One of the few problems I had with the Contour Showcase was that it added a little bit of bulk to the device. While it added some precious layers of protection I couldn’t help but feel that I holding a semi-clunky NoMad JukeBox and not the supersleek iPod. I also had a difficult time putting the unit into my pant pocket without stretching out the fabric. Without the case I have plenty of room to house my iPod and my Motorola T720 but the Showcase takes up my entire pocket space. Thankfully the designers included a nifty little belt strap that allowed me to tote the device around on my belt loop as opposed to my pocket. At first I was disappointed to see that the belt hook was horizontal as opposed to vertical but I learned to live with the design. It fits on relatively easy and doesn’t even require you to pry it open with your fingers, just slide it on to your belt and you’re all set. Just how secure is the belt clip? Well it’s definitely strong enough to stay attached during low periods of activity but athletes might want to consider a different solution. It fell off of the hem of my pants when I was playing racquetball and a pick-up game of basketball and nearly came off when I went for a brisk jog. Regarded, it’s probably unlikely that you’ll want to use your own iPod in such situations but it’s a nice barometer of how much grip you can expect from the clip.
Upon evaluating the competition’s cases I often notice that they have a difficult time catering to the features on the top and bottom of the device. Speck Products features a similar case but you have to unhook the bottom of the case to reach the scroll wheel and firewire port while the hold button can’t be accessed without opening the entire case. There are no such problems here because easy access is given to both of these functions. When it comes to accessing the iPod’s features it doesn’t get any better than this. Again, other solutions have problems with giving you full access to the buttons and scrollwheel. Some have openings that are too tiny while others conceal the wheel entirely and force you to open up a portion of the case to access it. That’s not the case here; the case has small openings over each of the features that allow you to access it with ease. Also nice is the fact that the plastic housing on the front extends to the actual screen, providing a much-needed layer of protection.
If I have one gripe with the case it’s that the openings for the four major holes are a bit too small. I’m one of those types who likes to access those functions with my thumb but doing so usually doesn’t register with the device. Instead I usually have to use my index finger in order to access the functions. It’s not too much of a problem when I have the unit out in the open but it’s kind of difficult to do when I’m trying to navigate with the unit in my pocket. I’ve run into the same problem with the competing devices as well so it’s not really too debilitating to the overall unit, I guess I’m just the modest type who’s a little gun-shy when it comes to having my device out in the open.
Aside from that small complaint I’d say that the only real problem with the Showcase comes from its availability. I wasn’t able to find it in of the retail stores in my area nor were my friends in the San Diego area. I’m sure that it’s available at retailers in some of the nation’s larger regions but it’s almost impossible to find in a small town like Ashland, Oregon. Thankfully you can pick up the unit directly from the manufacturer’s
Web site for $39.99.
Make no mistake about it; the Contour Design Showcase is the best iPod case on the market. It offers the best performance without substituting the look and stylishness that iPod owners crave. Unless you prefer the more stylish, yet less protective, gel-style cases out there, run out and pick up the Contour Design Showcase. It’s a bit pricey at $39.99 but it’s a small drop in the bucket for all you turkeys who forked out 4 bills for your shiny little music player.
A-
Are you looking for the iPod case? Then stop reading this review, run out to the store and pick up the Contour Showcase, NOW. And while it’s not perfect, it’s the only case you’ll ever need.
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