Review: Ballistic Endo Case for the BlackBerry Torch 9800/9810

To be honest, I'm brutal on my BlackBerrys. They've been dropped in the street and bounced off all kinds of floors. Needless to say I've gone through quite a few since owning the Torch 9800 probably because I am a chronic klutz and hate using pocketbooks. it's a horrible combination but I prefer having my device holstered on my hip then packed away in a bag. While it makes my load lighter it increases the chance of serious injury to my BB. So I went for the case/holster combo.

The Ballistic Endo Case for the Torch 9800/9810 is a tough, durable case that when paired with the holster offers maximum protection for your device. Unlike other cases that use small tabs to adhere to the Torch's slider, this case uses a unique glide rail system. What this means is that it connects to itself, not your device. It's sturdier than other cases whose top cover easily pops off during regular use.

Also, and this could just be me, but I'm always breaking off the tabs that secure the top piece in place. Even though this falls off too, there's nothing to break off and it hasn't cracked yet. I don't have to request a warranty replacement or purchase another case just to replace the broken part. The glide rails are a little stiff (gotta snap it open quick) but I see how this keeps the mechanism safe from wear and tear.

While on one hand the case itself is strong and protects against drops and scratches, the holster needs improvement. I've used other holsters before and none of them are as weak as this. It has nothing to do with the strength of the holster but with the hinge that locks in the device. It barely clears the top which causes even the slightest amount of pressure to knock the device out of the belt clip. I don't forsee it lasting after repeated use. 

It adds a bit of heft to the device which all heavy duty cases tend to do. Unlike the Otterbox Commuter Series Case, the back is not sticky or slippery so it stays in your hand with a firm grip. There are openings for all the ports which is great because it prevents it from being too tight but also lets in dust and dirt. I have small fingers and the right convenience key feels a little awkward being partially blocked by the side rails. 

The one thing I asbolutely adore is that there is NO FREEZING. I repeat, this case will not lock up, freeze, or otherwise jam up your device requiring multiple battery pulls to fix. While other cases, like the Seidio Innocase Active, can be too tight and press on the lock button or keyboard this is snug without the hassle. Definitely a huge plus in my book and one I'm sure you'll apprecicate.

Pros

Cons

Rating

Case 4/5 

Holster 3/5 

ShopCrackBerry average rating 3/5

Conclusion

All in all this is a pretty solid case. It has a polycarbonate internal skeleton and is not flimsy at all, so no worries about it shattering into a million pieces when dropped. After a few drop tests (more than what you see above), there was only minimal damage to one corner. Not bad if you ask me. It withstood repeated drops on the ground without cracking or breaking. While it's a little thick around the keyboad it's worth it just for the glide rails alone. This is a great case to add to your collection and one of the top heavy duty cases I've used so far. If they would just improve the holster this would be perfect. 

You can purchase the Ballistic Endo case for just $29.95 (regularly $34.99) at ShopCrackBerry.com.  

Contest: To win a Ballistic Endo case just leave a comment to this post and let us know why you need this case to protect your Torch 9800/9810. Contest ends tonight at midnight PST. Please only leave a single comment.

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More Photos of the Ballistic Endo Case for the BlackBerry Torch 9800/9810

 

 

 

 

BlackBerry J-Series Extra Battery Charger Bundle for Bold 9930 / 9900 and Torch 9850 / 9860

When I was using older devices I was always happy to have an extra battery at the ready thanks to my external charger. While the Bold 9780 didn't really need a spare battery given the great battery life, the BlackBerry Bold 9930 and Bold 9900 don't share the same luxury. There are plenty of ways to increase your battery life, but sometimes even that's not enough. Thankfully the BlackBerry J-Series Extra Battery Charger Bundle came to the rescue. This setup allows you to charge a spare battery at the same time you charge your device so you can always have a spare ready to go. 

The BlackBerry J-Series Extra Battery Charger Bundle for the BlackBerry Bold 9930 / 9900 and Torch 9850 / 9860 comes with everything you need to get rolling. Included is the external charger, microUSB splitter and spare JM-1 battery. The spplitter plugs into your current wall charger that came with your device so you can charge both your phone and the battery at the same time. You won't have to fumble for an extra outlet to charge this guy up so you'll save both time and effort. Drop the battery in the charger, plug it in and wait for the green light -- that's it! The battery charges up in about the same time as your phone (unless you use the PlayBook charger) and when it's done, just pull it off, stick it in your pocket, purse or briefcase and you'll have a fully charged spare battery ready to go. 

The BlackBerry J-Series Extra Battery Charger Bundle retails for $79.99 but you can get it for less at ShopCrackBerry.com. We're also giving away one battery charger bundle (details below). Keep reading for more images and info on this bundle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To me this set is a must have if you are a power user on the go. While the battery life on the Bold 9930 / 9900 and Torch 9850 / 9860 doesn't quite stack up to previous devices, you don't have to be left in the dark. Add this charger to your daily routine and you'll always have a spare battery on the go. You can even grab an extra extra battery and stay up and running even longer. 

 

To win a BlackBerry J-Series Extra Battery Charger Bundle of your own, just leave a single comment on this post letting us know how this bundle will help you day to day. Contest ends this Sunday at midnight PST.

