Written by Brandon on Monday, May 21, 2007

Review: Give Yourself A freeHAND

Question: What do you do when you’re heading out into the wild world we live in and you don’t have a single pocket on your body? Where do you put your license, your credit card, your car/house keys? What about that phone you can’t stand to be more than 2 feet away from?

Answer: I don’t have a clue where you put them… but I know where I’m putting them now!!

What is it?

freeHAND is a product from ventureDESIGNworks (vDw) that really pushes the envelope for what we consider a "pocket" or a place to keep our valuables when we hit the road running. The "unique" stretch opening provides safe storage for your iPod, cell phone and everything between the nano and the Treo. *Statements have not been verified 100% but I shoved a ton of stuff into the freeHAND and I couldn’t believe how big it could grow!

What does it do?

Surprisingly this is a very tough question. I mean I know what the freeHAND is designed to do, and what the product sheet says it is supposed to do, but to honest I don’t really want to pigeon hole this product by giving it a single label. Generically, the freeHAND is a pocket for the back of your hand… but it really is so much more than that. The freeHAND is one of the coolest and yet most "duh, why didn’t I think of that" products I’ve seen in a long time.

Read on for more:

Now, admittedly the first thing I thought when I saw this package was how uncomfortable this thing was going to be. Looking at the package as it came out of the USPS wrapper my mind instantly (because I’m a pessimist) was focused on how the freeHAND looked like it was made out of some horrible plastic. WHOOPS!!! Was I wrong on that one.

The freeHAND is a mix of perforated neoprene, soft mesh and quite honestly is very comfortable, surprisingly durable and not to mention breathable.

As you can imagine I’ve done what I can do to beat this thing up… and I’m impressed!!! But before we get to that… nah forget it. Let’s shove some stuff in to this thing!

iPod nano – I was a bit concerned with the nano falling out just because it is about the same size as the unstretched opening in the top. But after about an hour in the backyard (mowing the lawn) I’m not worried anymore. The coolest thing is that even while covered by the mesh I could still use the wheel for volume/song control. The picture doesn’t show to well… but the screen also fairly readable so you don’t need to take the nano out. A 30-80GB iPod would likely be even easier due to the screen size.

Credit Cards, Cash… don’t have room for a wallet? No problem. Honestly this may be a better choice than a wallet if you’re out traveling, because I really can’t see someone pick pocketing anything outta here!

The Razr – like it was made to be there. Getting things in sometimes can prove to be a challenge and the Razr was no different. I can’t imagine you’d be able to get the Razr out without hitting one of the side buttons however you "should" be able to get it out in time to answer an incoming call. I’m not trying to say this is a product flaw because easy in means easy out… I’d rather it be a bit tough to get something in instead of being half a mile down the trail and realizing I lost my phone!

Alright - no cheating. What do you think this is? Remember the freeHAND is designed to hold cash, iPods maybe a cell phone…

That’s right – it’s an iPaq. An rx3115 Mobile Media Companion to be exact. If you’ve ever used one before you know how big this thing is. If not, then this will help:

rx3115 = 2.8"w x 4.5"h

iPod nano = 1.6"w x 3.5"h

razr = 2.09"w x 3.86"h

Yup… the rx3115 is almost an inch wider than the other two, and about 1/2" wider than the biggest device they figured to put in it – the Treo 750. Not bad from an opening that starts out just over 1" wide.

Conclusion

Cost: $22

How to Buy

Seriously cool. Nothing much more to say. I’ve found a ton of uses for the freeHAND beyond carrying my techie junk while out with my family on the bicycles. Everything from having a lightbulb with me as I climbed up the ladder to change a burnt out one, to having the screws and plugs there while I put up shelves for my daughter. I also think the freeHAND is much more practical for the "work-out crowd" than a custom fitted MP3 player armband simply because once the workout is over the freeHAND can accommodate other things where the armband is going to have to sit on the shelf. Realistically I can’t label the freeHAND as anything more than money well spent on a practical solution to many common problems.

My only complaints… There’s a black cushion type thing behind the mesh that needs to be sewn down at the top. I found myself fighting the cushion a couple times when I didn’t want to. And there needs to be an XL size as I can see someone with bigger hands than me having some fit issues. Shaq for example