MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Review of Cybook Opus case on sale at Radio Shack!

Slydini · 06-12-2010, 03:42 PM

I love my Cybook Opus but I'm saddened by its lack of third party accessories. Since the Sony Pocket Reader is barely larger than the Opus, I decided to buy 3 cases that were specifically designed for the PRS 300. This post will only review my favorite case which is currently on sale in select Radio Shack stores for only $19.99! Unfortunately, you need to act NOW (6/12) because the price goes back up to $24.99 after the sale. Sorry for the short notice, but I only stumbled across this today and I wanted to post this as quickly as possible – I hope that some of you are reading this in time for the sale! Sorry for the crappy cell phone pics – It looks better in person trust me.

Here's my quick review:

Merkury Innovations Explorer Pocket Case

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...L0606104199458

After close examination, I believe that this could be a rebranded version of the Executive Case sold by M-Edge – Not only do they look the same, but it also features the hidden slot to accommodate M-Edge's E-Luminator2 light, which is located below the top left corner of the device. The interior is a soft micro-suede and feels especially nice when folding the cover all the way back like a traditional paperback. Even though these types of cases expose three of the device's edges, I believe that the tradeoff far outweighs the hassle of taking it in and out of a slipcase. Maybe it's just me, but the process of sliding the strap and opening the case from right to left and bending it back makes it feel like you're reading a nicely bound book. Furthermore, the combined thickness of the Opus and the folded back case is only an inch, which adds just the right amount of heft when holding the device.

The material of the case is simulated leather and it looks much better than the leatherette that is used in the Bookeen slipcase. By comparison, the Merkury Innovations case has a slightly larger footprint than the included slipcase (see pics) so this means that it will still fit in a pair of cargo shorts/pants, a jacket pocket, or anywhere else that the slipcase would normally fit. When closed, the case is only slightly thicker than the slipcase.

The interior also features 4 pockets. The large pocket on the left side has 2 smaller pockets that are stitched on top – These are each capable of holding a vertically oriented standard business card. The larger pocket can fit a standard credit/ID card but it is NOT wide enough to accommodate 2 side-by-side credit cards without overlapping. The included pics detail this much better than I've described it. As I mentioned earlier, there is also a hidden pocket under the top left corner which can accommodate the M-Edge booklight.

So how well does the Opus fit in the case's 4 straps? LIKE A GLOVE – Everything is perfectly secure and you can read while laying on your back without fear of it slipping out and falling on your face (This is what happened to me when I tried the Case Logic hard case and M-Edge Latitude Case for the Sony Pocket Reader)! I don't think the pics do it justice because to my eyes, this case looks like it was specifically designed for the Opus – I especially like how each of the corner straps lay diagonally to meet the grey border of the Opus's screen. The power button is covered by the top left strap, but it's a simple matter to press on the strap to turn it off and on. The only slight annoyance is the closure strap which juts out between the page buttons. This doesn't bother me as much as I thought it would because the strap gently rests between the crook of your thumb and index finger while reading. If the length of the strap annoys you, you can fold it back under inbetween the case when folded back.

The only other detail I can think to mention is the embossed logos on the front and back. As you can see in the pics, it's very discrete so I don't think this is a big deal. The overall construction seems solid and well stitched, but if you're like me you might want to go to a select Radio Shack and check which one has the least amount of minor imperfections (Example: Crookedly placed logos, accidental scratches, etc.).

So that's it! Hopefully I've provided enough info – I look forward to hearing everyone's impressions. Even at the full price of $24.99, this case represents a much better value that the Noreve case – I actually think this one looks nicer because of the way the strap is designed – It looks more like a daily planner rather than an electronic gadget.

I'm also going to be reviewing how well the Case Logic and M-Edge Latitude Pocket Reader cases fit the Opus. For now, all you need to know is that the Merkury Innovations case at Radio Shack is your best bet. If you live in a rainy climate and need the best protection and a case that can be folded all the way back, then the Case Logic hard case for the Sony Pocket Reader may be a good choice. Don't even bother with the M-Edge Latitude case if you're hoping it'll fit the Opus – It slides out of the top left strap every time you open it so...

(I'll post these reviews later – JUST GET THE MERKURY INNOVATIONS CASE AT RADIO SHACK AND BE THANKFUL I TOLD YOU SO!

