First off; I've been using this case for about 2 weeks, everyday. I also own a Milante case and I've used that one for about 5 days, then the Seidio Case came, and I've been using that ever since until recently when I noticed that the structural integrity of my 8700g was slowly being compromised by two thingss;
1. The lack of protection from the case
2. and the case itself...where it contacts the berry.

I will add here, before I go on, that Siedio does make good products and that this case is well designed and thought out. Any faults that I state below is in my opinion not towards Siedio but towards the cheap plastic and poorly painted exterior of the 8700g.

First up; The myth that the top; spring latch would be scratch the top of the berry was not experienced by me in the time I used it. However, I do not have the habit of using the famous "one hand, quick release technique". I tried it a few times, but stopped for two reasons;
1. The spring latch rubs harder against the top of the berry, when you snap it open whiles pulling out the berry with one hand.
2. This on hand method is very risky for dropping the berry-I will go into details with picture examples below. Unless you are Clint Eastwood, spiderman or have a natural kung fu grip I won't suggest the "one hand draw".


First Pictures...as you can see my top is clean of any potential marks that would've been left by the spring latch.



Look how the Spring Latch touches the top of the berry.






Look how the berry's sides and bottom contact the holster...note the sides particularly


Why I don't like the one hand technique: When you grap the spring latch back, the berry pops out




Here, as your fingers and thumbs secure the berry from dropping, the spring latch tends to snap back quickly and will contact the top of the berry, if the berry is not out the holster quick enough.





The results of using the holster after 2 weeks. Note that less than 1 week of using the OEM plastic holster did FAR MORE damage than 2 weeks with the Seidio. Also I felt the Seidio holster was still very well designed, but these 8700x series berrys are NOT MADE WELL ENOUGH for everyday use with any holster. A really good option that I will do myself is getting a "clearskin shield or rubber skin(or whatever they call them)" from Siedio and using it to cover your berry whiles inside the Seidio holster. I know the marks may seem small and insignificant to some (also the camera and light make the marks seem less severe), but these are not just marks on my berry, but the "gradual beginning of what will become holster scars down the line", I know I'm picky, but I don't care.




Why I like the Seidio Holster: Slim, and to the point!





The risky way to "one hand" quick release your berry. Note when vertical the grip on the back of the berry is all you have and the back is very slippy, also you will see that the lifting upwards gives a bad angle and makes it very difficult to recover the berry if it starts to fall. No berry's were dropped or hurt in this demo!
DONT TRY THIS OVER HARD PAVEMENT!






The better way to do a "one hand" quick release. Start with holster vertical or however. Your berry rings, buzzes, vibrates. You swivel it horizontal. And follow what the model is doing in the pictures....(No it's not me, so please don't ask)





Note that you can both stabalize the berry better when it is sideways and keep your finger on the sping latch's tension so it doesn't snap back on your berry! I still recommend a two hand release, but if you must do a one hand, I think that this way was far safer, I bet most of you already knew that anyway...but whatever.

Good pics. I use it sideways as in your bottom pictures and I have become completely comfortable doing it with one hand. Frankly, when I put it in, I don't lift the clip at all. I just push against it.
So far (and note that I have the 8700c/r model with the rubber piece), it is causing no damage to my 8700 and leaving me feeling very secure indeed. This holster is 6 berries out of 5 in my book.

I was paranoid at first to do the one-hand release, but now i do it with ease. I too use the "sideways carry"

Great picture quality man!! You should do all the pictures from now on! Yours are the clearest of any in recent memory.

Very informative and thorough..even for me without an 8700.

Well done review!!

Seidio has released the new version of 8700G holster that has the rubber part at the underside of holster. The order we are currently shipping is the new version.


David Chang
Seidio

Hi David

Is this to mean that the contact surface between the BB and the holster is now fully lined? Including the clip across the top of the BB? That would be fantastic news, if so, and I'll have my order in before your inventory runs out.

Ordered one today.

One word of caution. I bought one for my 8700c. Was very impressed with the craftsmanship.

But...... I was wearing it horizontal. I brushed against a metal pole coming out of a store. (The poles were set up so that shopping carts can't be taken into the parking lot.) I accidently hit the top release latch and the Blackberry popped out and flew to the hard cement ground. Not pretty!!!!

The unit still works but it needs a new front housing for sure and the ALT key is a bit rough.

I wound up having to buy a new 8700c outright and hope that someday I can fix the damaged unit and sell it.

So, be very very careful!!!

Thanks for the advice. The way my OEM one is now is not any better. When my Blackberry is in the holster it's loose and VERY easily removable...too easy for my taste. At least this one has a velvet covered interior and a spring lock.

I got one of the original Seidio 8700G holsters when it first came out, and after two moonths of use have scuff marks on my T-Mobile-branded 8700G in multiple locations now - top, bottom, and both lower corners. I am pleased with the security of the holster, but quite disappointed that the security came at the expense of cosmetic damage. Especially since I invested in an Invisible Shield screen protector! My screen is crystal clear and scratchless, but the case is starting to show some real wear and tear after only two months!

I have heard of products to remove scratches from Blackberry screens. Is there something like that which will work on the body plastic?

Seidio, would you be willing to exchange the holster that is damaging my Blackberry for one with the new protective rubber?

RickinPA

From all appearances, it doesn't seem as though the bottom section of the newly released holster is lined either. Still waiting for some response from David/Seidio regarding this. The addition of a rubber trim piece across the clip at the top seems to be the only change.

I can vouch for this holster. I accidently drop my BB (in the holster) and it rolled down a concrete staircase. Result: Not even a scratch mark on my BB. If not for this holster, I'm sure the plastic casing would have cracked.

Long as it doesn't accidently pop out of the holster!!!

You can use all sorts of gizmos (and many are reviewed here, thanks) -- however nothing I've seen in the last three years is better or cheaper at protecting the BB than the leatherette case that RIM sells. The thing just works and protects.

It still scratches my 8700g.
I just started using it again for a few days and I noticed new marks on my BB.

Is the holder compatible with the extended battery?

This is a great holster, the best holster made. I will be using it till my Fortte case arrives. My only problem with it is the lack of protection for the back of the BB 8700. It's too susceptible to scratches.

I am still waiting for a Seidio holster for skinned 7130c devices...

well, I can't wait till a get the holster for skinned 8700g, with the skin case, it wouldnt be that bad i think!!! But i need a holster since there is no belt clip on 8700g seidio skin case. Man, you gotta speed up !

I had a Seido sideways holster similar to this one when I had my Treo 600. Nice design, but the Treo was always falling out when I was getting out of the car. The Treo must have hit concrete 4 or 5 times as a result.

I stick to vertical pouch holsters with good magnetic lid latches now. Problem solved.