User Ratings & Opinions
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Classy, good quality case, but with a few irritating features
User: S Evans, Dec 30, 2006
Pros: Looks good, durable, high quality leather
Cons: Weak, poorly designed magnets, non-standard belt clip
However, the magnets that attempt to keep the flap closed could be stronger. Alternatively, they should be redesigned to go across the entire width of the case and flap (rather than being placed in two spots at the corners).
As a result of this design flaw, whenever the flap is displaced from side to side (for example when I have the phone under a suit coat, or if I brush it while walking), the flap will normally come loose and fall open. This is decidedly uncool if you're walking around without a jacket and don't notice it. I almost think that velcro would be more practical than the two small magnets. This is more of an irritant than anything, as even with the flap open, my Treo is held securely in the case and safe from damage.
Only one durability issue, however. The bar that divides the screen and the key pad has two layers (leather over some sort of composite material), and they have separated on mine. The leather shows no sign of separating from the sides of the case, but it is a cause for concern.
Two additional quirks surround the design of the belt clip. The post is non-standard (wider in diameter than normal clips), so you have to acquire replacement/extra clips from Sena. In addition, its design is a cross between a fixed and removable clip in that there's no metal spring between the two halves of the clip, but the clip instead retained on your belt place by a tab at the bottom. This design is bad in three ways: first, you can't squeeze the top of the clip to remove it from your clothing (you have to execute a little two-handed motion), and second, there's no friction between the clip and your belt. So to keep your phone from sliding around as you walk (also uncool), you have to clip it to both your belt and trousers. Then, the trailing end of the clip is bent slightly inward (i.e., toward your body) which can be irritating depending on what you're wearing or doing at the time. It also introduces a third problem because it defeats the purpose of the tab at the bottom (e.g., I have at times knocked my phone off my belt/trousers if I've been wearing jeans or something similar in a non-work situation.
Bottom line: the Sena case would be perfect if they'd change the magnet configuration and redesign the post to accommodate standard belt clips. It looks good and has a quality look and feel, but I'm still considering other alternatives. Didn't think one could write this much about a phone case, did you? But I hope this review is useful.
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