Review: Body Glove Side Case for the Treo Pro

High on most everyone’s list of accessories is a protective case for the Treo Pro. Body Glove has been making cell phone cases for years and has developed a trademark for using non-traditional materials with their cases. While cases for the Treo Pro are slowly hitting the shelves, Body Glove is already offering the Body Glove Side Case ($24.95) for the Treo Pro.

The Body Glove Side Case for the Treo Pro is well constructed and made of a water resistant, rubbery type material. A stretchy material is stitched into the ends of the case, giving it a little elasticity to accommodate the Treo Pro. A generously large flap secures the Pro into the case by magnets placed beneath the material. Stitching was tight and the only weakness in the construction might be the ends where the stretchy material is sewn to the rubberized material.

Body Glove has lined the case with a felt-like material to help protect your Pro from scratching. The Side Case slides easily onto your belt with a long, sturdy clip. The clip is almost too long and there is a little pivot in the way the case rides on your belt.

I will give Body Glove credit for making a case that fits the Pro exceptionally well, adding very little thickness to the device. It rides comfortably on your belt and I often forgot I had the Pro on my waist.

While I liked the fit and ride of the case, it was a challenge to take the Treo Pro out of the case. The corners of the case are cut out but not enough to allow you to push the Pro out of the case. The fit is tight enough making it difficult to pull the Pro out of the case and with a touch screen that may present problems as well. I was hoping the bottom of the case had enough “give” in it to push the Pro out of the case but it didn’t.

I would rather see a cutout in the bottom center of the case than the corners to make it easier to push the Pro out. With the corners cut out, you lessen the protective value of the case and with the center bottom cut out you probably lessen the water resistance of the case. As is, I would say the Side Case’s biggest weakness rests with removing the Treo Pro.

I liked this case and if I could find a convenient way to remove the Treo Pro, I would have given it higher marks. It holds the Pro securely in place with that big magnetic flap, rides comfortably on your belt and appears to be durably constructed. However, I did have a few calls diverted to voice mail while I was trying to extract the Treo Pro from the case. One characteristic of a case everyone should look for is ease of placement and removal. The Body Glove easily meets the first but lacks in the latter.

If you’re looking for a horizontal case for your Treo Pro, the Body Glove Side Case ($24.95) is worth checking out. As an alternative, consider the SPE Side Pouch ($24.95) that’s fitted for the Samsung BlackJack II. I’ve been using it with my Treo Pro and it equals the fit and ride of the Body Glove and has that center “cut out” that makes it easier to remove the Pro.