My reviews of four cases after using each over the last 3 days. Not real extensive use, but enough to figure out what's good and bad about each, and how I feel about them. None of them are my "ideal" case, so I'll undoubtedly be trying more and adding more reviews to this thread.
X-dorna Defense Lux (“Cabon Fiber”)
First Impressions: This case has a lot of good reviews (on other phones) online, so I thought I’d give it a shot. I’m not sure how I feel about it. The case material is very hard and stiff, with no soft padding at all. It seems to me it will transfer the energy from an impact right into the phone. There’s a reason football helmets, motorcycle riding jackets, and pretty much every other impact protection have a compressible liner: compressing that material absorbs energy that would otherwise go through to the head / body / whatever.
OTOH, the box says it’s “certified to survive a 10’ drop onto concrete. But what does that mean. Does the case survive a 10’ drop? How about the phone? Does it survive with no damage at all, or does minor damage that doesn't affect function count as "survived"? No details are provided. It also “exceeds mil-std-810G.” Which doesn’t mean as much as you might think: https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/phone-cases-military-drop-test-standards/
The truth is that none of these claims by manufacturers amount to much, because they're all self tested, and no details are provided.
The aluminum band seems to be more for style than function, because it doesn’t actually cover the parts of the case most likely to see an impact: the corners and edges.
Oh, and I put “Carbon Fiber” in quotes in the title because it’s really not a very good imitation of CF. It looks like exactly what is is: molded plastic.
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https://xdorialife.com/products/galaxy-s9-plus-case-defense-lux?variant=360800059408
In use review: Disappointing. On the positive side, it has significant raised edges on the top and bottom to keep the screen safe when you set the phone face down. But that’s about it.
I’m still not convinced it offers as much protection as many less expensive cases. It’s also bulky, adding quite a bit to both the width and thickness of the phone. In fact, it’s by far the thickest of the cases I’ve tried so far. The added thickness makes it harder to get my fingers on the FPS in back, and I got some read errors with this case, and not any of the others. I have fairly small hands, and really feel the added bulk. The edges of the case contain sharp angles, rather than the rounded forms of most cases, and I found them pretty uncomfortable. The button action is pretty good, but stiffer than the other cases tested here. I’m going to see if I can send this one back.
Spigen Ultra Hybird
First Impressions: I had a similar case for my S7 Edge made by Ulack, which was one of my favorites. A hard, clear polycarbonate back surrounded by an impact absorbing TPU bumper, with addition corner protection in the form of "air bubbles" between the TPU and the phone. But the Spigen is disappointing in comparison, in multiple ways.
The Ulak case had raised “feet” in the corners of the back, which kept the polycarb off of whatever surface you laid it down on . The Spigen doesn’t. Put the phone down, and it’s going onto that clear plastic back. I suspect it going to get all scratched up very quickly. And even before putting it on a phone, the clear plastic back shows huge amounts of rainbow effect. Not impressed so far.
https://www.spigen.com/products/galaxy-s9-plus-case-ultra-hybrid?variant=570814824449
In use review: A mixed bag. The case looks nice, and the clear back shows off the phone, especially if you got something other than black. It’s narrower than the Caseology Parallax, so it’s easier for me to hold, but probably offers a little less impact protection as a result. It’s got raised edges at top and bottom for when you set the phone face down. They’re not as tall as on the X-doria or the Caseology, but should be good enough as long as you’re not setting the phone down on rough finished concrete. The button action is typical Spigen – very good. Oddly, the volume buttons are harder to press than the power button, but that’s not a real issue. My only real objection to this case is, as I mentioned in first impressions, that the clear back is going to end up getting scratched up pretty quickly, unless you always set your phone face down. The rainbows I saw with the case off the phone aren't visible when it's installed on a black phone, but I can't say whether they will be on a lighter one. Oh, and the back of this case is as much a fingerprint magnet as the bare phone.
Caseology Parallax
First Impressions: Similar to the better known Spigen neo-hybrid. Black TPU with a semi-rigid plastic band around the edge. In theory the plastic band should help distribute the force of an impact over a greater area, reducing the forces acting on the phone (like the hard shell of a motorcycle helmet). In reality, the band is so thin I’m not sure it makes much difference. But it certainly won’t hurt anything. The TPU isn’t as soft as some, but it’s certainly not as hard as the X-doria case. Probably a good compromise. The sides are thicker than some cases I’ve looked at, which is a good thing, but there doesn’t seem to be any extra corner protection. The box says it’s been “drop tested 26 times,” but without more data that’s meaningless. From how high? Onto how hard a surface? Did the phone suffer any damage in those drops? They don’t say.
The Caseology has one feature which none of the other cases offer. It has a sloping section below the FPS to, I guess, guide your finger to the sensor. I suspect this will reduce the likelihood of hitting the camera lens instead of the FPS.
https://www.caseologycases.com/products/galaxy-s9-plus-parallax-case
In use review: I like this case quite a bit. The TPU is a little thicker than the Spigen, which may translate into a bit better impact resistance. The tradeoff is that, if you have small hands, it’s a little harder to hold one-handed. The sides of the case are a little taller than the other cases, which may offer better protection if the phone lands on one side. They don’t interfere with the edge functions, either. Like the other cases, it has a raised top and bottom edge to keep the screen off whatever surface you set the phone down on. The button action is very good – every bit as good as the Spigen. This case, and the Ringke, have the opening for the flash and HR sensor in a separate little window from the cutout for the lenses and flash. That may help keep your fingerprints off the lenses. The slope to the FPS that I mentioned above, as it turns out, doesn’t help at all. I end up putting my finger on the slope, instead of the FPS, and then have to slide it up. The shorter cutouts on the Spigen and Ringke are better. But I could easily live with this case as a daily driver.
Ringke Onyx
First Impressions: Your basic “little black dress” of a case. Plain TPU, thinner and softer than the Caseology. But it’s very nice looking. I like the brushed metal look of the back. Should offer about as much protection as other inexpensive TPU cases without adding very much bulk to the phone.
https://www.ringkestore.com/products/galaxy-s9-plus-ringke-onyx?variant=6366033739803
In use review: It’s fine. If you value a case that doesn’t add bulk, this will do the job. The button action is the best of the four. It feels almost like you have no case on at all. Like the Parallax, it has a separate window for the flash and HR sensor, and the cutout makes the FPS easy to find and reach.
Conclusions: The X-Doria is a non-starter for me. Just too bulky for the protection it seems to offer, and uncomfortable to boot. The other three are all acceptable, depending on what you’re looking for. I like the look and feel of the Ringke Onyx the best, but it seems to offer the least protection. The Parallax probably offers the best compromise between bulk and protection, but the FPS opening is makes using the FPS more awkward than it needs to be. Finally, if you want to show off the back of your phone, the Ultra Hybrid seems fine, other than the issue of scratches. I probably wouldn’t choose it for a black phone, though.
Hope you find this useful.
Here's one more, and I have another Ringke case on order.
”Luxury” Ultra-Thin…..Hard Back Case
First Impressions: These are available in multiple colors, from multiple sellers on ebay. You can pay as much as $7 or $8 from a US seller, or as little as $3.50 from China. Shipping included. These must cost pennies to make. These are about as close to no case at all as you can get. It’s very thin, hard, and has no cushioning at all. If you drop your phone, all the impact forces are going to be transmitted right through to the glass. It has virtually no lip at the top and bottom to protect the screen if you put your phone face down. It might make more sense to consider this a very thick skin than an actual case.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Luxury-Ul...ar=512214969629&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
In use review:. The button action is great, however. You don’t really realize you’re using a case. Minimal protection (and that’s being charitable) from anything but scratches on the back and sides. And it’s a little bit slippery. That said, I find myself strangely attracted to it. It really does look nice, I love the button action, and that it adds no virtually no bulk to the phone. And it’s dirt cheap. If your goal is to protect your phone from scratches, you could do a lot worse than this.
