Posted by Rookwise
A few people have mentioned the leather flip case from PDair for the
P1i and I liked the look of it to protect my brand new P1i.
The case and accessories arrived 3 days ago after a 7 day delivery time. So far, I've been quite pleased with them.
PDair Website Link
In total. I bought the following P1i items from the PDair website (Prices are listed next to the items):-
Leather Flip Case - $28
Ultra Clear Screen Protector - $12
Car Mount for PDair Leather Case - $12
I will do my best to review each one seperately (This is my first product review so bear with me)
To start:-
The items were all delivered together within 7 days from Hong Kong. All packed together in a padded envelope with each item also wrapped in bubble wrap so were quite well protected.
Also included in the package was a free gift of a PDair branded Key Holder. This is basically a hard leather tag with a split ring attached. The finish seems very good quality.
PDair Leather Flip Case For
P1i
First off. I opened the Leather Flip Case. The case came in a presentation box with the PDair logo in the bottom right corner.
The box itself seemed very well put together and made a nice change to how other cases have been packaged (usually just the case squashed in some bubble wrap).
The box is in 2 sections and opens by sliding the top section upwards.
As soon as you remove the box lid you instantly get a smell of fresh, new leather (love the smell
)
Inside the box is a belt clip with the post attachment to secure the clip to the case. These were packaged in a clear, sealed plastic bag. The belt clip is the removable 360 degrees rotation type. The clip istelf is quite strong so there shouldn't be any case of it accidently coming off your belt.
Next to the belt clip is the case. Wrapped in smooth paper with the PDair logo stamped on it.
The paper around the case unfolds easily and inside is the case with the secruing clip facing upwards.
Again. As soon as you unfold the paper. You get that new leather smell.
Inside the case is a piece of black foam which helps the case to keep its shape while in the packaging.
The case is made of padded black leather with white stitching. The stitching has been done very well and tightly done with no fraying ends flapping about.
On the rear of the case is another seperate piece of leather in a circle pattern with a small hole in the middle stitched tightly to the case. This is where the post attachment screws onto the case.
I didn't use the supplied post attachment but I'll go into that later.
The clip that holds the flip cover in place is magnetic and in a press stud design. Release the clip and open the top flip.
On the inside of the flip are 2 small pockets to hold memory cards. These pockets are again tightly stitched to the case but seem a little big compared to the size of an M2 memory card. Each one is more sized to the MSDP format memory cards.
I have not tried placing a memory card in the holders but it would seem that the cards would be held in quite tightly.
Just below the memory card holders is the PDair logo embossed into the leather.
Moving down the case to the inside of the back section. There is the compartment to place the
P1i in.
This section again holds the handset in very tightly while still allowing full use of the phones keypad, screen and other buttons. On the side is also a cut out for the camera button on on the bottom are cut outs for the Fast Port and Mic.
All of the cut outs align perfectly with the buttons..
The flip folds back over the phone and is secured by the by the magnetic press stud clip.
This is where I see a little fault in the case. The flip touch's the phones keypad which is not the problem itself but when fastening the securing clip. The number 9 key is pressed on the phone (emergency call anyone ?).
This is mainly due to the leather flap holding the press stud being a few millimeters too short and to secure the stud in place, you need to pull slightly on the flap to stretch it a little. However. This does aid in a very good secure fit and the clip will not unlatch.
Overall. I am very pleased with the quality and fitment of this case and I'm sure it will last through the life of the handset itself.
3 days on and I'm still getting that fresh new leather smell
Cleaning of the case couldn't be more straightforward either and keeping good maintainance of the case by using a good quality leather cleaner will certainly ensure lasting use and prevent the leather cracking/spliting.
I have not needed to clean the case as yet. But I already have some leather cleaner/conditioner which is used in my car (Williams F1 Leather Cleaner/Conditioner) which gives good results.
Car Mount for PDair Leather Case
This is one item I never thought I'd buy for a phone as the phone usually would go in a pocket by my gearstick. But when you think that the phone can also be used with some Sat Nav programs. It does make sense.
The mount also comes with the same belt clip as the PDair flip case. However.
The car mount is of the traditional suction cup and adjustable arm type.
The mount attaches to the cars windscreen in your desired place via the suction cup and then locks into place via pushing on the cup lever. Providing that the windscreen is clean. The mount will be fixed well onto the windscreen.
The mount arm is made of steel, is fully adjustable (3-Dimension Rotatable) and is 170mm in length.
On the end of the arm is a bracket where the PDair case attaches. This is done by unlatching the belt clip from the case and sliding the post on the rear of the case into the holder on the bracket.
The case is held very well. The flip section of the case rests on the mount arm so that the handset features is accessable and can be used fully.
The post/peg that come with the mounts belt clips is also the same as the one that comes with the flip case but with one differance. There is an hexagonal section just behind the belt clip peg which is used to connect the case to the mount bracket.
The post is exactly the same size as the flip case post so you don't have the phone sticking out further than usual.
Both posts are fastened to the case by screwing them into the cases rear section (The post has a steel thread on the back). Only one can be used at a time but if you do decide to also buy the car mount. There is no need to keep changing them over.
The thread does not show on the inside of the case so there is no risk of damage to the phone.
Overall. The mount is very good quality and does the job perfectly.
PDair Ultra Clear Screen Protector
PDair claim that this screen protector has:-
99% Transparency
Is incredibly clear
Offers strong protection
Application of the protector is the same as every other protector.
Clean the screen, Peel back the layer that goes onto the screen (Number 1 tag) and fit starting from the top. Ensure that all air bubbles are removed before removing the top film (Number 2 tag).
The protector is very clear and doesnt seem to affect visability of the screen at all imo.
I have played some games using the stylus, wrote messages with the stylus and used most features of the touchscreen for the last 3 days and there is not one mark.
Again. Very pleased with the screen protector.
I am very satisified with the items I've bought from PDair and am sure I will not be purchasing any replacement in the near future.
There is not any picture of the phone inside the case or fixed to the mount as I have no other camera except the one on my P1i. I will try to get some pictures sorted asap and will update this review.
I hope this review is of use to members deciding on a case to protect their handset.
Any comments on the review are welcome
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[ This Message was edited by: Rookwise on 2007-09-02 21:39 ]
[ This Message was edited by: Rookwise on 2007-09-18 15:46 ]
Posted by Rookwise
Have managed to get some pictures done showing my P1i in the PDair flip case.
Posted by ben0667
Hi does it have a cut out for the camera?? Or do you have to take it out of the case ? Thanks
Posted by Dogmann
Hi Rookwise
nice review and PDAir have been my case of choice for quite some time now also the car mount like the cases are indeed excellent quality.
Marc
Posted by Rookwise
On 2008-01-14 21:34:06, Dogmann wrote:
Hi Rookwise
nice review and PDAir have been my case of choice for quite some time now also the car mount like the cases are indeed excellent quality.
Marc
Thanks Marc
I do like the PDair products. They are really well made. Its a shame that their
K850 leather flip case holds the phone upside down otherwise I would have gone for that as well 
Have opted for the
IPK-100 to protect my K850.
On 2008-01-14 21:23:46, ben0667 wrote:
Hi does it have a cut out for the camera?? Or do you have to take it out of the case ? Thanks
The case doesnt have a cut out for the camera. However. The case has a kind of hinge system built into it where the rear of the case folds back to reveal the camera, flash etc so the camera can be used.
The pic of my
K810 PDair leather flip case (below) shows what I mean. The P1 flip case does exactly the same