[Giveaway & Review] Ballistic Shell Gel [SG] Series Case for BlackBerry Torch 9850-9860 by Ballistic


Ballistic makes some amazing products. Products that will usually last you the life of your device. We received the Ballistic Shell Gel [SG] just a couple weeks back from Ballistic via their review program. But at the time we didn’t realize that Ballistic had discontinued this very product. So instead of linking to the actual product (which isn’t available on their site any longer). We will be sharing this product with one lucky winner. So let’s dive into it all shall we!

FEATURES

  • Advanced three layers of protection
  • Layer 1 – Soft silicone equipped with Ballistic Corners™
  • Layer 2 – Tough impact resistant polycarbonate shell
  • Layer 3 – Ballistic shock absorbent polymer
  • Pocket-able protection
  • Equipped with a lay-on-table-feature

    • Right off the bat the Shell Gel for Torch 9850/60 looks just like it’s industrial and candy-like brother, the Shell Gel [SG] Series Case for BlackBerry Bold 9900-9930. See our full review of that version at the link previous to this sentence. I tested and reviewed this Shell Gel [SG] Series Case on my wife’s Torch 9860.

    Packaging & Presentation — Ballistic ships review products in full retail packing. Along with the cases they generally send some other things. This review pack included 2 Go Ballistic bumper stickers, 2 Go Ballistic grip pens, and an info insert listing the features of the product. This is the 3rd product we’ve reviewed for Ballistic and the nicest package as well. But everyone knows presentation isn’t everything. What users want to know is does the product stand up to all the glitz & glam?

    Installation & Removal — Over the years since smartphones have now become the norm it would appear more often than not accessory makers like Ballistic have got this area down to a science. Sure I have my opinions about some cases from other companies, but Ballistic’s Shell Gel series is pretty easy to install and remove. So simple that Ballistic has a step by step guide stamped into the packaging. From my time with these cases I’d say their instructions are right on point.

    Installation Step 1: Place the phone (Torch 9850/60) into the gel piece. Step 2: Next place the hard back shell over the gel piece, beginning with the volume button side. Make sure bake is fully seated on gel.

    Removal Step 1: Push shell and gel together away from the device by pushing on both top corners “Ballistic Corners” simultaneously.

    This package also includes a couple of the “Built For BlackBerry” seals and disclaimers. Which adds value for us BlackBerry lovers.


    After 7 to 10 days of usage     — The Shell Gel Series is already one of my favorites. After having spent over 5 months with the Bold 9900-9930 SG Case, I had high expectations. The only difference between this case and my Bold one is color. Torch is Black/Blue. They also offered a Black/Black version but now that it has been discontinued, we’ll only talk about the color we have. Also noticed this case is just a tad heavier than the Bold brother. However slightly heavier it may be, these are incredibly light cases. It does add a medium level of bulk to the design of your Torch. And that may not be in some users favor. My wife isn’t a big fan of thicker than an OEM, Barely There or DICOTA. For me this is a brilliant product. Besides looking like some artistic architectural design, the SG series is one of the toughest cases available. It feels great around the Torch 9850/60. Buttons, ports, speaker, mic all granted ample access.

    One of the most important elements of these cases is the Ballistic Corners. Each of the four corners is a reinforced with the soft gel an top corners get the ‘B’ stamp. You can feel the strength. Besides taking the impact of a hard fall, these corners will also create a nice grip when you lay the device on its face. Combine the soft gel with the impact resistant polycarbonate shell layer & the Ballistic shock absorbent polymer layer and you’ve got yourself a case that takes things to another level entirely. For all my standards this case exceeds in every category.

    Final Verdict — Well since you can’t buy this case any more, this doesn’t really mater for a consumer. However investing in other products from Ballistic would very much be in your favor. Being the 3rd product we’ve seen, and the 3rd product we’ve loved says quite a bit to me. Ballistic does offer a good deal of products for other BlackBerry models, as well as a couple others for Torch 9850/9860 users. We stand behind products like this. Check out the full list of products here: www.goballisticcase.com/pages/blackberry. Also check a couple other reviews of Ballistic Cases here: http://www.berryfication.com/tag/ballistic/.


    Giveaway     — So since there is no way for us to link our users to purchase this case, and since Ballistic was kind enough to offer it as a review unit practically the day before they stopped selling it we are giving this one away. All you need to do is own a Torch 9850/9860 and comment in this post. We are limiting the giveaway to users living in North America however. So we apologize to those living elsewhere.

    We will announce the winner of the contest  within a week. Good luck to anyone interested.