SPV c500 cases

[Guest Lord Kordir]

I know this has probably been asked on many occasions before but I thought I'd go ahead and ask again anyway.

What options do I have as far as getting a case for my spv?

Any input and personal reviews would be appreciated, maybe we could make this a sticky if there is enough input.

Thanks

[Guest scm7rap]

There's a bunch on here.

http://www.mobilefun.co.uk/cat/SPV-C500-Cases.htm

I think you can get them cheaper on other sites but here they are all displayed on one page.

I got the action pouch on the second page. Nice rugged design and it comes with a load of options for attaching it your belt, wrist etc. It also has a little pocket at the front which I was intending to pop my hands free kit in. It fits, just, but bulks the whole thing out somethiing chronic, so I don't bother. But it's good if you want carry a couple of coins or another memory card, soemthing like that.

[Guest bigfootpete]

I just got the Orange £10 leather and plastic one - fits ok, does the job, and doesn't get in the way of the camera. (doesn't stop dust getting under the screen though!)

[Guest Lord Kordir]

I just got the Orange £10 leather and plastic one - fits ok, does the job, and doesn't get in the way of the camera. (doesn't stop dust getting under the screen though!)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't suppose you have any photos of the phone in the case? If this doesn't stop the dust then it looks like my only option is a Krussel which imho looks ugly as hell.

[Guest bigfootpete]

Haaa - it's in the shop getting the dust problem 'sorted' :roll:

[Guest Drewtech]

I've got a Krussell which I wouldn't call ugly. It fits well and I have not had the dust problem in the three months I have had the phone. Access to the camera is fine and us of all the buttons is not a problem. I also like the fact that you can remove the clip.

[Guest Lord Kordir]

I've got a Krussell which I wouldn't call ugly. It fits well and I have not had the dust problem in the three months I have had the phone. Access to the camera is fine and us of all the buttons is not a problem. I also like the fact that you can remove the clip.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Have you got any photos of your own phone in this case? I've only seen the ones on Krussell's website so that's what I've based my opinion on.

EDIT : Just ordered a Krussell for £9.99 inc delivery, have to wait and see now 8)

Edited March 24, 2005 by Lord Kordir

[Guest bulderhart]

I bought a Cellet holster designed for the Motorola E398, the C500 fits perfectly!

Got it from justphonecases.com for just $15 or so, but their site is down temporarily...

[Guest MikeZQ]

I have a Krussell premium case, used it for about a month. I like the case but I don't like how much dust that gets between the plastic of the case and the screen. Very annoying. So I'm going to go with the silicon and use the carry case that came with my 5600. And I think the Krussell is a little spendy for what it is.

[Guest sheltem]

I have a Krussell premium case, used it for about a month. I like the case but I don't like how much dust that gets between the plastic of the case and the screen. Very annoying. So I'm going to go with the silicon and use the carry case that came with my 5600. And I think the Krussell is a little spendy for what it is.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Same here. I'm using the Krusell Vertical Pouch. There's actually a cheap bodyglove pouch that fits the SMT5600 pretty well at any Cingular store for $8.99, but it doesn't have the bottom open for usb/handsfree.

[Guest urinsane]

I HIGHLY recommend the silicon jacket case, from Martin Fields. The only minus I can find about it is the price. ($30 + Shipping) It fits the phone perfectly and has holes everywhere they need to be. The main display is left open (which I prefer), and I have put a screen protector on the screen. (not the Martin Fields one, however, I couldnt bring myself to spend that much... and my 10 for $15 Fellowes screen protectors seem to be doing the job just fine)

Other than protecting the phone from scratches, the jacket gives it a small amount of shock protection, and best of all, keeps the phone in your hands! I much prefer the feel of the silicon case while working with my phone, rather than the smooth slick surface the phone usually has (it always feels like it could slip out of my hands). With the case on, you can easily rest the phone on about a 95% slope and it will stay in place.

In any case, I now feel a lot better about having an uninsured $300 phone. I am pretty sure it could handle most drops with no problems, and the screen should remain pristine unless I manage to drop the phone and the screen gets hit by something pointing up (a rock, etc) as I am pretty sure as long as it lands flat, the thickness of the jacket would protect the screen from actually hitting the ground.

Finally, the case can be easily washed in soap and water and is easily removed and put back on. I recommend washing the case a few times before you put it on actually, as the initial stickiness of the case does attract a LOT of dust to the case. After 2 or 3 washings however, the case retains its grip and the dust problem is pretty much gone.

Usability wise, I think it is an improvement. The keys all feel a bit nicer through the jacket. The rocker wheel is uncovered and that takes a bit of getting used to again, but after a day I was having no problems using it. There are holes for the ear speaker, power button, IR port, rocker wheel, and on the bottom holes for the small microphone hole, headphone port, and charger/sync port. The back has a hole for the mirror and camera, and on the right side is a perfectly cut hole for the main speaker.

I happen to work in the wireless industry, and although many of my colleagues hate form fitting/jacket type cases (myself included, they usually make it harder to hit the keys and get nasty quickly), most have commented that this is definitly one of the nicest they have seen, and a few have said they wished these cases were available for all phones. I am inclined to agree!

The only other negative I can find about this phone is the lack of a belt clip, but I have always just put my phone in my pocket anyways. And if you really need a clip, you can use this case along with a pouch type belt holster such as the one that comes with the Audiovox 5600.

I originally planned on getting the Krussel leather case, but heard complaints that it added too much to the size of the phone and was not as nice to hold in your hand. Although I have not had experience with both cases, I am definitly glad I made the decision I did.

Martin Fields US website is http://www.overlayplus.com/ I believe. Shipping was EXTREMELY fast, about 3 days with whatever the standard shipping option was at that site. Although the case is spendy, when you think about the fact that your phone is worth 10x as much, it is not too bad of a deal. I would definitly rather spend the money on a case made exactly for the phone than save some money and have a generic case such as that Bodyglove pouch. In my opinion, this option gives you a semi-ruggedized version of the c500/5600, and I am sure the case will last longer than my phone does. :D

edit: Just read through this and I know it sounds like I work for the company, but I really am that happy with this product. I actually purchased my case after reading the following review: http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/articles...ion=expand,7381

He complains about the dust, but in the comments he says that Martin Fields contacted him and told him about washing it with soap and water, and that after trying it the dust problem was greatly reduced. My experience was the same. :D

Edited March 28, 2005 by urinsane

[Guest geosta]

I HIGHLY recommend the silicon jacket case, from Martin Fields....

I second that! I bought the same case as soon as I bought the phone (but splurged and also bought the Martin Fields screen protectors as well).

And I love it just as much as urinsane does! :D There are so many reasons why I am happy with this case, two of them being the formfit over the keys is great and the open screen (with a good quality protector over it) looks just like the actual screen.

As an added bonus, I found that the cutout for the rocker makes it easier to get the 'action' press every time, rather than the 'scroll down' movement - which is great for people like me who didn't spend nearly enough time playing video games as a child.

Edited March 30, 2005 by geosta