And it’s so cheap you could by 3 or 4 of them. Some have silver tops and bottoms, some gold, but you could mix and match to get, say, a blue case with silver ends, or a silver case with gold ends (perfect for Christmas, eh?).
Ringke "Wave" Case
First Impressions: I really like the Ringke Onyx case I've been using, so I thought I'd take a chance on another of theirs. From the photos on the web site, the "Wave" case looked really interesting. A TPU inner case with a hard polycarbonate surround that also covers part of the back, and an interesting wave pattern molded into both the TPU and PC shell that gives it some visual interest. I got the one they call "Metallic Chrome," but neither the name nor the pictures really tell you what it looks like. The polycarbonate is a shiny, lightly textured metallic gray that is lighter than it appears in the photos. I think it's very nice looking, and breaks up the all black look without being too flashy.
https://ringkestore.com/collection...xy-s9-plus-ringke-wave?variant=6452285734939
In use review:. The button action is very good, although the volume buttons are not quite as light as the power button, or as the buttons on the Onyx case. But they're fine, not something I would complain about. The TPU is a little firmer than some TPU cases, and the PC shell adds still more stiffness. Your guess is as good as mine as to whether a softer TPU offerz more or less protection than a harder one, and whether the PC shell really adds much, but I'd say this is as protective as any other case that doesn't add a lot of bulk. The PC around the sides is slightly slippery compared to the all TPU Onyx, but I have no problem gripping it or picking it up off a table, and I'm not worried about dropping the phone. This case does have thicker TPU around the edges than the Onyx does. The case is about as wide as the Caseology I reviewed above. That makes it less comfortable for me to hold than the Onyx, but probably more protective. It has significant raised lips at the top and bottom to protect the screen if you set the phone face down.
The wave pattern on the back not only looks nice, it actually helps me hold the phone in certain ways. If I hold the phone in my right hand, with my little finger under the bottom edge, my index finger naturally rests in one of the depressions in the back, providing a nice secure feeling when using the phone one-handed. It's definitely a keeper. I'll probably use the Onyx as my day to day case, because it's more comfortable for me to hold, and this one when I want a little bit more protection, or a little bit more style.
Ringke Fusion Case
First Impressions: I really like the other two Ringke cases I've been using, so when Ringke sent me an email with a discount code that got me this case for $4, I figured I'd take a chance. This is similar to the Spigen Ultra Hybrid, with a TPU surround and a hard, clear polycarbonate back. Unlike the Spigen, this one has raised corners on the back that will keep the rear surface off whatever you set it down on, which should help minimize scratches. It even came with the lanyard included i that $4 price. Hard to beat that deal.
https://www.ringkestore.com/collec...-s9-plus-ringke-fusion?variant=6366003167259
In use review:. I think that if I had a color other than black, this might be my daily driver. It's narrower than the Ringke Wave or Spigen Ultra Hybrid, about the same as the Ringke Onyx. That probably trades off some protection for more comfort, so you pays your money and takes your chances. The button action is excellent, just like on the Onyx. Like the other Ringke cases, it has nice lips top and bottom to protect the screen if you put it face down.
Conclusion:
I'm really impressed with the Ringke cases. Especially given the excellent pricing. They're well made, seem to offer reasonable protection, and they look good. They all have good button action, raised lips to protect the screen, and the Fusion has raised corners on the back to help keep scratches off the polycarbonate.
I'm using the Ringke Onyx normally. It trades off a bit of protection for a narrower case, which is one I'm willing to make. If I wanted more protection, I'd choose the Ringke Wave. And if I had a blue or lavender phone, the Ringke Fusion.
New reviews added.
”iPulse Leather Wallet Case
TL;DR: If you like wallet style cases, or want to try a wallet style case, I don’t think you can do much better than this one.
Background: I really like leather accessories (wallets, key cases, attache cases, etc.) I like the look, the texture, the feel, even the smell. High quality leather made into high quality products just exudes a sense of quality and style than few other things do. And definitely more style than plastic phone cases, no matter how well made those plastic ones are made. Since received my S9+, I’ve been looking for a leather case, but wasn’t considering a wallet style case. I wanted a slim case that covered the back, like most of the plastic ones, but made out of nice quality leather. Unfortunately, no one makes one. The closest I found is “Vegan leather.” Not only is that an oxymoron, “Vegan leather” is a just a fancy name for leather-grained plastic.
But the more I looked at wallet cases, the more I thought combining my phone case and my wallet into one unit would work. So after looking at a number of different options, I bought this one. How do I like it? I like it a lot, but I’m not sure I’m going to use it.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079ZRZL2S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
First impressions: This is a REALLY nice case. The leather is soft and supple. It feels great in the hand, looks fantastic and smells wonderful. (No “vegan leather” here.) The stitching is very well done: neat, straight and even. The magnetic clasp is really well designed. It closes firmly, without any user interaction, yet opens easily without any extra effort. The inside pockets are finely made and precisely cut. I’m extremely impressed with the quality of materials, construction, and design. With one caveat.
The phone fits into a plastic (TPU?) shell that’s mounted to the inside of the leather back. Functionally, this is probably a very good design, adding some padding and protection to the phone. And all the cutouts in the shell are precisely made and aligned. It’s just that compared to the quality of the leather it looks cheap. Trade offs. I wouldn’t let this keep my from buying the case, however.
In use impressions: I’ve been using this for about a day and a half. And as nice as this case is, I’m not sure it’s the right case for me, personally. I put my regular wallet in my back pocket, but wouldn’t put my phone there. Sitting on a big screen phone isn’t a good idea, I don’t think. And while the case does fit in my front pants pockets, it’s a tight fit in some of my pants. OTOH, the grip provided by the leather actually makes it easy to get the phone / wallet out of my pocket when it rings. Again, tradeoffs. Using the phone in the case is not as convenient as in a thin, open, TPU style case. It’s much bulkier, and is definitely a two-handed device now.
I’m of two minds about this right now. I really like the look and feel of the case, but I’m not crazy about the extra size. I like combining my wallet into the phone case, but don’t like giving up one-handed use. I’m going to continue using the case for a while and see if my feelings change, either for the better or worse.
My wife, on the other hand, LOVES this case. She carries her phone in her purse, so the extra bulk isn’t a concern for her. And she pretty much always uses her phone with two hands anyway, so that’s not an issue. When she upgrades her current phone, I’m sure I’ll be buying her one of these.
Conclusion: If you like wallet style cases, or want to try a wallet style case, I don’t think you can do much better than this one. I’m going to urge them to make a nice, non-wallet style case out of the same leather. If they do, I’ll be the first person in line to order.
A few other niceties: The case comes with a 1 year warranty, and a promise to replace it or refund your money if you’re not satisfied. The manufacturer says they donate a part of every sale to UNICEF (but don’t say how much).
I would agree with your assessment about "whether it's for me". I'm just so used to have these two items separate. If a user wants this functionality then this is a quality product I would recommend. I'm 47, there's little chance I'm going to change..
meyerweb said:
”iPulse Leather Wallet Case
TL;DR: If you like wallet style cases, or want to try a wallet style case, I don’t think you can do much better than this one.
