[lgreenberg]

Seidio 8700 Holster for xxx8220;Skinnedxxx8221; Blackberry 8700 Case

Hands on review by: lgreenberg

May 13, 2006

Price as reviewed: $29.95 without skin or $34.95 for both skin and holster.

Hey everyone. Itxxx8217;s me lgreenberg back from a little vacation. I bet you all thought Ixxx8217;d disappeared or something. No such luck. I just took the family for some fun with a certain mouse we all know.



And what should be waiting for me buried in a weekxxx8217;s worth of mail when I returned? Yep, itxxx8217;s the Seidio Swivel Clip Holster with Sleeper Function for use with the Skinned Premium Case.

Straight from the Seidio web sitexxx8230;xxx8230;xxx8230;xxx8230;xxx8230;

xxx8221;The ultimate in convenience and functionality, this innovative, well-designed, and well-engineered locking swivel clip skin holster is the easiest way to carry and fully protect your skinned Blackberry 8700c/8700r. This is the only holster that is truly user-friendly. This holster allows you to remove your skinned Blackberry 8700c/8700r from the top instead of the bottom, making the movement much more natural.
The skinned Blackberry 8700c/8700r is carried facing inward, letting you know that the screen is out of reach from any scratches, with the soft foam padding it rests on.xxx8221;

This holster is currently only available for the 8700c. Look for a 8700g specific holster shortly.

The holster comes in the usual plastic bag.







The model number on this holster differs from that of the non-skinned version.



The holster is quite similar to the one made to hold the device without a skin. Looking at them side by side itxxx8217;s hard to even tell which is which.





When inserted into the regular holster the skinned 8700 doesnxxx8217;t allow the top clip of the holster to properly secure it.



This is corrected with this version of the holster.



You can vaguely notice that the top part of the skinned version of the holster is larger.

Once inserted into the holster all of the Blackberryxxx8217;s ports remain accessible.









Like itxxx8217;s skinless brother you insert the Blackberry into the holster in two steps.

First you place the bottom part of the device into the holster at an angle.



Then lifting up on the top tab you slip it over the device.



Since your device will be protected by the skin when using this holster the rubber piece used in the regular holster has been left off.



Once on the belt this holster still offers a slim profile although it does add some weight.



The holster does have a built in sleeper magnet which works perfectly through the skin.



This is a great combination for someone who likes using a holster but still wants a little bit of added protection. The skin doesnxxx8217;t get in the way of typing or using the side keys and in return you get another layer of protection from bumps.

I give this holster my highest rating.

5 out of 5 Blackberries.



Pros: Slim profile, sleeper magnet, great protection, ratcheting clip.
Cons: Somewhat heavy combination.

[taeisme]

Thank you for the review. Beautiful family by the way!!

[02fz1]

I like it but I already spent $20 on the skin, which is still back ordered, and if I now purchase this separate it's another $30 to make the setup $50! Maybe I should cancel my order and just get the combo for $35? I'll need to call, I'm sure there're others in the same boat. Thanks for the review!

[Seattle18]

Larry, get your camera manual out and find the Macro section! Other than that, excellent work. Mine is on the way...

[lgreenberg]

Yeah I must be the worst photographer on the planet.

[yamkara]

thanks. have placed my order today based on your review. one stoopid question though - can you use the skin with another case, say a fortte vertical case?

[delmarco]

nice review and nice family Lgreenberg!
(I always tought you were younger)

Actually this may be my final set up. I really like Siedio products but our 8700x 's are really not made tough enough to ride bareback in any holster.

[lgreenberg]

Originally Posted by yamkara

thanks. have placed my order today based on your review. one stoopid question though - can you use the skin with another case, say a fortte vertical case?

No, the fit is to tight to get a skinned Blackberry into a case that's designed to fit the naked device.

