Works With
Second-generation iPod nano
The Good
Stylish
Good solid protection with shock absorbers
Versatile – comes with case, armband, belt clip
The Bad
No clickwheel covering
Can be hard to get out of case
The Price
US$29.95
Hey, Good Lookin'
The NanoShock Kit from Agent 18 is a complete iPod nano protection system that offers high style, but also a few drawbacks.
The kit (the version reviewed here works only with the second-generation iPod nano, though there is another version available for the first-generation nano) comes equipped with a hard plastic case, an armband, and a belt clip to facilitate your iPod use in many different environments.
In all configurations, the case employs a clear, hard plastic faceplate to protect the nano. The faceplate doesn’t cover the clickwheel, though, leaving it open to scratching, which is a major omission given there are a number of cases that protect the clickwheel without sacrificing functionality. All three configurations also employ rubber caps at each end of the case that allow access to the hold button and headphone jack and absorb shocks and bumps – a nice touch.
When in the standalone case, with the clear faceplate and its matching back plate and shock absorbers, the NanoShock Kit is a great-looking case. It’s slim, stylish, and cool.
But Looks Aren't Everything
While not cutting quite as striking a figure as in the clear case, the kit retains most style points when snapped into the black plastic-and-rubber armband and the black plastic belt clip. The belt clip stays firmly in place and the armband withstands most jostling that would come through exercise, though very vigorous movement loosens it a bit.
Both the armband and belt clip do present some challenges, though, as their tight fits can make it hard to get the nano out. Though the nano will slide out easily sometimes, at other times you’re likely to spend a finger-straining few minutes trying to extract the audio player without breaking anything (this is especially true if you put the nano into the armband upside down, which is easy to do if you’re not paying attention).
It would be nice if these issues weren’t present and the clickwheel was protected, but given the easy-to-use and great-looking basic case, and the versatility of the included components, the Agent 18 NanoShock Kit is a solid choice for users who want to protect their iPod nano in many situations.