Background: I really like leather accessories (wallets, key cases, attache cases, etc.) I like the look, the texture, the feel, even the smell. High quality leather made into high quality products just exudes a sense of quality and style than few other things do. And definitely more style than plastic phone cases, no matter how well made those plastic ones are made. Since received my S9+, I’ve been looking for a leather case, but wasn’t considering a wallet style case. I wanted a slim case that covered the back, like most of the plastic ones, but made out of nice quality leather. Unfortunately, no one makes one. The closest I found is “Vegan leather.” Not only is that an oxymoron, “Vegan leather” is a just a fancy name for leather-grained plastic.
But the more I looked at wallet cases, the more I thought combining my phone case and my wallet into one unit would work. So after looking at a number of different options, I bought this one. How do I like it? I like it a lot, but I’m not sure I’m going to use it.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079ZRZL2S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
First impressions: This is a REALLY nice case. The leather is soft and supple. It feels great in the hand, looks fantastic and smells wonderful. (No “vegan leather” here.) The stitching is very well done: neat, straight and even. The magnetic clasp is really well designed. It closes firmly, without any user interaction, yet opens easily without any extra effort. The inside pockets are finely made and precisely cut. I’m extremely impressed with the quality of materials, construction, and design. With one caveat.
The phone fits into a plastic (TPU?) shell that’s mounted to the inside of the leather back. Functionally, this is probably a very good design, adding some padding and protection to the phone. And all the cutouts in the shell are precisely made and aligned. It’s just that compared to the quality of the leather it looks cheap. Trade offs. I wouldn’t let this keep my from buying the case, however.
In use impressions: I’ve been using this for about a day and a half. And as nice as this case is, I’m not sure it’s the right case for me, personally. I put my regular wallet in my back pocket, but wouldn’t put my phone there. Sitting on a big screen phone isn’t a good idea, I don’t think. And while the case does fit in my front pants pockets, it’s a tight fit in some of my pants. OTOH, the grip provided by the leather actually makes it easy to get the phone / wallet out of my pocket when it rings. Again, tradeoffs. Using the phone in the case is not as convenient as in a thin, open, TPU style case. It’s much bulkier, and is definitely a two-handed device now.
I’m of two minds about this right now. I really like the look and feel of the case, but I’m not crazy about the extra size. I like combining my wallet into the phone case, but don’t like giving up one-handed use. I’m going to continue using the case for a while and see if my feelings change, either for the better or worse.
My wife, on the other hand, LOVES this case. She carries her phone in her purse, so the extra bulk isn’t a concern for her. And she pretty much always uses her phone with two hands anyway, so that’s not an issue. When she upgrades her current phone, I’m sure I’ll be buying her one of these.
Conclusion: If you like wallet style cases, or want to try a wallet style case, I don’t think you can do much better than this one. I’m going to urge them to make a nice, non-wallet style case out of the same leather. If they do, I’ll be the first person in line to order.
A few other niceties: The case comes with a 1 year warranty, and a promise to replace it or refund your money if you’re not satisfied. The manufacturer says they donate a part of every sale to UNICEF (but don’t say how much).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Something different: "Loopy" case review
"Loopy" Case
Now for something completely different: The “Loopy” case. If you look at the picture, the meaning behind the name is obvious.
I really like my S9 +, but it IS big. Too big for me to comfortably use one-handed. My S7 Edge was borderline, but with the extra height (and slightly greater width) I simply can’t reach everything I need to reach to use it one-handed even some of the time, and I just know that if I try I will, sooner or later, drop the phone and shatter the lovely screen. So enter the Loopy, a case which promises one-handed use AND greater security against drops. Sounds like a great combination. And with a 30 day no questions asked money-back guarantee, what’s to lose other than a few bucks for shipping? (Don't worry, it comes in other colors, too.)
First Impressions: I got the matte black version. Other than the strap, it looks like a $2 Chinese TPU case. Thin, flexible, devoid of any styling touches to try to enhance the look. This is very definitely function over form. Every other case I’ve purchased offers at least a little bit of style: a brushed metal appearance on the back, or fake Carbon Fiber, or something. In terms of protection, the case offers little padding, and there’s no extra cushion in the corners to protect it in a drop. Then again, the point of this case is to prevent drops, so maybe that doesn’t matter? It does have nicely raised edges at top and bottom to keep the screen off of surfaces if you put the phone face down. Which you’ll do a lot with this case.
I don't think they offered the "teak wood" version when I ordered mine. If they had, I would have probably ordered it. At least it doesn't look like a $2 case.
Edit: I contacted Loopy, and they let me swap my black case for the "teak" version at no extra cost other than postage to return the first one. No one would mistake this for real wood, but it does look nicer than the matte black one. The functionality doesn't change, of course.
https://www.loopycases.com/collections/samsung
In use review: Mixed, very mixed. It fits very well, and all the cutouts are precisely aligned and finished. But even $1 Chinese cases get that right, so that doesn’t really mean much. The button action is quite good. Not quite the best I’ve used, but close. Close enough that button action isn’t something you think about at all. The main feature, of course, is the loop, so how does it work? Pretty well, actually, with a few caveats.
It’s easy to put one (or two if you don’t have large hands) fingers in the loop, with your thumb and other fingers wrapped around the sides of the phone. And it definitely feels secure. I think you’d have to work really hard to drop your phone if you’re using this case correctly. And it certainly makes one-handed use more secure. But…..
Even with the loop, the S9 + is still too big for me to hold the phone in one hand and comfortably reach both the status bar and the navigation bar, especially the far icon on the nav bar. So, for me, it’s not completely a one-handed solution, but it’s an improvement. If your hands are bigger than mine, you might not have this problem.
And the loop does have some side effects that I probably should have realized, but didn’t occur to me. You can’t use a wireless charging pad with the case on. The loop holds the phone too far away from the charger. And you can’t lay the phone flat on a desk face up. You can use the loop as sort of a kickstand in landscape format, but it doesn’t really hold the phone at the right angle for that. So it’s not a completely positive experience.
Conclusion: I’m probably going to keep it. It won’t ever be my everyday case, though. It’s interference with wireless charging and inability to lay flat on a table are too annoying. But I can see myself using this when going into “high risk” environments, where the extra security against dropping the phone outweighs the inconvenience. Outdoor events, times when my hands might get slippery, on a boat…..
But the cost really does bother me. Without the strap, this would be a $2 - $4 case from a Chinese seller on ebay. And even many of those cases have more style than this one does. At $35, the profit margin on this must be HUGE. Or Yuuuge!
Finally, be aware that you need to choose a left or right handed version, because the strap is angled to one side or the other, not straight up and down. You can use it with the other hand, but it’s definitely less comfortable.
Would you mind reviewing the speck candyshell case? I had that on my s6 edge and found it invaluable. The rubber grip was super annoying with the phone in pocket but the trade off was that the phone was extremely easy to handle. I feel these curved glass edge screens are practically designed to slip out of the hand and speck candyshell has probably the best grip. They have another with a v shaped grip pattern instead of horizontal, I dont think those work as well.
Superb thread! Thank you.
Good job. Thx
Odesláno z mého LG-H815 pomocí Tapatalk
Related
This is a review of the Seidio Rubberized Spring Clip Holster (HLCG8925AS) for the HTC Kaiser/TyTN II and AT&T Tilt/8925. All pics are posted after the review, but some have links embedded in the review.
First of all, let me clarify what others have been incorrectly posting. "Rubberized coating" is a misnomer. It is not a coating. It is a surface finish to the plastic, which gives the plastic a non-slip, rubbery texture and feels similar to the back of the Kaiser.
