Rip Offs Holster
Hands on review by lgreenberg
April 19, 2006
Price as reviewed: $16.95
Ripoffs is a company that I’m quite familiar with. I used a Ripoffs nylon holster for a long time with a Treo 600. Ripoffs are quality nylon holsters which feature a sturdy belt clip. They are no nonsense, only available in black and made for a wide variety of gadgets and gizmos.
Well when a Blackberry Forum’s member alerted me to the availability of a Ripoffs holster for the 8700 I was psyched and jumped at the chance to order one. I quickly placed and order at
Holster Guy.
Update - It seems I was sent the wrong version of this case. The one I've reviewed is not meant for the 8700. The proper model number for the 8700 is case number CO-129FFMv2.
I will try to track one of these down and get one to review.
The case arrived today (not bad – two days from Washington state.) Upon opening it I was pleased. I thought I had found my next case. Unfortunately I was wrong.
The case comes in a plain plastic package.
You can see pretty clearly on the label where the case claims to contain a sleeper magnet for putting Blackberries to sleep when inserted. The same holster is available without the sleeper magnet for devices other than Blackberries. The Blackberry version is denoted by a “M” at the end of the model number, I assume for magnet. C0-129M.
Unfortunately what you do not see anywhere on the package is “8700.” The case is meant for 6510, 7510 and 7520 series devices.
Now what does this all mean? Bottom line. The magnet feature does not work. As hard as I tried I could not get the Blackberry to go to sleep when inserted into the holster. I tried screen in, screen out, holding the Blackberry to the case directly etc. At no time did the Blackberry do what it was supposed to do when in holster mode.
It seems to me that this is another instance of a case manufacturer thinking if it works with one Blackberry it works with them all. Clearly we know that not to be the case.
The belt clip used on this case is very strong. It’s made from thick metal and really locks onto your belt. There’s little chance of it coming off your belt unless you want it to.
The case uses Velcro closure, which I’m not particularly fond off but have always been willing to deal with because I like the Rip Offs holsters so much. The Velcro isn’t super strong and doesn’t close great.
The other problem with this case is the removal of the device. The 8700 sits very low in the case. It’s very hard to remove the 8700 from this case from the top. I’ve found the only way I can quickly get the 8700 out of this case is by first pushing it out from the bottom and then grasping the sides to remove it.
The case has an extra pocket on the inside which would be good for keeping business cards or other small items in.
The case does offer a slim profile when worn which is the one thing I've grown to like about Ripoffs.
This case is one which is nice by idea but seems to fail in function. The lack of an operating sleeper magnet makes it unusable to me. If you’re okay not having the magnet function and need a case that offers a good amount of protection then this case might work for you.
I give this case 2/5 Berries.
Pros: Good level or protection, sturdy belt clip, cheap.
Cons: Sleeper magnet doesn’t work, bad Velcro.
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Hands on review: Ripoffs Holster -
04-19-2006, 01:37 PM
