So I just got this MONACO case off eBay 2 weeks ago
for about $9.50 and $4.95 for shipping.

I was impressed by the quality for what I paid for. I used both the Cingular and T-Mobile leather pouch holsters and found this quality of the Monaco to be much better.
Here are the key points I looked at.

CASE QUALITY: Got 5 out of 5 stars from me. The padded leather or pleather if its fake pouch is really slim and durable. It is well designed and has sleeper magnets on both sides so that you can carry your berry facing out or facing in. However, the pouch seems to be designed for the berry to be facing screen out (away from the clip), but as you see in the pictures you can reverse the berry to face inwards and the sleeper magnets will work.

PROTECTION: Will NOT leave a mark on your berry like the OEM and Siedio Plastic shell cases. The padded velvet lining is first class quality and cushions the berry well. Note that the lining is also slippery so becareful when removing the berry especially if you carry the berry face out and holster the pouch horizontal or sidways (see pictures where my berry slipped out). The padded lid, locks with a magnet button and protects against bumps and other daily encounters. Note the bottom edges and top edges are exposed but only slighty and I did not have any problems with my berry getting banged up. Also I cannot say for sure what will happen to the berry if the case were to drop on a hard surface with the berry inside but I strongly assume the lid would pop open in a hard drop (say from 5+ feet above ground to concrete-hard pavement) and the berry would spill and tumble out. A soft surface drop to carpet, or soft wood floor would be okay.
I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars in this area.

BELT CLIP: 5 out of 5 stars. The belt clip is a marvel. It is leather (or pleather) with a sticky surface on the inside of the clip that adds to the already firm clip. It is a fully rotational clip that hold the pouch in a slim profile against your body.

OVER ALL: 4.5 out of 5 stars. Well thought out design and quality materials left me a satisfied customer. With an amazing belt clip and unique slim profile padded pouch you'll love this case as well.

I took away half a point for protection. The berry can easily slip out once the lid is open and the velvet lining whiles being a great soft-surface that wont scratch you berry is very slippery when taking the berry out. Plus the magnetic lid won't hold shut in the event of a hard drop and I would expect the berry to spill out and tumble AFTER the case hits the ground.

However, for $10.00 this has to be the BEST CASE that you can currently get for the 8700 series.

Enjoy the Pictures:


PART ONE: INTRO











PART TWO: DETAILS

















PART TRES: CARRYING THE BERRY IN THE MONACO CASE

Nice rewiew, thanks! Can you comment on 2 things for me though?

1. Is the belt clip removable?
2. About how much thickness does it add to the BB when it is inside the case?

Thanks!!

Must be Pleather for that price. I don't find these types of cases to be super functional since I never trust those types of clips. I prefer the Fortte cases with the removable clip because then it can be like a pouch too if I want it.

Great review by the way. You get an A++++++ for that.

No its not removable, but fixed.

In my opinion, the case is slim, but because the belt clip is also slim and close fitted once on your belt I didn't think it add any measurable thickness to the berry that if you were carrying it in the OEM cradle.

I hate bulky leather cases with thick block-like belt clips and I found that this was not like that.

Also the belt clip is also sticky-like so it not only clips it also grips.

thanks.

I have to disagree with the 5 out of 5 for the case quality. I just received my case and the blackberry has to be pushed hard into the case before the top will close all of the way. When you do this then the sleeper function does not work. Additionally, the sleeper function only works when the top of the BB sticks out about 1/4 inch and this does not allow the top to close at all. It works a little better when the BB is placed in reverse. This is totally unacceptable! I am sending mine back and that is too bad since I was testing this before purchasing several (100+) for our organization.

Mine works great (Sleeper function and latching) and I got it for Xmas. I have to admit that when I first got it, it was hard to get the case top to latch. but after a few uses, it works great. I have never had an issue with the sleeper function. I would give it a 5 out of 5.

Tony

Great review.

I use this case, and it's great. The leather is very durable, and I'm pretty rough with mine, and the sleeper function never fails. The one thing you should keep in mind is that if you have a tendency to carry your BB and case in your pocket instead of clipping on your belt, it can be bulky. Stinsonddog makes a good point that you should get a case with a removable clip so have the option.

Still going strong!

Is there a 8100 version?

I just got mine and I have to let the BB stick out 1/4 to 1/2 inch, closer to 1/2 inch for the magnet to work. I guess not much has changed in 6 months. I have emailed the vendor about it to see if they can replace it with one that performs properly (bought on eBay).

David

hey chief, no offense, but i would rather go onto Amazon and buy the OEM RIM Lambskin Leather case with durable swivel belt clip...for only $18 total price. it can be found here:

Amazon.com: RIM BlackBerry 8700 8700c 8700g 8703e Lambskin Leather Holster Case with Swivel Belt Clip (BLACK) - HDW-11939-001: Cell Phones & Service


HIGHER QUALITY LAMBSKIN leather, more CLASSY in appearance, and FULL WARRANTY from RIM. i HATE a leather swivel clip, seems like a dumb idea. i had a case like that once and it was unecessarily difficult to put on and remove from one's belt (too much leather on leather resistance). one might think this to be a good thing b/c it won't slip off, but the plastic durable clip does the same thing without the resistance, you just push on the tab and it separates.

I just placed an order for two of these, as I want a nicer holder for my BlackBerry. I have been using the default plastic joint that came with my 8700g. Time for a change!

yea my friend has one. great case.

yo jeremy...great minds think alike

Indeed