Product: Piel Frama 8700c/r Aluminium Case
Price: $45 Euros ($54.49 USD, Shipping included)
URL: www.pielframa.com

Review:
Let me begin by stating this is my first time working with a metal case. My initial impression is the case is made of high-quality aluminium, and therefore is very sturdy. The hinge is well constructed and the door opens easily. In fact, the door may open a little too easily. Just a nudge and it's open. But when the BB is in the case it is held securely behind two tabs, so there is no danger of it falling out if the door does flip open. Well played...

It comes in a plastic case with pictures and description on the back. Very nicely organized, packaged and presented.




The case has openings cut out for every needed area, even the LED light has a cutout. The speaker has one too, so no sound muffling. The inside of the case is completely lined with thin neoprene - front and back, side to side.



The belt clip is comprised of a removeable stud on the back of the case (screws in or out), and a button release belt portion. The belt portion is low profile, and works well. It fits on my belt well, but I suspect it will not fully fit around a wide belt. It is about a 1 & 1/2 inch opening to accomodate belts.



The screen is very well protected by a solid piece of plastic on the inside of the case, and a thin screen protector type of plastic on the outside of the case. They are somehow sealed together in the middle portion, but attached to opposide sides of the case. It's interesting, and it actually works very well.



Since the belt clip stud screws in or out it actually can be screwed loose by accident. When I have it on my belt, and it swings a little bit from friction from sitting or getting into a car, etc., if it is twisted the right way it can cause enough friction to twist the stud loose from the back of the case. To screw it all the way off it would have to be twisted 360 degrees at least three times, so that won't happen, but it does come a little loose. It is because the tension on the stud in the belt clip is very snug. It does not swing loosely around, it actually sits tightly in position, and you can actually turn it on its side and it will stay a while without uprighting itself for a few seconds.

The trackwheel and escape button are accessible, but a little difficult to work with fluidly, particularly the escape button - it's blocked a bit by the hinge.




Overall I truly like the case a lot. Though it is not a case I would normally carry, it is well made and designed. For those metal-case-gurus out there, it's a nice one.


Photos from the Piel Frama web site:



Pros: Sturdy design, solid protection for the BB, excellent screen protection, removeable belt clip, all buttons/jacks/LED accessible, excellent lining, not too big - just enough to fit the BB, no need to worry about falling and scratching!

Cons: Difficult to use trackwheel/escape button, belt clip stud loosens sometimes when worn, a little costly, but it is aluminium...

Conclusion: Though very well made, there are a couple things that cause me concern. I really dislike the way the trackwheel and escape button are hindered, and the belt clip loosening is a problem as well. If those issues were fixed, it would be perfect. But to be honest, I don't know if it is possible to make the buttons much more accessible than they are, and since I have no previous metal case experience I cannot comment on it.

Thanks for the review. It's awesome that so many cases are being reviewed on the forums.

i don't like it but it's kind of cool all the same. (haha. just my opinion)

One question-- doesn't a metallic case affect signal quality/strength? Perhaps this would be more of an issue in fringe/low reception areas.

I have heard that there is some signal loss, but my testing of this case thus far has not shown any - my signal is the same.

Do you have a small scale?

I'd be interested to know the weight of the Blackberry in this case versus in any other leather style case.

I think the aluminum is pounded to such a thickness that weight is probably not an issue but I dunno, seems like a holster or leather case is better than this.

Thanks for the great review. Does the stud make this at all uncomfortable to hold when you are typing?

No - it is high enough up on the back of the case to not be in your way when typing.

Great review. I'll seriously consider getting it.

I'll take it by the shipping place I use and weigh it today.

wouldnt the metal case have a negative effect on phone reception?

The case is very similar to one that I have used a few months ago.
I have included pics in my post about it
http://www.blackberryforums.com/show...etal+case+8700
(Post#15)

Piel Frama is now offering a members discount, read this thread:

http://www.blackberryforums.com/showthread.php?t=34678