If you read my review of the Keyport Slide V.01, you’ll know that I was pretty taken with it. An elegant way to remove the fumble and jangle (hey wasn’t that a U2 album?) from your keys, it really felt like a step forward on the evolutionary scale of pocket garni. A truly excellent piece of engineering. Not much room for improvement I thought. But then, a few of weeks ago, I received a new one, a Keyport Slide 2.0. How wrong I was.
The 2.0 has done away with the metal enclosure of the V1.0 in favor of a polycarbonate body and an Ultem* bezel and end cap. At first it felt a little light and maybe fragile in comparison, but after using it for about two months, those concerns were for naught. The lighter weight of the polycarbonate is a welcome (although barely noticeable) difference, and it imparts a much smoother action to the keys. It also gives the 2.0 a satin finish that looks and feels great. Other new features include a built in swivel “spinner ring” and removable logo badges on the sides.
Other than that, the Keyport Slide 2.0 stays largely the same. It uses the same key blanks and accessory inserts (LED flashlight, USB Flash Drives, bottle opener and barcode insert), has a serial number in case it is lost, and continues to cause people to ask me what it is. Oh, and I almost forgot; even though this iteration feels like a step forward in design, it is actually ten bucks cheaper!
The Good:
- Lighter weight
- Smoother action
- Customizable (via logo panels)
- Uses same the key blanks
- Built in spinner!
- Less expensive
The Bad:
- Keys remain a minor hassle to order, but again, not a deal breaker.
Would I reccommend: Whole heartedly YES. If you are into gadgets, smart design and/or ride a motorcycle, The 2.0 is for you.
The Keyport Slide 2.0 – $29.00
The More You Know: Ultem resins are used in medical and chemical instrumentation due to their heat resistance, solvent resistance and flame resistance, it also has high mechanical properties and performs in continuous use to 340°F (170°C).
All images via mykeyport.com