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View Full Version : Belkin case review.


MrBrad
08-29-2003, 11:11 PM
Nobody laugh. After doing all the research and compiling a long list of possible cases for my NX80, the (possibly just the first case) I bought was.... a $15 flip-top Belkin for the Sony series NR handhelds. I was wondering through a local computer warehouse store in my usual daze and there it was. So I said to myself, "Self, it's only $15 retail, try it out". Not wishing to appear unfriendly or stingy in front of myself, I bought it. Here are some pictures.

The Front is plain, no logo. No logos anywhere.

http://mushin.dynip.com/casepics/front.jpg
































The Back shows the belt clip attachment point and the snap clip to hold the case closed. The belt clip and case are two pieces, allowing the case to be removed from the clip while the clip remains on the belt. There is no hole for the speaker.

http://mushin.dynip.com/casepics/back.jpg
































The inside Back view shows the leather pouch that the bottom of the NX sits in. The leather is thin, but tough.

http://mushin.dynip.com/casepics/insideb.jpg
































The inside Front view shows the 2 memory stick slots, 2 credit card slots and space for business cards. It also shows a weird little complicated leather piece that is a little free floating pocket in it's own right that the top of the NX fits into. The little pocket attaches to the inside front via a black stretchy fabric piece, nicely anchored inside the leather at both ends. This allows the little pouch to tightly grab the NX and yet free-float, holding the flip top to the NX. The leather on this piece is thick and when fully engaged slightly obscures the screen.

http://mushin.dynip.com/casepics/insidef.jpg
































The side view, without NX because I took these pictures with the NX, shows a slight angle when the case is closed (it's there when the NX is inside too). This forces the hinged piece to stay open slightly on the NX, letting dust and pocket lint in and possibly putting a strain on the hinge if things get squished. The leather on the little top pocket piece is also thick and adds significant thickness to the whole shebang. I may cut the fabric holding the little top pocket and toss the pocket. The NX would be in a closed position, and still pretty securely held. This "case mod" would be pretty well invisible.

http://mushin.dynip.com/casepics/side.jpg
































In the belt clip photo, the left faces out, the right faces you. The belt clip is a nice piece of construction, sturdy with a wide piece of spring steel (the curvy piece) holding the jaws closed. Additionally, when the case is slid onto the clip, a small projection grabs the case attachment point until the slide (also heavily sprung) is pressed. The slide is the piece projecting at the upper left of the photo. Even more additionally, the case must be turned sideways while the slide is depressed in order to detach the case.

http://mushin.dynip.com/casepics/clip.jpg
































I was unsure at first if the case would fit a NX80, being designed for the NR series, but the main larger pocket for the bottom looked fit and inviting. Not wanting to hurt anything, I was perhaps overly gentle at first and the pocket resisted. However, after a few words of endearment, the pocket acquiesced and NX slid in. A good time was had by all.

All aspects of the NX80 are reachable and useable while in the case while closed except for the camera (and probably the microphone and speaker). Opening the case allows the camera to be used. The NX80 can sync while in the case, but not on the cradle, you would have to use a cable.

If I drop the NX80 while it's in the case, it stands a pretty good chance of being undamaged and that's really what I want a case for.

Pros:
Cheap.
Good construction.
Nice belt clip, sturdy, useful.
While for the NR series, the NX80 fits.
Slots for MS, business cards.
There are no metal pieces aside from the external snap closure.

Cons:
Not really for the NX80.
No speaker hole.
Have to use a cable to synchronize or take the NX out of the case.
The top grabbing little pouch isn't quite right.

ricleo
08-29-2003, 11:19 PM
Wow! So the only thing left to do would be to punch a couple of holes for the speaker hole and the microphone?

MrBrad
08-30-2003, 12:56 AM
Looks like! I'll post another day when I cut the pouch off and maybe cut those holes...

chopstxxx
08-30-2003, 01:02 AM
Can you post some picture with the NX in the case, or is the NX your only camera? I'm curious how well or poorly the NX fits. Thanks.

MrBrad
08-30-2003, 01:14 AM
Well, if I can get a decent picture out of this webcam.... but I'll have to leave that for another day...

I can tell you that nothing sticks out and there is about 1/8 of an inch overlap of leather on all sides. I tried it with a CF card in, even using the top little pouch pocket in place and the case closed and snapped, albeit tightly.

The stretchable piece holding the top little pouch pocket is stretchable enough that I was able to get the pocket completely outside the case (sideways) and check the fit when not using it. Fits great, nicely snug but not too and flat not slightly open.

Hey for $15, it's not bad at all.

khakiman
08-30-2003, 10:16 AM
My Sena case for my NX70v fits my NX80 real well also:)