Works With
Second-generation iPod nano
The Good
Sturdy protection for iPod, screen, and clickwheel
The Bad
Hard to get in and out of case
Hold button is difficult to access
The Price
US$29.95
The XtremeMac MicroShield iPod case for the second-generation iPod nano does everything I look for out of a case: it protects the iPod, screen, and clickwheel, preserves clickwheel functionality, and generally looks good. So why only 3.5 stars? It also does something I’ve never run into with an iPod case: it’s really hard to get the iPod in and out of the case.
The MicroShield is made of two thick, fitted slabs of clear plastic that house the nano, with a thinner sheet over the clickwheel. The plastic is thicker than most cases and seems to provide a greater degree of protection as a result. The two slabs are joined on the sides by flexible plastic pieces, one that acts as a hinge for the case to open on, the other that clasps to keep the iPod secure inside.
It’s this clasp that causes the problem. It’s very hard to get open. No doubt the stiffness of the plastic will decrease with use and helps provides a good fit for the case, but it’s just too hard to open the case for it to be anything less than frustrating. On top of that, if you don’t have fingernails, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to open the clasp on your own. In fact, the case was hard so to open that I accidentally broke the included belt clip trying to open it.
The iPod’s hold button is also obstructed due to the design of the case. While it can be toggled using your pinky fingernail or perhaps by people with very small fingers, those with average-size or large hands won’t be able to use the hold switch at all.
The one other slight frustration with the case is the clickwheel cover. While you’re able to use the clickwheel through the case, your control through the plastic overlay is not quite as precise as some other cases offer.
If you don’t expect to need to get your nano in and out of a case very often, the XtremeMac MicroShield for iPod nano is a solid option (especially since the iPod can be docked while in the case). However, if you need to remove the iPod regularly or have average-sized or large hands, the MicroShield may be more frustration than it’s worth.
