Tuff-as-Nuts Nutshell PDA Case Review

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Product Requirements:
Device:
Various PDAs
 

I’m already on my second
Sony TG50.

I think that most of my problems with PDA damage (or at least a good 40%)
stem from the fact that I carry them around in my breast pocket. Everything is
fine with this method, unless (of course) my torso does not remain perfectly
vertical over the course of the day. However, a belt-solution is not much
better. Items have an even lower life expectancy on my waist (whether scraping
along cubicle walls or hopping into the seat of my Miata) than elsewhere.

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As the company’s tongue-in-cheek name would suggest,
Tuff-As-Nuts line of Nutshell cases
certainly appear to be sturdy – but are they really up to the Mikey torture
test??? Read on, if you dare…

Okay, I’m assuming that you have not hit the [Back] button…

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When I first received this case (Model 206, Belt-loop) I was first hit with
the smell of some very nice leather, we’re not talkin’ the garbage that they
sell at the mall, but the real New Zealand variety (at least, that’s where
Tuff-As-Nuts is located). After getting over the rich odor, I saw that the
pictures on their site really do not do this product justice. I chose the base
brown leather (eight other coverings are offered, but some at additional cost)
and all I can say is that Indiana Jones would have no qualms wearing this thing
on his belt.

nutshell05

The interior of the case is lined with felt that is a little lighter in color
than the exterior, and seals your PDA in soft, fuzzy protection. It may look as
though the case is rigid, but is actually quite supple, making causing some
initial worries about it living up to the company’s name – how can something so
soft stand up to Mikey the Terrible? (Answers below).

nutshell04

The belt loop model can be worn vertically or horizontally on the belt (the
horizontal position being more ideal if you have as much hanging over said belt
as I do…) and is stitched very well – no fraying in my time with it.

nutshell02
nutshell01

So the thing looks great, smells great – how did it work?!? After slipping it
into my belt (horizontally), I first loaded my TG50 Clié into the holster – I
was astonished. It felt, initially, like I was not wearing a PDA on my hip at
all – what magic is going on Down Under (okay, is NZ really considered "down
under," or is that just Australia?).

Actually, it is not really magic at all; the perceived super-slimness of the
Nutshell really comes down to the Ultra Clip. Yes, that little device that has
all but dominated the PDA/cell phone case industry. They are a great way to
attach and store a play-through case, to be sure, but that extra room for the
clip, belt holder, and case (which is invariably bulky) can make an item stick
out twice as much as necessary. Granted, this is most-certainly not a
play-through case – but I am seriously re-thinking the whole Ultra Clip thing
(after breaking three of them in the two weeks I tested the Nutshell).

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The first and only real problem occurred when I pulled my TG out of the case
– and hit the voice recorder button. Testing with the NR showed that the camera
button might prove to be an issue. I resolved the situation by grabbing the
middle of the PDA, as opposed to the sides (yes, I even tried putting it in
screen-first, but removal was awkward. And, yes, I understand that my situation
is a PDA specific issue, and does not really speak to the case (but if someone
wants to send me a copy of McPhling, you go right ahead…)

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As you may recall, I had questioned the protective capacities of this case a
few scant paragraphs above, and the answer came after using the case. The
relative toughness of the Nutshell was not really a factor; the form of the case
kept it out of harms way – even when hopping into my car Bo and Luke style.

My PDA still has no scratches, dings, or other abrasions.

The more than I used the case, the more that it molded to be – both literally
and figuratively. The belt loop has become somewhat distorted after two weeks,
but it perfectly matches the curve of my waist. Also, the PDA is sliding in and
out a lot easier (especially with my middle removal technique) now that it has
been officially "broken in…" In all, I really cannot say enough good things
about the Nutshell. It is a simple, elegant solution that I didn’t know how much
I needed until I had it. I think that my cell phone and iPod just might be
getting some new homes in the not-too-distant future…
 

Price: $39.95 (base price + shipping +/- options)

Pros: 

Excellent Quality Leather
Slim Form Factor
Many Customization Options

Cons: 
Limited Shock Protection
Inadvertent button pressing on removal (PDA-specific)
Not play-through

 

Product Information

Price:39.95
Manufacturer:Tuff-as-Nuts
Pros:
  •  
  • Excellent Quality Leather
  • Slim Form Factor
  • Many Customization Options
Cons:
  •  
  • Limited Shock Protection
  • Inadvertent button pressing on removal (PDA-specific)
  • Not play-through

7 thoughts on “Tuff-as-Nuts Nutshell PDA Case Review”




  1. Gadgeteer Comment Policy - Please read before commenting
  2. If I remember correctly, the ads I’ve seen say you can wear the case diagonally with respect to your belt by putting the belt through the side hole and out the top hole. Did you try it that way at all? That’s how I probably would want to wear it.

