Belkin Protective Case for K2: review by KasperKindle

[KasperKindler]

I purchased the Belkin case to have something for the Kindle until I made up my mind what kind of cover I wanted.  This is my first Kindle and at this point I'm not sure if I want to hold it naked  or read it in a case, so I my main reason for buying this case was for protection until I make up my mind.  Cost: $24.99

No fancy packaging here - just the cover in a plastic wrapper.

Here is a picture of the case with my Kindle zipped up inside:



It zips up nice and snug, and the padding in the case is very substantial.  There is a leather swatch on both the front and back that gives a good surface for you to grab.
In the next shot I have tried to illustrate the interior padding and how the Kindle sits snugly inside.  There are two zippers (you can see in my top pic), and the case unzipps on the top and the right side only.  So - obviously, you have to take the Kindle out to use it.







Overall - if it's protection that you are looking for - I think this is an excellent choice. 
I had bought it thinking that I would probably return it - however I am suprised at how "functional" this one actually is.

I have a couple of plane trips coming up and I thnk this will do a very nice job of protecting my kindle in my carry-on.
It's "compactness" also allows me to slide the Kindle into my pocketbook - with confidence that it's going to be protected.

So - the bottom line; if you are looking for a case for protection - I would definitely recommend this one.  However if you want to read and leave your K2 in the cover - this one is not for you.  For a PROTECTIVE case I would give it an B++.  I thought that as this is more of a "storage" case rather than "reading in the cover" case - I thought if there had been a way to store the USB cable with it, it would be quite handy.  Regardless, I think I will be keeping it after all!



Link to Amazon page: Belkin Neoprene Sleeve Case for Amazon Kindle 2

[Leslie]

Kasper, great info and pictures! Thanks!

Where did you buy your case?

L

[KasperKindler]

Kasper, great info and pictures! Thanks!

Where did you buy your case?

L

Amazon Website - it's under Kindle 2 Accessories (sorry - I should have mentioned that!  )

[Elmo]

I got the Belkin and the K2 today. The case may be perfect for protection in a backpack.

Mt only negative: no place to store cable and light. They will go in my pack completely nude!


got it on amazon.

[lb505]

I got the Belkin and the K2 today. The case may be perfect for protection in a backpack.

I was planning on taking my (soon to be arriving) Kindle with me backpacking so this is good news.

[Andra]

I got one of those also.  It's a good compromise until I decide what Oberon case to get.
I did put the Kindle in upside down so the extra padding is more over the screen (but I am weird).
Now I can take Athena to work and show her off.  She stayed home today for lack of a case...

[Harvey]

Thanks, Kasper - love the review and the pix! I like the looks of this case.

I added links to Amazon's detail page for the Belkin case.

[BambiB]

Thanks for the pics, Kasper Kindle....although, its kinda like a K2 strip tease.  Maybe Harvey should put a warning on this thread so minors don't inadvertently enter by mistake!!

[gigglebox1231]

I'm so glad to hear this is a good case! I ordered this one because the price was right but I was worried about the protection. Thanks for the review!

Now, if only my kindle and case would arrive...

[Harvey]

Kasper, we'll be featuring this in tomorrow morning's blog. Thanks for posting the review!

[KasperKindler]

Thanks, Kasper - love the review and the pix! I like the looks of this case.

I added links to Amazon's detail page for the Belkin case.

Thanks Harvey!

[Joe Paul Jr.]

I ordered the official leather Kindle cover, though it hasn't arrived yet (though my Kindle did).  I'm thinking of getting the Belkin cover, too, because I lke the idea of that it completely encloses the Kindle.  I'm guessing, though, that the K2 in its cover won't fit into the Belkin sleeve.  That would be just too convenient.

[libro]

Thanks so much for the great review and photos, Harvey! 

Bambi -- Your analogy to the photo "strip tease" gave me my LOL for the day!      Love it!

[Joe Paul Jr.]

Okay, my Kindle leather cover was waiting in my office when I got back from lunch.  It's pretty nice, and the sliding hook mechanism to secure/free the K2 works well, too.  Think I might still get the Belkin cover to supplement the leather cover, though: leather cover for work and other "gentle" activities, and the padded, totally enclosed Belkin for when I'm doing rustic weekend activities.

[KasperKindler]

I ordered the official leather Kindle cover, though it hasn't arrived yet (though my Kindle did).  I'm thinking of getting the Belkin cover, too, because I lke the idea of that it completely encloses the Kindle.  I'm guessing, though, that the K2 in its cover won't fit into the Belkin sleeve.  That would be just too convenient.

Hey Joe - you're right, the K2 in tis cover would not fit into the Belkin.  The Belkin is a very snug fit around the nekkid Kindle. 
Another plus I have realized over the past couple of days is that as it is completely zipped up it will keep out dust, pet hair etc, etc.  Someone in another thread mentioned that they thought this case great if the Kindle is put into a backpack.  I think this is an excellent description of where this case would function best.

