Sena

Created in 1999 by gadget enthusiasts, Sena Cases aims to produce cases that are trendy, sleek, and completely function-accessible and customized entirely by the customer. Sena cases are handcrafted by leather artisans in Turkey using full grain genuine Italian and Turkish calfskin Napa leathers. Sena cases are offered in classic smooth leather or patterned leather such as croco, pebble, perforated or vincado in a variety of colors. Since Sena cases are made from full grain genuine leather, the cases adjust and soften to develop a perfect fit to the device after a short break-in period. The leather is unique as it begins to form and customize to the owner’s individual usage habits. Sena knows good leather, and believes in the variations of markings that come with their leather, considering marks and scars a necessity in distinguishing real, quality leather from imitation, and deems these “imperfections” as genuine properties of the leather that enhances the overall quality aesthetic of their cases. Offering a large variety of case designs for their vast selection of devices, Sena allows unique customization options so that each case is crafted just as their customers wish.

To read this full article, click “read more” to learn about Piel Frama, Krusell, Vaja, Noreve, OtterBox, and Fortte’s manufacturing process!

Piel Frama

The kind of leather Piel Frama uses to make their PDAs cases is cow skin 1ª quality. This leather comes from Piel Frama’s country of Spain, which allows them the opportunity to select the highest quality leather offered. The leather Piel Frama uses is from veal (young cows) due to their clean, undamaged skin. Additionally, Piel Frama´s leathers are environmentally safe, or “green”, because the leathers are tanned and finished with natural products and biodegradable organic substances, which avoids impact on natural systems. All of Piel Frama’s products are hand-made through an “elaboration process,” which maintains that each piece has a strict quality control. This elaboration process includes creating different molds in hard cartons, then cutting the different parts of the case (the leather, interior lining, etc.) and assembling each part together like puzzle pieces with glue that is not environmentally harmful. Piel Frama also uses a raw material called “viledón” which is a highly resistant synthetic cloth, located between the leather and the lining, adding consistency and resistance to the cover. The leather cover is then sewn together by 100% polyester thread (stronger and more durable than cotton), and a conveniently removable rotating clip is added to the case.

Krusell

Krusell, a Swedish company founded in 1991, makes a great deal of their products primarily with superior and medium nappa leather, a full-grain dyed and tanned leather known for its soft feel and durability, as well as cow skin for the interior of the case. Krusell offers seven different collections of cases labeled by different colors for a variety of customers (business [blue], active users on the job [red], sporty [green], “cool”/hip [orange], glamorous [purple], luxurious [Grand Kru], and a separate collection for accessory packs [black]). Because of this, leather is not the only material Krusell uses to craft their cases. For instance, their Green Label collection is made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) rubber for shock-absorption and durability for their sporty customers. As well, PU imitation leather is used for their Orange Label, quilted leather, micro fiber lining, and piping is used alongside nappa and PU leather in the Purple Label, and Polyamide plastic is used for the accessory packs in the Black Label. For more information on the manufacturing of Krusell’s products, watch the video below:

Vaja

All leather used in Vaja products is full grain cowhide. These hides are from the top ten percent of Argentina’s leather and are selected for quality, strength, character and grain. They have not been altered in any way thereby allowing the natural markings and character to show through. Full Grain cowhide is generally much cleaner and has minimal scarring and insect bites. This results in a more expensive product than other altered grain leathers, but Vaja feels this is warranted in order to produce a product of extremely high quality. Vaja’s products are made one at a time in their own factories by skilled craftmen who maintain the highest quality standards in the leather industry. According to Vaja’s online FAQ, “Each customized product is specially handcrafted for the customer who requires it. All of [Vaja's] products are handmade by a group of craftsmen specially selected for this purpose. There are many stages involved in the customization process: leather selection and special arrangement according to the model and features selected, case molding and assembling, finishing, quality and functionality testing. Attention to even the smallest details is always present in each of these steps.”

