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Piel Frama PocketPC cases.
Product: Piel Frama Leather case for iPAQ, and EM500
Company: Piel Frama (http://www.pielframa.com/hpeng.htm)
Price: $50 Buy it here.
Here is a new line of cases for iPAQ and EM500 (E505) users! Piel Frama, a Spanish based company is now offering these quality cases at a very competitive price!
The package that I received included a Black Naked iPAQ case as well as an EM500 model. In this review, I will concentrate my comments on the iPAQ model though both models are comparable. Piel Frama will soon be offering iPAQ cases for PC Expansion Packs and already has a CF model. They also carry Palm models.
The package:
The box in which the cases were kept deserved a little note. Customers do get a better feel about the product they receive when it is nicely packaged. Well, Piel Frama cases join the best (among with Vaja) for their nice little boxes!
The case:
I promised myself to stay as objective as I could and not compare the case to the Vaja models since Piel Frama cases are competing at a different level (price!) but after much consideration, a small comparison (on certain aspects) might be welcome.
My first impression about the case was how soft it was! The handmade case in Ubrique leather is absolutely gorgeous. The case is very well padded, providing excellent protection to your Pocket PC. The front cover is comparable to the Vaja padded cases though the back (near the belt clip) was slightly thicker thus adding extra protection to the iPAQ.
The interior of the case includes two credit cards compartments. The rest of the inner portion of the case is tanned leather, the same quality as used on the outside. When I compared it to the Vaja, I did notice a difference in construction of the side walls: the Vaja cases use a reinforcement beneath the leather while the Piel Frama was simply plain leather (whitish color). The wall thickness was comparable.
The add-ons:
One component that I found to be almost essential for a case is a belt-clip. Due to the size of the iPAQ (with or without an Expansion Pack), I found it quite difficult to constantly carry it in my pocket (unless using the Docker's Mobile pants). The belt clip coming with the case is simple but effective. It has been very well integrated to the back of the Piel Frama case so that, even if you want to put it in your pockets, you won't feel the attachment of the clip. It has also been reinforced similarly to the Vaja cases but less noticeably (that's good!!).
The headphone hole will most likely accommodate any type of jack (straight or 90 degree) and is nicely finished with some shiny back glue. That is a plus when compared to the Vaja design: Vaja headphone holes are smaller (no way you can use a 90 degree jack) and there is absolutely no protection to it besides a small amount of glue to keep the padding from coming out... (it actually started to come out on my SS2 Vaja... nothing big but I wanted to stress that weakness).
The snap on was a little disappointing. I'm not a fan of gold finishes but the size was a little more than a concern here. I found it to be slightly smaller than the Vaja models. There probably isn't anything to be afraid of and I'm sure it will do the job as long as your iPAQ lasts but I thought Piel Frama could have put one slightly larger! No biggy!!!
The bottom portion of the case is Vaja style. It is open, allowing synchronization or the use of external devices such as a Stowaway keyboard. There is a slight problem with the design! The bottom leather came a little too far and prevented me from synchronizing the PPC in the cradle! I'm not sure if the problem would be the same with a wider model (i.e. for CF or PC sleeve) but I was never able to sync through the cradle! Plain synch cables will work fine as did my Stowaway Keyboard! I will keep you posted on that as Manu will be going over the CF Expansion case.
The stitching was also of excellent quality.
Conclusion:
Piel Frama is manufacturing a very attractive PocketPC case. Vaja sure does offer beautiful cases but it comes at a price that Piel Frama has been able to break... by a lot! Priced at $50, these cases are simply the best bang for the buck you'll ever be able to get for your PPC!
On a personal note, I think Vaja cases are the best, their finish is excellent but the price is way to high for such an item! Piel Frama cases are targeting much more concervative users and will most likely sell many units (when it becomes more available in the US). Don't waste your money for a Rhinoskin or other cheap PDA case, just get one of those and you'll be more than satisfied!
A special thanks goes to Francisco Lopez Riveriego from Piel Frama for sending me a sample of the product! As a note, Piel Frama is still looking for distributors in the US!!!!
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