[Advantage X7500, MDA Ameo Accessories] techntrek:
The cheap ebay case I bought had both problems you mention - first the clip broke after 2 days, then the post came unglued inside the round piece of leather. I'm glad I noticed the glue problem - five minutes of walking around and the whole thing would have dropped to the floor. I pulled the post out of the round piece without much effort once the glue came undone.

Personally I do not like the method the original case, the cheap ebay case, and so many others use to hold the 2 parts of the Athena/Advantage in place. Those chunky plastic clips are just wear points as the 2 parts of the Athena get mashed together while you walk around. They should have built mounting slots/holes into the Athena's metal case to make car mounts and protective cases easier and safer. I also don't like the metal slab used to mount the keyboard because of its weight. Between the large plastic slab in the top of the case, the plastic clips, and the large metal slab in the bottom of the case, the original case (and many of the after-market solutions) is very heavy. The Tough-as-Nuts case is noticeably lighter in the hand even with its solid metal clip and D-ring. There's just so much metal and plastic in the original case.

I do like how much more protected the device is inside the original case while in use, and it keeps it from tipping over when you press on the screen. So I tried putting the whole thing into my new case, but there's not quite enough room. I think the thickness was OK, and the length would be fine (my closure strap is very long) but the width didn't have enough give to allow the Athena+case. I probably wouldn't have done that all the time but the option would have been nice if I knew I would be using it where it might get dropped or bumped.

My reaction now after several days on my hip: The new case feels much more secure than the cheapo ebay one. I always knew the Athena was there, usually pulling heavily on my belt in that other case. It also stuck out a good half-inch from my body so it had some leverage with that weight, too. The new case is snug against me, with just enough room on the clip that when I sit down it will tilt slightly and not get in the way. I truly forget its there now, sitting or walking around. I found it was not comfortable clipped all the way over the edge of my jeans, since the bottom edge of the clip sticks out a bit. My guess is that's to force the clip to stay closed as it lays against you. Unfortunately it digs into you when the clip is inside the pants, but very comfortable when kept on the belt. This case does not give you a window for the "subdisplay". However, the subdisplay is implemented very poorly on the Athena. The slightest bit out-of-alignment and the subdisplay turns off, as reported by several people on this forum and now me. So even with a window on the case its still mostly useless (which I found the few days I used that ebay case which does have a window). If you are looking for a case with a window, forget it. Since I use the Jabra BT8010 which has a display that deficiency is mostly a non-issue for me.

edit: And that red tag is probably going to get cut off some time soon, to me its annoying having this little red flag down there sticking out and saying "look at me".