It's no secret by now that I intend to be using Cache901 in the field. This means taking it out on the trail where it can be dropped, fallen on, stepped on, dumped in streams, and generally abused. Since electronics and abuse generally don't mix too well, I've been working on putting together something to help protect my Asus EEE 901 from that abuse.

This box is still a work in progress, but you can get an idea of where things are going with it. Before showing you the box, I'd like to tell you what I needed to be able to put into the box.

• Asus EEE 901
• USB-Serial Adapter (to provide a serial port for my GPS)
• Garmin serial cable
• Treo 650 (for dialup access which usually works)
• Cable for the Treo 650
• xD Card Reader (since I use a Olympus Camedia D-540 Zoom on the trail)
  
• USB hub to reduce number of connections to Asus EEE 901
  

Since I wear my Garmin Foretrex 101 like a wristwatch, that is not something that needed to go into the box. The rest, though, should go into the box. Furthermore, the box should be light, durable, compact and watertight. Looking around for a box that met these qualifications led me to the Pelican 1080 hard case. Though it does double the weight of the laptop, I do have everything except for my phone kept in there. If you check out the picture, you'll see why.

My issues right now are pretty simple, and I only have two of them. The first is that I bought the thicker foam lining, while I should bought the computer lining. The result would have been thinner, and kept the case easier to open. The second is the number and length of the cables. I can't really reduce the number without reducing the functionality that I have. But I can do something about the length, and I intend to do so soon.

Even with all that, though, this case, configured this way, gives me a feeling of security for my Asus EEE 901 while out and about. I don't worry about dropping it, since the foam will act as a shock absorber. I don't even worry about dropping it in a pond or some such, since the case is watertight.All in all, I'm pleased with what I have.

Of course, I would be remiss not to show pictures. For now, until I complete the box and do something much better picture wise, I'll ask you to settle for these two pictures. And, of course, they are clickable to get full size images.

Now, the more astute among you will have noticed that I did not provide links to buy everything. That's because some of it is discontinued, and other bits of it I just haven't found a place to buy from that I'd be happy telling you to go to. If you find a store that sells something on the list and are happy with the results, let me know and I'll link to them here. You can get in touch with me at either the Contact Us link in the upper right, or via my personal email address of m(dot)pedersen(at)icelus(dot)org.

Happy caching!