The Sena cases I have used over the years have come in either black or… no actually that’s it, all of the Sena cases I have bought over the years have been made from black leather. The reason? Leather protects delicate electronics beautifully and a black case for a phone or similar device always looks appropriate whether at work or at play. (That and the fact that I tend to be drawn to the simpler (read “boring” styles in cloths and cases.) Maybe that’s why I was initially drawn to Sena since their early cases were fairly conservative in style. In recent year, however, Sena has upped their game in both the style and material departments. Case in point, the Sena Argyle for iPhone 4.
Read on for the review…
From Sena-
This light rigid protective pouch provides shock-absorbent padding with an embroidered argyle designer pouch style.
Made famous by Scottish Highlanders in the 17th century, argyle makes a classic designer statement. Offered in various colors of classic leather and embroidery, the Argyle is perfect for a chic classic styles. Light rigid protection, shock-absorbent padding and a soft velvet lining in a simple slim design. It features an innovative elastic pull strap system for easy release of device. It is individually handcrafted from the finest Italian Napa leather with Sena’s well-known quality and strong attention to detail. The Arglye’s designer patterned pouch style with maximum protection is the perfect choice for a customer who prefers a balance of function and fashion.
Features-
Hand-crafted from the finest quality full grain, Italian leather
Embroidered argyle designer pattern featured in color variations
Firm durable protective pouch design
Shock-absorbent padded construction
Innovative elastic pull strap system for easy release of device
Soft velvet lining with light protective layer
Sena craftsmanship and quality
My thoughts
The Sena Argyle is an attention grabber thanks to the Argyle pattern as well as the case’s mixture of leather and cloth. Wether you like the style or not is going to be a matter of personal preference but either way you have to admit it immediately draws your eye. Personally it grew on me while I was using it for the review.
As you can see, the Argyle is a pouch-style case. The iPhone slips inside and, once there, is snug and secure. It is a tight fit so Sena has developed a neat mechanism for drawing the iPhone out. Pull up on the leather Sena-embossed tab and the iPhone is gently lifted from the case.
What is especially neat about the mechanism is that it is spring-loaded. That means that as soon as the iPhone is out the tab springs back into the case.
In all it is a nice looking case that is definitely different from other cases on the market and any I have reviewed. It is well made and, as I have come to expect from Sena, made from excellent materials.
It is important to note that this case is designed for people who use their iPhone naked or close to naked (ala with a Clear-Coat type skin). The case fits around the iPhone tightly enough that there is no chance of the iPhone slipping out but that also means it fits too tightly for the iPhone to be in anything more than a skin.
That rules using this case out for me. I don’t trust myself in the droppage department and therefore keep my iPhone covered ALL THE TIME. (Unless I am reviewing a case like this. In those cases I am extra-special-crazed careful.)
If you don’t need a case on your iPhone ALL THE TIME and like pouch-style cases this is a great option for you. Personally, if Sena releases this style of case (or the Sena Serach UltraSlim we’ll be looking at tomorrow) in a slightly larger size that accommodates Apple’s bumper I will be ALL OVER IT!
The Sena Argyle is available directly from Sena in either Black/Orange or Brown/Beige.
MSRP: $39.95.
What i Like: Typical sena in that the design, materials and finish are all first-rate; holds the iPhone tightly so it is secure inside; the innovative tab for removing the iPhone is neat and works well
What Needs Improvement: Requires that the iPhone be naked or merely protected by a skin due to the tight fit