Crux 360 Finally - Leaves much to be desired
I have been watching this thread for a long time. I wanted a keyboard and a case that were attached but still allowed me to use the ipad in tablet mode without the keyboard and without having to set it some where.
In december the Zaggmate came out. I immediately bought one but within one day of use sent it back. The metal rim cut into my wrists, the ipad was very hard to get out of the case and (for some reason) I was under the impression that it allowed you to put the ipad in screen up and use it. I found out that wasn't the case.
I then ordered the Crux 360. Yes, in December. I got it last week. Yes, that's NINE MONTHS.
Delay, delay, delay, delay, delay and a few more delays. Then I changed to the iPad2, delay, delay, and hey it finally shipped!
Well I have had it for about 8 days now and I just sent Crux an email saying thanks but no thanks. There are, IN MY OPINION, some major flaws.
First is with the smart cover feature. The Crux 360 supports the ipad2's new smart cover. When you close it, it turns the screen off. and when you open it it unlocks the screen. Well.. when you flip it around in tablet mode the sensor picks up the magnet, auto locking the screen every time. So you open it, screen turns on. Flip it to tablet mode, screen turns off and locks. Now you havet to push the button and unlock every time. How this thing shipped like this after 9 months is beyond me.
What makes it worse is if the screen lifts away from the keyboard an inch or two and comes back down, the screen locks again!! frustrating...
The keyboard spacebar has an issue for me personally. I only hit the spacebar with my right thumb. Never left. Well the spacebar button is noticably on the LEFT side of the actual spacebar itself. I have to mash the spacebar or move my hand over about 10 mm before i can get the spacebar to register a push. When typing without error correction about half of my words do not have spaces. Horrible typing experience because of that.
Another thing that I'm suprised made it through the 9 month ordeal is the bluetooth keyboard power button. The one thing the Zagg had going for it was an actual, physical slide button that made it real clear to turn the bluetooth keyboard on/off.
The Crux 360 has this awful, concave button that has to be held down for 3-4 seconds before the keyboard powers on or off. Need to go from laptop mode to tablet mode real quick? Nope. gotta turn that keyboard off first. 1, 2, 3, 4 ok red blinky light now I can move on. And the button being recessed really hurt my big finger. (I know it's a stupid complaint but as much as I need to go back and forth it mattered).
THere were some other less major but not minor complaints like the weight (has to be heavy to keep from tipping back but with the ipad2 my ThinkPad x120e has less weight to it!) Also, with the difficulty of opening the case from being closed. THere's nothing to grab on to really. just a small slit like on the clamcase. I'm a guy, I don't have fingernails and I don't like them being bent backwards...
Actually the clamcase and the crux 360 for ipad2 are very VERY similar in design with the exception of the keyboard. So most likely won't be going with the Clam Case either.
This is really a bloody shame. I really thought (and still hope) that Crux has an excellent design. But they really need to get on these issues.
So now I have a brand new iPad 2 and no where to go. Well at least nothing for it to wear. I have no case no stand no keyboard. I'm a utilitarian / tech guy. I prefer tactical over executive, durable rubber over leather and cloth, and function over form any day...
So after 2 iPads and 9 months I'll most likely admit defeat, settle for a cheap, simple leather folio / keyboard combo off
ebay... But I'll continue to watch this thread to see if something new and promising pops up!
Best wishes to all.
*again, this is my opinion for the little that it's probably worth*
-~The Crimson Knight~-
