Fortte 8700c Open Face PDA Case

Hands on review by lgreenberg
March 27th, 2006
Price as reviewed: $29.99

By now most of us are familiar with the Fortte line up of Blackberry cases. They make some of the nicest Blackberry cases on the market (in this reviewer's opinion.) I recently obtained their Open Face PDA Case for the Blackberry 8700 and of course had to review it.

This case is made from ultra-high quality black leather. It's a play-thru type case, meaning you don't have to remove the Blackberry from the case to use it. There is no screen protection on the case. The screen is fully exposed. I would definitely suggest investing in a screen protector if you plan on using this case. The screen does sit recessed a little in the case which should help protect it a little.

The case comes like all the other Fortte cases in a small box.



The case is protected by plastic wrap.





I was sent the belt clip version of the case. It should be noted that this case is available either without or without Fortte's two-piece swivel belt clip.



The leather used on this case is very stiff. I managed to get my 8700 into the case with both Egrips and the Best Skins Ever installed on the device. It wasn't easy but the fit was good. Getting the device back out wasn't too bad either. I imagine it would have been easier to do if I had removed both the Egrips and the Skins.

I'm personally bothered by the little Fortte tag on the side of the case. My finger seems to hit it when using the track wheel.





The case has all the necessary cut outs so all the buttons are fully accessible. Although I do have to say it makes using the trackwheel a little harder only because when in the case it's slightly recessed. Not a big deal but worth pointing out.









The case uses two snaps on the back to keep it closed around the Blackberry.



There is also a cut out for the speaker so alerts/ringtones are not muffled.



Like the other Fortte cases this one does stick out a bit on one's belt.





One thing I should mention. As most of you know there is currently no 8700 specific cradle available. I own the 72xx series cradle and with this case installed the device fits perfectly in the cradle. When I place the 8700 into my cradle naked it's prone to fall out. Nothing holds or locks it in. The leather of the Fortte case creates enough hold that it prevents the device from falling out. Bonus feature.

Pros: Fits perfect in cradle, has all necessary cut outs, high quality leather, available with our without belt clip, play-thru.

Cons: No screen protection. Free swivel belt clip. No sleeper magnet.

ooooh, sexy belly! hahah!

You had to go there......................

Salo says my pouch w/the slim profile belt clip case should ship this week. I'll post pics when I get it.

Ya know what bothers me abotu that belt clip is that it doesnt fit all the way around the belt like the OEM belt clips do....

That really depends on the width of your belt. I personally don't find that this clip is any shorter than other similar clips (Krusell, Vaja etc.)

Got mine, like it but I agree with the cons. I like the stiff leather as I feel that it will last longer than cases with soft leather, but there is no screen protection which could be a problem. The ratchetless clip hasnt been all that bad, but it would have been nice. Overall I like the case, but I am not an expert in reveiws. That sir, I will leave to you

I've had my Fortte 8700c Open Face PDA Case since last week, and it's been great. I hated the ratchet clip on the holder that came with the BB. No problem with the swivel belt clip; it clamps securely around my belt, so I suspect if one has a wide belt, that would be the cause of a problem (my belt's about an inch and a quarter wide, and the clip fits perfectly.

My only concern was screen protection. Screen protector is on order from ScreenPatronus

The only thing I notice is that the leather is touching (or very very close to) the trackwheel, so it's a minor annoyance. But extremely minor. Absolutely no regrets with this purchase.

I'll have to disagree with the "quality comments" the vaja cases do have better quality that the forte cases.

Do you actually have a Vaja RI051 case in your possesion? If you do I'm not quite sure how you could say that.

If you don't let me tell you it's not. I'll admit the Vaja Ivolution line is great. But the open case for the 8700 doesn't use the same quality leather. It' thin, cheap feeling, poor quality.

Still waiting for mine to arrive. Had it personalized which takes a little longer.

mine took exactly a month to arrive.

Mine's coming tomorrrow!! Will post pics...bought the new vertical pouch with fixed clip in the nicer Mahogany leather...they're also sending a free Smart Pouch cell phone case in black with fixed clip??

Can't wait...

This is what I see on my account page.

