The search for the klutzproof case

[womanhattan]

Hi

I just bought my Treo 700p and so far I'm happy, if a little anxious to be carrying such an expensive machine around with me. A case won't keep me from losing it, but it will keep me from breaking it, and thus my general anxiety will be greatly alleviated when the case I ordered arrives next week.

My criteria: shockproof/klutzproof, no leather, usable without removing from the case.
I decided on the MC6 Magnesium case for the 650 (without SD card holder). http://store.everythingtreo.com/cont.../4-23--243.htm
I read on some forum that it fits the 700, except that the cutout for the reset button is on the wrong side (which doesn't make sense to me, because the reset button is beneath the battery cover!) Anyway, I was used to carrying my Palm M505 around in a shockproof molded synthetic Strongman case that zipped closed and held the palm securely, with a stylus holder on the side. I never had to take the Palm out of its case to use it which gave me great peace of mind--I didn't have to worry about dropping it. I didn't mind the bulk (extra space for credit cards etc.) because I find that the larger an object, the less likely I am to lose it. I will be using this case to carry my Treo until my magnesium case arrives, although it's an awkward fit.

Originally, I would have preferred a case that completely covered the phone, but I am realizing that this doesn't work with smartphones as it did with plain PDA's. You need cutouts for antenna and phone-answer buttons and such. Nonetheless, I may get an Aquapac case for an extra layer of protection when needed (I realize I'd need to take it out of the aquapac case to use--but it would still be in the magnesium case). Yesterday I walked several blocks in pouring rain that went right through my cloth handbag, and I'm not sure my new magnesium case would have protected the smartphone from the water! (Because of the cutouts.)

The best feature of this case is that it's double-hinged so you can flip the cover to the back and talk while you're on the phone. Other pro's: it's neoprene inside. Cons: I've read that the metal finish scratches easily to reveal the silver, making it less attractive. No biggie. Sadly, I won't have a place to business cards, plastic cards, post-its, business cards, and an extra pen/stylus, as I did with my Case Logic Strongman PDA case.

Anyway, here's a review of the Magnesium case http://www.treocentral.com/content/Stories/766-1.htm

I welcome feedback from people whose concerns are similar to mine--what system/case do you use to protect your palm while making it easily accessible? I also welcome feedback from anyone who is familiar with the MC6 Magnesium case. Or is there another case with similar solutions? (I can always get an extra case.) I drop phones often and spill things which was no problem when I had a cheapie phone. Thanks.

[magg]

hi,
Magnesium is a highly versatile metal favoured for its light weight and high strength-to-weight ratio. It is non-toxic, has excellent machining qualities, and exhibits a capacity to dampen and absorb vibration and electromagnetic waves.

[Kreth]

If you want a weatherproof case, you may want to check here. Some of these cases are a little on the pricey side, however.

[chris]

Here's a review I did of the Magnesium M6 Treo Case. You might want to add the ToughSkin (see review) to your list of cases to consider. While it is a skin case, the combination of the heavy skin and holster does offer good protection. On the pricer side of things, the Vaja iVolution T77 (see T66 review) is built to be klutz-proof. Just to be sure, I dropped my Treo direct on the concrete and it survived. It also protects the screen with the flip front.

Good luck and let us know how it works out.

-Chris

[benjie]

I looked at a skin case this morning at CompUSA and liked it. I then tried to fit it in to the case I was going to purchase, a Rhino leather case and darn, it would not fit. The Rhino offers more protection than the current case I am using (slip over, clear plastic on front, rest leather), by adding a flap that I am learning to adjust to (pain at this point). I like the clear pastic front; however, with use it becomes a non-player, meaning you tap here and something happens there - and that is a pain.

The Sprint store is suppose to have one that has the flap, the keypad is covered and the face is open - I might go down this afternoon AFTER 5p and look at it and if I like it, then I buy it and keep the Rhino as a spare. I really want a cover of the keypad. As for protecting the screen, that really is where it is all at. hey, I like the Krussel on this site - though being in Hawaii, delivery time...

Ben

Ben

[rachris2]

I spend a TON of time on lakes bass fishing. NOT a place where you want to drop your Treo 700p. I settled on a Body Glove Cell Suit. $15 on e-Bay and worth every penny.

But that's just my humble opinion...

[womanhattan]

Thanks for the reviews. They're good articles. That Vaja would be too expensive (and I'm not a leather person anyway) but the Magnesium case is working out just fine. But today was a cold day, and that case does get cold! The strange thing was, I read good reviews of the Smartphone Experts Magnesium case, and bad reviews of the Innopocket Magnesium case, so I ordered the Smartphone Experts case from Everything Treo, and got an email saying it would be billed to Smartphone Experts, but when it arrived, it said Innopocket on the back! So I guess Innopocket and Smartphone experts are the same company? Did they change their name because of the bad reviews??