Zune Leather Case 80 GB by Zune
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Our Price: $64.99 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $35.99 (click here) Category: CE See more digital camera details and other models |
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Digital camera reviews of Zune Leather Case 80 GB
Digital camera Review: Nice enough case....way too expensive
Summary: 3 Stars
I think that this is a great case for the zune. It protects it from drops (have had a few), and allows you to use the player with ease.It is pretty stylish as well. I do not like how i cannot charge it with the player in the case. Also $50 for a case is a little ridiculous. I would expect 20 dollars....even 30 dollars for an mp3 player case, but 50 dollars is annoying. I would give this product 4 stars if it was $30. That's about how much it's worth. Since there are not that many options for cases as of now (1/8/08), this is a good choice but once better and cheaper options become available...get those =)Digital camera Review: Not Happy With Zune Leather Case for 80 GB
Summary: 1 Stars
I would return this item if I saved the packaging. Unfortunately it was a Christmas gift and I wrapped it without the packaging with another item. My daughter does not like this case and ended up getting a different one. It does not allow for charging within the case and does not have a protective cover for the screen. For the amount paid I am very disappointed. Martin LoweDigital camera Review: A Very Sleek, Stylish Case. Worth $50?
Summary: 4 Stars
To get it out of the way quickly, is it worth $50? No. I paid $40 for mine at a local store, and I don't regret it, but even that is a little pricey for me.
But for that $50 your are doubtlessly getting the best looking, sexiest, case for the 80gb Zune. The outside is made entirely of a dark brown leather, emblazened with a small Zune logo on the front right corner. Upon opening the case, you'll be greeted with the same pattern as the default Zune wallpaper. It's a small touch that reall brings things together nicely, I think. There is also a small pocket where you can slip in a credit card, or better yet, your gym membership card (totally helpful) that is trimmed with a bright neon pink. The color isn't for everyone and I've gotten some stares from friends and family, but it definitely looks cery cool.
The Zune fits very snuggly in it's provided pocket, and the headphone jack and lock button are exposed for your convenience. In fact, almost all of the Zune's functions are available to you while it's in the case. The only thing left off it a hole for the Sync cable. This means that you won't be able to charge it while it's in its case. It is, perhaps, a minor oversight, but it's not such and inconvenience to me as I mostly have the case so that the screen doesn't get scratched in my pocket. The whole front cover stays shut via a magnet that is hidden under the lining material, that way your case will never flap open and expose your Zune to any harmful materials.
Again, the whole case is extremely simple, modern, and well designed. You are really going to be paying for style with this purchase. If you don't mind your case looking a little less stylish, than I'd recommend something a little less pricey. But if you're like me and you want to protect your Zune and look good doing it, I highly recommend that you consider this case. I am not disappointed with my purchase at all, despite it being a little pricey.
EDIT: Glad to see they lowered the price on this thing. At around $20, there really isn't a better option out there!
Digital camera Review: Good protection, but overpriced and poorly executed in its details
Summary: 2 Stars
Decently constructed, the official Zune 80GB case falls flat with its execution of the details. The most obvious flaw is the lack of a cutout for the data transfer/charging cable. But equally galling is the tight opening cut for the headphone jack. If a Zune 80 user decides to stick with the stock earbuds, there's really no problem with connectivity. But if you're like me and enjoy using any number of third-party headphones, the cutout in this case basically stinks since it doesn't provide enough clearance for quite a few of my earphone sets.
My primary listening set is Shure's excellent E500PTH, which I started using on my iPods and my Zune 30. The cutout in this case is barely big enough for the Shure's miniplug to get any sort of usable contact with the Zune's headphone jack. But that good contact ONLY works if I and my Zune 80 are stationary and not moving about; as soon as the cabling moves a bit whenever I move, the right channel will invariably cut away. Sometimes there enough a break in the connection to cause the Zune to go into pause mode, which is REALLY an irritation since the manner I usually use an MP3 device is to start my player then put the controls on lockout mode. Moreover, I dislike the lack of screen protection. I know that the Zune has a glass overlay on the LCD screen, which is generally superior to using most types of polymer-type plastics, but glass can still scratch and most certainly it's a fingerprint magnet that could've been controlled had there been a clear shield sewn into the case.
The other issue I have with this case is value. The built quality of the case and the materials used is pretty good, however it's really not any better than the typical third-party leather cases for iPods (or Zune 30s) costing half its $50 price (or even cheaper). At the time of this review, there aren't all that many dedicated case options available for a Zune 80 owner. But if you can see fit to wait, there should be plenty of alternative cases available after the holidays when case manufacturers will finally have had a chance to catch up and get better executed designs to market. Considering that this new Zune appears to be a popular selling device (I certainly have been impressed with mine, much more that I've been with the current lineup from Apple), I have no doubt that all the usual third-party accessory makers will be lining up to provide their latest protection offerings for this excellent MP3 player.
Digital camera Review: Good Idea, wretched design
Summary: 1 Stars
This case is very well made and it does look nice. However, it has one fatal flaw that renders it completely useless as a case. There is no cutout at the bottom. This means that you have to remove your Zune from the case and leave it out in order to charge it, sync it, plug it into your FM transmitter, ect. What is the point of buying a $50 case and then having to remove the Zune 15 times a day in order to do anything with it. I honestly would have loved to be in on the meeting with the moron who designed this case. The most infuriating thing to me is that this is a very well made product, just a poor design. All they had to do was place an opening at the bottom and it would have been perfect. If they were concerned about dust or debris getting in, they could have placed a trap door there. This is just another example of designers trying to place looks before practical useability. Another minor flaw is that there is no belt clip or strap. It would have been nice to have had a strap to grab in order to reduce the posibility of dropping the case when handling it. Regardless, the lack of a cutout was a deal breaker for me. I returned my case and I'm still on the lookout for a decent replacement.