Noreve

This French (St. Tropez) manufacturer has conquered the international market through a network of specialized resellers across the globe since 2004, and continues to become more accessible to customers all over the world. Noreve specializes in the manufacturing of high-quality, individually hand-crafted leather cases for the most up-to-date devices by offering a large variety of color options as well as four selections of leather: Perpetual, Ambition, Exceptional, and the recently-released Illumination Selection. All four selections differ greatly between texture and style, and each leather type is unique and offers something a little different from the next. All leather used by Noreve production teams is premium cow leather that goes through a different treatment process depending on the custom-ordered case. In the Perpetual Selection of leather, full grain calf leather is used to create a smooth feel with a matte finish. The Ambition Selection of leather is pebble-grained and has a polymer to protect against scratches. This selection is also weather-resistant and fights discoloration. The Exceptional Selection is suede-like leather that goes through a strict weathering process to highlight the natural quality of the leather and make it unique from every other case manufactured by Noreve. Finally, the new Illumination Selection of leather is glossy and smooth to the touch and is finished with a layer of varnish that is applied during the last stages of the tanning process to obtain a shiny effect.

OtterBox

Dedicated to the “klutzy, spontaneous, chaotic, graceless individuals,” OtterBox (located in Fort Collins, Colorado) was created in 1996 to protect devices for customers with an active lifestyle. Their original line of cases are waterproof (like that of an otter’s fur… get the connection?), which has since expanded into four lines of device-specific cases for the most up-to-date gadgets on the market.

The four lines include:

1)      Defender Series:

http://www.otterbox.com/defender-series-cases

2)      Commuter Series:

http://www.otterbox.com/commuter-series-cases

3)      Impact Series:

http://www.otterbox.com/impact-series-cases

4)      Tandem Series:

http://www.otterbox.com/new-case-series/

As a company that has been continuously evolving, their cases are crafted primarily with polycarbonate and silicone components to withstand water, sand, dust, and klutziness in practically any situation. Additionally, silicone materials maintain good electrical insulation to resist the flow of electrical currents while polycarbonate components are easily molded and are impact-resistant. Both polycarbonate and silicone components maintain thermal stability and are temperature-resistant which is ideal for OtterBox’s active customers looking to keep their devices insulated and protected from UV light.

Fortte

Known as one of the leading leather case manufacturers, Fortte specializes in the creation of sleek, customizable leather cases for mobile devices popular in today’s market. They only use quality hides and inner materials that guarantee to maintain long-lasting durability. Fortte additionally manufactures in Biodegradable Plastic in an effort to help environmental practices, and part of sale is reinvested in Sustainable Forestry in the Amazonian basin. A focus of Fortte’s is guaranteeing that their brand is manufactured with only selected material under the ISO 9001:2008 (Quality Assurance), ISO 14001:2004 (Environmental Practices) and OHSAS 18001:2007 (Safety and Labor protection).  This also means that the suppliers of the materials also comply with the regulations.

Fortte cases are designed both to custom fit every specific device (they even offer a universal collection) and maintain a high level of functionality without compromising style. They offer high quality leather cases at decent prices in a variety of colors with a choice of belt clips and customization options. Fortte only brings their best cases to the market with a strict focus on quality standards and customer satisfaction.

This selection is quite unique to Noreve’s other competing leather selections, as the colors include Onyx, Maïa Gold, and Platinum, diverging from their usual straight-forward colors. Though I’ve not yet received these cases to review, it’s clear there will be a bit of a demographic switch in terms of customer satisfaction with this new selection just based on the couple pictures I’ve seen of the cases. I think this selection debut has potential to reach larger audiences, as the glossy finish may spark the attention of perhaps younger customers who may not have been otherwise interested in Noreve’s competing leather selections.

According to Noreve’s website, the new Illumination Selection of leather is smooth, hand-crafted, varnished leather and catches the eye which may be appealing to some and tawdry to others.

One thing is for sure: This is a big step for Noreve and we can’t wait to get our hands on a new Illumination Selection case for an in-depth review!

What do you think about this new selection of leather? Classy or tacky? Or perhaps a bit too early to judge? Here at CaseScoop we’ll wait to hold, touch, smell, test, and analyze the product before deciding, but we’re curious to hear what you have to think!

ObeyBrandon on YouTube

If you want the chance to win $100 store credit @ NoreveUSA.com, post a review on NoreveUSA’s Facebook page by December 15th!

As many of you know, we’ve done a variety of product reviews for Noreve. Recently, NoreveUSA contacted us to help them judge a contest offering $100 store credit at NoreveUSA.com. This contest is all about creativity, and allowing customers like you to express your feelings about Noreve’s line of products. So by simply reviewing a currently owned Noreve product or by describing you what interests you or is keeping you from purchasing a Noreve product, you could win $100 store credit toward any Noreve product. The rules are simple: join Facebook if you’re not already a member, and become a fan of NoreveUSA (www.facebook.com/NoreveUSA). Then, under the “Reviews” section of Noreve’s fan page, post a review expressing your interest/disinterest in Noreve’s line of products. The more you express yourself, the more likely you’ll be to win the $100 store credit. Feel free to post a video or include pictures in your review, but it’s not mandatory. According to NoreveUSA, they’re looking for “rich content that not only expresses [their] products, but helpful information that [their] users can attain to make an informed buying decision about [their] products and company alike.”

