Zune Case Buying Guide

chi · 12-04-2007, 01:42 PM

As you can see i hav compiled alot of leading brand cases and revewed them.
some have copied from sites. copy+paste=Win lol

rep if u like!

Zune 80 Case Review
The Microsoft Zune team has introduced the first ever 1st party leather case for Zune. It's designed to fit the 80gb device and is available at most retail and online locations.

The actual color of the leather is a cross between brown, black and burgundy. Currently there are no other colors available.

The leather is thick, and lined with a special Zune themed fabric on the inside. Although the top has access to the headphone jack and lock switch, the bottom has no opening for a sync cable.

Instead of cutting openings for the play and back buttons, they are covered. This is good because the buttons can be pushed right through the leather. The Zune pad (known as squircle) has an opening. However, the leather is thick and can get in the way of chubby fingers. Swiping is not bothered much, but clicking is a bit more difficult because the leather forms a rim around squircle.

One unique characteristic of the case is side loading. This makes it easier to insert and remove the Zune, but there is drawback. The Zune often drifts to the left while the flap is open. The flap has magnets to help keep it closed, and these can also be used to keep the magnetic premium earphones in place, although the attractive force is weak.

The official Zune 80 case has a MSRP of $49.99. The overall "wallet" style is very attractive but key features are missing. It could be improved with a belt clip, clear LCD cover, and opening for the sync cable. If looks are important this is the case for you. If functionality and features are what you crave, wait for a third party case to come out.

Speck Zune Cases Reviewed

In this review we get our hands on four unique Zune cases from Speck. From left to right the Executive Leather, Toughskin, Active Sport Lite, and Canvas Sport are shown.

It's hard to choose between the cases, we'll check out each style in detail.

It's all about detail with the Speck Executive leather case. The leather is soft to the touch and has a nice texture. Check out the word Speck embossed on in the belt clip.

The LCD screen is fully protected by a clear screen and the buttons are exposed for easy clicking. We've reviewed enough cases to know covering the buttons with a protector is a bad idea. Speck made the right decision by leaving an open space for easy access. The buttons are most responsive this way.

Overall the Speck Executive case is a winner. The form and function are spot on, and it looks great. Colors are available in Black and Brown and the case MSRP is 44.95

Canvas Sport
speck canvas case

The canvas sport case is the coolest in the lineup. The style (thoughtfully stolen from converse shoes) looks even better up close than in photos.

White rubber with diamond texture surrounds the perimeter while thick stiff canvas forms the front and rear of the case.

The screen is protected by an invisible protector and the buttons are easily manipulated through the oval shaped opening.

The Zune is inserted in the rear of the case, which snaps shut with a single button. Although the belt clip is not removeable, it is slim and didn't get in the way when we placed the device in a pocket. The Canvas Sport comes in black and has an MSRP of $29.95.

ToughSkin

The ToughSkin is the only case we've tested for an extended period of time. Hint: it's the case we've actually been using every day for the past 2 months. That should say a lot about how much we like it. The ToughSkin is probably the most protective case out there. It comes with a hard thick screen protector (probably acrylic or polycarbonate) which not only protects against scrathes, but shields against impact as well.

The rubber is thicker than any other silicone based case on the market. ToughSkin comes with a fully removeable belt clip which in our case we have removed for a slimmer profile. Oddly enough access to the buttons is not inhibited at all by the silicone covering. We've seen some silicone cases with small holes cut out for the buttons, but this actually makes them harder to get to. The only downside to ToughSkin is that it gets more attention than the Zune itself when showing your Zune to friends. Toughskin is available in black and the MSRP is $34.95

Active Sport Lite

The Active Sport Lite is a well made neoprene case that feels like a wetsuit, and comes with a removable armband. Although the case is marketed for athletic activities we suggest that neoprene is a great material for any setting, and it's a nice case to use even without the armband.

Access is available to the headphone jack but not the lock switch on top or USB port on the bottom of the Zune.

This case has a sewn in protector over the LCD screen and the primary button. One thing we like about this case compared to other neoprene cases is that there is no hard backing or belt clip rivet. This keeps the form factor slim and the feel uniform. The Active Sport Lite comes in black and the MSRP is $29.95.

Conclusion

Speck offers a solid lineup, functionally the cases are sound (with the exception of the USB port being covered in the Neoprene Active Sport armband case). It is apparent that Speck chose quality over economy with the designs, and each is a case an owner can really love rather than just like.

