Brando Workshop Deluxe Leather case for HTC Wizard.

Brando Workshop Deluxe Leather case for Imate K-Jam Review

As an addendum to our 8 part HTC Wizard case shootout review from way back in February I'll be looking at the Brando Workshop Deluxe Leather case for Imate K-Jam. After the bullet proof, multifunctional Aluminium case reviewed earlier in the year Brando has a tough act to follow, and brings this new offering to us fairly late in the game. Can this late push from Brando learn from all who have come before and deliver unto us the ultimate Wizard case?
Read on to find out!

Special thanks go out to Brando for supplying us with a review sample.

Remember, the direct case comparison has already been posted, but will be updated to include the new reviews on Saturday 22nd July after the last of the 2 new individual reviews.


For your delectation all photographs are thumbnails which, may be clicked on to load an image.



Supplier: Brando Workshop
Product: Brando Workshop Deluxe Leather case for Imate K-Jam
Cost: $28 (£15 approx)
Supplier Web Site: http://shop.brando.com.hk
Supplier Product Web Site: http://shop.brando.com.hk/bwimatekjamleathercase.php






Introduction

You find with many companies a tendency to flood the market with accessories for a device during the first month or two after its release and then forget about said device and pursue newer models as they subsequently appear. Fortunately for us, The Brando Workshop often comes up with exciting and innovative gadgets and gizmos for our PDA's long after they're considered new. With the Wizard being well into its product lifecycle (it was released nearly 9 months ago), we're still searching for the ultimate in case functionality for our slidy keyboard wielding little friend and, if I'm honest, I'd given it up as a lost cause. This latest Brando offering though is a little different. Has Brando come up with the goods right at the finish line?
Read on........









Aesthetics

I feel I need to express a little disappointment at the aesthetics of the Brando Workshop Deluxe Leather case. It's not ugly, far from it, but I can't help feeling a little more TLC could have been put into a couple of aspects. The first issue I have is with the quality of the leather. It's not exactly poor, but rather poorer than we're used to seeing. The stitching is also a little wobbly, and is the grey/silver colour I dislike so much on a black case. I've tried to steer away from comparing cases in the standalone reviews, but it's difficult to express how I feel in this case without doing so. If you look at the other black cases, they look so much better with black stitching on top of black leather. The final point I'd like to mention is the case's front cover. This is a little too flexible at the top and bottom, which, makes it look a bit untidy. I do quite like the little Brando brand on the SD holder cover though, and generally if you're not scrutinising it too closely, it looks reasonably good.

The one real plus point that Brando can take way from the aesthetic aspects of the Deluxe case is the packaging. The typical clear plastic bubble has made way for a tidy little box, emblazoned in gold with the Brando logo. A nice touch.









Phone Functionality

From a functionality point of view, the Brando Workshop Deluxe Leather case for Imate K-Jam is awesome. Every single button, slider, speaker, silo, port and crevice has its own little hole for you to access, (ok, so you can't take the battery cover off, but that doesn't really count does it?) and although at first glance the leather seems a little too thick around the edges, it's not, a solid press allows full control. The main cover attaches with a press-stud, and when opened enables you to slide the top cover off the device to use the keyboard. The screen cover is fantastic too, allowing you to not only see, but also use the touch screen of the Wizard without even unclipping the main case cover. There's a nice SD card holder on the underside of it as well, excellent for carrying that all important Mini SD to SD caddy. Best fun of all is the screen cover has a magnetic latch to hold it in place over the screen and with a swift wrist action you can flip it closed with one hand, given you a satisfying slapping sound (which, erm, obviously won't appeal to everyone.. ).









Physical Security

The device coverage offered by the Brando Workshop Deluxe Leather case is excellent, no corners are left bare, and the leather is nice and thick with a kind of rubbery edging to it. This ensures all the ports retain their shape and don't split. It also gives a slight rubbery feel when you bounce the case. As I mentioned earlier the top and bottom pieces of the main front cover are a little flimsy, and as well as spoiling the case lines a touch, left me a little underwhelmed from a physical security aspect. I tried several tests though, dropping the case from different angles, and the cover seem to stay covered, no matter what.

The belt clip is attached in standard fashion by slotting it onto a solid connector, made of metal, firmly set in the case. A fair step up both aesthetically and functionally from the old chunky plastic connector of the Aluminium case. With the clip removed the metal connector doesn't majorly add to the width of the device, and during my tests I found little reason to remove it. As a minor aside, the belt clip doesn't quite seem to fit properly, as it is pushed sideways a touch by the fastener for the main front cover. I don't believe the design of the case is at fault for this necessarily, but rather the clip, being quite short and wide. From my tests I've not come across any issues resulting from this, but it might be one to keep an eye on.











Value

Cost $28 (£15 approx).

At this price Brando is almost giving this case away. Bargain.









Pro's

Fantastic functionality.
Complete device coverage.
Very sturdy for a leather case.
Good SD storage.
Nice new packaging.




Con's



Looks.
Not a great belt clip.








4WM Rating

90%








Conclusion

The Brando Workshop Deluxe Leather case for Imate K-Jam is functionality personified. Nothing else has really come close to offering access to all of the Wizards functions and features with such minimal effort. I'm a little disappointed with the aesthetics of the device; it looks and feels a little 'cheap' for want of a better word. Had Brando used better leather, stitching and clip I think I'd have given the case 100%, as the design and execution is so good. That said, you get what you pay for, and at 15 quid, can you really complain about leather quality? I'll leave that for you to decide. Whatever the outcome, if your Wizard is cold and scared, you'll want to get on over to the Brando Workshop and give this a good hard look.










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Waveydavey
4WM Moderator & Reviewer.