[lgreenberg]

Seidio 8700g Swivel Clip Holster

Hands on review by lgreenberg

April 6, 2006

Price as reviewed $29.95

I recently reviewed Seidioxxx8217;s Swivel Clip Holster for the 8700c here.

Wexxx8217;ve all read the threads on Blackberry Forums. xxx8220;My Blackberry Took a Fallxxx8221; xxx8220;I canxxx8217;t stand the OEM holsterxxx8221; or something similar. Too many people have posted about the awful experience of watching their precious Blackberry 8700 fall to the ground because it somehow got ejected from the OEM holster. Personally I never had this happen to me but I was always a little nervous when using the included holster and often times found myself checking to make sure my 8700 was properly seated in the holster.

Enter Seidio. Sedio has released its Swivel Clip Holster for the Blackberry 8700g. And itxxx8217;s a welcome addition. Since the body of the 8700g differs from the 8700c a new holster had to be created.

When the 8770g is inserted into the holster made for the c the top clip doesnxxx8217;t quite reach enough to lock it in.


This problem has been corrected with the release of a g specific holster.



Seidio was kind enough to send along a brand new 8700g for to use while reviewing the holster. Who can guess how hard itxxx8217;s going to be when I have to send it back.



The inside of the holster is completely lined with felt. No chance of the screen, bezel or keypad becoming scratched.

The Blackberry is meant to be carried face in.



The back of the holster contains a swivel clip.



This swivel clip is SUPER strong. One of my biggest complaints about the OEM holster and the OEM pouch is that the clip used often times moves positions by itself while on my belt. The Seidio clip almost locks itself in place. You hear a very distinct click when switching ratcheting positions. The clip has a total of 7 possible positions.

Another nice feature is the fact that the clip canxxx8217;t be turned upside down. You can rotate the clip to 3 positions to the right or three positions to the left but not 360 degrees around.

Once inserted into the holster the pair makes for a very slim profile. The holster DOES have a built in sleeper magnet which functions perfectly.



All of the buttons and ports are completely accessible.







You definitely get the feeling that the 8700 isnxxx8217;t going anywhere once itxxx8217;s properly locked in. The Blackberry stays securely in place with the top, bottom, and lower sides all held in.

The included instructions tell you to first insert the device into the bottom at an angle.





Then, after the bottom is situated, to lift the spring clip up and push it into place. It is possible to insert and remove the 8700 into the holster with only one hand.



The clip has a little notch at the end which prevents it from accidentally coming off onexxx8217;s belt.



On onexxx8217;s belt the holster offers a very slim profile. The clip is long enough to handle most belts.





One of the features I like about the 8700c version of this holster is the placement of a small strip of rubber at the top where the holster clips onto the device.



For some reason this piece isnxxx8217;t present in the g version of the holster.



Ixxx8217;m not sure if Seidio left it out intentionally or it was just missing from the holster I was sent to review.

Ixxx8217;m going to have to assume, since I do not have a g extended battery door, that the holster works with both the regular and extended batteries.

Regular:



Here are some comparison shots with the OEM holster.







This one gets my best rating. 5/5 Blackberries.

If you like the OEM holster but don't trust it this is the carrying accessory for you.



Pros: Super strong swivel clip, built in sleeper magnet, felt lined, secure, one handed operation.
Cons: Battery door left exposed.

[DuckWingDuck]

Woohoo, can't wait to get mine. Nice wall treatment larry

[lgreenberg]

Originally Posted by DuckWingDuck

Nice wall treatment larry

Thos would be our dining room curtains, closed.

All the wife's doing.

[blkberryboy]

Originally Posted by lgreenberg

Thos would be our dining room curtains, closed.

All the wife's doing.

Enough with the decorations, lets talk about the snazzy duds. Kind of fancy for home wares,eh?




Oh yea...Nice review, thanks. Funny how the little clip on the top can make all the difference over the OEM case

[lgreenberg]

Originally Posted by blkberryboy

Enough with the decorations, lets talk about the snazzy duds. Kind of fancy for home wares,eh?

A golf shirt and slacks?

Come on.

[DuckWingDuck]

Here's a question, I know that the -c holster had that little piece of rubber and the -g holster you reviewed didn't have that piece of rubber, do you think it would cause the paint to rub off?

[lgreenberg]

I'm hoping David from Seidio will chime in soon and either tell us the rubber piece was just missing from the holster I was sent or the reason why they chose to remove it from the G version.

I don't think not having would cause the paint to come off no. But there's got to be a reason why they included it on the C version.

Boy you G users out there are lucky. The G is so slick. I like it better than the C! I want to keep it David!

If someone can unlock them I might just have to buy myself one on Ebay or something.

[skyman]

Just got my holster for the G today also and it doesn't have the rubber piece on the clip.

I wish it did. That's my only complaint since it could rub paint.

Other than that it's a great holster.

[Winston S.]

Hmm I'm awaiting delivery of my 8700g holster and I'm disappointed to hear that the "g" holster does not come with the rubber piece.

[Mr Pink57]

Larry when the hell did you get a 8700g, did you just decide to trade in the "c" for it or is it just a dummy phone?

Great review as always.

pink

[lgreenberg]

Originally Posted by Mr Pink57

Larry when the hell did you get a 8700g, did you just decide to trade in the "c" for it or is it just a dummy phone?

Great review as always.

pink

I didn't get a G.

Seidio sent me a brand new G along with the holster so I could properly review the holster.

I have to send it back.

[Mr Pink57]

Wow, they really do care lol.

pink

[tfaz1]

Just checking to see if there's a bit of play on the swivel-clip? In other words, does it move a bit between clicked swivel positions? Judging by one of the photos where the clip is slightly askew, it seems like this is the case.

Just want to make sure mine isn't the only one...

[lgreenberg]

Yes, there's a little bit of play.

[cooperpwc]

lgreenberg,
Remember how the 8700c holster with the rubber piece did not fit over the top of the 8700g? Is it possible that the 8700g holster is the exact same holster but without the rubber piece? I'm not saying that it is but the thought occurred to me.

[lgreenberg]

I don't think that's the case.

[cooperpwc]

Originally Posted by lgreenberg

I don't think that's the case.

I suspect that you are right. David's explanation in another thread pointed to the lip on the speaker being the culprit that prevents use of the rubber piece.
Another conspiracy theory shot down.

[masonfoley]

Sweet...ordered one for my 8700g a few moments ago. Thanks again for taking the time to provide good, consumer friendly information.

[delmarco]

This is one of the best holsters to get for the 8700g, but don't expect to upkeep your g in perfect condition. The 8700g is too cheaply made to be used in this holster (or any holster) without suffering minute marks and nicks after a week or two of daily use.

David has already made a holster that will fit your rubber-skin covered 8700g. And this combo is probably best for the phone.

An important side note: The one handed operation is not recommended for those not already masters at it and unless you have spiderman-kung fu grip capabilities.

I'm very dexteritious and I've almost dropped the 8700g a dozen times and actually dropped it once trying the one hand release.

The problem is when the holtser is vertical. As soon as you release the spring head-lock the 8700g starts to fall out. Now here is where you'll need all fingers and thumbs to catch it/hold it. But the thing is your thumb (and/or index finger) is likely to still be above at the spring head-lock and the 8700g basically slides right down thru your remaining fingers unless you move rather quickly.

A remedy to this, and it takes practice, is to swivel the holster horizonal then grip it "thumbs above and fingers below" and use you free index fingers at the front to release the spring-head lock into your grip.

[lgreenberg]

Update to review..................................

Seidio will shortly be releasing an update to this holster. The updated holster will contain the rubber piece located under the top clip.