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Yay! My Brando Magician case arrived...


Guest PaulOBrien

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I'll take some proper photos and write some text tomorrow, but here's a preview!

P

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

ANy pictures yet Paul? How's the case working out? Does the flap get in the way when on the phone?

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Guest Paul [MVP]

No, the flaps very good actually!

I've not had time to do any more pics yet (too busy with the site), but will post some more thoughts when my silicone case arrives too :D

P

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Guest Paul [MVP]

Silicon case arrived now too... very nice! :D

I really need to work out how to take decent shots with my new Digital Camera :-| Any tips anyone?

P

post-1-1105213457_thumb.jpg

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What's the deal with the squared off top corners? Is it to allow a lanyard to get in, or just poor moulding?

How is the "lint attraction factor" on the Jam silicon? I found that a nightmare on a similar case for the Treo, as the friction + static meant all your pocket dust ended up on the case and eventually the screen, buttons and crevices.

Plus, everytime I pulled it out in a hurry to answer a call the rest of my pocket contents came with it as the friction turned my suit pocket inside out!

The benefit to the friction was that it would be hard for it to fall out of your shirt pocket, and less easy for a pick-pocket to extract it undetected.

Currently, I'm leaning towards the Brando leather. I quite like the look of the Piel Frama, with all round protection, but I hate those wrap round the back fasteners thongs that get in the way, and catch on your pocket when whipping in and out.

The Brando leather looks to have less side protection, but the side flip looks easier to handle. Although it leaves the Jam's sides exposed, the big benefit is that it guards that all important, expensive screen from knocks. I found to my cost that screen scratch protectors are not enough when you absent mindedly sling your keys in the same jeans pocket as your phone and some kid jumps on your lap!

The other apparent benefit is that the Brando allows you to answer or continue a call whilst keeping the screen hidden - something seriously worth considering when you're out at night and predators are looking for a phone worth stealing.

Given my preconceptions, I' d be very interested to know how this bears out in practice by someone who's got the cases to hand!

My best case would probably be a EBCases Slipper with front button cutouts.

Edited by Metoo
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Guest Paul [MVP]

I'm not really sure what the point of the squared off top corners are... the case comes with 2 different lanyards, but you'd probably connect them to the point on the Jam TBH. I'm going to contact Brando and find out, as it's my only criticism.

Yes, of course, the case is friction-tastic, but it keeps it on the dash of the car :D

The leather case is cool, the unit is well protected, but as you say, you can answer calls without opening the case (as long as you don't want to know who it is) :D

I like having both, gives me lots of choice, and I use the leather one both with and without the belt clip...

P (still lovin' the Jam!)

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I'm not really sure what the point of the squared off top corners are... the case comes with 2 different lanyards, but you'd probably connect them to the point on the Jam TBH. I'm going to contact Brando and find out, as it's my only criticism.

Yes, of course, the case is friction-tastic, but it keeps it on the dash of the car :D

The leather case is cool, the unit is well protected, but as you say, you can answer calls without opening the case (as long as you don't want to know who it is) :D

I like having both, gives me lots of choice, and I use the leather one both with and without the belt clip...

P (still lovin' the Jam!)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

got to agree Paul....got my 'ice' case and it is nice but the 'ears' are just weird.....can't see a reason for them

shame as it spoils the look....

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Got the leather Brando today - here's my review. Sorry no pics yet, as my camera's packed in.

The case comes in a presentation box and my first impression was that it was much better quality than I expected. It's not half as tacky as it looks in the photos. The stitching is fairly fine and subtle, being silver/grey in colour, not thick, white and gaudy as found on "cowboy boot" style cases such as Covertec.

The Jam is a tight fit into the case. The screen aperture is set about 3mm slightly low, so that more of the surround is visible at the bottom not the top. At first I thought this might hinder access to the OK button at the very top of the screen, but found no such trouble in practice. I notice that the bottom straps on the case are thinner than the strap at the top, so this might be by design so that it will adjust itself in the right direction once the leather starts to stretch a bit. I can still press OK with my finger, so I've not found it an annoyance, as the screen is not blocked at normal viewing angles.

The front and back panels are made of rigid leather rather than soft hide that Krusell/Piel Frama/Proporta use. This means that they don't have to use any padding, something which can make those other cases bulky and thick. Even with the screen flap closed, the Jam is still "phone sized", pocket friendly and comfortable to hold. In fact I've found that the bit of extra depth, together with countours of the case, makes holding the Jam much more natural, and I'm no longer having to keep a vice like grip to stop the slippery Jam slipping from my grasp. Of course, I also feel much safer now putting it in my front jeans pocket without worrying about the screen getting cracked from the slightest knock.