[yamkara]

Originally Posted by lgreenberg

No, the fit is to tight to get a skinned Blackberry into a case that's designed to fit the naked device.

thanks for the prompt reply. i am prone to dropping my BB and need some advice on a buying leather case which provides some solid protection to my BB (in addition to the skinned holster). my initial thought was the fortte vertical but since the top is quite exposed, i thought i could combine the seidio skin with this case. my next 2 choices are the nutshell or the vaja. any thoughts?

[backbeat]

Originally Posted by lgreenberg

No, the fit is to tight to get a skinned Blackberry into a case that's designed to fit the naked device.

Has the skinned 8700 been tried with the OEM leather pouch case? Since that pouch is a bit oversized anyway, just thought it may be a possibility.

Also, how do you overcome the height profile when wearing it? Using the ratcheting feature, possibly? It appears to ride very high above the waistline otherwise. Lastly, can the holster (with the skinned 8700) be used single-handedly for removing/reinserting it?

[Seattle18]

Originally Posted by yamkara

thanks for the prompt reply. i am prone to dropping my BB and need some advice on a buying leather case which provides some solid protection to my BB (in addition to the skinned holster). my initial thought was the fortte vertical but since the top is quite exposed, i thought i could combine the seidio skin with this case. my next 2 choices are the nutshell or the vaja. any thoughts?

Try the InvisibleShield combined with a pouch style case. The skins are slim enough to not affect the way they fit into a pouch, then you still have a little protection around your BB.

[lgreenberg]

Yeah, I tried the skinned 8700 with the OEM pouch a while back and it's way too tight.

[yamkara]

lgreenberg, Seattle18

many thanks for your assistance. this should take care of my problem.

[vap0r]

went ahead and ordered mine, looks like it's exactly what i want.

[Seattle18]

Originally Posted by yamkara

lgreenberg, Seattle18

many thanks for your assistance. this should take care of my problem.

I have a Fortte STiL case (link here) which I ordered customized, and I told then that I was, at the time, using the Seidio skin for added protection. They made me this case with a small piece of elastic on each side to accomodate the extra width of the skinned BB. It fits perfectly with the skin on, and actually very well without the skin on too. With the top strap on the STiL model there is no worry about falling out, so this may be the perfect solution for you - Seidio skinned or not, this case will work perfectly. Hope this helps...

[jschofield]

I just wanted to add that if anyone of you has cats or furry animals be warned that not only does the skin attract fur, it holds it quite well too. I didn't have my BB out of the holster for 5 minutes after I got home from work and it was covered in cat hair. Another layer of protection you say....well, maybe.

It's a great case for work though, and thankfully my office doesn't have any cats.

jschofield

[gergy]

I just bought a combo package from Seidio. The case and a NEW featured CLIP holster that has a magnet for use with the case. The combo that they have now doesn't include the magnetic clip. JUST SO YALL KNOW.
hoping that i get it within 4 days since i missed shipping on it today. I chose FEDEX express saver. from TX to NY? should be 3 days MAX thats standard ground for UPS. it should be the same. was a little pricier too spent a total of $63.15 but it seems worth it.
thanks for the awsome review. and the pics were fine.
everyone stop complaining! the guy did us all a huge favor. lol

Cheers!
G

[seidioseidio]

Originally Posted by gergy

I just bought a combo package from Seidio. The case and a NEW featured CLIP holster that has a magnet for use with the case. The combo that they have now doesn't include the magnetic clip. JUST SO YALL KNOW.
hoping that i get it within 4 days since i missed shipping on it today. I chose FEDEX express saver. from TX to NY? should be 3 days MAX thats standard ground for UPS. it should be the same. was a little pricier too spent a total of $63.15 but it seems worth it.
thanks for the awsome review. and the pics were fine.
everyone stop complaining! the guy did us all a huge favor. lol

Cheers!
G

I am confused. All our BB combo come with the skin holster with Sleeper function !

David Chang
Seidio

[gergy]

Originally didn't see that. I called back and changed my order anyway. I bought the combo. still hope i get it before or on Thursday. it really would be nice to have before my trip. otherwise i might not take my 8700 at all.

[Hoop]

Does this still come as a combo? All I noticed on the website were separates for about $50 total.