FORTE Belt Clip PDA Case

Gadgeteer Hands On Review by Julie

November 14, 2001

Product Requirements:
Device:
Compaq iPAQ 3100, 3600 and 3800 series

The FORTE Belt Clip PDA case is a brown leather holster style case. It isn't a play thru case like the popular Vaja and E&B slipper style offerings. Instead, you just use this case to transport your PDA, and must remove it to use it or sync it.

The case is marketed as an iPAQ 3100, 3600 and 3800 series case. iPAQs in the following configurations can fit in it: Naked, with Basic Style Pack or CF Card Expansion Pack. However, I found that quite a few other PDAs fit just fine in the FORTE too. I tested this case with my Handspring Visor Prism, HP 565, Casio em500, Palm III, Palm IIIc, Palm VIIx, Palm m505, and Palm V and was happy to note that they all fit just fine.

This case is constructed of a high quality polished brown leather with a contrasting lighter colored stitching. It has a classy look and I love the rich brown color. The front, back and flap portions of the case are all padded and slightly stiffened. The case is plain except for the embossed FORTE logo on the bottom front.

The flap cover is held closed with a square of Velcro. Repeat after me.... "yuck, yuck, yuck!". I would much rather see a snap or tab and loop closure method used instead...

The back of the case has an attached pinch style metal spring belt clip. This clip isn't super strong, but it does have a hook on the bottom that can grab your belt to keep it from accidentally coming off. While reviewing this case, I never had it come off my belt of its own accord, but I didn't do a lot of stooping, bending or squatting during the testing period. So, your mileage may vary.

As this case has been made specifically for the iPAQ, there are a few features that I wanted to point out that were added just for this PDA. When your iPAQ is in this case, there is access to the headphone jack while the flap cover is closed. This is great for using the iPAQ's MP3 playback feature while wearing the PDA on your belt. There are also cutouts on the bottom of the case that give you access to the AC power connector (3100 and 3600 series) and the reset switch.

It's funny, I tried this case with a bunch of PDAs and I only found one problem with it... It's actually harder to use this case with an iPAQ than with any other PDA that I tried it with. This is because it is almost impossible to remove an iPAQ from this case without pressing the RECORD button in the process. I had to resort to remapping the RECORD button so that it would have no function when pressed! For someone that uses their voice recorder often, this might be a real issue to consider before buying the FORTE.

Other than that one problem, I found this case to be well constructed and made of quality materials. The price is nice too!

Price: $24.99

Pros:
Inexpensive
Compatible with a variety of PDAs

Cons:
Inadvertent RECORD button activation when removing an iPAQ from this case
Belt clip might not be the most secure type