Fortte 8700c Open Face PDA Case
Hands on review by lgreenberg
March 27th, 2006
Price as reviewed: $29.99
By now most of us are familiar with the
Fortte line up of Blackberry cases. They make some of the nicest Blackberry cases on the market (in this reviewer's opinion.) I recently obtained their Open Face PDA Case for the Blackberry 8700 and of course had to review it.
This case is made from ultra-high quality black leather. It's a play-thru type case, meaning you don't have to remove the Blackberry from the case to use it. There is no screen protection on the case. The screen is fully exposed. I would definitely suggest investing in a screen protector if you plan on using this case. The screen does sit recessed a little in the case which should help protect it a little.
The case comes like all the other Fortte cases in a small box.
The case is protected by plastic wrap.
I was sent the belt clip version of the case. It should be noted that this case is available either without or without Fortte's two-piece swivel belt clip.
The leather used on this case is very stiff. I managed to get my 8700 into the case with both Egrips and the Best Skins Ever installed on the device. It wasn't easy but the fit was good. Getting the device back out wasn't too bad either. I imagine it would have been easier to do if I had removed both the Egrips and the Skins.
I'm personally bothered by the little Fortte tag on the side of the case. My finger seems to hit it when using the track wheel.
The case has all the necessary cut outs so all the buttons are fully accessible. Although I do have to say it makes using the trackwheel a little harder only because when in the case it's slightly recessed. Not a big deal but worth pointing out.
The case uses two snaps on the back to keep it closed around the Blackberry.
There is also a cut out for the speaker so alerts/ringtones are not muffled.
Like the other Fortte cases this one does stick out a bit on one's belt.
One thing I should mention. As most of you know there is currently no 8700 specific cradle available. I own the 72xx series cradle and with this case installed the device fits perfectly in the cradle. When I place the 8700 into my cradle naked it's prone to fall out. Nothing holds or locks it in. The leather of the Fortte case creates enough hold that it prevents the device from falling out. Bonus feature.
Pros: Fits perfect in cradle, has all necessary cut outs, high quality leather, available with our without belt clip, play-thru.
Cons: No screen protection. Free swivel belt clip. No sleeper magnet.
Hands on review: 8700c Fortte Open Face PDA Case