Second, let me answer the most frequently asked question about this holster. YES, THE SEIDIO HOLSTER CAN BE USED FACE-OUT. However, button and port access is limited for face-out, as described below and shown in the pics.
First Impression
"Wow." That was my first thought when I first put my hands on the Seidio holster. The rubberized texture feels nice and gives the holster a soft touch. In addition, the plastic gives just enough that it shouldn't scratch your phone even with repeated use. Even so, they added a rubber strip (pic) where the hinge contacts the phone. Nice extra. The springs on the hinge and belt clip are confidently stout.
The felt back is a thin material and well adhered to the holster. I know it's there to protect the screen (even though the screen doesn't actually touch the holster), but I like knowing it's also protecting the back of my phone when I use the holster in my preferred face-out position.
Nothing negative to say for the first impression--Seidio went all out on the craftsmanship. But let's see how it fairs after the honeymoon.
Ease of Use
Unlike most holsters that lock the phone in place with a plastic tab, Seidio uses a spring-loaded hinge. The spring requires a good amount of force to open.
The phone snaps in place with ease. To release it, I hold the phone on the sides and use my index finger to push the hinge's tab. This doesn't feel completely natural to me but nonetheless is a simple, fluid motion and is certainly faster and easier than any pouch-style or quick-release clip. Also, I've never had any concerns of dropping the phone while inserting or removing the the phone like other people have reported.
The downside to this speed and ease is that under the right circumstances the holster can accidentally open and send your phone tumbling to the floor. I've only been using the holster a few days, and already my phone has almost fallen out. I was reaching into my car when the tab pressed against the tailgate and I felt the phone pop out. Fortunately, even though the hinge cleared the outer edge of my phone, the spring kept the hinge pressed against the top of my phone. Thus, the phone did not fully eject from the holster and instead hung precariously while my hand darted to snap it back in the holster.
Face-In vs. Face-out
The big question for a lot of potential buyers is the face-out capability. Yes, the hinge holds just fine in both positions. But don't take my word for it, compare the hinge contact yourself in my pictures (face-in vs. face-out).
Both positions hold the phone equally well. The big difference is the phone's front-to-back slope. Potentially, face-in would be less likely to accidentally eject since the hinge would have to travel up a longer sloper as opposed to the face-out where it would be traveling down the slope (and almost pushing the phone out).
Button/Port Accessibility
The next big question is the port and button accessibility for face-in and face-out. Can't do a table in a post, so see my handy access chart pic.
For face-in, you have access to all buttons and ports except the screen, DPad area, stylus, and MicroSD port (pic). Also, the camera button is hard to press because it's at the edge of a superfluous curve (left pic).
For face-out, you have access to all buttons and ports except the vital ExtUSB, mic, and stylus (pic). Also, the camera button is usable via fingernail only (right pic).
The atrocity here is that the holster could have had full access to all buttons and ports for both face-in and face-out by simply changing certain edges. For example, the aforementioned curve unnecessarily interferes with the camera button in both face-in and face-out. The bottom lip that blocks the MicroSD, ExtUSB, and mic is likewise unnecessary. The corners that wrap around the Start and OK buttons don't need to extend as far as they do (front pic vs. front mod pic). And although the holster does not press these buttons when the phone is seated, it does press them when inserting or removing the phone face-out.
Mods to the Rescue!
Fortunately, I was able to mod my holster to fix some of the most obvious access issues. First, I rounded the Start/OK corner edges inward with my Dremel (front mod pic). Now they don't press, even when inserting, and they hold the phone just as securely. Next, I trimmed the lower lip to allow ExtUSB access (bottom mod pic). Haven't bothered with the camera button yet.
None of these mods affect the holster's structural stability or grip on the phone. Unfortunately, adding stylus access will affect the corner strength because Seidio designed the corners with a stylish curve that dips too close to the stylus (right pic). Would have been nice if they had extended the material higher up the sides, which also would have strengthened the holster and held the phone better. <sigh>
Belt Clip
The belt clip is one of the best I've encountered. Instead of the normal divot/pin position lock like my 8925 leather case had (and broke after only 2 weeks), the clip has a sturdy slotted wheel (back pic; note the spring strength by how white my thumb is from the pressure). The clip only rotates 180 degrees instead of 360 (so your phone can't hang upside-down) and fits belts 1.5" (3.8cm) wide.
A big warning: THE BELT CLIP WILL MAR LEATHER BELTS! The strong spring presses the lock wheel hard against the your belt and scratches your belt surface. I tried putting an adhesive felt disc over the wheel, but it wore off because the wheel's ribs don't provide a suitable adhesive surface.
Price/Value
Typical holsters run $10-15 USD. This Seidio holster runs $30 USD. The craftsmanship is definitely better than cheaper holsters, but it's not thrice as good, especially for a face-in only holster. For the price, I'd expect both face-in and face-out support with full button/port access in both positions.
Conclusion
If you want the finest Kaiser holster on the market, the Seidio is it. However, it comes with a premium price and is not without its flaws, particularly Seidio's design shortcomings for the obvious face-out orientation. Thus, Seidio falls short on an otherwise exemplary product. I rate it a 4 out of 5 stars.
Pros
Excellent quality
Non-slip rubberized feel
Protective felt backing
Stout hinge with rubber phone protector
Usable as both face-in and face-out
Cons
Expensive
Reduced button/port access for face-out
Belt clip damages belts
Seidio Holster Pictures
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Holster Pictures
Face-In vs. Face-Out
Accessibility Chart
Face-In Access
Face-Out Access
Mods
Nicely done review BennTech
Great review, and that is one very well designed holster.
Very nice and thorough review!!!
I just got mine today also. I like it, its better than I expected. I'm not much of a holster person, esp when I'm wearing casual clothes, I just keep it in my pocket. But when dressed up a little, putting it in the pocket isn't the best option. It moves around too much and might give the impression "I'm a little TOO happy" A holster in thos situations works better and looks more professional.
I really can't add ANYTHING to your review. Its spot on and complete!
Excellent mods also! you should send those pics back to Seidio and see if they can mod theirs to it. I already inquired about them making one that would be better for face-out storage. Your solution would make it applicable for either! Love the button access matrix!
If only HTC had thought a bit about holster designs then we wouldn't need that spring loaded flap. It gets the job done though. Blackberrys snap into place and it's all done with slight device indentations.
BTW, maybe I'm wrong but I don't think too many people are asking for outward facing holsters.
jomo25 said:
I'm not much of a holster person, esp when I'm wearing casual clothes, I just keep it in my pocket.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, despite the size of my old Wizard, I always kept it in my pocket. Unfortunately, I forgot about it in my pocket and accidentally washed it. And that was the second phone that I've washed. Yes, I'm a slow learner.
So, after that last $480 load of laundry, I've vowed not to put my phone in my pocket anymore. That means I need a case that clips to my belt/waistband and allows me use the phone without removing it from the case. The latter is very important because I am lazy. If I have take my phone out of its case to use, then walk to another room without the case, that phone is going right into my pocket when I'm done (...then my jeans into the laundry, then me to the phone store). And that is why I need a face-out holster.
TiltedAz said:
BTW, maybe I'm wrong but I don't think too many people are asking for outward facing holsters.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all, don't get me wrong about face-in--I use it all the time, too. In fact, I prefer to carry my phone face-in to protect it while traveling, but then when I get to my destination, I flip it face-out so I can use it while in the holster, which avoids those expensive loads of laundry mentioned above. (Am I the only person who washes his phones?)
