N900 silicon case review + retractable USB cable
 

I've decided to share my experience I've had with a silicon case I bought off Amazon. This is the third case I've tried, and by far, is the best.
Other cases I've tried has been two parts in hard plastic, with small circa 2mm "arms" that was suppose to grip in between the screen and keyboard.
The result of this, was that when I eventually dropped my beloved N900, the case sort of exploded and on the ground was the phone not protected by the cover anymore.

Searching Amazon, I finally found the case with short and describing name: NOKIA N900 SILICON SKIN CASE - BLACK, WITH SCREEN PROTECTOR PART OF THE QUBITS ACCESSORIES RANGE

What makes THIS case the best, is that it is silicon, so it actually absorbs the force the impact if dropped AND the two caseparts slide together so they can't come off accidentally.
Funny thing is that the description of the case, dosen't even mention the the option of them sliding together, so it came as a surprise when I got it.

http://img532.imageshack.us/img532/9113/pic01u.jpg
http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/439/pic02tf.jpg

The "rails" that slide together, making sure the cover stays on, even if dropped... trust me, it works ;)
http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/2215/pic03m.jpg

The hole for the micro USB is a bit cramped, some 3rd party cables might not fit.
The cable that comes with the N900 and the retractable one, pictured and linked further down, does though.
http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/5388/pic04.jpg
http://img2.imageshack.us/img2/589/pic05d.jpg

Seems like the people who made this cover, only had the measurements and pictures of the N900, and therefore mistook the IR port for a button :)
A hobby knife should do the trick.
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/6171/pic06.jpg

Other covers I've had, didn't make room for the little hole under the "kickstand", so you couldn't get your nail under it, this one does.
http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/145/pic07h.jpg
http://img697.imageshack.us/img697/3258/pic08o.jpg

The cover is very soft and "flappy" (hope the picture makes you understand what "flappy" means in my mind :) ), though it's flappy it still flops back into shape afterwards again, without deformation.
http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/5696/pic09d.jpg

The cover is especially thick on the sides (the sides with the speakers), It also adds some thickness to the screen, so when the keyboard is out there will be slightly less space above the top row of keys.
http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/3018/pic10w.jpg

This cable is awesome, though its made for Amazon's Kindle, its still just an micro USB cable, so I ended up buying two of them, one for having in my jacket and one for the office.
Much more handy then the standard cable that you have to roll up.
Beware though, I bought another cable from Proporta before this, which turned out did NOT have data capabilities, only charging. They changed the description on the item after I pointed it out to them, so it only says charging capabilites now.
So just have this in mind if you decide to go for another cable then this one.
http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/9749/usbp.jpg


The covers texture is very nice and soft to the touch.
Also, theres a screen protector in the package as well, which is definitely not bad, it has a plastic texture (good) which I prefer over the rubber texture (bad), which are more grippy/sticky and requires more pressure.

And some links
N900 Silicon Case from QuBits: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00327QUCK/
Retractable micro USB cable:http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0031XZM6U/

Hope this can help protect all those innocent N900s out there :)

Re: N900 silicon case review + retractable USB cable
 

Looks terrible man. :)

That being said, I find the silicon cases offer good protection at the sacrifice of looks (my 5800 case did anyway). The hard cases, OTOH, can be quite fragile at the tabs.

How well does the sliding function work?

Do you have a link to the actual item?

Re: N900 silicon case review + retractable USB cable
 

You don't notice that the two case parts are attached in any way, they slide freely. You'll only notice that you're N900 has put on a little weight ;)

About the links, just look in the bottom of the first post ;)

Re: N900 silicon case review + retractable USB cable
 

I have a similar silicon case (glossy black finish).

True, it is a gimp outfit for my n900 but the protection is superb - I've dropped it a couple of times and the rubber absorbs the impact quite well.

I nearly bought a hard case (with thin rubber coating) but thought it would only "transfer" the shock of a drop to the n900 itself.

Anyway it only cost me £2.99 (including delivery!) from Ebay

It does look ugly as hell and it looks like I am talking into someone's dildo but I don't care my n900 is safe!