Metal and Crystal Zune Case Reviews

This review includes our first metal Zune case from Zuneone and crystal clear case from 22Moo.

metal zune case

The metal case has a hinged aluminum body, hard acrylic LCD protector, and foam lining. It comes with a plastic belt clip and nylon wrist strap.

The black lining is bonded to the inside of the case and prevents the metal from scratching the Zune. It also provides an excellent snug fit.

Ports for USB, earphone and the lock allow for full functionality while the Zune is in the case. The screen protector is bonded to the outside rather than the inside of the case. This prevents it from being dislodged during impact, however adhesive around the rim is visible through the clear protector and gives the case a "homemade" look. Imperfections between the front and rear aluminum clamshells are apparent when the case is closed.

The hinge is robust and is about half the length of the Zune case. The case is held shut by the a tab on the opposite side of the hinge.

In conclusion the aluminum metal case is fun, protective and unique. With close inspection manufacturing imperfections are obvious but the price is right for this unit. We got ours new on ebay for $4.99 plus $3.75 shipping, that's less the price of a Zune decal sticker. At that price it's safe to assume someone in China is stamping these out for Zune lovers here in the US.

22Moo Crystal Clear Case

The 22Moo crystal case is made from a smoke colored injection molded clear plastic. It has no hinge but the front and rear sections snap together creating an elegant translucent shell for the Zune.

The rear side has a thin kickstand that hinges out, useful for watching movies on an airplane. The stand is thin and the hinge joint is not designed for abuse. Additional features on the rear are a hole for a belt clip and openings for the wrist strap. Although there is an opening on the top for the sliding lock switch it is much too small for a human finger.

The smoke color is not dark enough to cause problems with the LCD brightness, videos come through nice and clear. In conclusion the Crystal Clear case is better looking in person than in photos, it gives the black Zune an extra dark formal look. Protection is excellent due to the hard plastic material. 22Moo sells the case for $19.95.

Zune 8 Case | DLO HipCase Review
(click to enlarge images)

zune 8 case

DLO has produced one of the very first cases for the Zune 4 and Zune 8 models.

zune hipcase
The Zune Hipcase is currently available in black leather at various retail locations. It ships with a foam insert to help maintain the correct shape prior to purchase.

zune 4 cases

The stitching and interior fabric are both green, similar to the green Zune.

new zune cases

Because the green fabric is on the inside, it gets covered by the player. This means the case will match any color device without clashing. Most of the front is covered with flexible clear plastic. I was not expecting the touch sensitivity on the Zune Pad to work with the case on. I was dead wrong, you can easily swipe or click right through the plastic. There seems to be only a 15% reduction in sensitivity which is very acceptable considering the level of scratch and moisture protection. The play and back buttons are also easily used.

leather zune 8 case

Full access is open to all ports including USB and headphones. Attempts to dock the device with the case on failed but that is standard for Zune cases. The player is loaded through the top as shown the the photo. For those who use a dock daily, I suggest loading the Zune upside down in the HipCase. In that orientation the Zune can be docked with the case still on.

zune 8 cases

A sturdy clip is integrated to the back of the case. The flash Zunes are small enough to fit in any pocket, but the clip is nice because it gives easy access to everything outside the pockets.

flash zune case
photo by DLO

There is not much to compare the Hipcase to right now, but competition is sure to follow. I liked the fact that touch sensitivity works with the case on and the clear plastic protects the screen from scratches. The only thing missing is a brown or colored leather option, although the black looks stylish as a neutral color. The HipCase gets top marks for functionality and protection. Appearance depends on taste, as you can see from the photos, DLO scores in that category also. Current MSRP is $29.95 for the Zune 4/8 case.
DLO Shell: Acrylic Zune Case

acrylic zune case

This week DLO introduces the Shell for Zune which is a new clear acrlyic Zune case.

The shell features a robust kicstand that can support the Zune in the vertical or horizontal position. It also folds up nicely and snaps closed.

This is the thickest plastic case on the market right now for Zune. Notice the large 45 degree chamfers around the openings to aid access to the buttons.

The chamfers also refract the light in interesting ways and add to the appearance of the unit.

Opening the case is tricky, it takes some practice, so if you take your Zune out every day for docking consider it may take longer than most cases. Putting it back inside is much easier.

It seems rather odd for a clear case not to have any screen protection, but for the Shell the LCD is wide open. Overall the case is attractive and has a nice feel to the fingers due to the chamfered edges. The MSRP is 19.95.

