PDA/Treo cases are an addiction, affliction and obsession of mine; and, I have found only a few that really deliver what I want. What's worse, when I upgrade my device, the cases don't fit anymore; soooo...I have to start all over again. Arrrrghhh!!!
Although premium manufacturers like Vaja and Piel Frama continue to produce cases of surpassing quality and design, they charge a surpassing premium…averaging out in the $80 - $120 (USD) range, with some going much higher (sterling silver and Swarovski Crystals are a bit much for my needs…but, hey! someone needs to look afte Paris Hilton). The bulk of all other leather cases tend to run in the $25 - $40 (UDS) range, and despite product names like “deluxe,” “premium” and “luxury,” these cases are as generic and base as can be. Over the last 6 months there have been 3 cases that I declined to review at all, because the defects in fit/finish/QA were so severe that it would have been 100% negative. The companies distributing these cases all have well-earned reputations for quality merchandise, and I won’t whack them for the faults of their outsourcing partners (take that, NAFTA!).
That’s why I was intrigued to come across Fortte Cases™ of Miami, Florida. This is a company that puts its credentials and philosophy right in your face:
· “No need to be a millionaire to be unique”
· “Once Again Protecting Your PDA With Style”
· ISO Certified Manufacturing Processes
Those three bullets sum up what the company delivers: brilliantly stylish cases for PDAs and Smartphones that provide solid protection; and, are manufactured to the most exacting standards while offering terrific bang-for-the-buck.
When I contacted the good folks at Fortte, they were enthusiastic about having their products reviewed for Palm Addict’s readers; and, gave me my choice of cases for the introduction to our community. For the occasion, I chose 2 cases designed for the Treo 700 series (p, w, wx):
· The “Ruggedized” Leather Case ($48.99 USD)
· The Open Face Leather Case ($32.99 USD)
Although the photos on their website looked swell, I was prepared for the same disappointment I had felt with so many recent deliveries. Not this time!
The cases embody intelligent design, superior materials, exacting fit & finish and a unique sense of style.
The “Ruggedized” Leather Case: 
For those whose devices are exposed to greater potential wear and tear then normal, there have been three traditional case options…
· Metal Cases. These run the gamut from lightweight aluminum (they bend over time and the cover interferes with using a Treo’s keyboard) to magnesium (brilliant, but bulky…and, they look like they were designed by Batman’s armor mfg.)
· Reinforced leather cases that are bulky, and leave the sides and bottom of the device exposed
· ‘Ruggedized’ cases, that protect the device from all elements, but double the bulk and are ugly as sin
Fortte has produced a beautiful leather case that offers 360° protection for your Treo, without sacrificing efficiency or good looks. The protection comes from the inspired design; which is a case-within-a-case. The Treo resides in a glove-fitting inner case, which is soft and supple, while offering reinforced protection around the Treo’s screen. Attached to the back, is a double-thick reinforced leather shield that is hinged halfway up. That hinge allows the thin inner case to plug into whatever charge/sync cradle you use, without removing the Treo. It also features a well-recessed SD card slot. When the case is open, there is 100% access to all connectors, jacks, slots and switches
The front cover folds down from the top of the case, and when closed, completely encloses the Treo: top, bottom and both sides. The front is reinforced with soft, padded leather, featuring a neat Fortte shield insignia. The inside of the front cover also has a recessed SD card slot
When closed, the case still leaves openings for the camera lens and for the back (ringer) speaker; and, the magnetic snap is easily undone to quickly answer incoming calls, without sacrificing its ability to keep the cover secured through the bumpiest activity.
This is essentially the inner-case of the “Ruggedized” model, as a stand-alone version. Featuring the same double-thick rigid leather back, the case offers a lot of protection for an open-face model. The top, front and sides are of heavier gauge leather, while the bottom is a thinner, supple leather that molds itself to the shape of the Treo’s bottom. Unlike almost every other case I have tested with this type of bottom design, the Fortte case’s measurements are so precise, that there is no ‘pucker’ or uneven angle (that usually covers up an important opening on the Treo).
The case allows 100% access to everything on the Treo, except the SD card slot. That is easily remedied by simply undoing the magnetic clasp at the top. The edges around the screen are reinforced and rigid, offering increased protection, while opening for the speakers, LED, camera, etc. are both reinforced and perfectly lined up with the Treo
NICE TOUCHES: Attention to thoughtful detail abounds on both cases. The insides of the cases are soft and smooth, and feature parachute-grade nylon reinforcement at key stress-points. The side opening for the volume and side-button is covered with soft, clear vinyl and the metal nub for the belt-clip is of smooth metal (so, it won’t rub down the clasps on the plastic belt clip).
The leather is of a particularly fine grade: both strong and soft; while the stitching around the entire case is extra strong, and recessed to provide a smooth, refined impression. In addition, Fortte offers a wealth of rich, optional colors and leathers to customize your case to your exact preference.
CONS: Although I would have loved to see a flip-up clear plastic (or fixed clear vinyl) screen shield on the open-face case, that is simply a personal bugaboo, and does not reflect on the case in any way. In this price-point ($30 - $50 USD), there is simply nothing to criticize.
BOTTOM LINE: To date, I have found nothing that can compare to the complete quality and style of the Fortte cases, without moving up to the $100 (USD) cases of Vaja and Piel Frama. They are head and shoulders above anything else in their price class, and offer a truly premium home for your valued devices.
Fortte Cases™ are available for almost every major PDA, Smartphone and MP3 Player. If you combine a practical budget with a taste for luxury, then this is your lucky day. Head over to Fortte Cases™, and look at their terrific wares.
As always, click on the images for the full-size version