Re: N900 silicon case review + retractable USB cable
 

I bought one of these just after I got my phone a month or so ago. I have to say, contrary to the review above, that I did not feel that it was a suitable case. The main issue I found was that the 'flappy' case had no way of gripping to the phone so it would regularly slip off - especially while using the slider. It just felt like something very cheap and having a case which was hanging off after pulling the phone out of your pocket is not a great design in my book. Luckily, however, the case is very cheap so I didn't feel bad after throwing it in the bin!

I now have no case, but the more expensive leather ones from nokia look more suitable. Any reviews?

Re: N900 silicon case review + retractable USB cable
 

I also got this case from Amazon, I thought it was terrible, didn't fit tight to the phone at all and flopped around all over the place. I'd imagine after a few days/weeks of usage it would get even looser and just fall apart.

Was not impressed at all.

Re: N900 silicon case review + retractable USB cable
 

Agree with this review. The case is far too loose to be usable. I've been using mine for just over a week and the top and bottom parts of the screen cover are already stretched and loose. I tried holding the case of with double sided tape, but the silicon is too smooth to stick well.

Re: N900 silicon case review + retractable USB cable
 

............fail

Re: N900 silicon case review + retractable USB cable
 

I agree that if the rubber had been more firm and hardened then it is now, it would be much better.
But considering what else is out there, and taking the devices design into account, its actually two parts that slide apart, I don't see how else it could have been done.

It's the best solution so far I think between protection and functionality, where I would imagine the Nokia CP-408 would feel more like a man purse and with the CP-321, you have to get it out of the cover before you can access the screen.

But yes, harder rubber would definitely make this cover better, and it's sort of a gimp suit for the N900, though I haven't experienced it falling off when sliding the keyboard open, coming of by accident or any deformations.

Re: N900 silicon case review + retractable USB cable
 

I have the same item. 3 months later, the case is no longer hold the n900 very firmly like before. it will get a little bit "loose".

Re: N900 silicon case review + retractable USB cable
 

Got a similar one from an ebay seller. I agree that it is somewhat flappy as well. But it is slim enough for me to put the n900 in my jean pocket with this skin; so I think it is ok. I wish it comes in different color(only grey was available when I got mine).

Re: N900 silicon case review + retractable USB cable
 

I am using this case for my n900.

It's not strictly silicon more of a "gel" like substance. This means it is not as soft or as elastic as silicon so it seems to be a much better fit. It feels stiffer than silicon.

When it arrived it was ever so slightly deformed - after approx 12 hours it seemed to relax a bit and fitted perfectly.

I found it by searching "n900 case gel".

I'm very happy with it.
BTW: I had to cut out the insert for the screen apart from that it was fine.

Re: N900 silicon case review + retractable USB cable
 

Well, I ended up haing two cases for the n900.
The first one I got was a black plastic one, with "rubberish" finish. It turned out to be rubbish, since it sticks not so well and cracks very, very easily. Good looks, but not recomended

The other one is the silicone one similar to the first post, but without IR button pressing.
The skin offers solid protection with few drawbacks:
- the rubber friction makes pulling n900 out of jeans pocket a nightmare
- it seriously adds bulk compared to plastic one
- in my item, the holes are too slim to fit in bulky microusb cables. I don't even know why they called it miCro - it's even thicker than miNi usb cables i have. Don't know what to do about it yet, since the above mentioned railings are obstacles for a deeper cut.

Re: N900 silicon case review + retractable USB cable
 

@bitcrusher, I got the same case through ebay, but after testing it for 2min it was evident that it was too flappy to be useful, so I contacted the seller who sent me a solid clear plastic case which now fits perfectly without ANY flapping at all.

I cannot recommend the flappy black case. It doesn't fit the device properly, and therefore I believe it won't help much if the phone is dropped. (Besides, it looks simply terrible) Stay well clear, waste of money and time. Wrapping your n900 in a black plastic bag will get you the same look/protection.

Re: N900 silicon case review + retractable USB cable
 

well I was foolish enough to think the hard plastic cases would offer any protection. so I've been thinking about getting one of these gel/rubber/or silicone type cases. I certainly don't want one of the "flappy" kinds though. I found this one from this seller: http://cgi.ebay.com/UK-BRAND-NEW-CLE...item5d29a95799
So, Haus3r, is this by any chance the same seller you found your clear case from--if not, do you know your seller's id/name? (I just don't want to order something from overseas, anxiously wait 2 wks., and only to find it does not work/fit like it should.) Thanks for any advice,