Review: Incipio Orion Sleeve Case for Palm Pre 20
Tue, 30 Mar 2010 11:29 am EDT
The Incipio Orion Sleeve Case for Palm Pre is a clean and stylish way to carry and protect your Pre. While similar in concept to Palm’s own Leather Side Case, the Orion sleeve executes more cleanly, not to mention being available in variety of colors.
Functionality
The Orion Sleeve Case externally appears to be a simple matter, just two pieces of leather stitched together to form a Pre-sized pocket. Indeed, that’s what it is, though the inside is coated in soft suede and a large leather pull-tab allows for easy retrieval of your phone once it is inside. Unlike the Palm Leather Side Case, Incipio’s sleeve uses a thick leather pull-tab that is anchored to the base of the case by an elastic band - the lifting is still done by an attached silk band.
The case adds about four millimeters of thickness to the phone, but by design it adds about twice that to the length and width of the Pre. When you slip the phone inside it causes the leather stitching around the edge to pucker. The effect is minimized after some use stretches the leather, but the bifurcated leather ridge around the edge does serve to provide cushioning in the event of a side impact.
Style
Aesthetically speaking, the Incipio Orion Sleeve Case is a simple matter. Each piece of leather is covered in a grid of tiny perforated dots that lessen the perceived size of the case. Overall, it’s nicely designed and echoes the simple lines of the Pre. The case reviewed here was a deep plum purple, the sleeve is also available in black, red, and pink.
Conclusion
Despite its simple design, the Incipio Orion Sleeve Case is both a stylish way to carry your Pre and an easy way to protect it when tossing it into a bag or briefcase. The large pull tab is worlds more functional than the frustrating affair on Palm’s own case, even though much of the sleeve echoes the design cues of Palm’s effort. The Orion Sleeve is an easy way to protect and carry your phone without adding too much weight or thickness.
The Incipio Orion Sleeve Case for Palm Pre is available in the PreCentral Store for $17.95, a savings of $2 (10%) off the $19.95 list price. It is available in black, red, pink, and purple. This case was provided for review by the PreCentral Store
Pros
Slim but still protectiveCons
Edges puckers when Pre inside
20 Comments
I shopped around for a vertical phone case for my pre for a while. I just got a Wenger Rhea camera case and I love it. I have had it for about 6 months with no problems. Well there is a problem with the leather coming off of the clip that holds it to my belt, but it is not visible and doesn't impact anything.
http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/602595/Wenger-Rhea-Compact-Camera-...
I had a case for every phone and PDA I ever owned, up to the Pre. On the Pre, all I have is a Skinomi for the front. (1) The Pre just doesn't seem to need a case like all my Visors, Treos and Centro did. (2) Cases just aren't as attractive as they used to be. (Remember Vaja?) And (3) the Pre is just too pretty to cover up.
+1. I'm usually scouring the internet to find my next case, but ever since I got the Pre, I just don't anymore!
Can I fit my EVO into it? ;->
Actually, I just bought a new case last week (lost original pouch and now have some scratches), lost it a day later, just bought another. Wish I saw this before I just bought those two...
don't worry, sounds like you'll lose you new case anyway, so you can still buy this case later...maybe tomorrow? ;)
The case looks nice and slick, I am even considering purchasing one.
With all the talk about how the Pre is being marketed as a gender specific device, those are the two colors Precentral.net could have presented? Come on people, I LOVE my Pre and which to see it used by both genders, a red (could be considered gender neutral) could have been used instead of the "deep plum purple". Palm needs this device in both genders hand in order to successfully claim the number 1 spot in the market.
so a guy can't carry a pink/plum colored case?
nonsense!
it matches my pink tie. But I agree with others who choose not to cover their Pres.
vertical leather case on Sprint.com is way better. Love it.
http://nextelonline.nextel.com/NASApp/onlinestore/en/Action/OSBrowseAcce...
Not sure how that is any better. The Orion has the added bonus of the pull tab so you don't have to fumble with getting your phone out.
I had the Incipio and hated the pull tab. Between the Sprint case and Incipio I much prefer the Sprint case. It is very well made and is smaller in the pocket than the Incipio. Just my $.02.
It would be helpful if there was another international shipping option other than the $40 one at the moment, meaning people in Europe can't get many decent accessories for their phone.
Lost my original sleeve/pouch, went into Sprint store and they gave me a new one for free. I use it to clean the screen when it gets oily and since it's so thin it fits perfect in pocket while keeping scratches off. I have yet to see something better.
lol at 1st glance, I thought it said "Incipio Onion Sleeve Case"
I have had this case for about a month and it has already paid off. I left my phone on top of a friends car and he drove off with it on there! The phone went flying and when it finally landed I thought my phone would be destroyed! But all that happened was I got a small scratch on the back. A sturdy, must buy!
I like the look of this pouch and the various available colors. I'd like to see it with some sort of strap across the top so that in the event it's dropped, it won't slip out of the pouch.
I've had this sleeve since the Pre came to Bell. It's the best pouch i've owned for any phone. If I had another phone, I'd look for the same type of pouch for that specific phone. The tab is great cuz the phone is a tight fit out of the box especially if you have an invisible shield front and back. I dropped my phone a few times wiht the sleeve on and the sleeve protects it great. Highly recommend this for your Pre.
I needed a case for my pixi that could hold my phone, cards and money. So I made one out of my old jeans. It's very slim and it holds every thing I need. I think more cases like that should be made. Or maybe one of those thin rubber cases that just cover the back and sides of the phone with a slit in the back of it to store money and cards. That would be perfect. I would buy it.
this case is amazing, its light weight and very durable.
http://www.topgradeacaiextreme.org
UGH! SPAM! AND I TOTALLY FELL FOR IT!
DO NOT CLICK! Unless you want some TOP GRADE ACAI EXTREME garbage.
Man, what a rookie mistake.
I went through two of the Sprint leather cases and both of them had the stitching come undone on the side. Went with the Smart Phone Experts case on the store here and it's been working great for the last week at least.