Noreve Lifedrive Tradition case

The Lifedrive Tradition case from Noreve is a great leather case for your Lifedrive, giving you complete access to the device and its buttons as well as slits for credit cards and expansion cards.

For the past month or so I have been using a skin tight case for my Lifedrive. While I do like the skin tight look and feel, especially how it keeps the unit compact (if the Lifedrive can be considered "compact"!). But I yearned for a fancy, smooth-feeling leather case to spice up the look of my unit. I have found that I have been carrying it around mostly in my bag; hence the ability to have a thicker larger case. So after being sent a case from Noreve I was ecstatic to check it out and see how it compares.

The case comes in two color options: black and beige. I am using the black case and the black color is fastened well and strong. I have seen some other brands cases for different items such as a PDA or iPod, etc that have seemed to be faded or off-black. Not this case, however. It looks sleek and smooth to the touch, no dents or bubbles. It really appears to be highly crafted. It might be why it is slightly more expensive than some other leather Lifedrive cases, but I always feel it is important to pay a few extra dollars to get the high quality. Plus it is still MUCH less expensive than a Vaja case which are rediculously priced.

I wanted to point out the difference in the two pictures above on their website. It seems that both the black and beige case look like the picture of the beige case and NOT the black case. The black case I was sent does not cover the whole length of the device on the inside like it shows on the black case picture; rather it is exactly like the beige case, just in black. The stitching looks finely crafted as it seems to be stitched tight and wont fall apart.

Now that that is squared away, the case has a flip cover to protect your screen. It has a magnetic snap closure that seems to stay closed in my bag and in my hand as well. Like I stated before it has openings on the bottom for all plugs needed. I have to take it out of the case to put it in the doc to sync, however. But I'm pretty sure most cases are like that as was my skin tight. It also comes with a removable clip on the back for a belt. Seems sturdy enough although I don't use belt clips so it was easy for me to just pop it off. But a good option that Noreve has incorportaed into their cases because there are alot of people out there who do want a belt clip option. The case provides that option.

As per their website, the characteristics of the case are as follows:

- Elegant case concieved in high quality soft leather
- Compatible with personal assistant PalmOne LifeDrive
- Access to basic functions (multiple openings on the leather)
- Pratical thanks to its snap / magnetic closure
- Protects the device in an optimal manner
- Opening for recharge
- Headphone access
- Two SD/MMC slots
- Two credit card slots
- Interior leather and velvet lining
- Completely removable belt clip

Noreve Saint-Tropez is located in France so notice on their website www.noreve.com the currency options. So wherever you may live, don't forget to change your currency. US cost is $47.38 plus shipping.

Overall I very much like this case and would recommend it to anyone who is in the marker for a nicely finished, well put together leather case for their Lifedrive. They also have leather cases for the other Palm models as well, in similar fashion. Head on over to their website for complete details and a better look around. Cases are important - make sure you have a good one!...and Happy Holidays!

-Jason Rak, Associate Writer (Manhattan, UES)