iPod Marware Sport Grip 4G Nano Silicone Case Picture Review

Marware Sport Grip 4G Nano Silicone Case Picture Review

Product page

{All pictures are clickable thumb nails}

I previously only kept my 4G Nano in a sock. Which has served me well since last September. But just 2 days ago I noticed a small nick...



No 'kids gloves' jokes, my flat was cold Macro shots make it look worse. From the front its pretty small. Looking on at the bottom edge it must have hit *something*

Choosing my case
Reading reviews I decided silicone was the way to go. Maware were most highly rated. Off to the Apple Store I went. They had both Sport Grip and Sport Grip Deluxe. Boxes could be opened and cases fondled I discounted the Deluxe as it was too slippery. The decorative dots on the back were pretty but did not provide grip. Lanyard and hook looked to be nice though if you have such a need. Sport Grip nix lanyard attachment ability was fine for me and it has a textured side for gripping... (see below)

Packaging and unboxing
No thrills but you do not expect any as there is no need for over-elaboration. I heart that the Apple Store now place "Thank you" stickers on purchases. Yeah I'm easily impressed like that, but a nice touch as I always found Apple to be one of the best retail experiences. Note the close-up of the textured side(s)



Extras: screen, clickwheel and centre button protectors
Removing the folded insert reveals a cleaning cloth and see-through protectors for the display, clickwheel and centre button. Having experienced the trauma of applying a protector to the screen of a PSP, DS and my Canon G9 I was rather more cavalier



First protectors I have seen not completely flush against the protective backing. Sticking might be affected I thought...Continued after the break due to image code limitation

Applying protectors
Easiest to apply was the wheel. No fuss. Centre button protector also easy but I think it was bad technique on my part as air got trapped. Display as expected was the hardest to apply. It is cut to fit precisely and I expectedly did not line it up right despite my best efforts. Pictures taken after I squeezed out trapped air from under the display as best I could



Fit and feel
Overall quite nice. I like how the protection for the dock port was implemented with a gap, though there might be a problem if you use a home dock with a larger connecting part. Hole for the hold switch is definitely too big. Headphone port hold probably about right as it allows room for right-angled plugs which sit lower down. Form fitting and as can be seen, still fits in a standard Apple sock. Annoying air pockets on screen protector less noticeable when switched on




The click-wheel protector did not really impact upon operation. Just as fast and responsive as before scrolling through lists and cover flow. Just a different tactile feel you have to adjust to. Ditto with the centre button protector

And finally...
Repeat at your own risk



Final thoughts. Good points and room for improvement
Overall, I am quite happy. Does the job and is splash-proof Inclusion of protectors a bonus. I picked the see-through frosted style over the black as I thought it would look best to show off your Nano colour

Minor niggle would be to make the hold-switch hole smaller. And being incredibly niggly, an extra set of protectors could be included as trapped dust and air pockets are so easy to get

Touching on the Deluxe version, whilst it is prettier, the lack of a textured side meant it felt more prone to dropping for me when I played with it in the store. Lanyard attachment as I mentioned above looked nice and it would be nice to have the option but the fear of dropping it overruled. Far better I would suggest would have been for Marware to simply expand on the standard Sport Grip design and add holes at the back for lanyard attachment

But in the end if you do not care for a lanyard, and are looking for a silicone case do not look too much further