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Velcro Alternatives?

Posted by Cliff on from the hook-side-attaches-to-fuzzy-side dept.

sniglet999 asks: "I've got a PDA and a Nokia cellphone that can connect to the net. However the IR port on the phone is on the side, and the port on the PDA is on the top. This means I've got to hold the two together, line of site for the connection to work (with increasingly cramping hands, I might add). The idea of mounting velcro to a notepad, so that you could stick the PDA and the phone in the proper position sounds good, but I don't want velcro and it's associated adhesive attached permanently to either expensive device. 3M has some cool hooks that adhere to the wall with a pull strip. Pull the strip and the hook is removed, leaving no residue on the wall. Is there something like this on a velcro backing? Is there another solution? (Short of making and attaching a light pipe. The whole objective behind all of this was to carry less)!" These aren't the "cool hooks" the submittor had in mind, but might these serve as a way of mitigating the problem (since they are self mating, they don't suffer the major problems of velcro). Does anyone else have alternatives to velcro which they use and prefer?

3 of 17 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Duct Tape. by unitron · · Score: 3
    Use the WD-40 to remove the duct tape or Velcro adhesive residue.

    You might be able to remove the Velcro adhesive residue with those alcohol impregnated pop-up wipes that computer stores sell at ridiculously high prices. If not, wet the wipe with de-natured alcohol or WD-40.

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  2. Rubber Bands? by Royster · · Score: 3

    I already use a rubber band to keep the antenna from breaking off of my cell modem. A card board backing cut to the shape of the units and a few rubber bands should keep everything in place without glue.

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  3. Reflector? by SEWilco · · Score: 3
    You could redirect the beam with a reflector or an IR repeater. One possible use would be to bounce the beam from the top of the PDA toward the side, with the phone next to the PDA.

    This configuration can be more portable by fastening it on a board, such as Velcro loops to hold the two devices -- and the Velcro fastened to the board (or passed through slots on the board). There are small clipboards which may be useful.

    Also note that by using a reflector, the phone can be mounted in a vertical position and held in place with a belt clip or cradle.

    For the reflector, I suggest polished copper. Copper is a very good IR reflector. You can get copper sheets at hobby and craft shops -- although it's easy to test with a shiny copper coin just to see if it works. Copper should be coated with a sealer to protect it from oxidation, unless you find that an old penny works for you.