But even if I'm the only person in the world who wants a face-out holster, why is Seidio the only company to make a face-in holster? Every other company makes face-out holsters only, so I think your assumption is inherently inaccurate. Plus, if every one is using holsters face-in only, then why does Seidio need to go through the extra trouble and expense of putting a sticker on the holster that says "PDA FACE IN DESIGN"? Because they know some people will attempt to use it face-out and they should have planned for that obvious functionality with the simple design changes I pointed out in my review.
Also note that adding full button/port access for face-out would have added absolutely no manufacturing cost if they had been done during the design phase and would have benefited Seidio by allowing them to market the holster as both face-in and face-out. No cost and increased features and marketability? You don't need an MBA to know that's a good thing. Unfortunately, now that they are in production, it will probably cost too much to justify the changes. Alas, my dreams of the perfect face-in/face-out holster may never come to fruition.
Thank you very much for this informative review. I believe you have just chosen my holster ...
BennTech said:
But even if I'm the only person in the world who wants a face-out holster, why is Seidio the only company to make a face-in holster? Every other company makes face-out holsters only, so I think your assumption is inherently inaccurate. .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because they are not the only company. My Blackberry holster only works face in. Try it face out and you will destroy the keyboard.
BennTech said:
Plus, if every one is using holsters face-in only, then why does Seidio need to go through the extra trouble and expense of putting a sticker on the holster that says "PDA FACE IN DESIGN"? .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It should be painfully obvious that it simply wasn't designed for that orientation. No doubt it makes little sense to the average person and therefore there is questionable profit in that idea. More importantly, the Tilt is not symmetrical with respect to the front and back edges and therefore it can't be built for both face-in and out orientations.
Alright, TiltedAz, you're like the third or fourth person wondering why anyone would want a face-out holster. I honestly don't understand why people are so perplexed by the idea. Face-in is better for protection, face-out is better for usability.
For example, when I'm sitting at my desk, I put my phone on my desk where I can actually use it...in the holster, face-out. The holster gives it a slight tilt so I can see the screen better, and I don't have an empty holster on my belt that's constantly getting stuck in my chair. Plus, there's the whole pocket-to-laundry thing which is cured by a face-out holster, but admittedly, I'm probably the only person who repeatedly suffers from that ailment.
If you need more justification, how about when you get a call but don't want to answer because it's your girlfriend/boyfriend calling you at work or your boss calling repeatedly on the weekend? In face-out, you just reach down and hit Ignore to send it straight to voicemail, unlike face-in which requires removing/re-inserting the phone.
Or how about everyone who uses their phone to listen to music? With face-in, where exactly are you going to map all the common functions like play/pause, volume, rewind/fast-forward, and next/previous? With face-out, you have access to all the buttons and thus can map all these functions and more.
Or what about those of us who use our phone as our watch? Face-out lets me check the time even while it's clipped to my belt by simply tilting the holster.
Anyway, the point is that both face-in and face-out serve a useful purpose. Seidio comes so close to the ultimate solution with their holster, but fall just short. Apparently they've got their head stuck in the same box as my detractors.
Are you listening, Seidio? Think outside of the face-in box!
Thanks for the thorough review
I have one concern ...
your "FACE-IN" picture showed that the phone's top portion ( shiny plastic ) is rubbing against the inside curve of the hinge.
any chance that it will be scratch ??? it is ALL metal, aside from the little rubber strip & the felt lining ... correct ?? I honestly don't know the material ... if it is ... how heavy is it ( on top of our already weighty beast )
Thanks
UnicornKaz said:
your "FACE-IN" picture showed that the phone's top portion ( shiny plastic ) is rubbing against the inside curve of the hinge.
any chance that it will be scratch ??? it is ALL metal, aside from the little rubber strip & the felt lining ... correct ?? I honestly don't know the material ... if it is ... how heavy is it ( on top of our already weighty beast )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The case is a lightweight plastic. It is slightly flexible and the rubberized texture that gives it a soft feel. No chance of scratching, and no significant weight increase.
Kudos on the fantastic review of a quality product. I'm a "face-in" guy but your "face-out" argument is thought provoking.
So, having used it for a day, i will say, this holster is fantastic for what it does. For face in, its very well designed. It would even be great for face out, if it had the mods that BennTech made. I might even try it myself after a while. Its light, soft, rubberized, has extra "softness" in all the right places. THere really is no chance for scratching, except for the one place that BennTech noted: your belt. But I can live with that, belts don't cost hundreds of dollars
Its really a great holster. Its one of the best holsters (not cases) i've had for any device ever.
Would anyone actaully be interested in reading a user generated review of cases for the TP? I'm a case freak; always trying to find the best one. Now I have cases from the following:
Proporta ALU-Leather
Krussell Orbit Multidapt
PDair Aluminum
PDair Leather
Noreve is on the way.
If I get a couple of positive replys I'll do it and if negative then why bother?
I would be interested in reading a user generated review of cases for the TP
I believe most, if not all, of the present Touch Pro user would like to hear a "first hand" review of these cases mentioned.
Case Review
I would certainly love to read case reviews. I've already blown £20. on a Krusell Flex case for my TP which is not only unusable, but damaging to the slide mechanism. Please review away...
I myself also love to hear what you gotta say about the one from Noreve.
The Noreve Case is in mine opinion the best. I did not tested the hardcase (waiting for DHL). Some pics of the Noreve :
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More Pics : Flickr
I would also like to see a case review! I will link to it on my website:
http://www.fuzemobility.com
I am going to take some pictures this weekend and try and make up a word file that I can upload. But let me just say this. Today I recieved the Noreve case for the TP. I am impressed. In a nutshell, (no pun intended) I'd say the following:
1. Noreve: The case holds the device via tabs that snap around the edges of the front of the case, but allow easy sliding of the front off the keyboard. With the TP OPEN, the pressure of the tabs on the keyboard area keeps the back of the device securely agains the back of the case. In addition on the Krussell, the PDair and the Proporta, the keyboard is held in place by a plastic sleeve that the keyboard slides into. The plastic sleeve may hold the thing quite securely, but the shiny plastic makes seeing the keys more difficult in my opinon. The case is smart looking with 2 tabs for microSD cards in the front cover. I imagine with a little imagination one could put a little cut between these and it would then hold a seperate SIM card. The flap that holds the case shut has a strudy snap that snaps over the BACK of the case so if the device is ON, you are not hitting the screen and possibly activating some program or dialing some phone number when you snap it shut. The ONLY drawback to the Noreve case and I feel this is easily worked around is that the snap closure and the button that goes on the belt clip are in front of each other so when you go to remove the device from the clip there is risk of unsnapping the snap...not a big deal really. You can easily turn the device to one side to remove it from the belt clip and not have the snap come open. The Noreve case feels like real leather. It smells like real leather and it is nicely padded. I opened it up just now and holding onto the flap that covers the device, shook the thing back and forth(over some pillows I might add) and the device makes no attempt to come out of the little tabs holding it to the back of the case. While the Noreve case does not have a seperate opening for the speaker on the back of the device, the speaker is VERY close to the camera area for which there IS an exact cut out that matches the diamond shaped area on the back of the TP. I cannot really hear a difference in ring sound quality in the case or out of the case. Thre is a small hole on one of the bottom tabs that holds the device so it is easy to do a soft reset. In addition, the leather tab that sepertes the front cover from the back cover is very soft and pliable so you can simply turn the thing to the back and hold the phone comfortably during a call. The Noeve case makes accessing the stylus quite easy.
