Review: DLO JamJacket for Zune
Manufacturer: Digital Life Outfitters
Product: DLO JamJacket for the ZuneHD
Price: $16.99 @ Amazon.com
As easily one of the most used cases for ZuneHDs I started this review, with contempt to say the least. The ZuneHD has been out for 8 months at the time of this posting, so I thought “Why would anyone be interested?” Then the fates intervened and I remembered why websites should review products: for the benefit of everyone else’s pocketbook.
The Facts
Essentially the entire case is rubber silicon that covers your Zune’s edges to protect it for everyday wear and tear. There’s cut outs for your sync cable, headphone jack and home button allowing you to in most cases operate the device and get to all of its functions without the need to take the device out of the cases’ protection. What it does not have a cut out for is the “Media” button on the left side and the “Power” button on top of your Zune. Instead it just has ridges that let your fingers know when you’re about to touch where it is. Simple enough, right? There’s also an oval-like lip on the back of the case, so those of you who also need something to manage your headset cables have a little bonus.
Real World Testing
As you’ll notice I try not to add heft to articles that don’t deserve it and this happens to be on the reviews. For starters I’ll admit I have trouble seeing the need to fork over $19.99 for a silicone case that I can easily pickup on Amazon for a more reasonable price. Would it have a fancy lip for rapping my cables? No, but seeing as how those who wrap they’re cables to tight may develop a short in their headphones, that’s a feature I’m willing to live without. What makes it even worse however is that lipp is held to the rest of the cases by what appears to be just glue. Someone pulls too tight and game over. Second with a higher price I’m not sure you are getting equally high grade silicone. After just a solid two months of use mine has started to lose it shape in some areas and in some reader’s cases have down right started to fall apart. That may be a problem of all silicone cases, so I won’t particularly hold that against them, but it something that you should take into account when buying. Lastly the only two buttons on the case that don’t have cut outs are the “Power” and “Media” buttons. As I mentioned earlier it does have a ridges that let’s your fingers feel their way to these buttons, but I find that isn’t enough. The “Media” button is responsible for playback and volume controls, so it gets a fair amount of use every day. Having anything making that button press to change a track even more awkward is just plain wrong.
The Verdict
The JamJacket coming in at a not so cheap $19.99 (16.99 on Amazon) Isn’t really anything special. Sure it has a few gimmicks, allowing you to wrap your headphones around it’s back when not in use, but when it comes down to it just isn’t a good long term investment. Silicone cases warp, rip, and worst of all attract ridiculous amounts of pocket lent. If you are in need of something to protect your device until something comes along this is a great case at the $16.99 Amazon price. Any higher than that can and should be considered a rip off. Sure it’s great at what it does but not $19.99 great. I really wanted this to be something durable at a reasonable price, and it manges to do that, but i’m not sure how your mileage will very considering both Christo27, Shade, and I all had durability issues with it. ZuneSpring gives this product a Neutral.
In Favor:
- Extra cord management.
- Easily available in stores.
In Opposition:
- Suggested retail price is a bit high for what it does.
- Shouldn’t be considered a long term solution due to its warping over time.
- Attracts lint.
- No cut out for media button.
We Say: Buy If your needs are immediate.