Pacific Rim Technologies Quartz Case

Pacific Rim's Quartz Case is, like many similar cases, 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.

--Dan Pourhadi