[davistld01]

I have been using Seidio products ever since I have been converted from regular mobile phones to smartphone/PDA devices...and have always been very satisfied with the quality and integrity of their products, and their promptness to re-tool and correct a product that performs in a less than satisfactory manner. I have found their customer service is courteous and helpful...and they have always been a pleasure to deal with.

Having switched from the Palm Treo 680 that had been my smartphone of choice to the BlackBerry camp (in the form of the new 8300 Curve) recently...I had been waiting with expectation for Seidio to introduce products that I had been using on my Treo with great success...like the slim rubberized hard case, the holster for the skinned/cased phone, and the rubberized holster for the "naked" or unskinned/uncased phone. I was pleased to recieve from them, their first product for the Curve: the rubberized holster for the un-skinned 8300.

After using this holster for pretty much two full days, and abusing it getting in and out of cars/trucks (I am in the automobile business) all day for both days...I can, with authority say that it is the best holster that I have ever used with a mobile device, even better than the one I previously used with the Treo 680.

The spring-clip is wider than Seidio's previous products, proving they have learned from some of their past problems in securely holding a device in place, while making it easy to access...not an easy combination to master. The spring tension is stiffer than others, but it is still easy enough to depress the clip and release the device from the holster easily and effectively with a thumb or finger. I personally prefer to wear the holster so that the device is horizontal on my belt, running parallel to my belt. This allows me to "thumb the clip" and release the Curve into my hand naturally.

The belt-clip is much more secure than any other I have tried, and gets a good grip on and around the belt...without cutting into and ruining the looks of nice dress belts as many others out there can't claim not to do. It holds well, without moving around, while not being so unforgiving that the slightest bump or nudge sends the device fling off the belt onto the pavement or floor.

And, finally the rubberized coating on the plastic on this holster "feels" warm and nice. There are no sharp edges to mar the looks of the 8300 Curve, and you feel confident that your BlackBerry is being cared for and in the lap of luxury. In fact, because this holster is designed to hold the 8300 Curve with the screen and keypad facing inward, there is a felt-like covering to protect your vunerable screen against scratches and scrapes as well.

I also must add, that there is an indentation on the inside of the case to allow the trackball to not rub against anything, and Seidio has smartly placed a magnet underneath the inside felt material that puts the 8300 in "sleep" mode when it is clipped into the holster. You can actually see the screen backlight go dark before it even is clipped all the way in. That is solid engineering from Seidio, and another reason they are number-one in smartphone accessories and are the first to introduce products for new devices almost as soon as they are released.

All in all, I am extremely pleased with this product from Seidio...the first of many products to come soon for the BlackBerry 8300 Curve. I look forward to seeing what else they come up with...

You can order your own Seidio holster for the 8300 here:

RUBBERIZED SPRING CLIP SWIVEL HOLSTER FOR UN-SKINNED BLACKBERRY 8300 - HLBB8300AS

-Terry

[JiveMiguel]

Excellent review! I just got my 8300 today. I've always liked having my phone on my belt in a clip like this, and this product looks like it's the one to get! The fact that it puts the BB into sleep mode is even better!

Thanks for the review! Again, great job!

[kasperapd]

This is a great holster! You will like it.

[bdizzlefizzle]

Great review...I'd say it sounds like the 8800 holster I had and loved (got rid of the 8800, which I didn't love), so I'm definitely excited for whenever my 8300 holster comes in now.

[JiveMiguel]

Originally Posted by davistld01

Seidio has smartly placed a magnet underneath the inside felt material that puts the 8300 in "sleep" mode when it is clipped into the holster.

I just got mine and have a question about your quote shown above:
What is exactly happening when the magnet in the holster puts the BB to sleep? Is it changing profiles? Or is it like pressing the mute button on the top?

Thanks!

* Edit * You can put the BB in with the face out and the magnet still puts it to sleep. That's cool!

[duffin]

Originally Posted by JiveMiguel

I just got mine and have a question about your quote shown above:
What is exactly happening when the magnet in the holster puts the BB to sleep? Is it changing profiles? Or is it like pressing the mute button on the top?

Thanks!

* Edit * You can put the BB in with the face out and the magnet still puts it to sleep. That's cool!

What if I want bluetooth active when in the holster? Can I still receive calls?

What if I am on a call using bluetooth and place it in the holster to get both hands free? Will it disconnect?

[davistld01]

Originally Posted by duffin

What if I want bluetooth active when in the holster? Can I still receive calls?

What if I am on a call using bluetooth and place it in the holster to get both hands free? Will it disconnect?

Yes.

I think so.

******************************************
BTW...I will have a review posted soon on the rubberized slim hard case & belt-clip holster combo for the 8300 also!!

[duffin]

Originally Posted by davistld01

Yes.

I think so.

******************************************
BTW...I will have a review posted soon on the rubberized slim hard case & belt-clip holster combo for the 8300 also!!

