Recently I was asked to review a clear plastic case for the XDA II family by our good friend Arnold at Mr. Gadget

He kindly sent me one of the new breed of cases in the form of the Expert Shield Crystal Clear Case. Now, I must admit something here right at the outset. I’m not a “case” type person.  I prefer my devices “naked”. Always have. The numerous and varied cases strewn throughout my office drawers are testament to the fact that I buy cases with great intentions of using them – and never do. I usually compromise by putting a good quality screen protector on from the first day I own a new device.

But recently I had paid a lot of money for a new O2 XDA IIi. If I was going to be serious about looking after this thing and keeping it long-term I needed to get serious about protecting it. I had already bought a couple of Expert Shield Screen Protectors, so I knew the quality would be there.

Anyway, the case duly arrived via Australian Air Express in record time and I’ve had a couple of days to play with it. Here are my thoughts:

FIT

Firstly, the fit is impeccable. The O2 XDA IIi I used for the review fitted very snugly into the bottom part of the case. I understand the dimensions of the new IIi are identical to the II model.  I admit to being surprised that the top and bottom were clear. I had assumed (wrongly of course) that there would be some padding or protection stopping the case from rubbing against the body of the device and marking it. You know, that neoprene type lining that other cases have? Once I got over the initial pause – I realized there shouldn’t be any rubbing as there was no movement possible inside the case.

Whether or not there would any any wear marks on your device after a few months of putting it in and taking it out, I can’t be sure.

FORM

The case itself “formed” over the device very well.  It’s not as streamlined a solution as, say, a silicon case but the protection offered here would be superior in all areas.  When they call this case “crystal clear” they really mean it too.

There are no blemishes on the case at all, and in fact the case itself came with plastic “tear –offs” that protected it inside the packaging! Now that’s protection!

The case adds a mil or two to the width and length of your device, but really doesn’t affect the depth.

FUNCTION

Apart from the fact that you can’t keep the device in the case and have it cradled, Expert Shields have thought of everything else. Every single port, hole, speaker, camera, mirror and button has an access hole. Also, along the sides of the case there are very practical ridges that keep the case firmly in your grip.

A couple of omissions here - in my opinion though.  Let’s get them out in the open, shall we?  Firstly, there’s no provision for a belt clip at all. You are restricted to holding this in your hand or keeping it in your pocket. Personally, if I were going to be restricted to holding it all the time I’d like the option of a lanyard.  Secondly, there’s no way to confidently connect a lanyard (you could possibly drill a couple of holes easily enough and do it yourself but, hey, I’m no do-it-yourself expert).

Also, while we’re looking critically at this…. You can’t use the touch screen on your device without opening the top cover. I would have much preferred a case with the option of having the screen accessible.

SUMMARY

All in all, I like this case even with its shortcomings.  I can’t see me using this case when I’m at the office – I’d need to access the screen far too many times, but maybe out at the park with the kids kicking a ball around.  The level of protection this case affords would be high in my opinion.  I didn’t do any drop tests on it – but you can tell it’s sturdy! I’d be very confident that your lovely new device wouldn’t suffer any ill effects from a fall from waist height.

Out of a score of ten, I took a point off for each of the little quirks I found with it.

I give the Expert Shield Crystal Clear Case a good solid 7/10