Review: Elegant in blacktop, but very basic and not very sturdy
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 01 31, 2014
"Very basic and not very sturdy" is something I note in context of the current price of this item -- there are several good points to this cover, but there appear to be better values out there.I already have a cover for my HDX, which is anOtterBox Defender Standing Case for Kindle Fire HDX 7", Green.  The Otterbox is Fort Knox sturdy.  It's bulky.  It's near kid-proof.  It's fairly costly.  Oh, and it's dayglo green.The Belkin Chambray in Blacktop, by comparison, is the epitome of sleekness and good taste.  It's compact.  It belongs on a stylish desktop or business environment.  It would last about 4 months in my handbag, I estimate, before starting to show signs of wear.  The plastic is thin and appears to be brittle.  The fabric is a nice touch, but also likely to be a stain magnet - FYI to those who might break out something on the Kindle to read or watch with lunch. Obviously, how you are going to feel about this depends on how you are going to use or abuse your Kindle.As for ergonomics and features:  No magnetic closure/sleep function, something other users have touched on here.  This cover was clearly built for propping the kindle up to view video or email, vs. holding in the hand, but the notched easel assembly won't stand up to much screen poking (as in the case of game play, for example), without collapsing on itself.  I didn't have a problem with accessing the charge port with the cover secured, so perhaps they fixed that feature.  I also wasn't able to come up with a program that wanted to display "upside down" as the cover and kindle within is oriented, but of course any program displaying in portrait mode will display "sideways" on the easel.I'll still be looking into a second (well, now third) cover, hoping my story plays out like the proverbial 3 bears and I can find one that is "just right".  I might try thePoetic Slimline Case for New Kindle Fire HDX 7 (2013) 7inch Tablet Black (With Smart Cover Auto Sleep / Wake Feature) (3 Year Manufacturer Warranty From Poetic)-- besides being more economically priced than many HDX covers, it touts a 3 year manufacturer's warranty.  (I can find no warranty information here on the product page for the Belkin.)This cover, I would provisionally recommend for some users, but not at the price offered at this writing.