The contest has been extended to run through December 15, 2009 and the contest winner will be announced by December 18th on NoreveUSA’s Facebook page.

For more information about the contest, visit www.facebook.com/NoreveUSA and click the “NoreveUSA Facebook Contest” tab.

You have nothing to lose by submitting a review. And who knows? You could easily win $100 to spend toward any Noreve product at NoreveUSA.com just by expressing your opinion! (We’re a little jealous CaseScoop can’t participate in the contest…)

We look forward to hearing what you have to say! *And remember, you must submit your review BY December 15th!*

Good luck!

- CaseScoop.com

*Videos by ObeyBrandon. To visit ObeyBrandon’s Channel on YouTube for more reviews click here.

Noreve iPod Touch 2G case review

Noreve iPod Touch 2G pouch review

Review of the Noreve steel belt clip

Well here it is: An in-depth review of a variety of Noreve’s colors and textures just for you! Many of you have written to us expressing concern or confusion about the differences in leather, so we decided (here at CaseScoop) to clear it up for you.

Read on for the full write-up and pictures…

The Perpetual Selection:

This selection of twelve colors offers something for every type of customer. Noreve’s got the always-classy Black, to Olive Green and Ocean Blue. They don’t discriminate here; there’s pink and purple a-plenty, or good old grey for grandpa who can’t decide between the black and the white. But what’s so nice about the Perpetual Selection is the smooth leather Noreve offers. If you’re looking for spotless, practically perfect leather this selection is for you. The leather is hand-crafted; the stitching and leather cut-outs are flawless, and the smooth texture is soft to the touch. Any of the leather classifications are elegant, but this sleek leather is really tough to beat.

Color breakdown of the Perpetual Selection:

Black: It’s simple, elegant, smooth, and perfect.

White: It’s as white as white comes. Beware of its ability to show minor imperfections if you’re even a tad rough with your case.

Grey: It’s a dull grey, but because of the smooth leather it still looks classy.

Beige: It’s more on the yellow side rather than brown, but if you like beige it is a nice-looking case.

Pink: This rosy pink isn’t too bright, but is softer and a bit lighter. It isn’t overwhelming in color by any stretch. I’m not a fan of the color pink, but because it’s light I don’t really mind it. It actually reminds me of a cotton candy color.

Baby Blue: It’s baby blue- if you like the color, you’ll like this. It’s a light blue that doesn’t scream “immature” but is a bit more on the fun side than the Ocean Blue.

Red: The color is a fairly dark red. It’s not cardinal or maroon, just a deep red.

Ocean Blue: It’s a bit darker than regular blue, but isn’t extremely dark. I like this color because it’s classy and any type of customer could purchase it.

Brown: It’s got a bit of a chestnut feel, but it’s nice because it isn’t just a simple brown color. It’s got more of a kick, and would be really classy for anyone who is a real fan of brown.

Olive Green: If you want a case that won’t be easily misplaced, this case is for you! It’s loud, it’s fun, and I’d say it’s more lime-colored than olive.

Light Purple: I’m not particularly fond of the color purple in general, but I do think it’s a nice color. It almost seems to have a hint of blue… not as purple as it looks on the Noreve site.

Orange: This is very orange without being too orange, if that makes ANY sense. It’s definitely an obvious color in the bunch, but isn’t overpowering.

The Ambition Selection:

If durability is what you’re looking for, this is it. This Ambition Selection offers three colors: Ebony, Chestnut, and Ivory, and they’re all great quality. What differs from the Perpetual Selection is the type of pebble grained leather which has a polymer (linked chemical compound) film which contains pigments and is scratch-resistant. As well, it fights discoloration and is resistant to weathering. This leather is meant for intensive use- so if you’re particularly rough with your case but don’t want it to show, I’d recommend this selection. What’s nice about this Ambition Selection is that it really looks classy. All three of these textures Noreve presents are sophisticated-looking, so don’t get me wrong about that. No matter which texture you decide on, your case will be elegant; it just depends on the type of case you’re looking for. The leather is still soft, like the Perpetual Selection, but it has a pebbled texture. If you don’t understand what I mean when I say “pebbled,” it just has to do with the miniature crease-like separation through the leather. It reminds me of a turtle or lizard’s skin… if that helps at all. It’s durable, elegant, and scratch-resistant. What more could you ask for?