[Harvey]

Thanks so much for the great review and photos, Harvey! 

Bambi -- Your analogy to the photo "strip tease" gave me my LOL for the day!      Love it!

Actually, the thanks goes to Kasper who posted the review and the pics!

[journeyjane]

The Patagonia case also offers padding and is a case that can be left on when reading.  Not perfect, but a good case.  Also sort of hides the fact that a Kindle is inside--perhaps less likely to get ripped off...

[stu11926]

Hey Joe - you're right, the K2 in tis cover would not fit into the Belkin.  The Belkin is a very snug fit around the nekkid Kindle. 

That's a shame.  I would really like a similar cover that I could slip the K2 complete with its Amazon cover into so that it's protected from all dust and such when I'm not reading, and still protected from my hands when I am reading.

[libro]

Stu, I understand what you mean.  Since I have the Amazon cover and it's hinged, I'd like to get something like the Belkin sleeve that would hold the entire K2 with its Amazon cover in place.  That way I don't have to unhinge and hinge it each time I transfer it to its case.  If I was super handy (not), I suppose I could craft something up.  I'll have to measure the dimensions of the K2 with cover on and search, but whatever I buy I would want to be very well padded and as secure as the Belkin sleeve.

[Kind]

Nice, looks like the Kindle is safe and sound in there.

[Angela]

Great pictures and review, Kasper!

[Joe Paul Jr.]

Thanks for the insights.  I've since ordered the Belkin case, though it hasn't arrived yet.  The problem with the offical leather cover (which I already have) for the K2 is that you have to be VERY careful each time that you hook the Kindle into it, or else the metal hooks will scratch the stainless steel (or whatever metal it is) on the side on the Kindle. I already got one teeny, tiny scratch on the side of my Kindle during an initial "hooking it in" episode (not enough to truly upset me, as I have to really squint to see it), but I want to avoid others.  So it's the Belkin for me, interspersed with some EXTREMELY CAREFUL use of the leather case from time to time (heck, I paid for it, after all).

[dcom]

Stu, I understand what you mean.  Since I have the Amazon cover and it's hinged, I'd like to get something like the Belkin sleeve that would hold the entire K2 with its Amazon cover in place.  That way I don't have to unhinge and hinge it each time I transfer it to its case.  If I was super handy (not), I suppose I could craft something up.  I'll have to measure the dimensions of the K2 with cover on and search, but whatever I buy I would want to be very well padded and as secure as the Belkin sleeve.

Belkin makes another neoprene case that would hold the K2 and Amazon case. Target sells them for around $15-$20 and they come in multiple colors.

[Joe Paul Jr.]

Of course, the other issue is pressure on the screen.  Even if the Belkin works out for me, I'm not going to be able to stack things on top of the Kindle, or apply too much pressure to the center of the case when I'm carrying it around.  That's the one advantage of the stiff covers: more protection from extra weight or pressure applied to the Kindle.

[artsandhistoryfan]

Of course, the other issue is pressure on the screen.  Even if the Belkin works out for me, I'm not going to be able to stack things on top of the Kindle, or apply too much pressure to the center of the case when I'm carrying it around.  That's the one advantage of the stiff covers: more protection from extra weight or pressure applied to the Kindle.

 And the stiffer cover is still pliable and looks like a little notebook!  I love it.

[cerasus]

I have a Belkin case and I am happy with it. However, my travels make me want to have as much protection for my K2 as possible, so I debated whether to get the official leather cover, or just use the Belkin. I did a Google search looking for a case that would store the K2 with the leather cover. I found a site called Waterfield:  http://www.sfbags.com/products/kindle/kindlecase.htm
     They have an item called the Large Sleeve Case; you can see it if you click on the little pictures under the big picture in the link above. It seems to accommodate the official cover, as well as providing a velcro closure around it. For me, it's the best setup I've seen. However, it doesn't ship until March 10th, so I don't have one in front of me. If I do decide to get one, I'll post pics and a review. I just thought I'd share in the meantime.

[cheerio]

Belkin seems to make everything

[Bengal77]

I bought this case when I bought my Kindle 2 and let me say that it is VERY protective. The neoprene does an excellent job of absorbing and dispersing energy. My cat decided to go nuts one day and attack my kindle while I was sleeping. I woke up to a 100% perfect kindle because the case took all of the damage of being clawed, gnawed, and bounced across the room and off of furniture. So if you like to read your kindle naked and are looking for a protective case I highly recommend this one. It's durable, absorbs shock, and is water resistant. You'll never have to second guess throwing your kindle in your purse or laptop case for reading on the go.

[911jason]

I agree Bengal, I bought this case as well and love it!

[Shastastan]

+1 for this Belkin case.  We bought them for ours the same day we ordered our K2's.  We also have Oberons that we use while traveling just in case we drop them and they hit on the corner(s).  I'm also thinking of getting a silcon gel cover but have never seen one of those yet.  The Belkin is good to use around the house--just in case....