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MJGUK
01-19-2006, 11:30 AM
Please choose the appropriate forum for this topic. Thank you.

Hello Everyone,

Since recieving my lovely new Video iPod (60gig) at Christmas 2005 it's been sitting safely inside an XtremeMac Microshield. Now firstly it is important for me to stress that, the Microshield is a perfectly good case and contary to background noises, I've never ever noticed any sign of scratching from the case. Ironically infact, after using the Microshield for what is probably around a month, the issue lies not with an issue of scratching but merely with the "feel" and "touch" of the case :P

The Microshield may well protect your iPod and it will indeed, most likely look very nice in the process. The problem for me has been its practicality in well.....holding it! Sounds silly, yeah. But essentially holding the case is not a very pleasant experience, there is little grip and this proves that just holding your iPod with this case can be tricky....and a tad annoying! I digress....so on this basis I'm reviewing the Agent 18 Videoshield for iPod! My review is below!

Order > Delivery

Ok so, I ordered my Agent 18 Case from their official site (Euro Version) on Tuesday....Tuesday late evening to be precise.
The process of ordering the product is easy and swift, although some might find £5 (approx $9) a bit heavy for shipping. Although that being said, it pays off in the end.....as by Thursday morning (Today) my Agent 18 Case is delivered to my door by Courier!
To me atleast, that is worth £5....it's essentially next day delivery and I am very much the impatient type :D

The Package

The package that you will recieve is suitable to the task in every way. Firstly the box which will carry our Videoshield (and it's mini-case) is fairly huge :P That said, I'll consider it a good thing....as it comes with plenty of safety packaging inside the box, avoiding any unnecessary and potential problems. The case itself is small and compact to the Videoshield itself....made out of hard plastic, this might call for some industrial esque opening techniques :D Albeit, it is not that bad...but kinda tough to get open atleast. Still, better safe than sorry and all that. Instructions are included and from this point on, your Agent 18 experience begins....as easy and simple as it is....

The Case and The Installation

As always, photos tend to do the talking so I promise not to ramble on within this section. Essentially the case is very nice, it is beyond simple to apply....by sitting the iPod in the front of the case and gently clicking the back section on top. Most importantly (for me atleast) it is very easy to the hand (and the eye!), with a great deal of grip and practicality. Past that, the look is stunning from my point of view and I'd go as far as to say that the frosted plastic beats a clear option A) Due to it's look and B) Due to the fact that it is likely to scratch less. As you will see in the photos, the top has perfectly formed cut outs for port access and the bottom is entierly exposed to potentially allow for docking activities. Nice touches such as the clear opening on the back of the case showing the "iPod Label" go far to convince me that someone has put a lot of thought into this project/case.

img10.imageshack.us/img10/4260/img02203lc.jpg - Nano and Video
img32.imageshack.us/img32/7900/img02377yl.jpg - Front
img32.imageshack.us/img32/9379/img02388nu.jpg - Side
img32.imageshack.us/img32/5614/img02425ba.jpg - Top
img32.imageshack.us/img32/986/img02403kj.jpg - Bottom
img34.imageshack.us/img34/3341/img02279zs.jpg - Back



Conclusion

In almost every aspect, this case stands up to it's reviews (positive :P). The case itself comes well packaged, quickly and once opened delivers smart, attractive and entierly functional protection for your Video iPod. By all accounts, your iPod will feel very safe and secure within the Agent 18, it will look attractive and you'll enjoy holding it in your hand.

I'll give the Agent 18 Videoshield for the 5g Video iPod a firm 9/10 and a gold star to boot! :D
Incidently, I can also vouch for the Agent 18 case for the iPod Nano (as featured in the first photo above) which is an equally good and effective casing solution :)

Regards,

Max.

atmeclipse
01-19-2006, 11:59 AM
Great review and now I can't wait to get mine. It was suppose to come today, but now FedEx is saying tommorrow.

Here's the links for ya:

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/4260/img02203lc.jpg - Nano and Video
http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/7900/img02377yl.jpg - Front
http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/9379/img02388nu.jpg - Side
http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/5614/img02425ba.jpg - Top
http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/986/img02403kj.jpg - Bottom
http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/3341/img02279zs.jpg - Back

MJGUK
01-19-2006, 12:45 PM
Many thanks :)

MJGUK
01-20-2006, 12:52 PM
Not found a fault with this case yet, much better than the Microshield in many ways.

CBSubliminal
01-20-2006, 01:51 PM
Agent 18 cases are great.

Vance
01-20-2006, 02:21 PM
How does it work in a dock? My plan is to put one in a dock just about every day, so that is a factor for me.

Also, is there any grip to it at all, or is it as slippery as the iPod itself?

MJGUK
01-21-2006, 10:45 AM
Originally posted by Vance
How does it work in a dock? My plan is to put one in a dock just about every day, so that is a factor for me.

Also, is there any grip to it at all, or is it as slippery as the iPod itself?
To answer your first question, in terms of specific dock connectivity I really cannot comment. I don't use my iPod in a dock as I either listen to my music on big stereo system, in the car, or just through the iPod.
All I know is that the bottom is entierly exposed and it has been designed in this way to allow dock connectivity.
I'm afraid I cannot comment in relation to specific docks or such.

In relation to the latter question, that is really the best thing about the Agent 18 for me. It has fantastic grip, really easy, safe and practical to hold.
Ironically enough, I was not at all concerned or interested in such qualities when purchasing my first iPod case, however naturally since actually using one this has become a huge factor.
The Agent 18 is easy to grip, non 'slippery' and very practical.

frankthetank966
01-30-2006, 09:30 PM
thats beautiful how much did it cost? and do ya'll really think it better than the XtremeMac MicroShield because I have one and it light, and gives good protection... however it does scratch.

1265GBP
01-30-2006, 10:57 PM
thanks for the pics?