Get A Grip With Martin Fields Silicone Jacket

[Mike Temporale]

<img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Temporale-20041230-MartianFieldSilicone.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/><br /><br /><b>Product Category:</b> Case / Protection<br /><b>Manufacturer:</b> <a href="http://www.martinfields.com">Martin Fields</a><br /><b>Where to Buy:</b> <a href="http://www.martinfields.com">Martin Fields</a><br /><b>Price:</b> $29.99 USD<br /><br /><b>Pros:</b> Perfect Molding - All Cut-outs Line Up;<br /> Silicone Offers Amazing No-Slip Grip.<b>Cons:</b> Dust Magnet;<br /> Dust Magnet;<br /> Did I Mention The Dust?<b>Summary:</b><br />Late in 2004 Martin Fields release a sleek looking silicone jacket of the C500/Audiovox SMT5600 line of Smartphones offering protection from scratches, shock absorption, and providing a good solid grip. But, is it worth the $29.99 price tag? You'll have to read on to find out more.<br /><!><br /><PAGEBREAK><br /><span><b>First Impressions</b></span><br />The silicone jacket comes packed nicely into a little plastic box and stuffed into an envelope. In the short amount of time it took me to unpack and install the jacket, dust managed to grab hold of it. The problem isn't the dust, it's removing the dust. You can't just wipe it off, because it sticks too well. So, out comes the can of compressed air as I dust it off to take pictures, but it doesn't last long before I'm dusting it off again, and again. :( The jacket weights next to nothing, and doesn't interfere with the phones screen, buttons, camera, or other functions. I can't imagine this fitting the phone any better.<br /><br /><span><b>Silicone Eye Candy</b></span><br /><a href="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Temporale-20050117-MFSilicone-Empty-TopDown-L.jpg"><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Temporale-20050117-MFSilicone-Empty-TopDown-S.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/></a><br /><i>Figure 1: Check out the indentations found on the inside of the jacket. These line up perfectly with the keypad and helps to prevent any added pressure on the keypad, reducing the chance of accidental dialling. Click on the image for the full size image. (1.5MB)</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Temporale-20050117-MFSilicone-Empty-TopSide-S.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/><br /><i>Figure 2: Each cut-out is clean, with no rough edges to be found.</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Temporale-20050117-MFSilicone-SideTop-S.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/><br /><i>Figure 3: The silicone jacket is a snug fit. All the cut-outs line up perfectly with phone ensuring that nothing is covered or blocked.</i><br /><PAGEBREAK><br /><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Temporale-20050117-MFSilicone-Bottom-S.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/><br /><i>Figure 4: There's even a hole for the microphone. A very important feature that I would hate to see overlooked in the rush to get these to market.</i><br /><br /><a href="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Temporale-20050117-MFSilicone-TopDown-L.jpg"><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Temporale-20050117-MFSilicone-TopDown-S.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/></a><br /><i>Figure 5: This picture, along with Figure 4, show off just how thick the silicone jacket really is. If you look around the edges of the screen and the rocker switch you can get a good idea as to the height of the silicone jacket. The very tip of the rocker switch is actually below the silicone jacket. At first I found it a little awkward to access it like this, but I have grown accustom to it now. :) Click on the image for the full size image. (1.8MB)</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Temporale-20050117-MFSilicone-GripThis-S.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/><br /><i>Figure 6: Check out the grip action on this silicone jacket! Normally, the Audiovox is just to slippery to do this. I wouldn't dare rest my Audiovox on top of a water bottle without this silicone jacket. For that matter, I wouldn't even rest my Audiovox on top of a binder and try walking around the office. However, the silicone jacket provides more than enough gripping action that I have walked back to my desk from meetings, balancing the phone on top of a water bottle. The grip from the silicone jacket is that good, that you can walk around without worrying about the phone dropping. :D </i><br /><br /><span><b>Conclusions</b></span><br />If you're at all worries about keeping your phone in like new condition, or worried about your phone slipping out of your hand/pocket/dashboard/whatever, then you should really consider this sleeve. Even with the dust, it's a great accessory for your Windows Mobile device. The price may seem a little high, but given the protection that this offers, I think it's a small price to pay considering what kind of damage could happen without it. :)

[Jerry Raia]

I wonder how it handles dust though. 8)

[Kris Kumar]

Loved the bottle-cap grip test photo. 8)

Awesome review.

[Cattle-Dog]

Great too if your in the habit of letting strange women handle your device. 8O

[sheltem]

Too bad it attracts dust and it's a little pricey. I used to use the Krusell case but found that too bulky. Now I'm just using the Krusell pouch.

[Number 6]

Wow, 8O It's not so obvious from the smaller pictures but the full size pictures really show what your saying about it attracting dust! If those pics were taken right after you cleaned the dust off, at the rate it's collecting dust, it's going to be furry by the end of the day!

