Anybody bought a Seidio case?

[Guest Aero]

My Kaiser arrives Monday (hopefully) and I'm looking for something to protect it that won't be too bulky - so most of the leather cases are out - and that doesn't impede access - so most of the belt clip leather case type things are out.

Saw this:

http://www.seidioonline.com/index.asp?Page...&ProdID=896

which is a sort of rubberised thin case which seems to be just what I'm looking for (similar to what a lot of multimeters have on them I think), but they are US based and I can't work out what UK shipping would be without going through the entire order process. Worth having?

Or are there any alternatives?

[Guest NuShrike]

My Kaiser arrives Monday (hopefully) and I'm looking for something to protect it that won't be too bulky - so most of the leather cases are out - and that doesn't impede access - so most of the belt clip leather case type things are out.

Saw this:

http://www.seidioonline.com/index.asp?Page...&ProdID=896

which is a sort of rubberised thin case which seems to be just what I'm looking for (similar to what a lot of multimeters have on them I think), but they are US based and I can't work out what UK shipping would be without going through the entire order process. Worth having?

Or are there any alternatives?

I have their crystal case and it sits inside my HTC leather case as the holster. The rubber back is much like the Kaiser's OEM rubber back, just much more durable.

It's nice and makes it look like a sony ericsson. However, there's a lip that surrounds the bottom buttons now and another lip a thumb would rub against for the thumb-scroll. I'm not fond of either, but otherwise, it's not bad. Seido's cases generally are top-notch quality, nobody else makes them, and they cater to elite devices like the iPhone, Kaiser, latest Centro (bleh).

With the case on, I think it more resembles the size of the previous Hermes/8525, so a better fit for the hand grip.

Edited February 9, 2008 by NuShrike

[Guest KevinAlbrecht]

My Kaiser arrives Monday (hopefully) and I'm looking for something to protect it that won't be too bulky - so most of the leather cases are out - and that doesn't impede access - so most of the belt clip leather case type things are out.

Saw this:

http://www.seidioonline.com/index.asp?Page...&ProdID=896

which is a sort of rubberised thin case which seems to be just what I'm looking for (similar to what a lot of multimeters have on them I think), but they are US based and I can't work out what UK shipping would be without going through the entire order process. Worth having?

Or are there any alternatives?

Yeppers, I got one of those exact ones. Pretty cool, as I would not like the leather ones. Just snaps around the ridges of the unit. Occationally needs adjustment(one of the hooks needs to be re-hooked), which i find kinda annoying. Since I am stateside, I wouldn't know what the shipping would be, but it is light. super light, even with all of the packaging. Get this and a screen protector. You will be all set.

[Guest Aero]

Just went through the checkout procedure, 25$ delivery so it works out about 60$, about £30. Not cheap :)

Anything like this available in the UK? Have to spend money on microSD card and a car kit as well!

[Guest Metoo]

Just went through the checkout procedure, 25$ delivery so it works out about 60$, about £30. Not cheap :)

Anything like this available in the UK? Have to spend money on microSD card and a car kit as well!

Have you looked at the clear "crystal" cases widely available on eBay etc?

AFAIK the Seidio case is simply a crystal type case with a rubberised coating - in fact they mix and match clear fronts and rubberised backs for the Treo range.

http://www.seidioonline.com/index.asp?Page...&ProdID=642

Similar design crystal cases are cheap as chips, add little to the bulk (around 1mm thickness), and don't hide your phone's styling.

The downsides are that they can be a bit slippy in the hand, are prone to snapping (don't take on and off too often), and can have some rough edges (easily smoothed down).

Don't pay much for one - you can get them from Hong Kong for just $3.37 (£1.73) including delivery. So if it's not to your liking, at least you haven't lost a fortune. DX stuff can take a few weeks to arrive, but at that price, who cares?

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.10356

Beware though - you might end up buying more stuff you don't need from the above site, especially if you into LED torches! (The reviews are generally a good guide as to what is tat and what are bargains).

Edited February 9, 2008 by Metoo

[Guest 246810]

I recently bought the 'Siedo super slim rubberised case' and I would recommend it to everyone. It really is the most attractive case I've seen, yet it doesn't compromise on protecting your device.

Yes, its quite expensive. Including delivery to the UK, it came to about $58-60 dollars, around £30. But I don't regret this. I'd rather put in the money for a high quality case now, and not buy a cheapo case from ebay, only for it to fall apart in a few weeks, and then have to purchase another case.