)

P.S. If you're looking for a slipcase that fits the Opus, Radio Shack also has a Merkury Innovations Pocket slipcase that zips all the way around and has a small zipper compartment on the outside -- I saw it but i think its ugly so your mileage may vary. Its on sale today for only $14.95 (regularly $19.99)

06-12-2010, 03:42 PM	#1
Slydini Member Posts: 21 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Bookeen Cybook Opus	Review of Cybook Opus case on sale at Radio Shack! I love my Cybook Opus but I'm saddened by its lack of third party accessories. Since the Sony Pocket Reader is barely larger than the Opus, I decided to buy 3 cases that were specifically designed for the PRS 300. This post will only review my favorite case which is currently on sale in select Radio Shack stores for only $19.99! Unfortunately, you need to act NOW (6/12) because the price goes back up to $24.99 after the sale. Sorry for the short notice, but I only stumbled across this today and I wanted to post this as quickly as possible – I hope that some of you are reading this in time for the sale! Sorry for the crappy cell phone pics – It looks better in person trust me. Here's my quick review: Merkury Innovations Explorer Pocket Case http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...L0606104199458 After close examination, I believe that this could be a rebranded version of the Executive Case sold by M-Edge – Not only do they look the same, but it also features the hidden slot to accommodate M-Edge's E-Luminator2 light, which is located below the top left corner of the device. The interior is a soft micro-suede and feels especially nice when folding the cover all the way back like a traditional paperback. Even though these types of cases expose three of the device's edges, I believe that the tradeoff far outweighs the hassle of taking it in and out of a slipcase. Maybe it's just me, but the process of sliding the strap and opening the case from right to left and bending it back makes it feel like you're reading a nicely bound book. Furthermore, the combined thickness of the Opus and the folded back case is only an inch, which adds just the right amount of heft when holding the device. The material of the case is simulated leather and it looks much better than the leatherette that is used in the Bookeen slipcase. By comparison, the Merkury Innovations case has a slightly larger footprint than the included slipcase (see pics) so this means that it will still fit in a pair of cargo shorts/pants, a jacket pocket, or anywhere else that the slipcase would normally fit. When closed, the case is only slightly thicker than the slipcase. The interior also features 4 pockets. The large pocket on the left side has 2 smaller pockets that are stitched on top – These are each capable of holding a vertically oriented standard business card. The larger pocket can fit a standard credit/ID card but it is NOT wide enough to accommodate 2 side-by-side credit cards without overlapping. The included pics detail this much better than I've described it. As I mentioned earlier, there is also a hidden pocket under the top left corner which can accommodate the M-Edge booklight. So how well does the Opus fit in the case's 4 straps? LIKE A GLOVE – Everything is perfectly secure and you can read while laying on your back without fear of it slipping out and falling on your face (This is what happened to me when I tried the Case Logic hard case and M-Edge Latitude Case for the Sony Pocket Reader)! I don't think the pics do it justice because to my eyes, this case looks like it was specifically designed for the Opus – I especially like how each of the corner straps lay diagonally to meet the grey border of the Opus's screen. The power button is covered by the top left strap, but it's a simple matter to press on the strap to turn it off and on. The only slight annoyance is the closure strap which juts out between the page buttons. This doesn't bother me as much as I thought it would because the strap gently rests between the crook of your thumb and index finger while reading. If the length of the strap annoys you, you can fold it back under inbetween the case when folded back. The only other detail I can think to mention is the embossed logos on the front and back. As you can see in the pics, it's very discrete so I don't think this is a big deal. The overall construction seems solid and well stitched, but if you're like me you might want to go to a select Radio Shack and check which one has the least amount of minor imperfections (Example: Crookedly placed logos, accidental scratches, etc.). So that's it! Hopefully I've provided enough info – I look forward to hearing everyone's impressions. Even at the full price of $24.99, this case represents a much better value that the Noreve case – I actually think this one looks nicer because of the way the strap is designed – It looks more like a daily planner rather than an electronic gadget. I'm also going to be reviewing how well the Case Logic and M-Edge Latitude Pocket Reader cases fit the Opus. For now, all you need to know is that the Merkury Innovations case at Radio Shack is your best bet. If you live in a rainy climate and need the best protection and a case that can be folded all the way back, then the Case Logic hard case for the Sony Pocket Reader may be a good choice. Don't even bother with the M-Edge Latitude case if you're hoping it'll fit the Opus – It slides out of the top left strap every time you open it so... (I'll post these reviews later – JUST GET THE MERKURY INNOVATIONS CASE AT RADIO SHACK AND BE THANKFUL I TOLD YOU SO! ) P.S. If you're looking for a slipcase that fits the Opus, Radio Shack also has a Merkury Innovations Pocket slipcase that zips all the way around and has a small zipper compartment on the outside -- I saw it but i think its ugly so your mileage may vary. Its on sale today for only $14.95 (regularly $19.99)