Reviews

BoxWave PSP FlexiSkin & miniSync

May 6, 2005

The FlexiSkin is a silicon case that you stretch onto your Sony PSP to provide protection against minor bumps and bruises that can damange your handheld gaming device. While it doesn’t provide much screen protection (otherwise this couldn’t be considered to be a “play through” case” it does a very good job of protecting the face of the device, as well as the top, bottom, and sides, from scratches and nicks that would mar the aesthetic looks of the PSP. It also provides a nice and smooth “grip surface” for your hands, making the PSP easier to hold for long periods of time.

This one is a little different from some of the others I’ve seen, since it also covers most of the buttons on your device. The analog stick nub is left bare, but the d-pad and the triangle/circle/square/X, shoulder triggers, and function buttons along the bottom of the screen are all covered. At first I thought that I would simply hate this setup, but it turned out to work really well for me. The buttons are still easy enough to push through the case, and they’re protected from dust and dirt. In fact, the d-pad is now a bit easier to use— since the FlexiSkin “buttons” are raised slightly more along the outside edge of the d-pad circle, my thumb more naturally sits in the middle of the buttons, instead of having to sometimes look down to see which button to press, I know exactly where my thumb is at all times.

The ports that need to be uncovered are, with the AC power port, headphone port, and power button all exposed and easy to use. At the top of the case the UMD slot switch is open, as is the mini USB port. Though the UMD slot itself is partially covered, you can still insert and remove games without taking off the case. Instead of the UMD slot popping fully open when you activate the switch, it partially opens enough to work just fine. The Memory Stick Duo slot is protected in the same way; I can get into it when I want to, but I really don’t have to worry about the slot accidentally coming open and losing my flash memory— along with all of my game saves.

The BoxWave FlexiSkin for the Sony PSP is now available for $28.95, though if you shop at the BoxWave web site you can snag one for $24.95. It’s a good choice for anyone who wants to protect their PSP from everyday bumps and bruises, though since the screen is not covered you’d best put the PSP into a more protective case before you toss it into your bag when you’re on the go.

PSP miniSync

BoxWave also has a handy little miniSync accessory for the Sony PSP. While it doesn’t charge your PSP, it does synchronize data with your portable gaming console. This is great for ensuring that your game saves are all backed up on your laptop or PC if you don’t have a memory card reader. It’s also a great way to transfer video to your PSP. I think it’s just a little pricey at the sale price of $14.95, but then again it’s really nice to have a small, self-contained unit instead of an annoying cable that you wind up when you put it away, but magically transforms into a huge tangle in your desk drawer within seconds of the drawer being closed.

For more information or online purchase, visit the BoxWave web site.

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