Review: 3 DLO Zune Cases

dlo zune case

The silicone Jam Jacket is a rubbery case that stretches over the Zune for a nice snug fit. The left and right sides are dimpled for better grip and a hole is cut out for easy access to the main control pad.

dlo action jacket
Holes provide access to the headphone jack and lock switch.

dlo case
The forward and back buttons are covered by the case, but can be pushed through the rubber. These buttons can be easily found thanks to the recessed depressions over them, however, more pressure is required to press the buttons with the case on.

The Jam Jacket MSRP is $19.95 and is an economical alternative to leather cases. It offers nice protection against scratches except for the LCD screen. It comes in a milky white color and doesn't add much bulk to the overall dimensions of the Zune.

__________________________________________________ _________

dlo action jacket

The DLO Action Jacket is a Neoprene case that has texture and feel similar to a wet suit. It comes with a removable Velcro armband and removable clip.

dlo zune case

The case includes a built in clear LCD screen protector which is flexible.

zune

zune case

The Action Jacket MSRP is $29.99 and is the official Zune Scene favorite of the 3 DLO cases because of the sporty look, versatility, and protection level.
__________________________________________________ _______

dlo leather case

The DLO Deluxe Leather Case includes a flexible screen protector which also covers the center control button.

dlo deluxe leather case

The case has a non-removeable clip in the rear, and the lid snaps shut magnetically.

dlo case

The flip cover has a soft supple feel and offers storage for bushiness cards. We love the smell of leather and the two tone color of the case. It's currently available in Black with MSRP of $34.99

Dizzy · 12-04-2007, 02:50 PM

Credit to ZuneScene: http://www.zunescene.com/speck-zune-case/

chi · 12-04-2007, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dizzy

Credit to ZuneScene: http://www.zunescene.com/speck-zune-case/

yah thanx!

k-man2 · 01-29-2008, 09:21 PM

I am so getting the leather flip case. I can't wait!!

sowhatu · 01-29-2008, 09:43 PM

something that is clear, and will protect my screen is all i need.
i dont care if the body has scratches(which it doesnt), its the screen that matters.

