Krusell Leather Case for LG Viewty

Krusell Cabriolet - LG Viewty Leather case

Having just updated my mobile handset to the LG Viewty I was keen to get a case which would keep it in slightly better shape than my last mobile which I'd throw around everywhere and toss into my bag. There didn't seem to be many Viewty cases on the market, several were generic ones a bit like a solid sunglasses case which shut with a magnetic popper - something I wasn't keen on as I'd have ...
...the shiny bits and the Krusell case suited perfectly.

The case fits the handset snugly and the holes allow access to the important bits - like the touch screen, the ear speaker, the small camera on the front of the phone and the buttons at the bottom as well as the side. The side buttons (for the viewty camera and the lock function) aren't restricted by the case at all and can still be pressed easily, however it does feel noticeably ... more

Krusell Cabriolet - LG Viewty Leather case

Having just updated my mobile handset to the LG Viewty I was keen to get a case which would keep it in slightly better shape than my last mobile which I'd throw around everywhere and toss into my bag. There didn't seem to be many Viewty cases on the market, several were generic ones a bit like a solid sunglasses case which shut with a magnetic popper - something I wasn't keen on as I'd have to keep taking it in and out of the case to use it, and also having read somewhere (although this may not be factually acurate) that the magnet could affect the internal workings of the phone. Just in case, I decided on a case which I could use the phone but still protected the shiny bits and the Krusell case suited perfectly.

The case fits the handset snugly and the holes allow access to the important bits - like the touch screen, the ear speaker, the small camera on the front of the phone and the buttons at the bottom as well as the side. The side buttons (for the viewty camera and the lock function) aren't restricted by the case at all and can still be pressed easily, however it does feel noticeably different to use, and the buttons are less obvious under the finger/thumb so just needs a bit of getting used to. The back of the case has two poppers which allow a flap to fold down in order to use the camera without having to remove it from the case, to reveal holes for the main camera lens, the flash, the ringer speaker and the microphone for the video. This flap also has the added benefit of protecting the lens of the camera which doesn't have its own cover (a stupid flaw in the Viewty design...). The cut of the "hole" for the lens on the reverse under the flap does make it hard to adjust the focus ring - however this doesn't bother me as I use the on-screen focus adjust instead. If you do use that often with your phone functions then you will get annoyed - but as it's not an essential part, personally it hasn't caused me any noticeable effect.

When taking photos, the flap must be unclipped, and initially I assumed this would make holding the phone awkward when taking a picture, however (and again, this is my personal opinion so may not feel as comfortable yourself) folding back the flap gives you something to hold which is actually more comfortable for me than just using the camera phone without the case. I just fold it down into the palm of my hand as I hold it and it feels a lot more secure to grip.

Krusell cases all come with a "multiadapt" system which allows different clips to be attached to the back. By default, this one comes with the standard "clip to belt" attachment, but personally I find this bulky and awkward so have removed the attachment and plan to just use the case on it's own.

Size wise, the case does add to the bulk of the handset. Without the case, the Viewty measures a neat little 15mm x 103mm x 55mm (approx), however with the case this increases to 25mm x 107mm x 60mm at its widest points. A good deal thicker, but personally it still feels comfortable to hold and protects against scratches whilst floating around in my bag. The one section it doesn't protect is the screen... but this would be awkward as it is a touch screen phone and so as long as you have a protective screen film (available with the Viewty itself, and replacements can be bought separately) you should be fine.

The product website with this specific item is linked here:
http://www.krusell.se/product.php?productID=2869&category=42

Or go to http://www.krusell.se and search for "viewty"PROS:

• Neat snug fit, phone won't rattle or fall out
• Flap at back covers the lens neatly
• Able to use the phone as normal without removing it from the case
• Multiadapt socket allows different clips to be added (purchased separately) for various uses.
• Neatly stitched, feels well made and hardwearing.

CONS:

• Size increase - the case does bulk the handset out a fair bit.
• Sometimes the case shifts slightly which may partially obscure the camera lens on the front, but this just requires a bit of a twist and it's fine again.
• Buttons may be harder to press on side (camera & lock functions) and the focus ring isn't accessible.
• Some people may not feel comfortable holding the lens flap back when taking a photo - but this may just require getting used to.

The Krusell Cabriolet LG Viewty leather case is available for around £8-£15 depending on retailer.(I've given the review a "sound & volume" rating of good because although I don't think this item accually applies to that specific question I cannot publish without it... the sound of the ringer and phone functions don't seem to be significantly restricted by the product and ringtones are still clear it does soften the sound a slight bit and would otherwise be excellent) 

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