iShield Mirror — Video Review

Please enjoy this review of our iShield Mirror Case for the Apple iPhone.

Pacific Rim Technologies Gel Shield

Review: Pacific Rim Technologies’ Gel Shield is the first of what’s sure to be a healthy number of silicone “skin” cases for the iPod shuffle. Available in lime, sky blue, white, juicy pink, and charcoal, the case fits the iPod shuffle like a glove, barely adding bulk while providing protection from scratches, minor bumps, and water/sweat. (Note that protection from the latter is limited to the surface of the case; unlike Apple’s Sport Case, the Gel Shield is not sealed.)It’s fairly easy to put your iPod shuffle in the Gel Shield, requiring just a few mild tugs and stretches. On the other hand, taking it off is a bit more difficult — this is a case designed to be left on. Raised buttons on the front of the case match up perfectly with the iPod shuffle’s front controls; the Gel Shield’s buttons even have raised forward/back/play/pause/volume symbols to provide tactile cues. You can use most third-party headphones with the Gel Sheild, as the hole around the headphone jack is a big larger than the jack itself. (The case is also thin enough that even most larger headphone plugs work with it.)The company has also found a way to retain access to the shuffle’s rear Off/On/shuffle switch. Although the switch is covered for protection, the silicon over the switch is thinner than the rest of the case — thin enough that it stretches easily, allowing you to use the switch through the skin. In fact, the silicone also provides an improved grip for the Off/On/shuffle switch, making the switch easier to use with the case on than off! Apple’s own Sport Case makes this switch unaccessible, so we welcome Pacific Rim’s clever workaround. Our only concern is that we wonder how this thinner part of the case will hold up in the long run as it’s stretched over and over by the use of the switch.The Gel Shield also provides a matching silicon cover for the iPod shuffle’s USB cap; however, no such accessory is included for use with the shuffle’s lanyard cap, and the Gel Shield also doesn’t provide a belt clip or loop. In other words, this is a case to be used by those who carry their shuffles in pockets or bags (or who don’t mind if the lanyard cap isn’t protected). But for that purpose, it’s a great little accessory.

Basic Information
Price as Reviewed: $11 each; 3 for 25
Company: Pacific Rim Technologies
Rating:

Specs
Ipod Models Supported Shuffle1G Shuffle (White Plastic Stick)
Access to face controls Yes
Belt clip/loop type No

iShield Mirror for iPhone

Crystal clear protective case for Apple iPhone

The iShield Mirror Case is a transparent case made of impact resistant polycarbonate. It was designed specifically for the Apple iPhone.
It´s two part snap-on design allows for easy installation without scratching. The iShield Mirror’s combination of sleekness and transparency let your iPhone remain the star of the show and not your case. The polycarbonate is completely clear so you can view your screen without hinderance. The use on display does not affect operation of the iPhone touchscreen and offers complete protection for front and backside (incl. display) as well, no extra screen protector is need. Easy access remains to the iPhone´s controls and inputs.
MSRP: $29.99

•  Premium, sturdy and transparent polycarbonate protective back
• Mirror finish look on the front surface
•  Connector cut-out
•  Complete protection for front and backside (incl. display)
•  Use on display does not affect operation of the iPhone touchscreen

Pacific Rim Quartz Case

Pacific Rim Quartz Case

Pacific Rim’s $15 Quartz Case is, like the iSee and Microshield, made of clear polycarbonate. The front and back panels are held together by two thick, white sliding locks–one on each side of the case–that add unnecessary bulk. The case doesn’t have a belt clip like the iSee or the HardCase, and it isn’t contorted nicely to the iPod’s sleek form like the Microshield.

On the other hand, the Quartz Case is rugged and sturdy, and it has a nifty plastic flap that snaps out from the back to keep your iPod upright for video-viewing–a nice alternative to holding your arm out in front of you for an hour and a half. This feature alone will make the Quartz Case worth the paltry $15 price tag for some; the minor problems mentioned above may be non-issues if you’re looking for a case with a stand.

Fits: versions for 80GB and 160GB iPod Classic, fifth-generation (5G) iPod

prtGear Cube Travel Speakers

ReviewWe’re big fans of portable speakers — sometimes when you’re on the go, you just don’t want to listen to headphones — but most of the good ones, such as Altec Lansing’s inMotion models, cost $150 or more. If you’re looking for a travel system on a budget, Pacific Rim Technologies’ Cube Travel Speakers are a bargain at only $35.

The first thing you’ll notice about the Cube system is the fold-up design. When closed for travel, the slightly-misnamed Cube is only 4″ x 2.4″ x 2.4″ — a little chunky, but still small enough to fit in most backpacks and carry-on bags. When open for business — two “wings” fold out to expose 1.75″ left and right speakers — the Cube is approximately 7.5″ x 2.4″ x 2.25″, with a slot in the middle for your iPod. The Cube connects to the headphone jack of any iPod via an attached cable; you use your iPod’s volume level to control the system’s volume. When not in use, the cable fits neatly into a recessed groove on the Cube; even the minijack plug fits flush with the Cube’s body.We were quite impressed with the sound quality of the Cube given its low cost and small size. The sound is a bit tinny — hard to avoid in small speakers — but much less so than we expected, and the Cube even provides a bit of bass. You won’t get the big sound of a larger system, but you will get enough volume to fill a hotel room or small office. Overall, the Cube’s output — quality and volume — is significantly better than that of the $40 MacAlly PodWave, another quality ultra-portable option, and good enough to keep us tapping along to our tunes. (If you’ve heard some of the horrible portable speaker systems we have, you’ll understand that this is a high complement.)

One odd aspect of the Cube system is its stand. When open, there is a recessed area between the speakers that can accomodate an iPod; however, since there’s nothing to hold the iPod in place, you have to either balance the iPod on its end or lay it flat in front of or behind the Cube. To compensate for this, Pacific Rim includes a 3.5″ x 1.5″ plastic stand that attaches to the front of the unit. Actually, it’s more like a guardrail — it keeps your iPod from falling forward. It’s a useful accessory, but it doesn’t integrate into the Cube for travel — you must carry it as a separate piece.The Cube is powered by 4 AAA batteries or an optional 6V AC adapter (available from Pacific Rim Technologies for $5 when you purchase a Cube). Although the company doesn’t provide battery life estimates, we got over 12 hours at moderate volume levels.In a perfect world, the Cube would be a bit thinner when folded for travel and wouldn’t require a separate stand piece. But even with those minor quirks, you won’t find better travel speakers for $35.

Price as Reviewed: $35
Company: Pacific Rim Technologies
Rating: 3.5 Mice

Specs
Ipod Models Supported 1G (Physical Scroll Wheel)2G (Touch Scroll Wheel)3G (4 Horizontal Buttons)4G (Click Wheel or iPod Photo)Mini4G (Click Wheel or iPod Photo)ShuffleU2 Edition1G Nano (Chrome Back)2G Nano (Aluminum Body)2G Shuffle (Aluminum Clip)1G Shuffle (White Plastic Stick)5G (Video)
Size 4″ x 2.4″ x 2.4″ (closed); 7.5″ x 2.4″ x 2.25″ (open)
Speaker type Portable (compact, battery-powered)
Channels Left/Right
Connection type Attached cable