12-04-2007, 01:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
chi Experienced Zuner Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 199 Reputation: 11	Zune Case Buying Guide As you can see i hav compiled alot of leading brand cases and revewed them. some have copied from sites. copy+paste=Win lol rep if u like! Zune 80 Case Review The Microsoft Zune team has introduced the first ever 1st party leather case for Zune. It's designed to fit the 80gb device and is available at most retail and online locations. The actual color of the leather is a cross between brown, black and burgundy. Currently there are no other colors available. The leather is thick, and lined with a special Zune themed fabric on the inside. Although the top has access to the headphone jack and lock switch, the bottom has no opening for a sync cable. Instead of cutting openings for the play and back buttons, they are covered. This is good because the buttons can be pushed right through the leather. The Zune pad (known as squircle) has an opening. However, the leather is thick and can get in the way of chubby fingers. Swiping is not bothered much, but clicking is a bit more difficult because the leather forms a rim around squircle. One unique characteristic of the case is side loading. This makes it easier to insert and remove the Zune, but there is drawback. The Zune often drifts to the left while the flap is open. The flap has magnets to help keep it closed, and these can also be used to keep the magnetic premium earphones in place, although the attractive force is weak. The official Zune 80 case has a MSRP of $49.99. The overall "wallet" style is very attractive but key features are missing. It could be improved with a belt clip, clear LCD cover, and opening for the sync cable. If looks are important this is the case for you. If functionality and features are what you crave, wait for a third party case to come out. Speck Zune Cases Reviewed In this review we get our hands on four unique Zune cases from Speck. From left to right the Executive Leather, Toughskin, Active Sport Lite, and Canvas Sport are shown. It's hard to choose between the cases, we'll check out each style in detail. It's all about detail with the Speck Executive leather case. The leather is soft to the touch and has a nice texture. Check out the word Speck embossed on in the belt clip. The LCD screen is fully protected by a clear screen and the buttons are exposed for easy clicking. We've reviewed enough cases to know covering the buttons with a protector is a bad idea. Speck made the right decision by leaving an open space for easy access. The buttons are most responsive this way. Overall the Speck Executive case is a winner. The form and function are spot on, and it looks great. Colors are available in Black and Brown and the case MSRP is 44.95 Canvas Sport speck canvas case The canvas sport case is the coolest in the lineup. The style (thoughtfully stolen from converse shoes) looks even better up close than in photos. White rubber with diamond texture surrounds the perimeter while thick stiff canvas forms the front and rear of the case. The screen is protected by an invisible protector and the buttons are easily manipulated through the oval shaped opening. The Zune is inserted in the rear of the case, which snaps shut with a single button. Although the belt clip is not removeable, it is slim and didn't get in the way when we placed the device in a pocket. The Canvas Sport comes in black and has an MSRP of $29.95. ToughSkin The ToughSkin is the only case we've tested for an extended period of time. Hint: it's the case we've actually been using every day for the past 2 months. That should say a lot about how much we like it. The ToughSkin is probably the most protective case out there. It comes with a hard thick screen protector (probably acrylic or polycarbonate) which not only protects against scrathes, but shields against impact as well. The rubber is thicker than any other silicone based case on the market. ToughSkin comes with a fully removeable belt clip which in our case we have removed for a slimmer profile. Oddly enough access to the buttons is not inhibited at all by the silicone covering. We've seen some silicone cases with small holes cut out for the buttons, but this actually makes them harder to get to. The only downside to ToughSkin is that it gets more attention than the Zune itself when showing your Zune to friends. Toughskin is available in black and the MSRP is $34.95 Active Sport Lite The Active Sport Lite is a well made neoprene case that feels like a wetsuit, and comes with a removable armband. Although the case is marketed for athletic activities we suggest that neoprene is a great material for any setting, and it's a nice case to use even without the armband. Access is available to the headphone jack but not the lock switch on top or USB port on the bottom of the Zune. This case has a sewn in protector over the LCD screen and the primary button. One thing we like about this case compared to other neoprene cases is that there is no hard backing or belt clip rivet. This keeps the form factor slim and the feel uniform. The Active Sport Lite comes in black and the MSRP is $29.95. Conclusion Speck offers a solid lineup, functionally the cases are sound (with the exception of the USB port being covered in the Neoprene Active Sport armband case). It is apparent that Speck chose quality over economy with the designs, and each is a case an owner can really love rather than just like. Metal and Crystal Zune Case Reviews This review includes our first metal Zune case from Zuneone and crystal clear case from 22Moo. metal zune case The metal case has a hinged aluminum body, hard acrylic LCD protector, and foam lining. It comes with a plastic belt clip and nylon wrist strap. The black lining is bonded to the inside of the case and prevents the metal from scratching the Zune. It also provides an excellent snug fit. Ports for USB, earphone and the lock allow for full functionality while the Zune is in the case. The screen protector is bonded to the outside rather than the inside of the case. This prevents it from being dislodged during impact, however adhesive around the rim is visible through the clear protector and gives the case a "homemade" look. Imperfections between the front and rear aluminum clamshells are apparent when the case is closed. The hinge is robust and is about half the length of the Zune case. The case is held shut by the a tab on the opposite side of the hinge. In conclusion the aluminum metal case is fun, protective and unique. With close inspection manufacturing imperfections are obvious but the price is right for this unit. We got ours new on ebay for $4.99 plus $3.75 shipping, that's less the price of a Zune decal sticker. At that price it's safe to assume someone in China is stamping these out for Zune lovers here in the US. 22Moo Crystal Clear Case The 22Moo crystal case is made from a smoke colored injection molded clear plastic. It has no hinge but the front and rear sections snap together creating an elegant translucent shell for the Zune. The rear side has a thin kickstand that hinges out, useful for watching movies on an airplane. The stand is thin and the hinge joint is not designed for abuse. Additional features on the rear are a hole for a belt clip and openings for the wrist strap. Although there is an opening on the top for the sliding lock switch it is much too small for a human finger. The smoke color is not dark enough to cause problems with the LCD brightness, videos come through nice and clear. In conclusion the Crystal Clear case is better looking in person than in photos, it gives the black Zune an extra dark formal look. Protection is excellent due to the hard plastic material. 