Hold On! What a handy holder ...

Serious considerations when using a tablet all day include how not to drop the device, and how to not be gripping it all day (I'm sure our OHS clients would have some sage advice on this point). So once more the AssessmentNinja sallied forth and bought some hardware. The Hand-e-holder.

We have clients working with the 7 inch and 8 inch profile tablets in the field - a format that is just big enough to work effectively, but edging on too wide to grasp in your hand without having to keep a firm grip. 

After a wee while you can get a cramp in your palm from holding the device, so I wanted to be able to recommend a grip that went around the hand, so staff could relax their hand.

Yup. The Hand-e-holder. 

Look, no hands!

The Gear

We have a client undertaking geotechnical site inspections and site health and safety, so in the interests of preserving our hardware we chose the Tab 3 we had loaned them as the target equipment. 

Take one Otterbox-protected Samsung Tab 3...

As they are working in a tough environment, we chose the Hand-e-holder with industrial attachments. this is effectively a deeper mechanical connector between the hand holder and the device. 

...add one Hand-e-holder with attachment ring and instructions.

Installation

This was straightforward. The instructions were clear and easy to follow, and the video on the Hand-e-holder website made things clear. 

However we have an Otterbox with a silicone outer - notoriously difficult to bond anything to. A few quick words from Hand-e-holder staff pointed is in the right direction (thank you Irene!).

Though you can bond the attachment ring to the Otterbox outer, it is better to cut a hole in the silicone outer, and bond the ring to the Otterbox inner hard-case. 

Hand-e-holder can do this for you. When you order your holder, they can source and adapt the Otterbox. I did it myself, because a client needed it quickly.

Hole cut to allow the attachment ring to be... well, attached.

Attachment

This was the hairiest part as far as I was concerned as you have to apply pressure on the back of the device (whilst rocking the hand holder back and forth) until the attachment ring clicks into place. I had horrible thoughts of cracking the screen. 

However, it was easier than I expected and  - hey presto! - I was suddenly in charge of a secure device.

The soft hand strap is attached via another ring with the same non-velcro hooking system.

The attachment ring fits snugly into the hole cut in the Otterbox

The results

I was immediately impressed. The fixture was firm - a good shake didn't dislodge the tablet - and the velcro for the hand strap allowed me to make the strap snug for my grip. 

The material around your hand is soft, and fits comfortably - and also into the palm - no irritating seams or pointy bits.

Rear view - note the camera is unobscured.

The adjustment on the strap has been well thought out - there is a strong metal ring that the hand-strap goes through, which for the ultra-paranoid can also be used to attach a lanyard.

Detail showing the attachment point.

Much better! I can relax my hand and use the tablet.

But wait, there's more!

The Hand-e-holder is comfortable, and I was immediately aware of how much tension you can get in your palm and lower arm when holding a tablet - because suddenly it was gone.

Another bonus to the Hand-e-holder is that it can be rotated, so you may start working in portrait mode, and can then spin the device to landscape when needed. Or simply adjust the angle to a more natural angle that relieves tension in your lower arm.

Post-amble

I am happy to release our tablet back to the construction site and that both my goals have been met; the device is better protected and the users will have a better experience in using the device, and consequently our software. 

It is interesting to compare this type of add-on, against the Otterbox Latch we reviewed recently. I did like the Otterbox Latch - with the clip points for lanyard, and the easy attachment/removal corner loops . However the big win for the hand-e-holder is that the camera is not obscured - a major downfall for the Latch series.

I will ask our OHS clients what they have noted about using tablets in the field and bring back any new insights on posture, grip and how this type of add-on can help keep people safe from an OHS perspective.