2. PDair aluminum case. In the past I have liked these kinds of cases. However for the TP the aluminum case is the absolute pits. First it does not do anything when open to secure the TP device. The TP simply fits in the enclosure without any means of keeping the device secure. It is hard to use with the cover open. I think my pictures will make the review more meaningful, but I do not like the PDair aluminum case. With the case snapped closed the device is fairly secure, but since there is nothing to keep the device from falling out, if dropped I suspect the device would go flying. In addition I would stronly advice AGAINST this case since I am pretty sure it damaged the side of the device and now it is hard to pull the stylus out. I generally carry and PEN/Stylus combo so it is not a big deal to me and the TP stylus is too small for my liking anyway, but still, what a drag.
3. PDair leather flip type case. The snap is too weak to be functional. The flap the snap is on is too short to really comfortably go around the end of the device so it is hard to close it without having something on the touch screen activated.
4. Krussell Orbit Multidapt. I was VERY excited to see a Krussell case available for the TP. The snap has an intelligent location in that it goes over the top of the case and snaps in the back so theoretically one would not activate a program by pulling it over. There is plenty of "give" in the way the case fits over the device also, but the PROBLEM is that the snap is totally WORTHLESS since it is TOO weak to keep closed. I thought I had a great case in the Krussell, but anytime you MOVE the thing comes unsnapped and you have your screen potentially bumping into whatvever you come in contact with. Again, I think some pictures will help to illustrate this much better.
The Krussell does have 2 nice features, but they do not make up for the problem of the snap. One is that there is a small mesh window over the speaker and the other is that the front of the case does slide off via a little plastic male/female connector so theoretically you could mount it on a dashboard for instance without the case flapping in the breeze.
5. Proporta flip type case. A nice case and one that is useful, but the snap in this case comes around from behind at the bottom of the TP and snaps in the front. It therefore thends to get caught on whatever you are sitting near or walking past and comes unsnapped. It does not have a hole for the soft reset switch so you have to partially take it out of the case to do a soft reset.
In summary, while I think my review with pictures will be more useful, if you got to order a case for the Touch Pro, go with the Noreve case. They ship from California so I ordered mine on a Monday and got it in Houston on a Friday. Of the 6 cases I have got, the Noreve is the only one that seems to have been designed with the TP in mind. All the others were poorly executed in their design.
Why listen to me? No special reason really. I am not affiliated with any of the above case makers. My first PDA was a Casio E200 and then I have had IPAQ 6315, QTEK TyTn type, ETEN g500+ and most recently ETEN x500+. Curiously the Noreve case for the x500 was also a grand and useful case.
Thanks a lot for your review, I was about to order the Proporta but changed my mind for Norêve after reading this.
Where did you buy it from?
Thanks for the reveiws. Ido appreciate the info, so I hope you don't mind if I add a bit. I've always used and swore by Krusell cases, but the one for the TP is poorly designed. The Flex cover is loose fitting and the plastic over the keyboard is horrible. One of the things I love on the TP is the smooth open and close of the keyboard. Not only is that gone with the Krusell case, but I'm sure that in time it would loosen the mechanism.
I just received the PDair aluminium case and I'm afraid I disagree, I like it. It fits snugly into the neoprene inside and the cover closes tightly. Using the keyboard is a pleasure as there is no plastic over it. It protects almost all of the phone, yet I can answer a call and see (and hear)whose calling me without unsnapping anything. I was even able to order a windscreen mount for my car, so I can use the gps and view the screen without removing it from the case or having a flap hanging down. It only makes the device slightly larger, and it looks good.
11 13 2008 Update: Well, as I said, I am a case freak. The Great Escape came on last weekend late one night where the dude at the end escapes those nasty nazi's and finds himself in "Espana" so I thought well, feeling kindly towards Espana, I will go ahead and get the Piel Frama case for the Pro.....
Well no habla espanol...yeah yeah, that's Mexico not Spain, but my new fave case is the Piel Frama case. I got the tan leather one.
First of all the packaging is a pleausre to start with. PF packages their cases in this nice little tan and brown cardboard box with a nice little instruction paper and extra belt clip button and belt clip.
The device is held in place by virtue of a plastic sleeve the keyboard slides in to. This does potentially offer the same problem that some of the other cases offer in that in a shiny light environment, three is some reflection off the plastic, but it may be a worthwhile trade off. The lower edge includes a cut out for the mini USB port and the reset "button" hole. Because the TP power button is on the top "screen" portion of the device it is easily exposed.
The leather is wonderful quality, soft and supple and smells wonderful.
The cover comes around the right hand side of the device and while I really liked the way the Noreve case did this, the PF case outshines the Noreve case in that there is approximaely 2 mm more leather on the side panel. That 2 or 3 mm makes all the difference in that the covering flap then MUCH more easily covers the front of the TP.
The snap is on the back of the device, is a secure and tight closing snap. The screen on the TP is quite sensitive and I do not think there is any way to cover it while the device is on without potentially hitting the device and having something "come on" like the program tab on TF3D, but that is, I guess one of the trade offs for having a TP. (As an aside, I'm not quite as happy with my TP anymore in part because the GPS just does not work very well, but I do like the memory it contains and apart from the GPS it is a great pocket pc)
The "button" that slides into the belt clip is of a standard size and if you lose or break the PF belt clip, I am absolutely certain the generic belt clips you can pick up at some mom and pop cell phone kiosk at the mall will be an adequate replacement.
On the back of the case there is a "pill" shaped opening that reveals the camera lens and that stupid and woefully inadequate flash light. See elsewhere on this forum for the "torchbutton" application that allows you to use your device as your most expensvie flashlight...great for not waking up your wife at night when you go to bed...hahaha. Beside the camera opening is a mesh covered opening for the speaker.
On the front flap of the cover is a nicly stiched extra peice of leather that makes it look a bit like the pocket on a nice man's shirt. That is a nice touch. The PF case is the most expensive of the lot, but the quality of craftsmanship does stand out. In addition I suspect it is the only one of the lot that is truly made by hand by the manufacturer.
Overall I am inclined to think the Piel Frama case is an excellent case for the Touch Pro.
So in summary I would rate these cases in the following fashion:
1. Piel Frama: Only "minor" drawback is the shiny plastic covering the keyboard...perhaps a small tradeoff as it may also help protect against moisture. I don't think of my case freakiness as a fashion thing, but the PF cases are, well, quite fashionable. For fit and finish PF gets an A +++. For quality of construction PF gets and A+++ and for I suspect long term satisfaction I'd also give PF high marks. There is also just a tiny bit more leather all the way around which I think would offer a bit more protection if the thing were to take a tumble. The PF is the most expensive of the lot and for this reviewer I'd say truly worth it. They also ship world wide UPS. I ordered it late Monday evening and did not ask for any special shipping and I had it Thursday so they include good quality shipping in the price. Not a bad deal really.
2. Noreve: Almost identical to the Piel Frama except that it does not have the plastic at all, and the PF case seems to stay snapped better with taking it on and off one's belt clip. The PF beats it in that there is a bit more leather on the side peice so when you go to close it you don't have to tug it over. I see that the snap on the back of the Noreve is now pulled up taught against the leather which could lead to failure. That is not as likely to happen on the PF case.
3. Proporta: Might be preferred if you like your case to hang vertical v. horizontal on your belt, and includes my complaint that the snap while quite secure, does tend to bump into things and come unsnapped. The Proporta TP screen protector they sell is well worth a look. I've had the stylus up against the thing quite a bit playing solitaire and that silly break out game...can't think of the name and it is not pitted or overly sratched.
