Ahh, yes, the beltclip. The beltclip is the only thing that brings down this case. There are three parts to it. On the case itself, is a small nub at the back with a screw hole. This is the best part of the beltclip system, because if one does not want to use this case with a beltclip, there are no attachments sticking out. It is very unobtrusive. Into that hole, a small beltclip attachment screws in. Basically this is a small thumbscrew with a plastic washer on it. Last of all, a plastic beltclip can pop on and off that attachment screw.

So here are the problems. The attachment screw loosens during normal use, and eventually the Treo will unexpectedly fall off the beltclip. I surmise that this could be fixed by using a more ‘grippy” washer, or putting teeth into the screw so that it digs into the aluminum. Either way, the best thing to do is to tighten it regularly and make sure to tighten it tight. The next problem, as noted on the boards, is that the plastic beltclip itself breaks fairly easily. The combination of these problems yields an unreliable beltclip case.

There is one more caveat to the Innopocket Aluminum Hard Case. The case only opens about 210 degrees. This means that when you are using the thumb board seriously, the case is rubbing against the inside of your hand in a very uncomfortable manner. The current solution to this is to take the Treo out of the case temporarily, but it would have been nice to see a hinge that could go all the way to the back of the Treo, or make the cover removable, and clip able to the top, or flip up.. or down… there are many ways to fix this. I must also note that the aluminum does scratch, making it look, well, less new. However, I do not find it to be a problem at all.

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