Would love to hear your thoughts on the Fortte fixed or heavy clip, because I'm trying to decide between the two.

I generally wear either a 1.25 or 1.5 inch belt. The fixed clip looks better to me (less likely to scratch my belt since it's covered in leather), but I just want to make sure it's secure enough not to slide off my belt if I sit down and accidentally bump an armrest or something. The usual office/general use stuff, nothing incredibly strenuous.

Do you find the heavy clip slips around on the belt because it has more space?

I would appreciate your advice. Thanks!

fixed....
you'll have less of an issue with bumping your losely hung BB on a doorknob, and I'm sure the slim/fix clip will provide a firm close fitting fit.

From my view, the heavy duty clip is even lower profile than the fixed clip. But I speak not from experience. I would certainly go with the heavy duty clip myself (and would have had I not ordered the Seidio holster instead.)
I asked rajin cajun about the heavy duty clip here. He seemed to like it.

I just ordered the Fortte horizontal with belt loop.Should have it in about 10 days

I just ordered the Fortte STi case without the elastics on the side, in sand color with the heavy duty clip.

I have been using the heavy clip for about 2 weeks now and I really like it. It does slip around on my belt because the gap is somewhat thick but that's good for me. Usually with a tight clip its going to either pull off of your belt or its going to break. Mine just slips to one side or the other and has been pushed off 1 time but no harm done. The clip is very slim and my BB fits close to my side. Overall I'm happy with the clip and case. I can usually hear my BB ring now depending on what part of the plant I'm in.

I just got the STi case in mahogany today w/fixed clip - all I can say is bravo to Fortte. The case seems excellent in all aspects. Particularly, I chose the fixed clip since (a) I don't care to rotate, (b) wanted the case to be as low-profile as possible, and (c) don't want anything scratching my belts.

The fixed clip satisfies all the above and I have no worries whatsoever about the case coming off my belt. I usually wear a 1-1.5" belt @ work and a bit larger with jeans, but the fixed clip seems long enough to accomodate them and is a nice, secure fit. May not be AS secure as the heavy duty clip, but in order to get the case off my belt I've had to either pull quite hard or hold my belt with one hand while pulling the case off with the other. Naturally, leather against leather will have less friction than some other materials, but the fixed clip is definitely a good option in my opinion.

The fixed clip is better in my opinion. I have both, and the heavy duty clip has a lot of play and wiggle room in it - it does not fit snug against your belt. And there is enough of a gap so that the case can actually slip off the belt on occasion, as Cajun noted above. The fixed clip is very snug, made of stronger steel under the leather, offers more sensation of vibrate mode, will NOT slip off the belt, and color-matches the case leather. It's a no-brainer for me, but to each his own.

Reviews of both the cases I have with both kinds of clips:

Heavy Duty Clip: http://www.blackberryforums.com/showthread.php?t=34007
Fixed Clip: http://www.blackberryforums.com/showthread.php?t=34006

I have another one to be delivered soon that has the fixed clip on the STiL case, but I had them place the clip on sideways, so the case rests horizontally. I always rotate my ratchet cases like that because I prefer to have the top of the device facing forward so I can do a quick-draw from the case. I'll review it when it arrives in the next day or two.

Vote and you may get a free custom Fortte case! Check this out: http://www.blackberryforums.com/showthread.php?t=34691

Guys and gals,

Thanks so much for your input. Am ordering the fixed clip.

i chose the antique silver ! its very nice.. with any color case!

Seattle18, This could be perfect! I see that you are getting the STiL (i.e. with the latch) which makes sense for this configuration. Look forward to hearing how it turns out.
BTW I take it that you took great care to explain which way you want the clip to face.

I just looked on Forttes site and saw the case they made for me is now available. Seattle, you are gonna like it. I have put it through tons of use and it has functioned great.

I am definitely looking forward to getting it. It was cajun's little strap idea that inspired me to get the clip placed horizontally, I hope it works as well as I expect it to. Cooperpwc - I probably wrote a paragraph trying to explain it well enough - overkill - I'm sure they understand what I needed.

Can anyone post pics of the clips upclose? I'm mainly interested in the thickness of the case with the various clips on. I just received my STi case yesterday with the ratchet clip and I'm very dissapointed with it. The case itself is great. They made it exactly how I wanted it to be made, no emblem and no embossing, leather sides. The color is Tamponato Mahogany. I just don't like the thickness of the clip. It's HUGE! Looking at the pics from lg's review and stuff, it didn't seem that big but now that I have it, it's the same thickness as the case itself. I would've gotten the standard fixed clip if I knew. I e-mailed Fortte and the best they can do is give me a discount if I ordered another one but I don't know. I really like Krusell's clips since they're so low profile and they can be changed. I'm satisfied with the OEM plastic holster that came with my 8700c because it's thin as well but I was looking for something more luxurious. I'm still waiting for Dunhill to come out with a case for the 8700's and for Krusell to come out with a Classic case for the 8700. Depsite the fact that I have made a preorder for a Nokia E61 (I already got the Krusell Classic case for it), I would still like a nice case for my 8700c which will be my backup in case my E61 ever goes missing/broken. What do you guys think? I'm also looking at the Gizmoskin case since the ratchet clip is built-in and it's as thin as any standard clip, I think. Any suggestions? Advice? Anyone want to buy my Fortte off of me?

CChoi83,
Check these out (link below). They are very classy looking, have a removeable front flap, and have a very low profile ratchet clip on them. They will have an 8700 model available for sale very soon.

http://www.blackberryforums.com/showthread.php?t=33870

Seattle, thanks for the help. IMH "yeah right!" O, the Naztech looks ugly. I RARELY every buy aftermarket cases for my phones because, well, I'll just say it, I'm a label king. If Louis Vuitton or Montblanc made one I'd probably buy it just because I like their designs and their leathers. I only bought this because I thought the RIM holster would eventually lose it's grip (plastic snaps might start to wear) and my BB would fall out all the time so I said "hey, what the hell" and bought the Fortte. I wouldn't really mind shelling out the cash for a Krusell though. Ever since I received their Classic case for the upcoming Nokia E61, I'm quite satisfied with the quality. The fit I have yet to experience so I don't have an opinion just yet but their leather is buttery smooth. The Fortte feels very stiff and almost like synthetic leather or vinyl. Don't get me wrong, the Fortte is a nice case in terms of overall quality, fit and user friendliness. I do appreciate your help though. Thanks. Any more advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Best regards,
Chris

Keep in mind that the link I gave was to cases made for a much larger device, and the appearance in pics isn't very flattering. I assure you, these cases look stylish. Here are a couple pics from the case I currently have for my 8700. It is for another device, without the magnet, but it still fits. You still think this is that ugly?

CChoi83,
Here is another option for a ratchet low profile clip:
http://www.blackberryforums.com/showthread.php?p=236891

Seattle, let me rephrase something I said before. It's not that it's really ugly, but it's just not for me. On that note, I'll wait it out and see if anyone comes out with a case that I like. Hopefully they will soon. I'll post pics and give a review when and if I get it. Thanks everyone for helping out. I'm always open to suggestions so if you have any, please post.

Best regards,
Chris

I just measured my clip and it sticks off the case less than 3/8in. Thats very slim. It does slip around on my belt but I actually like that.

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8700/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

I just received my order from Fortte and all I can say is bravo!!! I love the sand colored leather and the heavy duty clip. I usually buy oem leather cases but I am glad I bought this one.