Vaja HT41 Pouch for HTC Apache & Wizard

Gadgeteer Hands On Review by Judie Hughes

June 06, 2006

I am going to take a tiny bit of credit for the product that I'll be reviewing today, so if you like it, let me know. If you don't like it...well, what's not to like?

Here's the story: Soon after I purchased my PPC-6700, also known as the HTC Apache, I contacted Vaja and asked when we could expect a case from them this popular Windows Mobile 5 enabled Pocket PC Phone Edition. Their reply was that they probably wouldn't be making one. However, they were already planning a pouch for the Qtek 9100 (HTC Wizard), and they thought it might be easy enough to modify the case to accept both devices. They did not have access to a PPC-6700 however, so I offered to purchase them a dummy phone.

Several months later, I was the first reviewer to be sent the new Vaja HT41 Pouch for HTC Apache & Wizard. The first thing that I noticed about the pouches I received, beyond the usual yummy smell of the Argentinean leather and the gorgeous fall colors used to create my custom cases, was that the pouch added surprisingly little bulk to my PPC-6700. Naked, the PPC-6700 measures 4.25" tall (not counting antenna) x 2.3" wide x 0.92" thick.

In the case, the 6700 measures 4.52" long (not counting antenna) x 2.5" wide x 1.3" thick. An HTC Wizard would have the same appearance, but without the protruding antenna. In hand, the case is smooth and elegant, with the appearance of a tailored clutch.

The HT41 is a custom Vaja case, which means that the person ordering has the option of choosing which leathers - vitelino or aniline - will be used, as well as their choice of color combinations. I asked for the vitelino olive with vitelino latte accent stripe. Some of the options available were the addition of a belt loop (free) and personalization which can add $10 to $30 depending upon the type chosen.

The only branding present anywhere on the case is the subtle and distinctive Vaja logo, which appears to erupt from the bottom front corner of the case.

The main difference between aniline and vitelino, is that vitelino has the beautiful "cracked" appearance shown here, which is created by using extreme pressure from glass rollers to polish the leather. Aniline is a finish that leaves the natural features of the leather intact.

The interior of the case is lined in a soft tan leather. Two magnetic snaps keep the cover securely shut, yet allow for quick and easy access.

Inside the cover are three miniSD slots. I am not usually a fan of card holders in my PDA cases, but since Vaja did not place the holders so that the inserted cards would come in direct contact with the PDA's screen, I have no complaints.

The base price of this pouch is $65, and using the pricier vitelino leather adds an additional $6, for a total of $71 as shown.

Granted this case has one caveat: the pouch only offers protection to the device when it is inserted. When making calls, charging and syncing, or using the PDA functions, the PDA Phone must be removed and it will be unprotected. However, the pouch will offer excellent storage protection in the users pocket, briefcase, bag or on their belt.

I was also sent a golden ochre aniline with brown aniline case. Except for the leather type, this case is exactly the same as the previous one discussed...

...with the addition of a fixed belt loop, a free option, which can accommodate up to a 1.25" strap.

My case is special - instead of matching stitching, Vaja used contrasting brown.

This case is $65, because the aniline leather does not carry an added premium.

I have to admit that the entire process was a bit bittersweet because by the time I received these gorgeous cases, the PPC-6700 was no longer my main phone nor was it my main PDA. Having such beautiful cases that will only fit my 6700 has made me sad, but not sad enough to stop using my JasJar (HTC Universal).

If you are using an HTC Apache or HTC Wizard, and you like the idea of being able to keep your device in a protective and beautiful pouch, then I highly recommend the Vaja HT41. Now I want something similar to protect my JasJar when it is rolling around in the bottom of my bag...