Review: Bodyglove 3G case with pictures

talon90 · 02-02-2009, 08:03 PM

When I started looking at the Bodyglove case, I searched and didn't find too much information about it. I have purchased one and wanted to share some initial thoughts on the case. I had some very specific criteria that I was looking for in a case. I have been using a hipster leather holster and like the slim size, horizontal mount and ease of slipping the phone in and out. What I didn't like was that I couldn't find a good silicone sleeve for the phone that would fit in the case. The iPhone 3G form factor while beautiful is a little small in the hand and a little too slippery for me. I dropped my phone the other day while out at a business lunch and that got me on the search for a replacement and fast.

I liked the BG case/clip combo because it was a combination of the two things I wanted, a belt holder with a horizontal mount and a silicone sleeve style case to get the phone a little more grip. Of course, the less expensive price of the BG combo was appealing to me as well compared to some of the other case/sleeve/belt holster units that I could find.

Of course, as I've read here all ready, there is no such thing as the perfect case and this supports that theory. My hipster did a great job of protecting the phone while in the case and was about as slim on the belt as it could be. The BG case adds about an inch of width to what I had with the hipster. The other thing I'm tentative about is the fact that the phone will mount on the belt screen out so someone like me who is prone to bumping in to things will need to take extra caution.

The case itself has a good feel in the hand and adds some grip to the slippery form of the iPhone. The case doesn't add much weight to the phone and the ratchet feels good. It is clearly designed around the iPhone with appropriate cutouts for the vibrate button, the camera, the light sensor and all the side and top buttons. It also has an oversized dock opening which leads me to believe that it will accomodate an external battery if necessary. The mechanism that locks on the case knob feels secure and the release is a one button motion to release and lift the phone out of the belt clip. The belt clip itself has a very positive closure on it and fits around my belt so it holds it very well. One other side benefit is that the belt clip has a built in kickstand. I love this feature. You can stand the phone on the kickstand in either the horizontal or vertical positions for desktop use and movie viewing. This will be very welcome on plane and train rides.

Thanks for reading,
Paul

Here's a few pictures that I shot tonight. Sorry about the streaks and finger prints.

talon90 · 02-02-2009, 08:04 PM

scott99 · 02-03-2009, 12:41 PM

Hey, thanks for the review and pics ! I've always liked Bodyglove's products, and used them during my non-smartphone days when I had a flip phone. Your pics really show off that nice case. I was wondering about the clip, and hopefully you can answer my question. Does the clip ratchet to several positions ? In other words, does the case just spin around in the clip, or can it stay in position if you wanted to ear it sideways ? Thanks in advance, I've looked online at this case also, and you're the first person I know who has purchased it, so it's nice to see the pics, thanks !

talon90 · 02-03-2009, 01:01 PM

Originally Posted by scott99

Hey, thanks for the review and pics ! I've always liked Bodyglove's products, and used them during my non-smartphone days when I had a flip phone. Your pics really show off that nice case. I was wondering about the clip, and hopefully you can answer my question. Does the clip ratchet to several positions ? In other words, does the case just spin around in the clip, or can it stay in position if you wanted to ear it sideways ? Thanks in advance, I've looked online at this case also, and you're the first person I know who has purchased it, so it's nice to see the pics, thanks !

Thanks, my pleasure. The clip will ratchet. You can put it in 16 positions. It will hold at each 90 degree and three positions in between each 90 degree. I always wear it sideways. I prefer a horizontal mount. Let me know if you have any other questions about it. I can take some additional pictures if you need them as well.

Paul

glsda · 02-04-2009, 12:20 AM

Paul,

Nice review. How long have you been 'road testing it? I didn't see anything in your review about how long you have owned it.

Thanks

talon90 · 02-04-2009, 05:59 AM

Originally Posted by glsda

Paul,

Nice review. How long have you been 'road testing it? I didn't see anything in your review about how long you have owned it.

Thanks

Jerry,

Thank you. I actually put the review up as I unboxed the new case. I've only owned it for two days now and yesterday was my first time out and about with it. So far so good. I didn't bump anything with it on day one. It does stick out a little further than my leather hipster did so I'll be watching that further. A nice little plus for me is that in this case I can still use the phone in my sounddock and in my home made car mount. I have to admit that I am missing the sleek look of the uncased iPhone but I think that I will sacrifice that to keep the protection offered by a case/sleeve solution.

Paul

jarofclay73 · 02-09-2009, 01:40 PM

I've always been amazed that the first batch of 3G cases never really came with clips. I like vertical clips and the first 3G case with a clip that I liked was the Contour Showcase. However, its looks left a lot to be desired.

For a silicone case, how does it protect? I've gone with hard cases because I'm almost always around concrete floors.

talon90 · 02-09-2009, 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by jarofclay73

I've always been amazed that the first batch of 3G cases never really came with clips. I like vertical clips and the first 3G case with a clip that I liked was the Contour Showcase. However, its looks left a lot to be desired.

For a silicone case, how does it protect? I've gone with hard cases because I'm almost always around concrete floors.

I think the looks on this case are a little spartan as well. I will say that it is a "beefy" case and I would imagine that it will protect about as good or better than any silicone case that I've seen. The case material is roughly 1.25mm thick(.050"). It covers the iPhone everywhere except the buttons and the screen. I'd give it high marks for protection factor with a little more bounce or give than a hard case. The corners are completely covered. I have not dropped it yet, and hope to not. If I do, I'll advise.

I see you are in Honolulu. My wife and I vacation there at least once per year. I'm very jealous, are you Kama' aina?