MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - PRS-650 Cases

Buffa · 03-04-2011, 11:05 AM

Like I posted a few days ago, I decided to purchase the igadgitz vertical flip case (on Amazon - link).

After 3 days of using the PRS-650 together with this case, I can say I am very happy with the purchase of both - but it's the case that we're discussing, so here goes (and I guess I'll be posting a similar review also on Amazon):

PROS:
- Price is good.
- Good quality.
- Overall good protection (see few exceptions below). In particular the front panel, that covers the screen, looks solid enough to protect from impact while being soft enough in the inside to avoid scratching the screen.
- Front cover flips backwards completely, allowing single-hand holding.
- The viewing stand is a nice touch. I haven't used it much yet (remember I have the case only for 3 days), but I tried it and it is job well done: the stand is effective while in action, and attaches back to the cover when not in use so it's never in your way.
- Snug fit: the PRS-650 slides into the case for a perfect, snug fit. It hence retains much of the elegance of the PRS-650.
- Elegant enough: I don't know if I can say this case delivers a bold message of luxury, but it's surely elegant enough. Nothing looks like bad quality, nice seams follow the contour of the device, with a nice curve around the Home button.
- Functionality: all PRS-650 physical controls and jacks are fully accessible. See one minor exception below.

CONS:
- Protection exceptions: while generally the device is quite protected as I mentioned above, the protection is not 100% in all directions. I would say it's 80-90% protected... The weak link is probably and only the top left and right corners of the device. The right corner is exposed to allow access to the stylus, and the left corner is exposed to allow easier grabbing of the device while pulling it out of the case. Because of the snug fit (mostly an advantage, mind you), there is not enough extra leather protruding over those corners, so in case the device decides to fall directly on one of those two corners, it will be hit. Now, if I really worried about this happening, I would have covered those two corners with something, like an extra piece of black leather. I don't plan to take the device out of the case, and I could easily do that. But - I'm really not worried, and in general plan on not throwing the PRS on the floor too often. And if it does hit the floor, I believe it won't die because of impact, it's not a sensitive area of the PRS.
- Functionality exceptions: again - overall great functionality and accessibility, but: the page-turning buttons are a bit too close to the inner edge of the cover, making my finger touch the case before it gets to touch the button. Well: (a) I got used to it and after a short while I didn't care. (b) after two more hours I got used to flipping pages with the touch-screen gesture. This is without doubt what Sony had in mind as the main page-flipping function (given the location of the tactile buttons.) In the end I just hold the PRS (in its case, always) in one hand, and without adding my other hand just flip pages with my thumb. Perfect!
- No integral light. I don't see this exactly as a con, as it allows the case to be low-profile. When I want to use light I just add a little LED light that I had anyways for my paper books.

BOTTOM LINE:
I love this case, it's exactly what I needed.
Would definitely buy it again.

03-04-2011, 11:05 AM	#193
Buffa Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2011 Device: Sony PRS-650	Short review of my new igadgitz vertical-flip case Like I posted a few days ago, I decided to purchase the igadgitz vertical flip case (on Amazon - link). After 3 days of using the PRS-650 together with this case, I can say I am very happy with the purchase of both - but it's the case that we're discussing, so here goes (and I guess I'll be posting a similar review also on Amazon): PROS: - Price is good. - Good quality. - Overall good protection (see few exceptions below). In particular the front panel, that covers the screen, looks solid enough to protect from impact while being soft enough in the inside to avoid scratching the screen. - Front cover flips backwards completely, allowing single-hand holding. - The viewing stand is a nice touch. I haven't used it much yet (remember I have the case only for 3 days), but I tried it and it is job well done: the stand is effective while in action, and attaches back to the cover when not in use so it's never in your way. - Snug fit: the PRS-650 slides into the case for a perfect, snug fit. It hence retains much of the elegance of the PRS-650. - Elegant enough: I don't know if I can say this case delivers a bold message of luxury, but it's surely elegant enough. Nothing looks like bad quality, nice seams follow the contour of the device, with a nice curve around the Home button. - Functionality: all PRS-650 physical controls and jacks are fully accessible. See one minor exception below. CONS: - Protection exceptions: while generally the device is quite protected as I mentioned above, the protection is not 100% in all directions. I would say it's 80-90% protected... The weak link is probably and only the top left and right corners of the device. The right corner is exposed to allow access to the stylus, and the left corner is exposed to allow easier grabbing of the device while pulling it out of the case. Because of the snug fit (mostly an advantage, mind you), there is not enough extra leather protruding over those corners, so in case the device decides to fall directly on one of those two corners, it will be hit. Now, if I really worried about this happening, I would have covered those two corners with something, like an extra piece of black leather. I don't plan to take the device out of the case, and I could easily do that. But - I'm really not worried, and in general plan on not throwing the PRS on the floor too often. And if it does hit the floor, I believe it won't die because of impact, it's not a sensitive area of the PRS. - Functionality exceptions: again - overall great functionality and accessibility, but: the page-turning buttons are a bit too close to the inner edge of the cover, making my finger touch the case before it gets to touch the button. Well: (a) I got used to it and after a short while I didn't care. (b) after two more hours I got used to flipping pages with the touch-screen gesture. This is without doubt what Sony had in mind as the main page-flipping function (given the location of the tactile buttons.) In the end I just hold the PRS (in its case, always) in one hand, and without adding my other hand just flip pages with my thumb. Perfect! - No integral light. I don't see this exactly as a con, as it allows the case to be low-profile. When I want to use light I just add a little LED light that I had anyways for my paper books. BOTTOM LINE: I love this case, it's exactly what I needed. Would definitely buy it again.