Home
Reviews
Proporta Week: Crystal Case and Screen Protector for the iPod Nano
February 7, 2006
Crystal Case
The Crystal Case for iPod Nano is a clear case made of impact-resistant plastic. It leaves your Nano on display but also protects it from everyday drops and bumps. Getting your Nano in and out of the case is quite easy; there are two small latches, one on each side of the case. Slide them down to open the case, and up to lock it. Once the case is open, just lay the Nano inside and close the lid. The screen is completely protected, while the click wheel is left open so that you can change songs or playlists while the Nano is in the case. The bottom of the device is also left open, so that you can charge/sync the Nano when it is in the case.
The top of the case is completely covered, which means that you cannot access the hold switch while the Nano is in the case. There’s also a lanyard that has been permanently attached to the top of the case, much the same way as Apple’s neckband headphones work, except that the Nano is oriented with the screen at the top instead of the bottom. When you want to change songs, just pick up the case and twist it 180 degrees so that you can see the screen.
On the back of the case you’ll find a small protrusion; this is designed to allow you to attach the case to a belt or to a compatible arm band, if you can find one that is small enough. There’s also a small cutout on the back that would allow you to attach a wrist or neck strap (similar to what you might find on a camera) in case you decide to cut the lanyard that comes attached to the case.
This is a nicely protective case that is convenient, durable, and strong. I’m not sure how scratch-resistant it is; that’s the sort of test that requires more time than I had for this review. The Crystal Case for iPod Nano is $19.95 and is available at the Proporta online store.
Advanced Full Device Screen Protector
I sure wish I had these when I first got my iPod Nano! Even though I’ve always handled my Nano very carefully, it got pretty scratched up in the couple of weeks I had it before I got a proper case for it. The Advanced Screen Protector for iPod Nano comes as a set of two for $9.95. One protector covers the entire front of the device, excluding the click wheel, and the other covers the entire back of the device.
Installation was very easy, since Proporta’s screen protectors are made of a good quality material with a bit of thickness and body. Use the small cloth included to clean the Nano and get rid of all those fingerprints on the metal back plate. Then just peel off the protective layer and install it on your device. I installed the back one first; it was the easiest since there weren’t any cutouts to line up. The front was a little trickier, but still not very difficult. I used a credit card to smooth it down as I went and get rid of any air bubbles that tried to sneak in.
After installation you can hardly tell the screen protector is there. Of course you won’t get any more fingerprints, and you don’t have to worry about screen damage anymore either. The screen protector also cuts down on glare just a bit, since the surface isn’t 100% clear—that makes the screen easier to read. You can use the protector with any case at all, since the added thickness is negligible. In fact, you may just find that you have fewer problems with silicone cases; with the Advanced Full Device screen protector installed on the front and back of my Nano, it just slid into the iSkin Duo case I reviewed last week.
If you’re in a hurry, or packing extremely light, you might even decide that you don’t want to use an additional carrying case. If you’re relatively careful, you don’t have to worry about the screen of your Nano. I wouldn’t put it in your pants pockets with a bunch of keys and loose change, but it should be fine in an empty pocket, or in the side pocket of a larger gear bag.
I highly recommend the Advanced Full Device Screen Protector, especially considering the relatively fragile nature of the iPod Nano and its propensity to cosmetic damage. $9.95 may seem a bit steep when the average case costs about $20 or so, but I think it’s really worth the cost.
You can get both of the products reviewed today at the Proporta online store. Remember, get 10% off plus free standard worldwide shipping if you type in the code “PKTGODDESS” without the quotes when you check out. That code is good for a limited time on just about everything that Proporta sells (excluding GPS), so hurry and cash in on the great savings!
