The "perfect" holster case

[Mark Booth]

My quest for the "perfect" holster case continues. I prefer to use my cell phone "naked" (the phone, not me) and I also prefer to carry them on my belt/hip, not in a pocket. That's how I've carried all my previous cell phones and that's how I want to carry my iPhone.

When I purchased the iPhone the only case immediately available that fit my needs was the Griffin Elan Holster:

http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/elanholster/

There it was, right at the Apple store and, quite frankly, it is the one I continue to use (as I look for the "perfect" holster case). But the leather quality isn't that great and I don't care for the embossed design and I'm particularly not happy with the way the belt clip is moveable/removeable. Since it isn't secured down inside the case, the case will sometimes twist a bit on my belt.

Since the Griffin wasn't the "perfect" case for me, I next ordered a Sena Elega Pouch:

http://www.senacases.com/Brands/Appl...NE-ELEGA-POUCH

Outstanding leather quality and outstanding construction. But the sides of the Elega are too tall to allow me to easily grasp the iPhone to remove it from the pouch (Sena should have lowered the sides a bit to allow more finger room to grasp the edges of the iPhone). Plus, the darn "ratchet" belt clip turns WAY too easily. Same problem as with the Griffin... all too easy for the case to become askew. The Elega went back.

Then I got my hopes up over the iQase Swift:

http://www.iqase.com/index.asp?PageA...WPROD&ProdID=2

That one arrived today. Very nice leather quality and EXCELLENT belt clip design. Unfortunately, the case is much too loose. So much so that a bit of jogging with the case on my belt actually causes the iPhone to bounce up and down inside the case. And, to top it off, the material that iQase used on the sides has a coarse texture and I'm concerned that it might wear the finish on my iPhone over repeated insert/removal from the case.

So, the Swift is going back too and I'll continue to use the Griffin until I find the "perfect" vertical holster case.

If anyone spots one, please let me know. My silly requirements:

* Quality leather
* Soft interior and soft side material (the leather sides the Griffin uses is fine)
* Full coverage for the face and back of the iPhone
* Vertical orientation
* Good belt clip that doesn't twist
* Open at the top (no flap)
* Low enough on the sides to allow easy grasp of the sides of the iPhone
* Nice snug fit that won't allow the iPhone to drop out of it should you turn it upside down
* No giant white logos or other ugly ornamentation
* Good quality interior material that resists bending but remains flexible (the iQase feels like it is simply stiff cardboard inside... the Griffin and the Sena felt more like a firm but slightly flexible plastic material)

I see that iQase is running a design a case contest. The "perfect" case would be the elegance of the Sena combined with the belt clip of the iQase combined with the easier access (grasp) and snugger fit of the Griffin. But that would still be so close to the iQase Swift that I don't see them making a new case. I spoke with the owner and he didn't seem to care about my concerns over the fit and side material quality (too coarse).

Maybe I should just go to a nice leather shop and have them make one to my specifications?

Mark

[eplantz]

I got the Speck holster. Works well for me and meets most of your requirements.

[Mark Booth]

I love the belt clip on the Speck holster. Just bare spring steel is all you need. The ones covered in leather end up getting worn or the seems come loose anyway.

But I want a holster that fully covers both the front and the back of the iPhone. With the Speck holster, the seatbelt stalk in one of my cars would be rubbing right against the face (or back) of the iPhone every time I get into the car. Not good.

Added to requirements:

* Full coverage for the face and back of the iPhone

Mark

[nippyjun]

Check out the Marware CEO sleve. The clip does rotate but it ratchets, and the phone is very snug in the sleeve. I don't think it could fall out even if you shook it hard.

[Mark Booth]

Thanks for the suggestion! Unfortunately, I have had very bad luck (over the years) with those plastic type belt clips. More than once I've had one of those clips break or fly apart. Plus, those plastic clips won't fit a thick belt. I MUCH prefer a belt clip that's permanently attached to the case like the ones on the cases I've already mentioned.

I think I'm going to go to a leather shop and ask about having a case made to my own specifications. I'll spend upwards of $100 for a QUALITY case that's exactly what I need.

Mark

[Mark Booth]

A closer look at the options for the Marware products revealed this optional clip:

http://www.marware.com/PRODUCTS/Case...es/Spring-Clip

As I understand it, that clip snaps onto the case (in place of the little "stud" that would normally attach to the standard clip supplied with the CEO sleeve). It's all part of Marware's Multidapt system.

I've just placed an order for the CEO Sleeve and the optional Spring Clip. I'm hopeful that it will turn out to be THE case for me.

Thank you nippyjun for reminding me of this case!

Mark

[nippyjun]

Originally Posted by Mark Booth

A closer look at the options for the Marware products revealed this optional clip:

http://www.marware.com/PRODUCTS/Case...es/Spring-Clip

As I understand it, that clip snaps onto the case (in place of the little "stud" that would normally attach to the standard clip supplied with the CEO sleeve). It's all part of Marware's Multidapt system.

I've just placed an order for the CEO Sleeve and the optional Spring Clip. I'm hopeful that it will turn out to be THE case for me.

Thank you nippyjun for reminding me of this case!

Mark

You are welcome. I didn't know that they had the spring clip. The standard clip does fit my thicker belt but i think i'm going to get one of the spring ones to try it out. Thanks.

[rj5620]

The CEO sleeve's clip extends above the case line and would appear to poke the wearer in the side. The clip on the Griffin Elan does not. I have the Elan and like it. The perfect case may be a belt clip horizontal holster with a magnetic flap that has a low profile and does not interfere with bending and doesn't poke you in the side. Anyone have a magnetic flap case on the belt?

[Mark Booth]

There are lots of horizontal case options. Some of them are quite attractive. But all of them have have a flap, which is something that I don't want in a case. Particularly a magnetic flap considering the apparent negative impact magnetic flaps have had on SOME iPhones.

Oh... and a vertical case was one of my criteria.

With the optional Spring Clip I mention above, the CEO Sleeve clip won't extend higher than the top of the case. And I wear my case on my belt on the side of my body. In that position, it is not a factor when I bend at the waist.

Mark

[Lycergia]

http://www.vajacases.com