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Review: Smartphone Experts LHQ Moto Q CaseMarch 21, 2007
 By: Christopher Meinck The Smartphone Experts LHQ case is a leather hard case designed specifically for the Moto Q smartphone. 
Materials and ProtectionThe LHQ case comes in black leather and underneath is a hard shell that provides further protection. Unlike some leather, the case itself is not prone to scratches. After heavy use, the case did not show any signs of wear and tear. Stitching along the side is well done and the case itself feels sturdy. The inside featured a grey felt to prevent the Moto Q from scratching. For a case in this price range, I was impressed by the quality of materials as they reminded me of something I would see from the likes of Piel Frama. The Smartphone Experts LHQ case came neatly packaged in a drawstring pouch that was packaged in a black box. The packaging, while well intentioned, will not be confused with premium packaging of more expensive cases. 
The case does not cover the screen, so screen protectors might be a good option with this particular case. The Moto Q was well secured in the Smartphone Experts LHQ case and the hard shell offers more than suitable protection against scratches or potential drops. 
Design and FitThe case is low-profile and does a good job of retaining the look, feel and most importantly the size of Moto Q. Using the Smartphone Experts case with the gun metal Sprint Q looked like the perfect pairing. The gun metal grey of the Sprint Q exterior contrasts nicely with the black keyboard and case. 
The case does a nice job of balancing "snug" fit with the ability to remove your Q if the need arises. Turning the Q upside down and shaking will not cause the Moto Q to release from the case. This provides a certain peace of mind that your $400 smartphone will not hit the concrete should you remove from your pocket and invert the Q. 
When looking at the case from the side-view, the top portion appears to slightly separate from the Q (see above photo). This is not a major issue, but something worth noting. The case comes packaged with a piece of foam to keep the shape and I believe that might be the culprit. As you can imagine, the LHQ hard case is not compatible with the extended battery. UsabilityWith its slim form design, the Smartphone Experts case was not that far of a departure from standard usage. The case is light, so phone calls were not an issue with the case. It features full access to the qwerty keyboard. I did have some issues with accessing the space bar. The bottom "lip" of the case extends from the bottom of the Q to right below the keyboard. While typing, I accidently bumped into the bottom of the case from time to time. In the future, it would be nice to see them cut the case a bit lower. If you use your thumbnail to select the bottom row of keys, than you will not be affected by this issue. The Smartphone Experts LHQ case allows for full access to all major ports:
Although not tested, I don't believe you could use the Motorola Desktop Charger with the Moto Q while in the SPE LHQ case. The SPE LHQ comes with an optional belt clip and assembly was easy enough. They provide you with screw that simply gets inserted into the back of the case. The belt clip allows for 360 degree rotation, but does not offer the ability to lock in a specific position. Retrieving the Q from the clip was a snap. 
Pros
Cons
OverallI was impressed by the fit as the case allows for a snug fit, but doesn't require a crowbar should you need to remove the Moto Q from its case. The Smartphone Experts LHQ is a well designed case that offers solid protection, but without the high price tag. The Smartphone Experts LHQ Leather Case for Moto Q retails for $24.95. |
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