"I think so" doesn't sound like a yes.

Originally Posted by duffin

What if I want bluetooth active when in the holster? Can I still receive calls?

What if I am on a call using bluetooth and place it in the holster to get both hands free? Will it disconnect?

Seidio's holster or any other holster for that matter that has a sleeper function would still let you able to answer using your bluetooth without any problem. This is not holster-based function but your device function. If you are on a call and using your bluetooth headset, if you have your calls profile set to Auto End Calls upon "Into Holster" it will end your calls. To play safe, set it up to "Never". You can find this set up under Phone > Options> General Options.

Another thing you need to keep in mind in purchasing non-OEM holster, it is important to get one that has a sleeper function such as like Seidio's because it protects accidental key input(s).

[proFeign]

Originally Posted by No Longer Registered.

Seidio's holster or any other holster for that matter that has a sleeper function would still let you able to answer using your bluetooth without any problem. This is not holster-based function but your device function. If you are on a call and using your bluetooth headset, if you have your calls profile set to Auto End Calls upon "Into Holster" it will end your calls. To play safe, set it up to "Never". You can find this set up under Phone > Options> General Options.

NOTE: I don't think either of these guys are right. On my 7100 (I have a curve i haven't tried it with) if you're on an active bluetooth call holstering the phone DOES NOT hang up the call, even with "end on into holster" active.

And I HIGHLY recommend you DO NOT disable the auto hangup into holster option. That means if you aren't careful your call will continue until the other party hangs up.

Again, holstering my phone while on bluetooth had no effect other than to lock the keys. As for answering calls i think if you hit your headset button while it's holstered it'll answer, but if you hit any other buttons on the phone itself it will probably just mute the ringer.

find a land line or a friend with a cell and try it out!

[proFeign]

Originally Posted by davistld01

I have been using Seidio products ever since I have been converted from regular mobile phones to smartphone/PDA devices...and have always been very satisfied with the quality and integrity of their products, and their promptness to re-tool and correct a product that performs in a less than satisfactory manner. I have found their customer service is courteous and helpful...and they have always been a pleasure to deal with.

Having switched from the Palm Treo 680 that had been my smartphone of choice to the BlackBerry camp (in the form of the new 8300 Curve) recently...I had been waiting with expectation for Seidio to introduce products that I had been using on my Treo with great success...like the slim rubberized hard case, the holster for the skinned/cased phone, and the rubberized holster for the "naked" or unskinned/uncased phone. I was pleased to recieve from them, their first product for the Curve: the rubberized holster for the un-skinned 8300.

After using this holster for pretty much two full days, and abusing it getting in and out of cars/trucks (I am in the automobile business) all day for both days...I can, with authority say that it is the best holster that I have ever used with a mobile device, even better than the one I previously used with the Treo 680.

The spring-clip is wider than Seidio's previous products, proving they have learned from some of their past problems in securely holding a device in place, while making it easy to access...not an easy combination to master. The spring tension is stiffer than others, but it is still easy enough to depress the clip and release the device from the holster easily and effectively with a thumb or finger. I personally prefer to wear the holster so that the device is horizontal on my belt, running parallel to my belt. This allows me to "thumb the clip" and release the Curve into my hand naturally.

The belt-clip is much more secure than any other I have tried, and gets a good grip on and around the belt...without cutting into and ruining the looks of nice dress belts as many others out there can't claim not to do. It holds well, without moving around, while not being so unforgiving that the slightest bump or nudge sends the device fling off the belt onto the pavement or floor.

And, finally the rubberized coating on the plastic on this holster "feels" warm and nice. There are no sharp edges to mar the looks of the 8300 Curve, and you feel confident that your BlackBerry is being cared for and in the lap of luxury. In fact, because this holster is designed to hold the 8300 Curve with the screen and keypad facing inward, there is a felt-like covering to protect your vunerable screen against scratches and scrapes as well.

I also must add, that there is an indentation on the inside of the case to allow the trackball to not rub against anything, and Seidio has smartly placed a magnet underneath the inside felt material that puts the 8300 in "sleep" mode when it is clipped into the holster. You can actually see the screen backlight go dark before it even is clipped all the way in. That is solid engineering from Seidio, and another reason they are number-one in smartphone accessories and are the first to introduce products for new devices almost as soon as they are released.

All in all, I am extremely pleased with this product from Seidio...the first of many products to come soon for the BlackBerry 8300 Curve. I look forward to seeing what else they come up with...

You can order your own Seidio holster for the 8300 here:

RUBBERIZED SPRING CLIP SWIVEL HOLSTER FOR UN-SKINNED BLACKBERRY 8300 - HLBB8300AS

-Terry

I got the slim hybrid hardcase and clip from Seidio for my new 8300 and, though I HATE cases on phones I actually love this one. Nice work Seidio! It's hard to get out of the holster when it's vertical but I also carry mine horizontally and I love it this way. Looks good too.