Review: Piel Frama O2 XDA Orbit Case.
4Winmobile are very proud to continue providing our readers with real-life case reviews. This time it is the turn of the O2 XDA Orbit to receive the special treatment with a specifically designed case from Piel Frama. With their reputation to uphold, can they do the Orbit justice?
Read on to find out!
Special thanks must go out to Angelica from Piel Frama for supplying us with a review sample.
Supplier: Piel Frama.
Product: Piel Frama O2 XDA Orbit Case.
Cost: from 50 Euros including global postage.
Supplier Web Site: http://www.pielframa.com
Supplier Product Web Site: http://www.pielframa.com/cases-O2-XDA-Orbit.htm
For your delectation all photographs may be clicked to load a larger image.
Introduction
Piel Frama has been stitching leather goods for more than 50 years so you might say they know a thing or two about leather! Their reputation for hand made quality products using top class materials is born from fact, but the PDA case market is also reliant on functionality - your device is no use wrapped in a case that prevents its use. Can Piel Frama maintain their reputation for excellence with a functional case? Remember the O2 XDA Orbit is slightly different in shape to the generic HTC Artemis platform on which it is based. This has caught a number of accessory manufacturers out already!
Let's see.....
Aesthetics
From the moment the courier drops off the package and you tear it open to get at the tidy buff coloured box, it's instantly apparent that Piel Frama are purveyors of leather goods, not PDA accessory makers. I am always struck by the sheer quality, smell and feel of their products on the first opening. The distinctive hand stitching is ever present and this is denoted by the stamping in the inside of the case (see pic). It is such a change from the mass manufactured look we are used to nowadays. You can see the pedigree in the lines, the materials and the craftsmanship. The choice of colours is broad as is the choice of materials. Aside from the natural Tan colour for which they are usually associated, there's Red, Green (featured), Blue, Tan/Black and all Black. You also have the choice of leather, with Cowskin being the norm, you could be interested in the more exotic Vachetta, Cowskin/Crocodile and even Cowskin/Ostrich leather options.
Even the belt clip appears to be well constructed, if possibly a little large. The plastic is sturdy and the grip mechanism appears solid and has given me no concerns on this or other cases from Piel Frama.
Go on, you know you want to
Phone Functionality
This is the real test! This is where cases can be really criticised - but not this one!
I've been using this case on my Orbit for about a month now and my Orbit is my main contact for work colleagues and clients. I can be on the phone a lot but at no point did I have to take the Orbit out of the case to make or take a call! Praise indeed....
Starting on the left hand side we have cutouts for the voice recorder and volume keys with the soft-reset cutout towards the bottom.
On the right we have the Power cutout at the top and the Camera button cutout toward the lower portion. Also here is the hand stitched Stylus Housing
Opening the case gives full access to the screen (remember the Orbit has no keyboard) and all the soft/action keys surrounding the click wheel. I really like this design!
The back of the case has cutouts for the speaker and the camera lens.
The bottom of the case has a small cutout for the microphone and a larger one for access to the USB connector (Headset/Charger).
The only time I take my Orbit out of this case is to put it into my Brodit car mount, however, even this is superfluous as Piel Frama actually do a suction mount holder for the case, along with a small hood to reduce glare!
Physical Security
With the case closed all the delicate parts of the Orbit are either covered or deeply recessed but they are all perfectly accessible as you can see in the pictures. Even the soft-reset hole has a little cut-out.
The front flap which covers the screen is dual purpose. It does the job of protecting the screen from all types of ***ps and scrapes admirably but also has the ability to store your spare MicroSD cards as it has a slit on the inside. I carry a spare card with the SD Card adaptor and it adds no bulk to the flap. In the past sometimes these slots when filled with cards could press on the screen - but it doesn't appear to be an issue this time! This issue is not just peculiar to Piel Frama though, a few cases in the past have had similar flaws.....
The case covers all the corners when closed - a failing of some other cases - meaning a dropped device doesn't suffer any potential damage from a lack of protection. I have dropped my device onto wooden laminate flooring with no ill effects to either device or case!
Value
From 50 Euros (including postage!) (£35 Approx).
At 50 euros (Cowskin) this case is not cheap but it does include global postage and, I feel, offers extremely good value. The quality is exceptional, the materials exquisite, the craftsmanship is masterful and you have the choise of colours to match your personality.
The case offers access to all functionality of the Orbit, including having the stylus silo on the outside. The belt clip is robust enough to survive my rigorous days in the office and car. I am struggling to find a downside to this case - it will almost certainly outlive the device. I have many Piel Frama cases from the days of my iPaqs and my iPods, all are achingly beautiful and never given me a moments hesitation....
Pro's
Exceptional craftsmanship.
Can use device in case.
Great looks and feel.
Excellent access to controls.
Complete device coverage but with suitable cutouts.
Good clip connector.
Stylish packaging.
Con's
Plastic belt clip maybe not the most robust for the really adventurous out there!
4WM Rating
95%
Conclusion
What can I say? Piel Frama have tailored their HTC Artemis case to fit the Orbit perfectly. All phone and operational buttons are both accessible and protected. Flipping open the front flap gives full access to the screen and buttons. It isn't uncomfortable in the hand or when held when on the phone.
Recommended, you ask? You bet, I shout! Not the cheapest but one of the world's very best cases! Go get one!
Last edited by tonybro on 13 May 2007 09:52 pm; edited 1 time in total
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