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Palm Discovery wishes to give a BIG THANKS to Keith of Softpocket.ca for providing the product for this review.

Before I continue, there are two somewhat different versions of the Innopocket Magnum Case. There’s one with SD Card storage (at the back of the case) and one without SD Card Storage. I am reviewing the Innopocket Magnum Case without SD Card storage which is sold at Softpocket.ca

Innopocket Magnum Case

10% off coupon SP372879MAGT650

Disclosure: Proceeds of the purchase of the Innopocket Magnum Case at Softpocket.ca with the special 10% off coupon SP372879MAGT650 for Palm Discovery readers will help benefit Palm Discovery and keep this site running. This special coupon code applies only for the Innopocket Magnum Case. If you are interested in this case, please consider purchasing it at Softpocket.ca and support Palm Discovery. Thanks very much for your support!

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Video of Innopocket Magnum Case

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Magnum Case for Palm Treo 650/700w/700p Smartphone

Compatible: Treo 600/ ,Treo 650 ,Treo 700p ,Treo 700w

Here are my observations. First of all, I love how the case’s flap can wrap itself completely around to the back. This is a big deal for me, because I’ve always found it quite a distraction and hindrance when I try to text using the QWERTY keys with the Innopocket Metal Deluxe Case (or other similar book style case) since the flap stays on the side, making it much more difficult to wrap my right hand around the case comfortably and pressing the QWERTY keys. With the flap wrapping all around to the back, my right hand feels much more comfortable and it does make quite a difference. One thing to note is that although the flap does wrap itself completely to the back, the double hinge design causes the flap to not fold and flush right against the back. Instead, flap overshoots over the back of the case so that the flap will stick out a bit and the rest of the Treo and case will rest off to the other side. This isn’t much of a concern since the case will still lie flat on a flat surface but the Treo doesn’t lie right over the flap. The double hinge seems like a great design and so far, it has held up quite well. Unlike the Metal Deluxe Case, where the inner rod inside the hinge would come loose and eventually fall out (rendering the hinge useless), I have not experienced this on the Magnum Case (yet. Knock on wood). With regards to this problem on the Metal Deluxe Case, I’ve somewhat addressed and fixed it by fitting a tight elastic around it. It’s a crude fix but it works.

The Magnum case is definitely a bit heavier than the Metal Deluxe (aluminum) Case. I didn’t weigh the two cases but I could easily tell that there was quite a difference in the weight simply by holding it in comparison. The Magnum case material is noticeably stiffer, more rigid than the Metal Deluxe Case. With the Metal Deluxe Case, I know that the material can be bent. The Magnum Case can also be bent, but the material seems stiffer and not as easy. At least, I do notice that the material does block a lot of the sound. That may be in part, due to the cushioning neoprene material (somewhat different from that found in the Metal Deluxe Case) in combination with the Magnum material. I’m not sure. All I notice is that when the alarm, phone or any sound is emitted that a lot of it is blocked when the Treo is in the case. This can be a good or bad thing, depending on your perspective.

I have also found that with the case closed when answering calls that I do have difficulty hearing the other end, most likely due to a certain separation of the case from the Treo device. The other end sounds very “remote” or “far away” almost sounding like listening from a tin can, even when I try to put my head to the case. I’ve never noticed this with the Metal Deluxe Case. This slight problem can be solved by simply opening up the case when answering the call.

The removable belt clip, like most other cases that has the design of a “screw on” attachment at the back with a swivel clip, is very similar. The case is supplied with a darker finish flat screw with a plastic washer near the end and a swivel clip. As I’ve mentioned before in my review on the Metal Deluxe Case, one of the problems of such a removable clip is the fact that over time, the flat head screw will tend to loosen or unscrew itself. What you end up with (as I’ve experienced it a few times myself) is your Treo with the case on the ground while the screw is still attached to your belt clip which is still clipped to your belt or pants. Regardless of how often I check to keep the screw tight, it would happen. Also of note is the clip. First of all, the clip itself isn’t very strong and doesn’t take much pressure or force to open the clip. For someone like me who wears thin fabric pants, the clip would not grip well enough to the pants. Second, the clip seems to wiggle and jiggle a bit too much for my liking. Third, unlike other swivel clips which has a way of keeping the case always hanging vertically using gravity, this clip doesn’t do that and you may find that the case may be in any position without being held or locked into place.

After saying all that, I still think that this case, (keep in mind that I am reviewing the Magnum Case without the SD card holder) is still one of the best hard cases I’e reviewed. I love the double hinged design that allows me to wrap the flap to the back of the case, so that I can easily type on the QWERTY keys without any obstruction. The case is quite rigid and durable and not as easily bendable (although it still can be done) compared to the Metal Deluxe Case. Also, the material itself is less slippery than the Metal Deluxe Case so there isn’t the need to get eGrips or other rubbery gripping material on the case itself. The transparent window is a plus since I’m always very careful about scratching the screen. This allows me to be able to view the screen when the case is closed. The hardware button cut outs on the case allows me access to most tasks and buttons while still keeping the rest of the Treo protected. Although the case is slightly heavier and it does seem to block out sound a lot more, these are minor issues that can easily be accomodated. The belt clip, being similar to other standard removable screw on attachement and clip has the same disadvantage that I’ve mentioned for other similar cases. But since I nowadays put my Treo with case in a vest breast pocket, not having a belt clip isn’t as important to me as it used to be.

Overall, the Innopocket Magnum Case offers a good balance of durability, design and function to persuade me that this is the hard case I’ve been looking for. The Magnum Case has now become my main case since the double hinge design makes such a difference when I need to type. Although the heavier weight isn’t that much of a concern, I think that the ultimate case for me would be a case with Metal Deluxe material (aircraft grade aluminum) with the double hinge and a permanent belt attachment and clip of Prima Cases. That would provide me with the best of what I love: a lightweight case with the flap that wraps completely around to the back and a belt clip with attachment that will never fail (okay, never say never). But, even as it is right now, the Innopocket Magnum Case is still very good and has obviously won me over.

Again, thanks to Keith of Softpocket.ca for supplying the case. If you are interested in purchasing this case, please take advantage of the special 10% off coupon SP372879MAGT650. Please note that this coupon can only be applied towards the Innopocket Magnum Case. Those located in Canada may want to consider checking out Softpocket.ca. We’ll be supporting a Canadian business, avoiding exchange rate conversions, extra shipping fees, brokerage fees, customs, and other fees associated with dealing with US vendors. And we’ll get it faster! Thanks to everyone for your support of Palm Discovery!

Innopocket Magnum Case
10% off coupon SP372879MAGT650

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