Color breakdown of the Ambition Selection:

Ebony: I love all three colors in the Ambition Selection but I think the Ebony (black) case is very classy looking. It is a softer black than in the Perpetual Selection, but holds true to the name. It’s sleek and elegant and will represent any customer well.

Chestnut: I’m not a huge fan of the color brown, but the chestnut is rich in color and offers very evident sophistication.

Ivory: As with the white from the Perpetual Selection, I worry about the risk of showing discoloration from outside harm. That said, the ivory is slightly off-white and is quite attractive.

The Exceptional Selection:

It seems as if this selection of leather breeds the most controversy amongst Noreve shoppers due to its weathered-looking façade. If you’re convinced you want to purchase one of the four colors of cases offered in the Exceptional Selection I’d like you to be very aware of the case you’re about to purchase so you know what to expect. As you may notice from the attached pictures as well as the ones on Noreve’s website, this is suede leather. The leather goes through a very unique “weathering” process where the skin has been tanned and distressed to purposefully give a vintage look. Because of this process, each case will look different. If you don’t believe me, look at the pictures I’ve attached to show how different the Vintage colors can look. This is important: your case will most likely have scratches, marks and even potential blemishes that look like water spots. It may look like someone has taken their nails or car keys to it, or look like it’s been used for years. Please note that this is the point of the Exceptional Selection. The vintage look is a different style but completely classy in its own regard. It depends on the type of customer and their interest in the type of leather, but there are many Noreve customers who seem extremely impressed and happy with their vintage case. The vintage brings a different type of elegance, but elegance nonetheless. What’s nice about this selection along with the Ambition Selection is that if you’re rough on your case it won’t matter much because with the Exceptional Selection your case will already come to you looking weathered so you won’t worry about scratches or marks on the case. I’m a fan of this selection of Noreve cases beyond the fact that I root for the underdog (and this vintage case really does hold the position of the underdog); I’m a fan of these cases because it’s different from the rest out there. It’s unique and I do find it to be tasteful regardless of the scratches and the marks. I just want you Noreve shoppers out there to be fully aware of what you might get with the Exceptional Selection! It’s hard to say if the vintage case will come to you with a clean suede exterior with hardly any scratches or any imperfections, or if it will be extremely worn, discolored and blemished. Either way, you should expect either outcome if you purchase one of these four vintage cases.

Color breakdown of the Exceptional Selection:

Dark Vintage: If you like the Exceptional Selection but don’t want blemishes to show as much, this dark vintage case is nice. It maintains classiness while providing a slightly lighter black due to its tanned leather. The color is a bit faded but as previously stated it really will depend on your actual case.

Sandy Vintage: Though I would probably not buy this case due to its competing colors offered, I would recommend it. I say this because the Sandy Vintage is a light brown with a slight hint of yellow, and is reminiscent of what the name implies: a sandy color. It’s nice-looking, just not something I’d purchase myself.

Passion Vintage: As with the other colors of the Exceptional Selection, this Passion Vintage color will really differ depending on the actual case and how much it’s been distressed. Regardless, this combination of red and pink is attractive but on the more feminine side.

Jean Vintage: The color is blue, but the suede texture gives somewhat of a jean look. I don’t mind the color, but depending on the type of customer I find it to be more fun-looking than classy-looking. Also, this color really shows the marks as a deeper blue and I find the imperfections to stand out a bit more than with the other colors. That said, the blue color is nice.

Check out all of the colors at NoreveUSA.com!

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Where to Buy:
PCS-Ltd.com– $19.95

read on for the full review and pictures…

Color
Krusell offers three different colors of cases to choose from: black/off-white, red/off-white, and grey/off-white. What I have here is the black/off-white, which looks nice and has more of a sporty feel thanks to the off-white stripes on the front of the case.

Quality of Materials
This case is 100% polyester and has a shock-absorbing padding interior. The durable polyester has additional plastic coating on the backside of the case for rain protection against your device. Weighing only 8oz., this case offers durability and protection against any harm thanks to its strong polyester material.