If you want some pictures from those who've actually purchased one, here you go (there are pictures throughout the whole thread):

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread...605&page=24

[Guest Restorer]

Yes, absolutely delighted with mine too. Expensive but this is a quality product. Snaps easily into place and adds very little to the bulk of an already quite bulky product.

[Guest Metoo]

Yes, absolutely delighted with mine too. Expensive but this is a quality product. Snaps easily into place and adds very little to the bulk of an already quite bulky product.

Apart from the "rubber" treatment, I'm not convinced the Siedio cases are worth such a premium or are any different to the clear shells widely avalable elsewhere. And if you check the forums like Treocentral (and even some comments in the xda-dev link above) you'll see thet Seidio quality (and support) is far from perfect (e.g. non working cradles & aearphones that either don't work or fall apart). It's polycarbonate at the end of the day, so clips and thin bezels are just as prone to break on either if not handled carefully.

Given the price at places like DX and ebay, I can't see how Seidio justify charging 10-20 times as much for their clear cases as DX and other imported equivalents, when they don't look any different, and are probably made in the same Chinese factory. I've had plenty of eBay equivalents for various phones and they've all fit perfectly. Not surprising if they quite literally come out of the same mould. And then Seidio stuff you for $28 shipping (more if you use the "Europe direct option") for something that weighs hardly anything and DX include for free? What happens if you're not happy with the product? Does it cost you another $28 to send it back?

Neither are Seidio averse to rippng punters off- e.g. their $30 Innodock cradles come with a "USB to USB 1.1 Cable", but for $8 more "you may purchase a USB to USB 2.0 Cable separately for a more secure data transfer." (sic) Anyone who knows anything about USB knows this is nothing but profiteering - if a cable is properly up to USB 1.1 spec then it should work perfectly with USB 2.0. Either they've had complaints that their cheap and nasty cables are don't work, so instead of fixing it with supplier, they're charging you extra to bring it up to spec, or they're just selling snake oil to hapless punters who want to be "safe".

Granted, the rubber treatment is unique and worth paying if you really want it (ooh-err), and Seido are good at marketing niche products. But there is much better value to be had elsewhere. If the "unbranded" cases are not for you, then you've lost less than the cost of a pint. But if it does the job, then the money saved buys a decent memory card!

[Guest 246810]

Apart from the "rubber" treatment, I'm not convinced the Siedio cases are worth such a premium or are any different to the clear shells widely avalable elsewhere. And if you check the forums like Treocentral (and even some comments in the xda-dev link above) you'll see thet Seidio quality (and support) is far from perfect (e.g. non working cradles & aearphones that either don't work or fall apart). It's polycarbonate at the end of the day, so clips and thin bezels are just as prone to break on either if not handled carefully.

Given the price at places like DX and ebay, I can't see how Seidio justify charging 10-20 times as much for their clear cases as DX and other imported equivalents, when they don't look any different, and are probably made in the same Chinese factory. I've had plenty of eBay equivalents for various phones and they've all fit perfectly. Not surprising if they quite literally come out of the same mould. And then Seidio stuff you for $28 shipping (more if you use the "Europe direct option") for something that weighs hardly anything and DX include for free? What happens if you're not happy with the product? Does it cost you another $28 to send it back?

Neither are Seidio averse to rippng punters off- e.g. their $30 Innodock cradles come with a "USB to USB 1.1 Cable", but for $8 more "you may purchase a USB to USB 2.0 Cable separately for a more secure data transfer." (sic) Anyone who knows anything about USB knows this is nothing but profiteering - if a cable is properly up to USB 1.1 spec then it should work perfectly with USB 2.0. Either they've had complaints that their cheap and nasty cables are don't work, so instead of fixing it with supplier, they're charging you extra to bring it up to spec, or they're just selling snake oil to hapless punters who want to be "safe".

Granted, the rubber treatment is unique and worth paying if you really want it (ooh-err), and Seido are good at marketing niche products. But there is much better value to be had elsewhere. If the "unbranded" cases are not for you, then you've lost less than the cost of a pint. But if it does the job, then the money saved buys a decent memory card!

Hi,

I bought a super slim rubberised case from Siedo, not just because it was branded, but because it seemed to be of high quality, from waht I had gathered from past buyers of the case.

I do agree with you that the posting cost is ridiculous- To ship to the UK, I had to pay nearly the same cost of the phone itself. Howevever, reading reviews from those who have bought a select number of cheapo cases from ebay for $10, I have not been left impressed.

