The iPhone is a marvelous re-imagining of the smartphone. It is evolutionary and revolutionary at the same time. However, it is also very easily broken. It is probably more fragile than most smartphones on the market. One accidental slip from a decent height and it could be game over for your $550-$650 investment. Unlike most cell phones, AT&T does not provide any insurance on this phone, so care for the iPhone is not just a precaution but a necessity.
DLO HipCase for iPhone
Reviewed by: Tomas Ratas
Sponsor: DLO (Digital Lifestyle Outfitters)
Back in June, I attended the Digital Experience (our coverage here) show and met with the folks at DLO (Digital Lifestyle Outfitters). DLO makes various Docks, Clips, Cases and Cables for various digital devices, but primarily specialize in iPod and now iPhone accessories.
While there, I met with Andrew Green and Sally Comollo, who demonstrated some of the newer products from DLO. Andrew was kind enough to give me a DLO HipCase and DLO JamJacket (which I will review in the near future) for the iPhones for review.
Today, I will be looking at the DLO HipCase. One of my all time favorite smartphone cases is the Covertec All-Treo Horizontal Case for my Palm Treo 700P. The DLO Hip Case is very similar in style and function to this case, which is a plus in my book.
Let’s get started….
Tech Specs,Features or the Basic Info:
DLO HipCase for iPhone
- -Stylish and durable leather case for iPhone
- -Padded cover flips up easily for quick, single-handed iPhone access and retrieval
- -Access to iPhone headset jack, even when closed
- -Leather-covered belt clip secures iPhone anywhere
- -Compatible with 4GB and 8GB iPhone
The stylish and durable leather HipCase for iPhone combines sleek protection with easy, convenient access to the iPhone. Featuring a horizontal belt-clip, the HipCase provides the utmost in comfort and accessibility. As with other smartphones before it, the iPhone’s dimensions virtually require a horizontal waist holster for optimal comfort – and the HipCase delivers.
The HipCase features a Velcro tab and cut-out center notch to provide quick, simple, one-handed iPhone pick up. Corner notches ensure unobstructed access to the iPhone’s headset jack – regardless of which hip it’s worn on – thus allowing you to listen to music or take a call while keeping the iPhone safely cradled in the HipCase.
The HipCase’s sturdy, leather-covered belt clip ensures your iPhone will always be within easy reach when you need it. And with its clean lines and stylish construction, it is the perfect accessory – from a suit and tie to jeans and a t-shirt.
Unboxing
The DLO HipCase is packaged in a black box with a clear plastic center, which reveals the case with the belt clip side facing forward.
The box has blue and white writing along the top and bottom margins. The opposite side of the box features a picture of the front of the hip case.
The cover on this side of the box folds out revealing a picture of the HipCase with an iPhone nested inside of it. A listing of features and compatibility can also be found on this folded out section.
The HipCase is composed of Black Leather and is also available in Brown Leather or Nylon material. There is a beige stitch surrounding the outside edges of the black leather. The front flap has an embossed DLO logo in the center. It measures 12cm across and is 7cm tall. It is approximately 2.5cm in depth.
There are three cut out sections along the bottom part of the outside of the case, as well as two cut out sections along the top. The side cut outs allow access to the power and headphones, while the opposite side allows the speakers to be unfettered by the leather material for maximal audio output.
The inside of the case features light brown leather as opposed to the black on the exterior. The flap is closed with Velcro as opposed to a magnetic clasp which is used with the Covertec Treo Case. I found this to be a welcome relief, since the magnetic clasp did eventually cause a circular spot to be burned onto my Treo 600 screen. Always keep the screen opposite to the magnetic latch, kids.
Installation, Testing and Comparison
The HipCase is worn horizontally and attaches to either a belt or directly onto the edge of one’s pants. I always feel more secure when these types of cases are attached to a belt. The belt clip is covered by leather, but has a flexible yet strong and resilient metal clip underneath.
The iPhone can be inserted facing forwards or backwards. However, if placed forwards, parts of the screen are exposed by the cut outs and the screen is in danger from damage. Since the top cut outs are bigger than the bottom ones, the iPhone must sit with the headphone jack towards the opening flap. I found the ideal position is for the iPhone to rest with its screen against the back wall of the HipCase. This keeps the screen optimally protected, yet allowing access to the power, headphone jack and speakers.
The drawbacks to having the iPhone sitting inside the HipCase, is the need to open the cover of the case to reach the volume controls. Also, if you wish to change tracks or scroll through albums, the iPhone needs to be taken out of the case. These are not major issues, but may be important to some folks.
Summary and Comments:
The HipCase is sturdy, well designed and is very elegant in its presentation. I found it very comfortable to wear and felt my iPhone was safe at all times. The iPhone is very slippery by nature because it is made of metal and glass and does not have any form of rubber grip, so care must be made when removing the iPhone from any form of case.
I found the DLO HipCase to be a great product and not have any major deficiencies. So people may not like the horizontal orientation for their iPhone, but I found that makes the holster case much less obtrusive and stands out less.
DragonSteelMods gives the DLO HipCase a 5 out of 5 score and our Recommended Award as well.
Pros:
+Professional Look
+Quality Design
+Sturdy support and protection
Cons:
- -Only two orientations for iPhone to access headphone jack
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