Expert's Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
Body Glove’s Scuba MP3Suit is a slick-looking, thin neoprene case reminiscent of a wetsuit; the inside is lined with soft felt to prevent scratches. A plastic window leaves the screen visible, while a round cut-out lets you access the iPod’s Click Wheel controls.
That said, I found a few peculiarities with the MP3Suit. Coverage is one such issue: The case leaves the lower right corner and top left corner of the nano exposed for access to the headphone jack and hold switch respectively; although using these features is easy as a result, the design leaves more of the nano exposed than is necessary, making those these two corners vulnerable to bumps and scratches. In addition, the MP3Suit leaves the other two corners of the nano exposed for no reason that I can think of — I’m always somewhat suspicious of aesthetic concerns trumping the practical. The nano slides in and out of the case easily enough, though getting the Click Wheel to line up optimally requires a little nudging.
However, my biggest concern with the MP3Suit is that although its package boasts that it “fits like a glove,” I found this claim to be highly inaccurate: The material on the case I reviewed bunched upwards just above the Click Wheel, leaving a significant gap between the case and the iPod that let dust and other particles slip inside, which could potentially scratch the nano’s face.
The two snaps which secure the case, as well as the elastic belt loop on the back, are plastic but surprisingly strong; the fasteners held in all but the most violent of shakings, assuaging my concern that the strap wouldn’t be secure enough for jogging via the included armband. The inside of the snaps are covered with small pieces of felt to prevent scratching the rear of the iPod, a thoughtful touch. Though the case does not allow for docking or syncing while closed, unsnapping the bottom does give you easy access to the dock port for attaching the standard iPod cable or docking.
The thin case doesn’t offer much in the way of trauma protection, especially to the exposed corners or scroll wheel. Overall, the lack of the comprehensive coverage for the MP3Suit probably doesn’t make it suitable for those concerned with keeping their nano in pristine condition.–Dan Moren