22Moo sells the case for $19.95. Zune 8 Case \| DLO HipCase Review (click to enlarge images) zune 8 case DLO has produced one of the very first cases for the Zune 4 and Zune 8 models. zune hipcase The Zune Hipcase is currently available in black leather at various retail locations. It ships with a foam insert to help maintain the correct shape prior to purchase. zune 4 cases The stitching and interior fabric are both green, similar to the green Zune. new zune cases Because the green fabric is on the inside, it gets covered by the player. This means the case will match any color device without clashing. Most of the front is covered with flexible clear plastic. I was not expecting the touch sensitivity on the Zune Pad to work with the case on. I was dead wrong, you can easily swipe or click right through the plastic. There seems to be only a 15% reduction in sensitivity which is very acceptable considering the level of scratch and moisture protection. The play and back buttons are also easily used. leather zune 8 case Full access is open to all ports including USB and headphones. Attempts to dock the device with the case on failed but that is standard for Zune cases. The player is loaded through the top as shown the the photo. For those who use a dock daily, I suggest loading the Zune upside down in the HipCase. In that orientation the Zune can be docked with the case still on. zune 8 cases A sturdy clip is integrated to the back of the case. The flash Zunes are small enough to fit in any pocket, but the clip is nice because it gives easy access to everything outside the pockets. flash zune case photo by DLO There is not much to compare the Hipcase to right now, but competition is sure to follow. I liked the fact that touch sensitivity works with the case on and the clear plastic protects the screen from scratches. The only thing missing is a brown or colored leather option, although the black looks stylish as a neutral color. The HipCase gets top marks for functionality and protection. Appearance depends on taste, as you can see from the photos, DLO scores in that category also. Current MSRP is $29.95 for the Zune 4/8 case. DLO Shell: Acrylic Zune Case acrylic zune case This week DLO introduces the Shell for Zune which is a new clear acrlyic Zune case. The shell features a robust kicstand that can support the Zune in the vertical or horizontal position. It also folds up nicely and snaps closed. This is the thickest plastic case on the market right now for Zune. Notice the large 45 degree chamfers around the openings to aid access to the buttons. The chamfers also refract the light in interesting ways and add to the appearance of the unit. Opening the case is tricky, it takes some practice, so if you take your Zune out every day for docking consider it may take longer than most cases. Putting it back inside is much easier. It seems rather odd for a clear case not to have any screen protection, but for the Shell the LCD is wide open. Overall the case is attractive and has a nice feel to the fingers due to the chamfered edges. The MSRP is 19.95. Review: 3 DLO Zune Cases dlo zune case The silicone Jam Jacket is a rubbery case that stretches over the Zune for a nice snug fit. The left and right sides are dimpled for better grip and a hole is cut out for easy access to the main control pad. dlo action jacket Holes provide access to the headphone jack and lock switch. dlo case The forward and back buttons are covered by the case, but can be pushed through the rubber. These buttons can be easily found thanks to the recessed depressions over them, however, more pressure is required to press the buttons with the case on. The Jam Jacket MSRP is $19.95 and is an economical alternative to leather cases. It offers nice protection against scratches except for the LCD screen. It comes in a milky white color and doesn't add much bulk to the overall dimensions of the Zune. __________________________________________________ _________ dlo action jacket The DLO Action Jacket is a Neoprene case that has texture and feel similar to a wet suit. It comes with a removable Velcro armband and removable clip. dlo zune case The case includes a built in clear LCD screen protector which is flexible. zune zune case The Action Jacket MSRP is $29.99 and is the official Zune Scene favorite of the 3 DLO cases because of the sporty look, versatility, and protection level. __________________________________________________ _______ dlo leather case The DLO Deluxe Leather Case includes a flexible screen protector which also covers the center control button. dlo deluxe leather case The case has a non-removeable clip in the rear, and the lid snaps shut magnetically. dlo case The flip cover has a soft supple feel and offers storage for bushiness cards. We love the smell of leather and the two tone color of the case. It's currently available in Black with MSRP of $34.99 __________________ C BROWN ZUNE ROXORZ:shocked::shocked:

12-04-2007, 02:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
Dizzy Joe the Plumber Moderator Ultimate Zuner Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 6,732 Reputation: 357	Credit to ZuneScene: http://www.zunescene.com/speck-zune-case/ __________________ Stop activity immediately if you feel short of breath, faint or dizzy, experience chest pain, or profuse perspiration. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

01-29-2008, 09:21 PM	#4 (permalink)
k-man2 Experienced Zuner Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Utah Posts: 229 Reputation: 11	I am so getting the leather flip case. I can't wait!!

01-29-2008, 09:43 PM	#5 (permalink)
sowhatu Jr. Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: hamilton, ontario Posts: 362 Reputation: 12	something that is clear, and will protect my screen is all i need. i dont care if the body has scratches(which it doesnt), its the screen that matters.

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