However, if you want to air your grievances, you ought to visit xda developers under the Kaiser 'accesories' thread where Siedo management lurks and posts replies to peoples reuqests and complaints.

[Guest Restorer]

And if you check the forums like Treocentral (and even some comments in the xda-dev link above) you'll see thet Seidio quality (and support) is far from perfect

Look m8 I've had mine 2 weeks now and I have the benefit of having it right in front of me and not relying on what others might or might not say. I got a friend in the US to post it for me and so wound up costing around £20. I never mind paying for quality and this is a fine product.

[Guest Metoo]

Look m8 I've had mine 2 weeks now and I have the benefit of having it right in front of me and not relying on what others might or might not say. I got a friend in the US to post it for me and so wound up costing around £20. I never mind paying for quality and this is a fine product.

No problem, glad you're happy with it. I don't dispute that it probably looks and fills the part, and the rubberised shells do sound like one product they've got right.

All I'm saying is that Seidio's name and sky-high pricing is no gaurantee of the best product, as many will testify. I've had £5 "eBay" crystal cases for the Treo 680 and 750 and I could tell no difference between those and the high-res photos I've seen in reviews of Seidio's $30 + $30 shipping equivalent. If you don't need the rubberised version, there are plenty of outlets offering clear cases of what look to be exactly the same design (and probably manufacture) for much, much less.

Edited February 9, 2008 by Metoo

[Guest Aero]

Well, having read that XDA-dev thread I'm not convinced. It looks good, but there seem to be doubts about how well it fits and 30 quid is a lot of money for a couple of bits of plastic. And I don't like to wait once I've ordered stuff, 1-2 weeks minimum for something coming from Spain seems a lot - for 15 quid postage I would expect a couple of days at the most. So I am holding off as I'm not feeling it's value for money.

I think I'll try an ebay jobbie first, and keep it in the holster that comes with the phone. The phone looks so good, I don't want to scratch it up in the first week or so (I have a history of dropping every new phone I have within a few weeks, I think my brand new P900 lasted about 2 days!)

[Guest Restorer]

No problem, glad you're happy with it - and I don't dispute that it probably looks and fills the part! All I'm pointing out that is that Seidio's name and sky-high pricing is no gaurantee it's the best product around, and if you don't need the rubberised version, there are plenty of alternative, but very similar, products available for much less.

I spent a month researching this one. The leather cases all looked nice but added too much bulk for me. Nothing even approaches this one for me - especially not the "crystal" cases sold on ebay which was my first purchase. Admittedly it only cost a fiver but as I sit here comparing the 2, the only word that springs to mind for the cheap one is "sh*te"! It fits badly and kept coming loose when I opened the case and just looks plain cheap. The Seido on the other hand snapped on perfectly and has stayed firmly put. If you showed it to someone who didn't know, they would just think it was part of the phone.

Just depends what you want I suppose.

BTW my friend in the States who posted it on to me thought I was nuts when he saw the 2 bits of plastic I had just paid $32 for! I do think it's a shame they are charging so much for posting something when it is so light but the $32 is worth every cent!

[Guest somy nex]

i settled on the seidio case after reading various threads on cases for the Kaiser. although there have been some complaints about the seidio case not snapping in place, in general they are relatively less in number and less severe than the iffy quality & fit of the similar ebay cases. so far, because i just slide my kaiser loose in my pocket, there are some instances when i have to re-snap back the tabs on my case (mostly on the bottom half covering the keyboard), but these instances have been relatively minor and the case still clings on and doesn't just fall off. and definitely the seidio fits so well that it looks like it's a quality part of the phone, and not some cheap snap-on.

i guess the ebay cases are cheap enough that it won't hurt to try one of those first, to see if you are satisfied with that. i think also that boxwave has come out with its version of this style of case, so that's worth checking out too.

what i'm looking for now is a compact non-pouch case that fits the Mugen 3000mAh battery while still providing full access to all keys & the keyboard.

[Guest Aero]

I've bought a cheap and cheerful crystal one from ebay to tide me over until I decide exactly what I'm doing - but for reference just found that expansys are selling the Seidio ones for 18 quid - even with delivery works out cheaper than the states and hopefully quicker too.

They're out of stock at the moment, in fact I have a feeling it may only just have appeared on their website as I didn't see it when looking the other day.

http://www.expansys.com/d.aspx?partner=modaco&i=163264

Worth knowing about if you're in the market for one.

Now all I need to know is if it the phone will fit in a car cradle with the case on...