Date & Hour Status
2006-04-07 10:41:54 Credit Card Accepted
2006-04-07 10:42:18 In production
2006-04-07 14:15:54 Order in Process
2006-04-10 07:12:56 Checked

It doesn't tell me anymore information as to where my case is or how I can track it any further. I'd like to know where it is.

I just received my Fortte Open Face Case for my 7105t but I have one question. If I decide to use the belt clip, how do I put it on?

The 8700 Fortte cases do not come with a removable belt clip.

Does your case not have the little metal stud on the back?

If not you probably ordered a case without a belt clip.

I ordered a 7100 series case with the clip. The metal stud is on the back. EDIT: I just got the clip on the case.

Then I'm not sure what you're trying to do.......

You should also have a plastic clip that looks like this:



The metal stud fits into the clip and locks into place.

One final question: Has anybody used this case with an extended battery/door kit? If so, where can I see pictures?

I'm back but a bit unhappy. I got my extended battery kit today and it does not fit the Fortte Open Face Case I got. Is there a way to stretch the case without damaging it to allow this battery door kit to fit?

Forgot to update this LOL I did manage to get the extended battery kit to fit in the case. And I'm waiting for a second case in Old Fashion Chocolate.

I've now had mine for two months and love this case. I use my own screen protectors so I don't mind the open face look. In fact, I prefer it for clarity.

The stiff back gives my large hands something to hold onto and the side ridges give my fingers something to grip. The fit/finish of this unit is outstanding. The leather is first class and the stitching is very good. I got the plain vanilla black (is that an oxymoron?) case and couldn't be happier with the purchase and the protection it offers.

It is still breaking in and probably will be for months....which I like. I prefer a product that is very stiff and takes longer to mold to my contours. This usually means it is made of very high quality materials, and lots of them, which in this case is the truth.

Occasionally the Fortte tag on the right side gets up my nose but I've learned to live with it. Since there is no good way to cut it without hurting the stitching or leaving an ugly remnant, I've no choice but to tolerate it. The clip does make the unti pooch out from my waist but it's something I can live with.

I loved this case so much I bought a friend the same style for her e61. She digs it the most.

I rate this product a Five of Five Whatevers™ for it's construction, material quality, withstanding wear and how it feels when you hold it.

If you don't want plastic over your keys, and don't need plastic over your screen, this is most definately the case for you.

After using the case on my 8700g, I purchased another for my 7290, which I use occassionally. My SO still has her Fortte open faced case on her e61 and it's wearing like iron and she loves the protection it provides as well as the extra something to hold onto.

Craftmanship is top notch. Case back is very stiff and all leather used is first quality. Even small strips around cutouts are reinforced.

These cases take weeks/months to fully break in, but you know you've got one of the strongest, if not THE strongest, case around.

Cannot recommend Forte strongly enough.

And no, I do not work for Fortte, nor benefit in any way from recommending them.

Me again, but this time with a Non-Blackberry device in a Fortte Open faced case.

I purchased two Dash Fortte Open Faced Cases for my SO and her daughter. And these cases are flawless. The Dash is a tiny device and very thin. The Fortte cases have a stiff, leather wrapped backing (like most Fortte open faced cases) but it does not get in the way and enhances the hold and 'feel' of the device.

Fortte engineered a small "foot" or lip at the bottom of the device that curves up and holds the bottom of the device securely once the case has been snapped shut. All buttons are accessible with no leather/material in the way. The top and bottom edges are exposed like most Fortte open facers, but it's something you accpet/watch out for if you like the case style.

All in all, this Dash cash ranks as the best Fortte case I've ever used/felt. It's perfectly engineered for the device and greatly enhances the overall experience of using the case. This in no way detracts from their Blackberry cases. It simply means that Fortte continues to produce very high quality cases for ALL makes/brands.

And yes, these are cases five and six purchased from Fortte in less than a year.

Five of Five Whatevers™

YMMV.

Luck.

I just got my forte case for my 8703. I agree with all the comments with the quality, it is great. I just hate the swivel belt attachment. That is how I carry my bb. I just sold the case to a friend that loves the case and just carries the phone in his jacket pocket. He does not care about the belt clip. Now I am off to find another open face case that has the rachet belt clip. Anybody have any recommendations?

Thanks

We can make a case for you with a ratchet clip or a fixed clip.
Please e-mail me at and I can give you instrucctions on how to get that done