RIM Blackberry 8700c Leather Holster with Belt Clip
Hands on review by lgreenberg
March 3rd, 2006
Price as reviewed: $21.96
Has any one accessory been more anticipated than the OEM leather case from RIM? I think not. In all seriousness my case arrived today, overnight, from
Smart Phone Depot. I wanted to get the pictures and comments up as quickly as possible so forgive the shortness of this review. I'll add more to it as I use the case.
This case is a vertical pouch style case with belt clip. The belt clip is the exact same thing that's on the back the OEM plastic holster (the one that comes with the device.) As most of you are aware it
does ratchet.
The case is made of black, soft leather. It does have elastic sides. One thing I'm disappointed about is the sides. Much of the sides of the device are left exposed. There is no leather at all on the sides of the case. Only the elastic pieces.
The case uses a magnetic closure but the magnets are sewn inside the leather so they are not visible. It's very easy to close the case. Unlike the Fortee, where you have to check to make sure the flap's magnet has hit and locked into the sweet spot on the case the OEM case's magnet catches every time. The case is lined with velour.
The case has a sleeper magnet built in and the device can be placed into the case screen in or out. The magnet works either way.
Once on your belt the case does stick out a bit.
I'm actually a little disappointed in that. Here's a comparison to the Fortte vertical pouch. They stick out about the same.
The case seems very heavy to me. It's definitely heavier and longer than the Fortte case. Must be because of the thicker leather the RIM case uses. The RIM case feels larger to me as well. The device does go in and out of the case a little easier.
All in all it's a very nice case. The belt clip is great. It's good that it has the sleeper magnet. The device fits in perfectly.
My only real complaints are the exposed sides, and the overall weight/bulkiness. The way the device fits in the case, how securely it both closes and stays on the belt make it an excellent choice.
Pros: OEM, sleeper magnet, ratcheting belt clip.
Cons: Bulky, Not 100% protection.