GearBits

PalmCorner Weekly Feature: Sena Tungsten C Case

Can you improve on something that is already great? If the case you are talking about is Sena, then the answer is yes. I had a chance to try out the new Tungsten C case from Sena, and the short answer is it is definitely staying put with my Tungsten C.

The case comes in three different colors (black, tan, and red). The case I have came in tan and without a belt clip, but you can order one with it as well. The Tungsten C slides into the case, and the transparent plastic cover offers the keyboard protection. The plastic cover did not interfere with using the keyboard, but it did introduce a different tactile feel. The cover did not also interfere with the hardware buttons and the 5-way navigator button.

The quality of the leather was superb. The quality of workmanship was also of first class. The cutouts were where they are supposed to be, and the edges were clean. I loved the fresh smell of the leather when I first opened the case. Sena also improved the finishing on the edges of the case, and all the edges looked smooth and made the case more attractive and quite expensive. Also the packaging the case came in was simply superb. It came packaged in a nice box and a clothing pouch.

The acrylic mirror, one of the unique features of the Sena case, does not come with the case any more, but you can order one for $1.99 with the case. The cover was well padded and with the mirror inserted, it offered a solid protection for the screen (By the way, I borrowed the mirror from my old Clie NX case). The cover also has three slots for business cards or credit cards (one of them could be used for the mirror), two SD card slots, and one multipurpose pocket. Unfortunately, the multipurpose pocket worked OK for storing my headset, but the addition of the headset increased the bulk of the case at the front. The case did not look slim and attractive any more, but I guess that is the trade-off you need to decide. So, if it had the dedicated headset slot, it would have been perfect, but I don't know how anyone can do it without adding more bulk to the case.

The cutouts at the top of the case provides the access to the IR port, stylus, and headphone jack.

The cutout at the bottom of the case provides the access to the hotsync connector, and you can hotsync your T/C in the cradle while it is still in the case. Unlike other cases that advertise as such, this case worked the first time I tried to hotsync--there was no break-in period needed to hotsync the T/C in its case. The front of the case has a loop at the bottom that comes around to cover the hotsync cutout and snaps close in the back of the case. The back of the case also has a cutout for the reset button.

All in all, a winner in my book, and at $39.99 ($44.99 with the belt clip), you don't feel bad about spending $ to buy the case after shelling out $$$ for your Tungsten C.