The screen flap is very small as it only covers the screen and not the full PDA like other cases. Consequently it doesn't get in the way at all. The hinge part is very flexible so it stays out of the way when you want it to. The flap can be folded right round the back when placing in a car mount, so is fine for handsfree and GPS etc. It has a magnetic clasp, so the flap is quick to open, and it's practically self closing, with just fingertip pressure required to send it back home.

I've been using the phone all day, and it's already become second nature. Flip open to see who's calling or dial a number, flip back before putting to your ear for the conversation. Easy peasy, and no messing with press studs or wrap around closure tongues. The fact the flip is so easy to use means it keeps your skin oils off the screen too - and the brightly lit screen away from those prying eyes when out on the street.

The only downside of the design is that there is little corner protection, but this has the advantage of adding virtually nothing to the width and length of the Jam, and not hindering access to the stylus or any of the buttons.

There is a mesh pocket on the inside of the flap. This is too small for a credit card but is ideally sized for a couple of SD cards. There is enough clearance to carry these safely without them touching the screen, though obviously the safety margin is reduced should you apply pressure to the front of the case.

My impression is that the quality leather and subtle pin stripe stitching give the Jam a very professional look, while the exposed front panel buttons and bits of silver visible at the sides still let some of the Jam's "coolness" ooze out. Taking it along in it's "suit" certainly makes a better impression at meetings than the naked Jam, which to the unitiated looks like you've just brought an Ipod along. On the other hand, I didn't get the usual disdain from the "fashion police" at my workplace either, to whom encasing their latest "Nokeeyah" is a mortal sin.

There are cutouts on the back for the camera lense and mirror, and although these are permanently exposed, the thickness of the leather makes them fairly deeply set so they are quite well protected from scratches.

Also on the back is an embedded nut to take the belt clip stud. This seems to be fairly popular on cases now and is a good way of keeping the profile down for those who don't want to use a clip. Without the clip stud, the Jam is quite usable on a flat surface with only a slight wobble if you're using the stylus at the top of the screen.

The belt clip and screw look fairly substantial, but not too bulky. I won't comment on their suitability though, as I never use belt clips. They look just too geeky for me, and I've also destroyed far too many radio pager clips in the past getting in and out of cars and chairs for me to risk my own device that way. I would also be worried that a single screw was keeping my device from crashing to the floor, as it discreetly unthreads itself or gives way to metal fatigue. Wearing such an expensive device on your belt in public is also asking for trouble.

I'm very impressed with the quality of this case - and more impressed that Brando have obviously studied hard how the Jam (or Dopod 818 from the box label) is used day to day, done their market research well and come up with a design that is a pleasure to use and be seen with, instead of it getting in the way of usabilty and hiding your device's beauty as so many other cases do.

In conclusion - more for the gentle life of the office than the rough and tumble outdoors then, but in that environment it gets full marks. Until the Vaja Ivolution comes along this'll do very nicely thanks - less style maybe, but at a fraction of the cost and with much better screen protection.

Edited by Metoo
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Guest Disco Stu
So will brando ship to the uk :?:

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

With respect, how do you think Paul got hold of one ?

They'd better do anyway as I've just ordered one :D

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Guest Disco Stu

TBH I don't remember whether I saw that myself, but there must have been a drop-down list of countries for the shipping address.

I can't see it being a problem given that the cases don't weigh much.

Is that logical ? :?:

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  • 2 weeks later...
Guest friztilex

The squared off top corners are actually for the plastic flip cover.Got mine a few days back and its working like a charm!Bought in Singapore at Sim Lim Square for SGD$15.A picture of how it looks like is attached.

post-41330-1107448708_thumb.jpg

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The squared off top corners are actually for the plastic flip cover.Got mine a few days back and its working like a charm!Bought in Singapore at Sim Lim Square for SGD$15.A picture of how it looks like is attached.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

do you know if these are available from the internet? I've searched the Brando website but they havent got it.

EDIT: found it :D

Edited by v_p
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Guest friztilex

Here's the name of the shop i got the flip plastic cover from:

Systemworks Integration Pte Ltd.

1 Rochor Canal Road

#06-67 Sim Lim Square

Singapore 188504

Tel:63360968/62231785

Fax:62231787

Email:[email protected]

Hope it helps.Cheers!!

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