Protect your Zune from bumps, scratches, and swinging doors!
Written: Feb 01 '07
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Shock protection, cool look, belt clip included
Cons: Belt clip is a little cheap
The Bottom Line: Great product overall, considering the cost of MP3 players this is a necessary accessory for those who care about their toys.
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| dandino's Full Review: Speck Products ToughSkin - Case ( for digital play... |
The Zune has a bit of a rougher look to it than other MP3 players to begin with, but it doesn’t do well when smacked into the edge of a door. I had originally gotten an arm band from Speck for when I go to the gym, works fine for that. However it looks fairly strange to have an armband on while at work. So I tried to use the arm band to loop around my belt. This wasn’t the smartest idea I’ve had. It flopped a bit as I walked and it offers limited shock protection. As I opened a door and walked through it, I smacked the flopping Zune into the corner of the door. The Zune didn’t flinch in playback, but I did notice that I put a small crack in the case directly above the sync port. So I have the Toughskin for everyday use and I’m using the arm band for the gym.
FUNCTION
This is a fairly thick rubber skin that completely encompases your Zune. Due to the fact that the Zune has buttons as opposed to tactile sensors, even these are covered and protected without making a significant difference in the ease of pushing the buttons. There is also a screen that will slide into place and protect your screen from scratches. There are openings for the hold switch, earphones, and sync port. There are also ridges all around the edges. If your hands are all buttered up, you’ll still get a grip. This case will protect your Zune from the normal bumps and drops associated with all hand held electronics, but I wouldn’t encourage you to test just how much impact your rubberized Zune could withstand.
While no skin other than a zip-lock baggie will protect your Zune from subersion in liquid, this skin does a good job of protecting from splashes. Again, since the buttons aren’t tactile, they are protected. The exposed portions (Hold/Earphones/Sync) collectively comprise ~5% of the surface area and would not be protected by a large directed liquid onslaught.
IN AND OUT
Since I was going to be switching between the Toughskin and armband, I was concerned about how easily it would be to put the skin on and take it off. I had a previous MP3 player arm band that was incredibly difficult to use. Due to the huge screen on the Zune, it pops in and out with a surprising amount of ease. It can be done in just a few seconds. This also includes the protective screen. So this is a great bonus.
LOOKS
I have a black Zune and this is a black case, so it matches. It makes your Zune look all rough and tough. I like the way it looks, but I can see where MP3 players are as much of a fashion statement as a music device. I don’t know if Speck plans on putting out multi colored neon versions as they have for iPods, but I think black is just fine.
BELT CLIP
There is a small clear plastic belt clip that comes with the case. There is a plastic nub that sticks out the back of the case to clip in and out of the belt clip. Inserting and removing is a sinch. This is, however, where I would have liked a more durable component. With so much thought going into the skin itself, the belt clip comes off as an afterthought. It just feels cheap. This is why I’m giving this product 4 instead of 5 stars.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
dandino
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Location: Long Island, NY
Reviews written: 49
Trusted by: 7 members
About Me:
I like tools and electronic gizmos.
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