 

Replacement Battery for BlackBerry Bold 9930 / 9900 and Torch 9860 / 9850

Hopefully thanks to our Ten Tips and Tricks to Extend Your BlackBerry's Battery Life article you're finding yourself able to get through the day on your new BlackBerry Bold 9930/9900 or Torch 9850/9860 with juice to spare.

If you're not finding that to be doable, you basically have two alternatives: re-charge part way through the day, or swap in a spare replacement battery. And as you might guess from the topic of this article, here we're talking about the latter, which is necessary if you're an always on the go type person.

The BlackBerry J-M1 battery is the standard battery that ships in the new BlackBerry Bold 9930/9900 and Torch 9850/9860. It's a super slim battery, allowing the new Bold to acheive the status of thinnest BlackBerry to date. That thinness comes with a cost though. Compared to the 1500mAH battery in the previous generation BlackBerry Bold 9780/9700, this battery clocks in at 1230mAH, which immediately means that all things being equal, you have 18% less power to work with.

The BlackBerry JM-1 Battery has a list price of $49.99, but you can get it for less at ShopCrackBerry.com. We're even giving away a chance for you to win one for free JM-1 battery (details below). Keep reading for more photos and info on this battery.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm obviously a BlackBerry power user and need to stay up and running all day, every day. Having an extra battery with me, especially when I'm traveling and tend to use my phone even more, makes that much easier and I don't have to worry about my device dying when I need it most. For the price it's really worth it to me to be able to stay charged that much longer and not have to search for somewhere to plug my device in. 

 

Want a chance to win a replacement battery for your BlackBerry Bold 9930/9900 or Torch 9850/9860? All you need to do is leave a comment to this blog post with your review feedback or letting us know how an extra battery would help you stay charged. Contest entry closes Sunday, September 11th at midnight PT. Please leave only one comment.

Motorola MOTOROKR T505 - Wireless phone integration for your car

If you've caught any of my other Bluetooth device reviews (even back to my very first CrackBerry Idol review), you know that I have a certain... dislike of wires. They tangle. They limit and tether your device. Any technological thingamajig that can take the place of those wires is a good one in my book, and the MOTOROKR T505 is a welcome addition to my car.

Motorola MOTOROKR T505 is, for whatever reason, difficult for me to say, the words don't trip lightly from the tongue. The device itself though couldn't be easier to use. After a simple and standard pairing with my BlackBerry, music; podcasts; and phone calls come over the speakers of my car.

Like many newer cars, I can now stream music from my phone - even web services like Pandora - over the speakers in my car, free from the tyranny of wires.

 

 

The T505 works like any standard Bluetooth speaker phone. The device connects to your phone via Bluetooth and indeed has a speaker within the unit. It's not a great speaker, but it does the job. That speaker is really not meant to be used that often. After all, the T505 has a much better feature up its sleeve.

Connecting the device to your car's stereo is done by using the device's short-range FM transmitter. The transmitter uses a good bit of power to function, so it's turned off by default. A quick press of the button in the back changes that, and the device announces the FM radio station it will use.

The T505 is sometimes good at picking a good radio station to use, and sometimes it is not. You need a frequency that doesn't already have a radio station using it. Even weak signals can cause static and hissing in your speakers as two transmitters (one nearby and the other far away) battle for the frequency. A touch of the button on the back of the T505 changes the frequency in use. Longer car rides will require more frequent adjustment.  I wonder if the unit would be better suited with a more powerful transmitter, but I imagine that the relatively weaker signal makes for better battery life.

 

 

Like all of my favorite Bluetooth devices, this one supports A2DP. This Bluetooth profile allows the T505 to control media functions on your smartphone. Using the controls of the device clipped to your sun visor, you can play; pause, and skip tracks forward and back. The buttons are large enough and well placed to be used in the dark and without taking your eyes from the road.

Phone features are, of course, a big part of what the device can do. A simple press of the large button on the left starts the phone's voice commands (and answers incoming calls). Voice commands have been a part of BlackBerry smartphones for a long while now; chances are, your phone supports it. Through the built in voice recognition in your phone, you can make any number of calls completely hands free.

Incoming audio from your call is piped through the car's speakers, letting you hear your caller in exquisite detail. The audio pickup for your voice is through a tiny port at the top of the T505's enclosure. Listening to the audio of a test call, the microphone seems to pick up audio from a limited area, acting like a condensing microphone. This is a very good thing in the noisy environment of a car.

 

What was once possible only through expensive receiver units and professional installation, I can now achieve with this small box, the Motorola MOTOROKR T505, clipped to my sun visor. With the press of a few buttons on the device, I get streaming stereo sound beamed out from my BlackBerry to the T505 which then plays it on my car's audio system. Phone calls are routed to the car's audio as well. All in all, the T505 allows your phone to integrate with your car. All without a single wire in sight.

Contest: Want to get one of these for free from ShopCrackBerry.com? Just leave a comment to this review and tell us how you would use the MOTOROKR T505 in your life. Contest ends this Sunday at midnight PST. Please only leave a single comment. One lucky winner will have this device shipped directly from ShopCrackBerry.com. 

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