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If you want a case for your PDA, you are in luck- as long as you like black. If you don't, then only a handful of manufacturers appear to be capable of fulfilling your needs- and, as luck would have it, Covertec is one such company. I have looked at the tan case, but there are black and red versions also available. If you wish to have a look at the Covertec site, the link is supplied above as always, but, do note that the layout does not support deep linking- as such, as I am afraid that I will have to leave the navigation to you!

The case arrived in a tasteful two-tone box, which kept the case in a pristine condition during its journey from France. If you were planning on giving the case away as a present, it's pretty much ready to go! Once opened, the case contains the necessary parts to use the belt-clip. As well as a screw-in button, Covertec thoughtfully provide an extra screw and washer, in case you should lose the first one, as well as a screwdriver, so you don't need to root around in your toolbox just to hang your PDA on your belt. Whilst I have not kept a PDA on my belt for some time now, the setup provided here is probably the best that I have seen- the clip is a good size, and appears to be very strong. Unlike some of the other clips, the Covertec clip does not require you to drop the PDA in place in any particular orientation, making it a very easy motion. Once in place, the case is locked in two places, allowing it to swing from side to side, but preventing it from falling off. Removing the case is also very simple- there are two buttons, which need to be pressed at the same time; with a bit of practice, this can be a one-handed operation.

Looking at the case itself, the model I looked at was a lovely combination of dark and light tan colours. Whilst I am not usually that fussy about colour, I do think that this looks particularly striking. In fact, the whole case is attractive, including the way in which the leather is cut- unlike most cases, Covertec have opted to leave the lower corners and upper sides unprotected, allowing you to see the PDA. Personally, this does not worry me, as I do tend to look after my PDA as well as I possibly can. Whilst I accept that accidents do happen, and that prevention is better than cure etc, if you are a reasonably careful with the machine, you should be fine. However, if you do have a tendency to drop your PDA, or put in a pocket with keys or loose coins, I would suggest that this is not the case for you. It looks stylish, possibly even stunning, with neat cut-outs and straps- the result of which is that it is not the most protective case available.

However, in terms of assessing the protection that it does offer, I think that this case performs well. I really struggled to place the PDA in the case at first, and, even after a week of use, the fit is still very tight- there is absolutely no chance of you accidentally sliding the machine out of the case. The leather straps are perfectly designed, cut and sewn, and hold the machine if place beautifully. Likewise, the case is held shut but a substantial magnetic popper, offering the best of both worlds. I subjected the case to my normal routine, and, it never came open once. Likewise, the SD card slots are well designed, and, unlike some, have a cut-out section to aid in removing the cards when you need. The slots come to rest on the lip of the horizontal strap, so that they do not put any pressure on the screen whatsoever. The only comment I would make about this arrangement is that the case is quite thick around that area as a result- with the SD cards, the reinforced horizontal bar and the positioning of the clasp on the rear, that particular area is around an inch thick.

Looking at the top of the case, the stylus remains covered whilst the case is shut, which I think is a very sensible idea. There have been comments on several LOOX forums as to lost styli, and a covering can only help to prevent this misfortune. However, not only have Covertec have decided to keep the audio jacks connector accessible, they have left a cut out to its left, meaning that you do not need to remove the jack to fully open the case- an excellent aspect of the design, in my opinion. I spend a lot of time listening to music whilst I am travelling, and, the ability to look something up easily whilst keeping everything in place goes down very well indeed. Another very clever innovation is the manner in which Covertec protect the camera, but still allow it to be used with removing the PDA for the case completely. And how is this feat achieved? Well, the whole top half of the case hinges just below the camera, allowing a cover to be in place, but to drop out of sight when required. At first, I found this arrangement a little awkward, as the new leather tends to be springy and supple, and bob upwards into the shot, but, after holding it in place for a while, this no longer causes a problem.

Conclusion
Overall, I think that this is probably the most attractive case I have seen so far, both in terms of colour and styling. Whilst it might not be a sensible option of if you are accident prone, if you want to ensure the stylish looks of your PDA without totally sacrificing protection and safety, this case could be a wise choice. The belt clip is substantial, but, should you prefer not to tote your machine in this manner, the screw-thread provides no inconvience. Unsurprisingly, you are unable to synchronise the LOOX in the cradle whilst using this case, but, this is not possible with any other case either. A sumptuous case, to show off your PDA's looks in the best manner possible.