Hey, all! After much thought and reading reviews, (and knowing that I'm klutzy!) I bought a Piel Frama case for my wonderful phone. The case is beautiful, and wonderfully made, just exquisite diecutting and stitching. The Piel Frama doesn't add alot of bulk, and allows you to access the phone and features at will while still offering some protection in case you get the dropsies for no apparent reason. I obtained my case from cases.com, and received it within 4 days.
(I also have a 15% discount coupon; just pm me)
The reviews that helped my decision along...
Review: Piel Frama HTC Tytn (Hermes) Case.
Review Piel Frama Case for iMate Jasjam, Cingular 8525, 02 XDA Trion, HTC Tytn, Qtek 9600, Dopod 838 Pro, Orange SPV M3100 and T-Mobile MDA Vario II
Translated Version of http://www.ppcreviews.net/content/view/833/7/
So, of course while I loved the look and feel of the case, I did have some concerns about the plastic covering the HTC's keyboard. Apparently others had the same concern. I found a great post written by pmcgarr in a cingular forum in regards to the plastic/slider issue:
"Good news for people concerned with using this type of case on an 8525...
My wife and I both got 8525 a week ago. I am going with the belt clip type case, and she got the type with the plastic over the sliding keyboard. Being a mechanical engineer, I instantly wasn't comfortable with her case. These sliders are sensitive enough as it is, never mind stuffing plastic between the slider and display. I decided to take a real close look at how the slider works and I realized that this is a safe case technology as best I can tell. Here's what I noticed...
At first I thought the two plastic strips at the left and right end of the keyboard were actually sliding against the underside of the display. I looked at my phone (never installed in such a case) and I can see light between the display and the plastic strips when it's open or closed. I now believe those strips are there to assist opening by sliding from one side or the other, not evenly from both sides. There is room for the plastic to fit without stressing the slide mechanism.
I also examined if there was anything under the display that could be harmed by dragging across the plastic when opening and closing, and there is nothing in the way.
To sum it up, I was afraid of this type of case. I took a close look at the phone from an engineering standpoint, and no longer have a concern about it. Trust me, I bought my wife the phone, and would rather not see it damaged.
I'd be glad to explain it better if anybody has a specific question.
Paul"
My Experience with the 8525 - Major Touchscreen and Slider Problem - Cingular/HTC - Cingular Customer Forums
Thanks for reading~!
