aashok's Full Review: Speck ToughSkin for iPhone - Clear
Blame it on sticker-shock but almost as soon as I purchased my iPhone, I felt the need to protect it from scratches and dings. The iPhone is quite slim and slippery in the hand, and with my typical heavy work usage, it would most definitely get banged around a bit. So I had to get some sort of carry case for it. I had noticed numerous cases, holsters and clips at the Apple store. However I purchased the Speck ToughSkin for $30.
PROTECTION:
The Speck ToughSkin is a silicone rubber skin made to fit the iPhone. It is quite a snug fit and needs to be stretched over one end of the iPhone. It has rubber bumpers reinforcing all four edges and corners. These protect against the accidental dings and scratches caused by normal use of the iPhone. They also keep the iPhone securely in the hand with no fear of a slip & drop. The rubber skin also prevents the iPhone from sliding around in or out of my jacket pocket. The skin covers the back of the iPhone, however the front is unprotected. You could still damage the glass screen if the iPhone is dropped (or sat on).
BELT CLIP HOLSTER:
The belt clip is made of black hard plastic. It snaps onto the silicone rubber skin at two places on either side of the iPhone. Surprisingly this makes for quite a secure setup. The belt clip rotates 360 degrees, and allows for the iPhone to be worn on the belt in either vertical or horizontal positions. It can also be locked in the open position and allows for the iPhone to stand at an angle for better viewing, in both the portrait and landscape modes. I use this to display a slideshow of my photos in my office. It also makes it easier to work with the iPhone using a handsfree headset, while keeping the iPhone at a better viewing angle. However the clip was not very secure when worn like a holster on my belt. It slid off my belt way too easily. The belt clip can also be attached to the skin from the front of the iPhone. This protects the screen when the iPhone is carried in a duffle/hand bag or brief case. However you cannot access the iPhone functions, until you take it off the belt clip.
FULL ACCESS:
The silicone skin has notches and cutouts near the speakers, the camera lens, the data port, the headphone port, and the mute button. The volume control, the sleep/power and the home buttons are covered with a thin rubber layer. You need to press the buttons a little harder in order to activate them. The data/charge port is fully accessible from the bottom. The rubber skin however does not allow you to plug the iPhone into a docking cradle. The only way to sync or charge the iPhone is to use the USB cable.
THE BOTTOMLINE:
The Speck ToughSkin is an excellent solution for protecting, carrying and using the iPhone. I would suggest the black color only because the clear skin gets dirty very quickly. The black skin also matches the black screen of the iPhone. The locking belt clip allows you to stand the iPhone up at an angle. This is perfect for watching videos, YouTube, browsing the web on Safari, or just regular desktop use. Apple stores sell it for $30, however there are other brand skins available on eBay for as little as $5 s&h.
Extra tough rubberized protection Includes a custom swivel belt clip / stand for viewing Use all the features of your iPhone without removing the case...More at Amazon Marketplace
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