4. Krussell: A beautifully finshed case that also hangs vertical, but the snap closure is just almost nonexistant. If it were not for that lousy snap I'd really like the Krussell case. I'm going to try and find a fabric store and see if maybe they carry a snap that could be attached to this devcie. Probably do have such a snap, but I bet the leather would be totally torn up in the process of doing this. Krussell...shame on you for screwing up this way...I love your products, but this one stinks.
5. PDair cases.....The least expensive of the lot and for good reason. Don't waste your bucks, or diners, or pesos, or rubbles or marks or euros.
One final thought. It is the problem of the keyboard that makes any case for the Rafael be a problem. Sliding it into a plastic sleeve is probably the best way to hold the device, but the little tabs on the Noreve case do a fine job of holding it as well.
Dear reader: Your milage may vary. I take no responsibility for your pocket book, your device or your life.
Thanks for the reviews! Question, on the Piel Frama, are you typing on the slide out keyboard through a plastic sleeve? If so, are any of the others you reviewed the same?
I've always used a Pocket Solution case for my Tilt, and was just about to buy one for the Fuze when I came across your reviews.
Well I just got my Noreve case and to be honest, its better than I expected. I've gone against ones that cover the keyboard since of the 4 I've seen, all now have some play between the screen and keyboard, i.e. where the clear plastic goes.
With this case, no worries. Was very surprised at its grip of the phone despite not needing any effort to put it in. I do wish it had more leather round the edges. Belt clip is ok. Solid(ish). I don't like not having the ability to rotate it in the belt clip. My clip will maintain the angle in which you put it in, which is great except I can't put it in parallel to my belt as the case latch gets in the way. Apart from that, it feels good and well worth it. Mines was direct from Noreve. Well I just got my Noreve case and to be honest, its better than I expected. I've gone against ones that cover the keyboard since of the 4 I've seen, all now have some play between the screen and and keyboard, ie. where the clear plastic goes.
With this case, no worries. Was very surprised at its grip of the phone despite not needing any effort to put it in. I do wish it had more leather round the edges. Belt clip is ok. Solid(ish). I don't like not having the ability to rotate it in the belt clip. My clip will maintain the angle in which you put it in, which is great except I can't put it in parallel to my belt as the case latch gets in the way. Apart from that, it feels good and well worth it. Mines was direct from Noreve.
Had the Noreve for a week for the TP...
Hi All,
I was reading reviews and looking for a good case, in the end I went for the Noreve. I am in Australia so bought it from their Australian Website. Ordered on a thursday (late afternoon), received it on the following Tuesday.
I had a Krussell for my DoPoD, didn't like it at all because the leather didn't sit flush and too bulky. Decided not to try again, especially due to all the talk of the plastic over the keyboard.
The Noreve is pretty good. As someone else reported, looks and smells like leather. The belt clip is okay. I accidently used the clip from the old Krussel which was a bit better, but wouldn't lock the phone in place.
The one thing which is hard for me to get used to and is no fault of Noreve, is the way the case opens, from left to right, which is due to the keyboard sliding out to the left. Slowly adjusting...
I was worried a bit after I bought it about the clips that hold it in place, whether they would mark the TP. They don't. they are hard plastic and hold the phone securely.
All in all pretty good case, will report back if I encounter any problems.
I wish Vaja will come up with their touch pro case soon.
If not, do you think their universal case will do?
Like the look & feel of a "simple" black leather case, but do NOT like the idea of covering the keyboard with a sheath of plastic (poor feel & seems bound to age poorly) - and so ended up with a Capdase BiFold Leather Case for my Fuze.
Posted pictures & problems with this case earlier, including some Surgery we performed to alleviate Case/Screen interaction. But while the surgery did Help, it did NOT eliminate the problem.
ALSO got concerned about reports of the top LAMINATE lifting off from the lower (button) area of TouchPros. As my screen protector has fallen prey to a similar lifting, having the laminate come up seems at least Possible.
Decided that what was needed was a cover for the TOP of the Fuze - one that would add as little bulk as possible, while both protecting the edges of the unit and providing a bit of separation between the screen and the top flap of the Capdase case (which would sometimes (RE)DIAL the phone at the end of a call! Nice trick if you could control it... )
Ended up buying a Seidio Innocase, which others have reviewed: it does indeed "fit like a glove" - wonderful precision, a nice feel, & leaves plenty of room around the actual Touch portion of the screen. (Carried the Fuze for several days in just the Seidio, but did not like the Exposed Screen.)
The combo of the Capdase BiFold Leather + the TOP HALF of the Innnocase seems to work perfectly: the edges are protected, the screen is protected, the Capdase fits nice & tight against the Seidio (which also provides a bit more protection for the top corners of the Fuze), and there has been no more Accidental Dialing (or Disconnects!).
Combination is obviously Not Cheap (think total came to around $55, incl Shipping Costs), but it IS flexible: can always remove Fuze from the Capdase & snap the Innocase back cover on if a SLIM profile is required.
The Combination fits nicely into an inner jacket / coat pocket (where a tri-fold wallet might fit), and also does well in the top pocket of an Over Shirt (Safari, jean, or wool - as long as pocket has a Closure of some kind!)
A few pictures are attached (hopefully...)
Can never pay too much for protection on our phones. Looking good!
might as well put the phone back in the box it came with and seal it tight so it'll never be scratched. jk
might as well put the phone back in the box it came with and seal it tight so it'll never be scratched
Indeed, the "naked" approach has some arguments in its favor - particularly if ALL you are carrying is just "a phone."
A Phone is relatively inexpensive & readily replaceable: My Razr never saw the inside of a case - but it certainly looked Well Used by the time it was replaced with the Fuze. (At only 16 months or so of usage.)
My Axim (PDA) has never been WITHOUT a case: it has served for over three times as long as the Razr did (and is now approaching 5 years in service), and only in past 6-months or so has it exhibited any outward signs of wear ("chrome" plating on D-pad & "DELL" logo are wearing off). OTOH, have been through numerous screen protectors, and the Daily Carry case (a RhinoSkin) looks like it has been through a war zone: in essence, the screen protectors and the case have 'sacrificed' themselves for the safety of the Axim - and the invaluable data stored within.
My Fuze is PDA FIRST, and Phone second. Like the Axim, I hope to keep the Fuze running for at least 4 years (hopefully longer!), and do not look upon it as Readily Disposable - like A Phone would be. Therefore a good case seems a very worthwhile investment, albeit one that is made more difficult by a) the dual purpose nature of the Fuze (it may be Phone Second, but it DOES still function as a phone), and b) the Sliding Keyboard.
For those who view the Fuze as simply a Fancy Phone - AND have the wherewithal to replace it every couple of years - a case is undoubtedly either a Nuisance or merely a Fashion Statement.
But for others, choosing a good case seems to be a reasonably important decision - otherwise there would not be nearly as many posts on the subject as there are...
well to each their own I guess, I generally change phones every 12 months or so. I guess I cant justify using a case to cover the phone
Kursell Case
This case is ok I own but I like my Kursell orbit Flex Case a lot better the flip leather lid Comes off thats so great plus I love the tight plastic over the keyboard the best case I ever seen
http://www.sfplanet.com/product/753...ex_with_Ratchet_Swivel_Clip_Black__Beige.html
This case is ok ... but I like my Kursell orbit Flex Case a lot better the flip leather lid Comes off thats so great plus I love the tight plastic over the keyboard....
There are several nice looking cases available - the Kursell is one & Pdair makes a couple, although recall looking at others as well - that utilize the Plastic Sheath Over The Keyboard approach. Looked long & hard at several of these, as (like the Kursell) some have a very elegant look!
