Got my Sena Case (Finally!)...

ShALLaX · 11-24-04, 08:08 AM

...and oh dear, it feels more like PVC than leather - its so thin and brittle-feeling. It doesn't close easily with the PDA in (i cant see the magnets keeping it shut)... It just does not feel as well made as my Piel Frama. I dont think I'll be using it.

allklrnoflr · 11-24-04, 10:18 AM

That's sucks! Especially after waiting for the case, maybe Vaja?

whitelyt · 11-24-04, 10:28 AM

That's really surprising for a Sena case. Actually now that I think of it I saw the same issues when I was reviewing the Sena case for the h4350. What I think it comes down to is the length of the device that is causing issues with the case closing properly.

ShALLaX · 11-24-04, 12:11 PM

Thats correct... they could have easily fixed by making the fold-over flap a bit longer. I'm definitely sticking with the Piel Frama. Top quality case!

JNGold · 11-24-04, 12:23 PM

Sounds like Sena dropped the ball on the 4700 series. The case for the 4150 is the best case out there. Yeah, Vaja is nice too but the functionality of the Sena cases can't be beat.

Kcchief_fan · 11-24-04, 02:00 PM

Originally Posted by ShALLaX

...and oh dear, it feels more like PVC than leather - its so thin and brittle-feeling. It doesn't close easily with the PDA in (i cant see the magnets keeping it shut)... It just does not feel as well made as my Piel Frama. I dont think I'll be using it.

Mine seems to fit fine and closes well, although I would say mine is very thin too and slippery. I have been wearing it for the past few days and it stays in, but I have noticed it can work its way up through the top opening if I have the cover flipped over while I am using it because of how slippery it is. It fits well in my sync cradle although sometimes I have to adjust it to get it to connect properly. The magnets could have been stronger but it seems to stay closed and I hate snaps. With a few more weeks of use and an upcoming trip I'll see if it is worth it for me.

whitelyt · 11-24-04, 02:26 PM

Originally Posted by JNGold

Sounds like Sena dropped the ball on the 4700 series. The case for the 4150 is the best case out there. Yeah, Vaja is nice too but the functionality of the Sena cases can't be beat.

I concur. I have reviewed that case and it is awesome; almost like a case is not even on the PPC.

Cheryl · 11-24-04, 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by ShALLaX

...and oh dear, it feels more like PVC than leather - its so thin and brittle-feeling. It doesn't close easily with the PDA in (i cant see the magnets keeping it shut)... It just does not feel as well made as my Piel Frama. I dont think I'll be using it.

That does not sound like the Sena case we all know and love. Have you contacted Sena on the off chance you got a bad case?

SHC · 11-24-04, 03:21 PM

I've got my first Sena after 3 Vaja's (can't afford one this time). Have to say everything fits, stitchwork spot on. Leather is a bit shiny but it will "weather" with time and use. No issues with the flap not closing or the magnets not holding either. I've also had Covertec (nice), EB (fair) and PielFrama (well made) Tuff-as-Nuts (bullet proof but basic)so I think I'm a good judge.

ShALLaX · 11-24-04, 07:11 PM

It just feels so cheap and tacky... and plasticy.. not at all how leather should feel. Sorry, but I absolutely hate it after being spoiled by the soft Piel Frama.

JNGold · 11-24-04, 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by ShALLaX

It just feels so cheap and tacky... and plasticy.. not at all how leather should feel. Sorry, but I absolutely hate it after being spoiled by the soft Piel Frama.

Strange, after having cases by Vaja, Sena, and Piel I have to say that the leather quality of the Sena runs a close second behind Vaja. I found Piel leather to be a bit on the "thick" side, adding more bulk to a PPC than I cared for.

Different strokes for different folks.

gylman · 12-01-04, 02:50 PM

Well, I got my sena case for the 4700. My comments:

-smells nice and looks nice. It will be a head turner

-I got no problem with the leather quality. It closes fine and the magnets are fine.

-my main beef is it does not fit well into the cradle, and I don't see charging with the case on in the cradle as an option right this moment. This seems to be due to lack of a hole in the leather at the bottom of of the 4700 for each of the two battery release tabs on either side of the midline, which forces the leather to stretch over them. This prevents the leather from moulding nicely over the base of the IPAQ and blocks proper contact with the case plug.

-there's also not a lot of storage space. However, this case is purchased for its "low profile" appearance, so this is understandable.

I will give it a few days. Maybe the leather will mold a bit better to the case, then we will see if I can use the cradle. If it does not work, then I will be mighty annoyed, since the main reason to buy this case is to use it in the cradle. I may have to (very reluctantly and nervously) cut a hole in the leather myself.

Otherwise, its a very nice case. Right now, I give it an 8.5/10.

I will let you all know how it turns out. I will also offer a direct comparison to the pielframa fliptop, which I got from a fellow IPAQHQ member who sold it over the forum a few days ago. Hopefully it will arrive soon.

Cheers.
Gyl

Addendum: I just found a little piece of paper in the case that warns that initially it may not fit well in the cradle until the leather "breaks through". OK, kudos to Sena. Will keep an open mind....

swhoutx035 · 12-01-04, 04:18 PM

Originally Posted by gylman

If it does not work, then I will be mighty annoyed, since the main reason to buy this case is to use it in the cradle. I may have to (very reluctantly and nervously) cut a hole in the leather myself.

Otherwise, its a very nice case. Right now, I give it an 8.5/10.

I've had mine for over a week now. I quit using it after 5 days because it still won't fit in the sync cradle without some fair amount of force and the leather on the bottom back of the case is now scuffed a little from that effort. I like the look and feel of the case as well as the magnetic closure instead of a snap closure, but the inability to sync/charge while in the case has made me go back to using just the flip cover that came with the 4700. I am going to monitor the case sites/threads over the next few weeks before deciding if I will shell out money to get get a different case or not.

buckyg · 12-01-04, 04:52 PM

I'm liking my case so far. Yeah, the tiny gaps on the sides bugs me a bit but I can live with that.

The sync cradle issue really bugged me, but it really does seem to be breaking itself in. At first, I did almost have to force it on to make it connect enough to sync. Then, once connected, the least movement would make the sync disconnect. Now, a week or so later, it seems to be fitting in there much better.

I do like the look and feel of the case overall. The case did receive its first scratch. Normally, my ipaq is kept in my laptop bag when not in use. There shouldn't be anything that can scratch it. All the sharp stuff is usually kept in a separate smaller bag that gets put in the checked bag if flying, also preventing other stuff getting poked & scratched. But I just got back from a Thanksgiving trip, must have put something in quickly without being too careful. I'd much rather the case got scratched than my machine or, gasp, the screen!

PPCMD · 12-05-04, 04:17 PM

I received mine and its fine. Not a perfect fit, small gaps in the middle front area but it closes fine and fits in my pocket easily and thats what I cared about, oh and I don't have to take it out of the case to cradle it.

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iPAQ hx47xx series - Talk about the HP iPAQ hx4700 series