Fit and Design
For those who have been looking to keep your device protected through travel or in storage, this is the case for you. Though it does not allow the device to function at all, it protects more than the Noreve leather case does. The entire case is made with shock-absorbing padding inside the case which will protect against outside harm. The design of the case is simple; there is a zipper that opens and closes the single opening allowed for the device to fit inside. This Swedish design is slim and direct and is easily accessible to get in and out of the case. A simple zipper stands in the way of getting to your device.

*This case is designed to protect any netbook up to 10”. The inner dimensions are as follows: 270×190x50 mm.

Protection
Without a doubt, your device will be protected because 100% of your device will be covered and protected with its interior padding. There isn’t much more to say other than the fact that this case isn’t designed for device functionality; it’s designed for device protection, so if that’s what you’re looking for, this is the case for you.

Conclusion
This durable polyester case will cover the entirety of your netbook device and will even protect against rain. For quality protection and accessibility, this case is for you. If functionality is what you’re looking for, this case doesn’t offer that. It is strictly for the protection of your case against any outside harm.

Where to Buy:
PCS-Ltd.com– $19.95

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MSI Wind U100

Style: 9
There isn’t much I’d want to improve as far as the style of this case goes because it is simple and to the point. More of my concern with the design of this case is targeted to the protection of the case, but as far as the style goes, it’s classy looking and great for any customer.
Protection: 8
The majority of the case is protected with the exception of a portion of the sides of the case (which is exposed so that the MSI Wind can function properly while in the case) and the battery, which is exposed so that it doesn’t overheat while in use. My concern with this is that while not in use, the battery will not be protected at all. A simple way of handling that issue would be to take the battery out of the device while traveling or storing it away. Otherwise, if the case is closed and the device is not in use, the majority of the Wind will be protected through the high quality of the leather.
Functionality: 10
This case is designed to function completely while in the case. Enough said.
Overall: 9
(not an average) As a case that weighs less than 8oz, it is hand-crafted, and protective during all basic functions, it is definitely a competitive case on the market. There is no question as to the quality of the case; it merely depends on if you’re shopping for functionality or complete protection. Take a look at the pictures to give you a good idea of the design and compatibility of this Noreve case before you make any decisions. It is attractive, sleek, and light. Don’t pass this case by without consideration!

read on for the full review and pictures…

Where to Buy:

• NoreveUSA.com – Starting at $51.00

Color
I’ve received black and rose (pink) leather cases for the MSI Wind from NoreveUSA, though they have a variety of color options which you can find on their website. As far as the black and pink go, both are beautiful, smooth leather cases, both rich in color. The black has more of a sexy business look, and the pink has more of a fun, fashionable look.

Quality of Materials
The leather is beautiful and flawless (unless you order a Vintage textured case in which the leather has been distressed), and the case itself weighs less than 8oz. This hand-crafted leather is very high-quality, and the tight stitching is impeccable. The openings in the leather are symmetrical, and the stainless steel wire mesh is extremely protective against any outside harm.

Fit and Design
Like many of the other Noreve cases, it is simple to place the device into the case. By sliding the MSI Wind into the bottom rail system and folding the top flap over to snap it into place, the device is set and fits securely in place. It does not fit as tightly as many of the other cases, but just enough to ensure that it will not shift in the case. The design of this case is straightforward; it covers the top, bottom, and partially the sides, but allows room for the device to function while in the case by designing openings in the leather for USB cables, headphone cords, the mouse pad, and keyboard. As shown in the pictures, this case is nice to have not only for the protection of the device while it is in use, but also when it is stored away. Additionally, in the inner flap Noreve has offered two slots for business cards, IDs, credit cards, etc. and four mini slots for SD cards. As well, on the bottom of the case are openings in the leather for the speakers which are covered in stainless steel wire mesh, and there is an opening for the battery so that it does not overheat while in use.

Protection
This case offers a great deal of protection for the top of the case, but less so for the bottom of it, only because there are six wire mesh openings for the speakers, and an opening for the battery. This case seems to be better protection for the case while it is in use rather than to protect it during travel or while it is stored away, but it’s the price you pay for a case designed to allow your MSI Wind to function completely while in use.

Conclusion
I’d definitely recommend this case for those very interested in using their MSI Wind while inside the case. This Noreve case is designed perfectly for the Wind to function completely and with the high-quality leather and padding the device will be completely protected for any of those needs.

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Where to Buy:

• NoreveUSA.com – Starting at $51.00

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