[Mike Temporale]

Wow, 8O It's not so obvious from the smaller pictures but the full size pictures really show what your saying about it attracting dust! If those pics were taken right after you cleaned the dust off, at the rate it's collecting dust, it's going to be furry by the end of the day!

I was using a can of compressed air to dust it off. I don't know if this is the approved method for removing dust. So I can't honestly say if it was dust free after the blast of air. :wink:

[Mike Temporale]

Loved the bottle-cap grip test photo. 8)

The grip that this thing offers is really incredible. The dust factor is quickly forgotten about when you realize how well this jacket grips things. :D

[killah21]

Put some baby powder on it and it wont collect dust anymore....

[Mike Temporale]

Put some baby powder on it and it wont collect dust anymore....

8O I'm not sure I want to get baby powder that close to my phone. :wink:

Actually, the guys at Martin Fields have just emailed me with some feedback regarding the dust. Here's what they have to say:

you can actually wash the silicone case in water to get rid of the dust. We also have some customers feedback that after washing it for a few times, the silicone material is less sticky and hence attracts less dust.

I will be giving the sleeve a couple washes over the next day or so and report back on how it effects things. If this cuts down on the dust, I'll be super happy! :D

[Mike Temporale]

you can actually wash the silicone case in water to get rid of the dust. We also have some customers feedback that after washing it for a few times, the silicone material is less sticky and hence attracts less dust.

I will be giving the sleeve a couple washes over the next day or so and report back on how it effects things. If this cuts down on the dust, I'll be super happy! :D

Oh yeah! This does the trick. A couple of washes, and the dust problem is greatly reduced. :mrgreen:

[abarry]

Is your stickiness also less after washing? How about another photo of the SMT5600 in the washed jacket resting on the sodapop bottle?

[Mike Temporale]

Is your stickiness also less after washing? How about another photo of the SMT5600 in the washed jacket resting on the sodapop bottle?

By stickiness you mean grip, right? The stickiness is what caused all the dust to grab hold. The jacket still has a solid grip after washing. I don't have my camera with me, but I can tell you that it still grips the top of the water bottle just as good as before. I'll try to remember to grab my camera and snap another picture. It won't be until sometime tomorrow.

[xultar]

I just ordered mine today. I have been concerned about hiding the beauty of my SMT 5600 but I decided to go for protection as my top priority.

[sojourner753]

Nice review.
I looked at the silicon case when it first came out. I didn't like that fact that it didn't provide protection for the screen and camera. I usually carry my phone in my pants pocket with my keys since I don't always have a chest pocket.

My only problem with the Krussel is that lint seems to find its way underneath the screen cover.

[Mike Temporale]

I just ordered mine today. I have been concerned about hiding the beauty of my SMT 5600 but I decided to go for protection as my top priority.

That's exactly what I was worried about., but in the end protection is more important. At least to me. Besides, you can always remove the sleeve if you're going out for the night and you need to style up your phone. :wink: :lol:

[xultar]

I just ordered mine today. I have been concerned about hiding the beauty of my SMT 5600 but I decided to go for protection as my top priority.

That's exactly what I was worried about., but in the end protection is more important. At least to me. Besides, you can always remove the sleeve if you're going out for the night and you need to style up your phone. :wink: :lol:

Please take a look @ this and tell me if these are clearer than the MF SJ

http://www.boxwave.com/products/flexiskin/flexiskin-audiovox-smt5600_418.htm

From a girlie girl girl point of view, I wish they had put a wrist strap option on these things.

[Mike Temporale]

Please take a look @ this and tell me if these are clearer than the MF SJ

http://www.boxwave.com/products/flexiskin/flexiskin-audiovox-smt5600_418.htm

From a girlie girl girl point of view, I wish they had put a wrist strap option on these things.

I can't tell you because it's too hard a thing to judge those pictures. However, I would guess that they are the exact same ones.

[Mark Larson]

Wow, $30 seems a lot to pay for a glorified phone case. Anybody have cheaper options? I just use the included case, but hate how it leaves all the corners open for an accidental fall. :oops:

[xultar]

Please take a look @ this and tell me if these are clearer than the MF SJ

http://www.boxwave.com/products/flexiskin/flexiskin-audiovox-smt5600_418.htm

From a girlie girl girl point of view, I wish they had put a wrist strap option on these things.

I can't tell you because it's too hard a thing to judge those pictures. However, I would guess that they are the exact same ones.

That is what I was thinking. I thought they were exactly the same also.
Great minds think alike ahe? :lol:

[Mike Temporale]

Great minds think alike ahe? :lol:

:D

[ctmagnus]

Bleh... Dust! I've washed it four times in the last 24 hours and I'm going to do so again as soon as I hit the post button.