Seidio Premium Skin Case

Hands on review by lgreenberg

April 21, 2006

Price as reviewed: $19.95

Don’t you just love it when a company listens to its customers and responds to their needs and wants? Companies like Fortte and Seidio have gained a cult like following because they are willing to go that extra mile by manufacturing products their customers actually ask for.

A few weeks ago David from Seidio asked Blackberry Forums members if they’d be interesting in seeing a skin style case for the 8700. The answer was yes and just a few weeks later the product was launched.

This “high-end” skin style case is perfect for those of you who prefer to carry their devices caseless but still want some level of protection. It keeps the Blackberry very low profile yet will protect it from scratches and impact.

The premium skin is made from a very high-grade polymer that is extremely strong, durable, tear resistant, and long lasting. It also feels great when gripped. Anti-slip properties of the material give your 8700C more grip on all types of surfaces.



I inserted my 8700 into the skin by first placing it through the top part and then pulling the top part of the skin back and around the 8700.





There were no signs of tearing or stretching from putting the skin on and taking it off multiple times.

After some minor adjustments the 8700 was aligned perfectly. The LED was completely visable and the ear piece was not blocked either. There is also a cut out on the back of the skin for the speaker so do not worry about alerts and ringtones being muffled.





The 8700C remains very useable inside the case. There are cutouts for the power port, headset port, antenna, and speaker. The keyboard is uncovered so you can use it trouble free. The track wheel and escape key do become slightly more difficult in this case but not as hard as when using some of the other leather style cases out there.







I was able to easily slip my 8700 into the skin even with a set of Egrips and The Best Skins Ever installed.

As with some of the other cases out there this skin makes using the RIM desktop stand a little more secure. The anti-skid properties of the skin allow it to lock better into the stand.



I kept the skin in my pocket for a few hours and didn’t notice too much lint/dust being attracted to it. This is a common issue with skin style cases though and perhaps my pockets were just dust free today.

This is a great version of a skin case. If you’re the type of person who likes their devices to remain as slim as possible than this might be the case for you. If you do invest in this case I’d also highly recommend investing in a good quality screen protector and this skin does not offer any screen protection.

This skin gets my highest rating. 5 out of 5 Blackberries.



Pros: Perfect fit, slim design, tear resistant.
Cons: No sleeper magnet, no screen protection.

Ordering one now... Thanks for another great review!

---Edit--- Woops, they seem to be out of stock (waiting patiently...)

Can I get one of these for a 7730? EDIT: There's not one. Crap LOL

I don't see one for the 7730 on the Seidio web site.

Boxwave however, does seem to have one for the 7730. Although my experience with the Boxwave skin wasn't positive. The material they use is very thin. I happened to tear the first one I ordered just putting it on the very first time.

The Boxwave version also includes a removable belt clip. But personally I wouldn't carry my Blackberry in a case like this on my belt. Too much screen exposed to potential hazzards.

www.boxwave.com

Thanks Greenberg, much appreciated.

Larry,

There was a thread about a skin like this. I think it was started by Guess. The rubber eventually ended up stretching out and becoming a yellowish tint. Any ideas if this will eventually happen similarly?

I'll have to say it's too early to answer that one corey.

I don't even use it anymore but I want to have a nice case or skin for it in case I have to ship it somewhere after selling it. But I do not like flip cases.

Larry,

Thank you for the review. This is premium quality skin case. Seidio has developed the premium skin case for Treo 650 and 700 for quite some time. No stretch problem has been reported.

DAvid Chang
Seidio

Thanks David.


I figured as much.

The holster for skinned 8700C will be available around late next week. It will be available just holster or the skin/holster combo.

David Chang
Seidio

Lgreenburg:
Since you are the case-master, did you try putting your skinned blackberry in Seido's exisiting holster?

Nope.

I don't see the point since we know it won't fit. Why else would they be releasing a different version of the holster for skinned devices?

Great review!

Just seeing if you tried or not out of curiosity... Kinda like how some of the desktop cradles work with the 8700 with a case on, etc... And yes, I can't wait for the holster to come out for the skinned devices. I've become quite the case-hog thanks to your reviews! Siedo seems like such a good company

Let us know when the skin/holster combo will be available. I'll be ordering one of those! Thanks!

Seidio said, as I expected that the holster for the "G" is not out yet that will fit both the BB with the skin, BUT she also said the skin Itself is not out yet for the G


Is this whay you were made aware of?

thank you
Eric

David,
What is the status of the skinned holster for the 8700C?


I did not see it on the Seido website.

Keith

I do not think that the holster is out that holds any 8700 with the skin. but I would call them. THERE IS NOTHING OUT FOR THE G YET. IT WILL BE ANY DAY.

Has anyone heard if Seidio is going to make one of these skins for the 7130?

Does the 8700C case not fit the 8700G? I was under the impression that the device cases were identical. No?

I beleive Seidio will be releasing a skin for the G shortly.

Ordered mine today. While I liked the idea of the original Seidio case, thought it left the Berry kind of exposed but with the Skin, that should help. Also was a little leary as I had a case similar to the original Seidio for a Razr phone I used to have. And it pretty much launched the phone if it dropped. But with a skin to protect it even if that happens the Berry should be protected.

Thanks for the great review LG. I got 8700c about 3 weeks ago, and read every single article from you and Seattle.

I ordered the Seidio skin/holster combo and have been using it for about a week. Overall, its a decent skin/holster combo, but I would like to make 4 points:

1) It doesn't look as ugly as in the photo. I thougt twice about buying it since LG's picture show it as bluish-jelly like tint. However, you won't even notice it after a week. It has a nice feeling that it's protected from minor bumps, and the grip feels nice in your hands. Regarding lint, I keep it outside in the holster (not in my pocket), but I don't have any major lint buildup.

2) Holster is nice with the clasp and the felt inner lining. I can easily get my beautiful 8700c in and out with one hand. However, the holster sit a bit high. I'm a slightly bigger man with the side of my gut hanging out, and it sorta pinches my skin when I sit. I just wished it was lower...or maybe I just need to lose my gut.

3) As evident in the pictures, the earpiece hole doesn't exactly lineup with the earpiece. I tried over and over again to re-align it, but it ain't gonna work. I don't think it actually blocks any sound, but it looks a little sloppy.

4) Lastly, the square cut for the screen, is more like a slight trapezoid. It may be due to the stretching of the material, but the lower end of the square is wider than the top. You can also see it in LG's photos. Minor complaint really, but still noticable for those who spend 75% of their days with blackberries.

Maybe David Chang from Seidio can fix my gripes and send me another one?

My only complaint is:

Although I've been using the Skin exclusivly since I've gotten it. It's been rainy here in Illinois and it's helped a bit when I'm commuting to work and receive an important E-mail (I ride my bike to work and I think it offers some slight water protection). The holster clips perfectly to my bag, and when I'm at work, it's great to throw the skinned BB in my cargo shorts.

I agree, the bar on the lower half of the screen covering the buttons could be quite a bit tighter, but overall for $19.95 (well slightly cheaper with the combo) this is a great option for a case.

Premium skin case in black for 8700G now available
http://www.seidioonline.com/index.as...ROD&ProdID=393

Edit: Found the answer on their web site. Sleeper mag is built in on the skinned holster.

With the combo, skin and holster, does the holster have the magnet for the sleep function as found on the OEM holster?

What happened to the pics????