutes to sync all my contacts, calendar, tasks and notes. All went smoothly without any hitches. Now comes the task of reinstalling all my software…Microsoft Voice Command will be my first!

First 2 hours impression:
Likes
- Clear sharp screen
- Thinness and lightness (compared to my Jasjam)
- Performance is responsive
- Little Joystick
- Tiny QWERTY keyboard is actually decent to use
- No crashes yet
- Not-cheap looking holster case
- Secure stylus that doesn’t slip out easily
- Side volume control buttons

Dislikes
- No GPS software packaged in
- Can’t find the reset hole
- Default Voice Dialling software is so eighties
- Want an extra button so I can assign Microsoft Voice Command to it
- Camera quality (need to take more photos)