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November 28, 2006
Review: DLO Deluxe Leather Case for Zune
Digital Life Outfitters has released its lineup of cases for Zune players, which includes its Leather, Action Jacket, and Jam Jacket for Zune. We gave the Leather fliptop case a test drive this weekend, and found it offers an attractive, practical way to dress up and protect your Zune.
Packaging. The Leather comes packaged in a simple box, colored in the Zune brown and orange motif. Ours came with a promotion offering twelve issues of Rolling Stone magazine.
Side note: Filling out the leather case is a sponge mock-up of a Zune with a cardboard front. Give it to your younger kids and they'll get a kick out of playing with a fake Zune. (Or maybe mine are just easy to please.)
Features and Performance. DLO obviously knows what it's doing; they're a leading maker of iPod cases. The soft black leather, expert stitching, and brown trim look and feel really sharp. The case fit my Zune snugly; no worry about pop-outs, and yet it's still manageable to slide the Zune in and out.
The Zune screen is protected by a stitched-in clear covering, which extends down to cover the D-pad. There is some reflection and glare from the covering if light hits it from the wrong angle. A slight adjustment in the viewing angle takes care of it. D-pad operation is not hindered by the clear covering; you'll forget the covering is there.
The case has indented circles of slightly thinner leather over the left and right control buttons. Button action feels natural and responsive.
The sturdy belt clip on the rear has a strong spring, and is attractively wrapped in leather with brown trim.
Other features I liked include the magnetic closure, and a pocket on the inside of the cover where you can slide bills or your ID.
On the underside of the case is a trimmed access opening for your sync cable. Access for the headphone jack on the top is also provided through an opening in the top of the case.
I'm impressed with the workmanship and attention to detail in this case. Its features are well thought through and this would be welcome under many a Christmas tree this season. (Beach rocks not included.)
Price. The DLO Leather retails for $34.99.
If you feel this is right for your Zune, you can find DLO Zune cases
Summary.
Company: DLO (Digital Lifestyle Outfitters)
Link: www.DLO.com
Model: Leather
Price: $34.99
Amazon link: DLO Folio for Microsoft Zune
Pros:
Excellent workmanship; well-designed features; attractive feel.
Cons:
No swivel on belt clip.
Overall:
It's hard not to love this dressy case for your Zune. It's not a low-end case, and is priced accordingly - but you won't regret going with this well-made accessory for your Zune.
