{"id":622,"date":"2007-10-17T15:40:06","date_gmt":"2007-10-17T07:40:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nargalzius.com\/blog2\/http:\/www.nargalzius.com\/blog2\/archives\/2007\/10\/2007_10_17_1540.php"},"modified":"2017-02-10T04:05:05","modified_gmt":"2017-02-10T04:05:05","slug":"agent18-eco-shield","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/nargalzius.com\/blog\/archives\/2007\/10\/17\/agent18-eco-shield","title":{"rendered":"Agent18 Eco Shield"},"content":{"rendered":"
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One of the dilemmas users of Apple products often find themselves in is how to effectively protect a product while<\/em> retaining most of its aesthetics. Take for example the Macbook Pro. Lovely aluminum finish, but also very<\/em> prone to oxidation<\/a> issues on the wrist area. Is putting a Marware wrist rug<\/a> worth the sacrifice of the laptop’s aesthetic? How ’bout an overall laptop hardcase? Only if it’s clear<\/a> perhaps<\/p>\n

This concern extends to just about any cool-looking gadget, and I found myself facing the same dilemma with regards to my iPhone. I ended up ordering an Agent18 Eco Shield,<\/em> and I have to say, it’s one of the most balanced cases out there.<\/p>\n\n

I say balanced<\/em> because each and every case approach will have to compromise<\/strong> somewhere. Let me try to give a quick rundown on the different types of “protection available”<\/p>\n

Film\/adhesive<\/h2>\n

PROS:<\/code> Normally, the cheapest, and the best choice aesthetic-wise, you still have the same thickness, and you obviously can see the phone in all it’s glory. No added bulk.\nCONS:<\/code> Probably only deals with scratches… doesn’t really handle drops<\/em> very well. As much as you take care of your phone, you will<\/em> drop it at some point.<\/p>\n

Silicone cases<\/h2>\n

PROS:<\/code> Minimal<\/em> added bulk. Look nice when new.\nCONS:<\/code> Given enough time, they stretch, and are rendered useless. Hard to put in and out of your pockets (because of the rubbery feel).<\/p>\n

Leather\/specialty cases<\/h2>\n

PROS:<\/code> Stylish<\/em> to some extent… if you’re going to add bulk, might as well do it in style.\nCONS:<\/code> The models usually are the pinnacle of added bulk. Multi-step access to your device (opening flaps, etc.)<\/p>\n

Crystal cases<\/h2>\n

PROS:<\/code> These are basically hardcases, but I separated them because they’re the only ones that can retain the “look” of the phones. Easy to store and take from pockets.\nCONS:<\/code> Added bulk, and in some cases, unless the phone is absolutely secure (meaning not moving inside the case) it can<\/em> scratch your phone.<\/p>\n

I was supposed to get a clear crystal case as well, but going through the reviews, the plastic case rubs at the chrome plating around the iPhone and scratches it.<\/p>\n

Hard cases<\/h2>\n

PROS:<\/code> Maximum protection.\nCONS:<\/code> Maximum bulk.<\/p>\n

That’s not entirely accurate. I guess the more the protection (especially when factoring dropping stuff) the more bulk it entails.<\/p>\n

What now?<\/h1>\n

Obviously the way to approach this is to find a balance<\/em>. What I really needed was a case that doesn’t warp in shape (eliminating silicone), could withstand a fall without denting anything (eliminating clear film) and wasn’t too thick (eliminating any specialty case)<\/p>\n

So I decided a hardcase was for me. ‘Twas an easy enough decision to end up with; now the hard part – find a hardcase which didn’t add so much bulk.<\/p>\n

Agent18 to the rescue! Here’s the “bulk” it adds:<\/p>\n

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Impressive is it not? How about the thickness?<\/p>\n

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Surprisingl, it’s still<\/em> thinner than an XDA Atom without any protection!<\/p>\n

Now here’s the iPhone inserted into the case.<\/p>\n

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That’s pretty darn sexy if you ask me.<\/p>\n

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This is probably he only drawback I can see. While I’m sure they consider this a “feature” (to be able to dock the phone while in the case) the “padding” is virtually non-existent at the bottom… the speaker and mic are flush (or even a bit protruding). You can imagine that dropping this thing bottom first can be quite an unnerving experience. Especially for me, since I don’t like using docks in the first place (I just use the standard iPod cables)<\/p>\n

Other than that, the pictures below show how much “slack” you really have. So dropping the phone at any angle<\/strong> (save the bottom) will hit the case and not the phone.<\/p>\n

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There’s even enough “room” for the screen. So even if it falls flat on it’s face, it’ll hit the case, not the screen… unless<\/em> there was a protruding object in the floor.<\/p>\n

Overall, this is a very well thought-out case. It’s hard, amply padded, not bulky, and sexy. Only thing lacking in it was to actually include a free screen protector (which you don’t really need, but I’m getting one either way). That and the whole “dockable” feature it has.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

One of the dilemmas users of Apple products often find themselves in is how to effectively protect a product while retaining most of its aesthetics. Take for example the Macbook Pro. Lovely aluminum finish, but also very prone to oxidation issues on the wrist area. Is putting a Marware wrist rug worth the sacrifice of …

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