Unfortunately could not get past the plastic sheath. This strays into "personal preference" territory, but
1) Dislike the "feel" of the plastic on top of the keyboard;
2) A plastic sheath seems to force the two layers of the Fuze apart. That should vary with the type of plastic used: if I hold the Fuze up to a bright background it APPEARS that the gap between the halves should be adequate for a precisely THIN sheet... Overall fit of the Lower part of the case might have an impact here as well, but that's hard to gauge without buying Every Case on the market...
3) Was concerned that the plastic would not WEAR well, given sufficient usage. Yellowing, becoming ratty at the edges, & stretching all seem likely.
Case selection is like PIM choice: Personal Preferences play a major role in product selection, and there are multiple Solutions that are equally viable according to the preference of the end user.
Slip case, or Attached case?
Belt Clip, or Not? (Detachable, or Not? Rotating or Fixed?...)
Leather, Metal, Silicone, Hard Rubber, Or ??
Removable Top Cover (Kursell) or Permanently Attached?
Holders for data cards, styli, Other Things?
Have LOVED the RhinoSkin that has served as the Daily Carry Case for my Axim. But it is an Industrial looking piece of hardware - rather clunky & now somewhat beat up in appearance. So also have a nice (Belkin) Leather case that I use for "need a suit jacket" events.
Frankly - along similar lines - can imagine times where I might forego the extra protection of the Capdase and simply carry the Fuze in the Innocase, as it certainly presents less bulk when in the Seidio...
Options are Nice, but trying TOO many gets expensive!
Looking to also purchase the seidio innocase, but before I do can ppl confirm if it gives problems on pushing on the screen. Have had such cases that seem okay for a few weeks, but then the screen becomes unresponsive due to the case pushing on the touch portion of the screen.
Thanks
I'm going to be making a couple different cases for the Iconia now that I have one and wondered what everyone here would like to see in a leather case. I would really appreciate any and all feedback!
1. hard case vs soft case: which is better, or would you use both for different purposes?
2. round or square corners: square corners on a case may get worn, but would maybe protect the tab itself better?
3. colors: black, brown, white...red? What'r the favorites?
4. Sleeve or "book" style?
5. If a "book" type design...Screen: protected, or open?
Once I figure out a couple good designs I'll put one of each together and post them. If there's any interest I could make them and ship anywhere Thanks again!
that is difficult to answer tehehe
I like to see my iconia as a laptop replacement and something i could carry around everywhere in my hand. 2) some case that will not add thickness 3)quality
as much as i dont favor the acer iconia (ipad clone) oem case, it is a perfect case for protection and a desktop stand.
but it's too thick
For my use, I want something as light and as slim as possible -- adding minimal bulk or weight to the tablet.
To me, the iPad2 smart covers plus the x gear rear cover are a near perfect combination for my needs.
The rear part is something like this, but from a different company:
http://www.amazon.com/Acase-Compani...f=sr_1_70?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1311608057&sr=1-70
For my original iPad, I had a one piece cover that was very similar -- a thin, form fitting shell around the back (clipped on corners, which also protected them) with a thin, hard, segmented front cover. Not as durable or solid as my current iPad2 setup, but very serviceable overall.
Something like this (this might have actually been it, in black, but it's been months since I sold my original iPad with its cover):
http://www.amazon.com/Macally-BOOKS...sr_1_146?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1311608211&sr=1-146
Since I carry my tablet(s) in a small shoulder bag, I want something that will protect the screen from scratches, or even the odd bump, but that introduces minimal "drag" on pulling it out.
I favor the "prop" characteristic (low angle) more than the "stand" (high angle), as it helps with positioning for typing.
Color, almost always black with minimal ornamentation/design.
I have the Bluerex case. I also have the portfolio Roocase. They are both leather. I like that. I like how they add protection. Yes I like thin, but protection more. The Roocase covers the tablet more so therefore protects it, but its a little too thick. The Bluerex is a perfect thickness. And it has rounded corners that hug every corner of the tablet. When you look at the case from an angle, it matches the contour perfectly. Only things I would like to see is a better means of strapping the tablet closed, and a little more protection on the corners (look at pics in my other post). If those changes are made then in my opinion, you would have a perfect case.
I'm one that ALWAYS applies a full coverage TPU style case and a screen protector on my phones, immediately after unboxing them, in order to preserve their pristine condition for future resale value, as well as my own OCD tendencies. The good news, for people like me, is that there are already tempered glass screen protector options available for the phone (example). However, it's very clear that this phone was purposely designed with the intent that its users will not use a case. While I appreciate that the phone is more damage resistant with a titanium build and ceramic backing (rather than gorilla glass), it's still not truly damage proof. Because of this, I couldn't bring myself to use the phone without a case on a daily basis. So I'm already looking at how a full coverage case would work and I just don't see how it would be feasible.
The two reasons why a full coverage case wouldn't seem to work are:
1) The two docking pins in the back required for the accessories and the wireless charging dock. A worthwhile protective case would make this feature unusable.
2) The earpiece is pushed to the very top lip of the phone making it next to impossible for a full coverage case to protect the top edge without interfering with the ear piece.
I know the industry is pushing hard for a bezel-less future, but many people still want to protect their devices, especially after shelling out $700+, without losing out on advertised functionality. So now I'm curious to hear what other's think about this. I'm sure I'm not the first person to take this stuff into consideration.
I agree, I know the phone is made to be without a case but I always add a case to my devices. Not only does it help against any damage but it adds grip
Avoiding the ear piece would be trivial. Either leave the spot empty enough to hear or perforate the covering in that location. They could even incorporate something like what the lifeproof cases do and use a special fabric to cover the ear piece.
As far as the pogo pins. Depending on the thickness of the case and the actual distance needed to use the wireless USB they could just toss in some conductive extenders for the pogo pins, and make sure the case mimics the body design enough so that accessories fit. Oh and toss in a magnet to hold the accessory.n
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
I'm hoping for a bumper. I'm going to use a screen protector.
I'm generally pretty picky about both having a case and what that case is like. I want it to be good quality, fairly thin and I prefer if it has a steel kickstand. Andy Rubin and company got so in love with the idea of creating a phone that "doesn't need a case" that they completely failed to work with phone case makers for the PH-1. Yes the PH-1 is built like a tank -- and they should have taken a page from LG's book and gotten it tested and MIL-STD-180G certified. It's lack of waterproof and MIL certification leaves you just hoping and praying that Andy Rubin knows what he's talking about when he says the PH-1 is super durable. Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. The only way to know for sure is to break one on purpose and see how hard it was to do. Mine certainly feels sturdier than an LG-V20. And just like every other phone around today, it's slippery. Don't care if the PH-1 is a tad less slippery. It's slippery and it's dense and heavier that it looks. This makes the PH-1 and gravity great friends. Give me something to grip or I'm going to drop this thing hundreds of times in the next year. Don't care how durable your phone is, it's not going to hold up against that kind of abuse. And if I want a credit card sleeve or a kickstand, the religion of "doesn't need a case!" does nothing for me.
After a week mine already has a ton of little scratches so it definitely needs a case. . I baby the hell out of it too and its still scratched.
I'm using a sopiguard skin from amazon. i'ts pretty darn accurate in fitting and had no issues so far!
https://www.amazon.com/SopiGuard-Es..._rd_w=bePkv&pd_rd_wg=2DRTi&ref_=pd_gwm_simh_0
In the reddit ama they said they were working with case makers and posted one example. So presumably these will become available with time.