  3. i_spock,

    I had no idea about wearing it in that manner, but I have just tried it and I have to say that I love it!!!

    It does get in the way of my cell phone pouch (also nutshell) but you are onto something there…

    …guess I just plain missed that little tid-bit – thanks for the info!

    Mikey

  4. I am a little confused about the pros and cons of attaching the case. If three clips were broken in two weeks of tests wouldn’t this be a con or was that on another product? A picture of the rear of the case showing exactly how it is attached would have been helpful. Otherwise fine presentation.

  5. I was referring to
    UltraClips breaking, not the loop-style attachment methog of the Nutshell…

    Hope this makes it a little more clear…

    Mikey

  6. BEWARE OF NUTSHELL, UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT. VERY INCOMPETENT. READ THIS STORY

    I have done business with Nutshell (tuff-as-nuts.com) since 2005 and have bought three cases from them during that time. Back in April of this year (2016) I purchase another case for a Verizon Hotspot, they gave me the specs I ordered the product and waited two weeks for delivery. When I received the case for my hotspot it didn’t fit, I then contacted the owner Ian Miller even sent picture how the device fitted in the case. He wrote me an email saying they sent you the wrong case. I sent back the case to the company paying $14.00 it took over two weeks before they received the wrong case as I live in California USA. In the meantime, I wrote several emails back to Nutshell never got back to me the next day, it would always take 4 to 5 days after sending multiple emails to them. All during this time, Ian Miller told me the company is going through a transition period (another words new management). I noticed that when I received emails from Ian Miller, it always copied Mark Barrow and Zia neither of them contacted me only Ian Miller. Finally, I said to Ian, I will give you one more chance to make it right and sent me a larger case. Guess what? When I received the second case for my hotspot, not only was it a horizontal case it didn’t even hit my hotspot. I was upset, wrote Ian Miller again even sent pictures of the case, he was shocked. I spent another $14.00 to return the case back to Nutshell wrote Ian Miller explaining the situation that after two times I wanted my money back. Didn’t hear back from Ian for days, ended up writing again, still nothing. Finally on the third email he wrote me said we need to get it right. I then wrote him back saying I want a full refund, then apologized said we need to send you another case. I said no, that I can’t afford to keep paying postage back to your company all because of their screw up’s that I want a full refund. They finally received the second case back (were now in the end of June). I wrote another email to Ian Miller saying I want my credit card America Express credited. They refunded me $73.38 not even the shipping through a PayPal credit. I wrote another nasty angry email saying where is the postage of $3.75 I paid? Then I told him about how this was their mistake they shouldn’t blame me for their incompetence. They refunded the $28.00 plus the $3.75 and $73.38 through PayPal. I haven’t used PayPal in awhile, but getting the money was difficult. Note: Nutshell uses PayPal when processing their charges. Bottom line here, is that Nutshell has changed its not the company that you use to know in the past. Even their web site has changed. You can’t customize your cases like you have in the past, the colors are Black or Tan. In the past you could get cases for eye glasses, laptops, PDA, Smartphones all that has changed. I spent three months from April 6th 2016 to July 5th 2016 getting a refund and waisting time on all the shipping of cases back and forth. A WORD OF CAUTION, SAVE ALL YOUR EMAILS when doing business with Nutshell. The company is doing mass production of their product, its changed. Go to their web site, you decide. If any of you who have owned previous cases from Nutshell, you’ll see what I am talking about. I plan not to do business ever again with the company. They are totally incompetent. They blew the second chance I gave them and made a bunch of excuses. Calling the company doesn’t work, I tried that with their phone number and got disconnected. Yes, they’re still handmade, but you can’t customize the case like you did in the past, if you wanted different color or a pocket that’s all gone. Mahalo, WoFat

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