Expert's Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
Pacific Rim Technologies’ 5G Silicone Gel Shield is a silicone “skin” case with openings for your iPod’s screen, top controls, and dock-connector port. The back provides two slits for sliding a belt through, and the sides of the case feature grooves for improved grip.
But what makes the Silicone Gel Shield unique is what you get for your money. Included in the package are three cases — black, blue, and translucent — a lanyard, lanyard headphones, an armband, and adhesive screen and Click Wheel protectors. Each case has two lanyard loops, allowing for right or left attachment of the lanyard.
The included armband works, but feels rather thin. Although flexible, it stretches a bit too easily. In my testing, the armband started showing wear very quickly. The lanyard headphones could be very convenient, however, the weak sound quality makes them nearly unusable for anything besides spoken word. The regular lanyard has two loops, one for each corner of the case, allowing your iPod to hang evenly. Unfortunately, when hanging like this, the case bends, opening up on the bottom. The silicone is thin and flexible enough that any stress seems to cause deformations like this.
Although Pacific Rim Technologies bundles a number of accessories in with the 5G Silicone Gel Shield, none of them excel. This bundle could be described as “Jack of all trades, master of none.” –Derik DeLong