Zune HD DLO Action Jacket and Jam Jacket Review
I recently had an unfortunate mishap with the Zune HD review I have been working on. Quite discouraging so I thought I would boost my spirits by posting this Zune accessory review.
DLO is an official accessory maker for the Zune and maker of other accessories beyond cases for a few other players. These two particular cases are among three DLO makes for the Zune HD. Featured in this review are the "Action Jacket" an arm band sports case and the "Jam Jacket" which is a silicon case featuring a cord wrap. The third case absent from this review is the HipCase which is a leather flip top case with a non -removable belt clip. (...holding out for a Noreve leather case)
If you are looking for a silicon case, this would be my pick. The silicon material used is not the cheap stuff you would find on those dirt cheap accessories on eBay. There is definitely some quality control going on with the DLO cases. But best of all is the cord management on the back. The cables tuck nicely under the back flap when wrapped up and are secured with the top of bottom notch. Though if you are not one to go for the cord management feature this case might not be for you.
The second case design for the runners or gym goers is meant to be worn on your arm. Making a user friendly active case for a touch screen player is difficult to do and I think DLO did an OK job, but problems do arise with the thick plastic face and being able to activate the touch screen. Its not that the Zune wont respond though the screen its that the screen doesn’t fit flush enough with the screen. Trying to press some of UI elements near the edges of the screen prove to be difficult due to the plastic face bowing out too far. It is very easy to miss press something thought the thick plastic. If you spend some time manipulating and molding the case around the Zune you can improve this, but don’t plan on taking it out without having to mess with it again to get the screen aligned right.
Now I will caveat this with the fact that I have only used this arm band case a hand full of times at the gym and some runs outside. What might happen as I have seen with other cases is that it will loosen up and form better to the Zune like a broken in sneaker further improving the usability.
Comments
iff2mastamatt on September 24, 2009 9:33 PM
I don't like wrapping my headphones like that; usually they break within 6 months because of all the tension from the wrapping. Perhaps it causes a loose wire, but I've avoided wrapping my headphones as much as possible. I have the DLO case for my Samsung P2, but it is unnecessarily bulky. DLO is expensive, but at least their accessories are made out of quality materials.
DaHarder on September 25, 2009 1:43 AM
I bought both of these cases at Best Buy, and absolutely hate the fit/finish of the Action Jacket, but really like the design, construction, and fit of the Jam Jacket... They just need to bring out the clear version already.
Ray on September 25, 2009 10:47 AM
The Jam Jacket looks nice. Too bad the cord management doesn't double as some sort of belt clip, though. The Action Jacket, however, does not look like a winner to me. I'd recommend to anyone wanting to listen to music while exercising to just get a Clip+. Thanks for the reviews.
ashiiya on September 25, 2009 11:50 AM
I actually like the cord manager :P the only reason my earphones keep breaking is because they get tangled up.
AndrewAmazed on September 25, 2009 1:55 PM
How about the Incipio Underground case?
I wasn't big on the two cases because of the cord management and just not a big fan of the action jacket as i have no use for it but I just wanted something to protect my zune (after dropping it once =( )
Chaynsaw on September 25, 2009 1:58 PM
This action jacket is fundamentally the same as the one I used for the Zune 2.0. In which case it has one critical flaw if you are planning to run intending to use the Action Jacket as an armband. Notice how the armband weaves under the two straps and over the stud where the clip on is attached? (lower right picture)... all this space between the zune and your arm creates a lot of wiggle room. The resultant bumpiness causes the zune to continually hit your arm and is 1) very disconcerting and 2) causes the music to stutter often. I had to get a second armband for running.
jakep_82 on September 28, 2009 12:23 PM
@Chaynsaw
The reason it was stuttering is because older Zunes had hard drives in them. Not a good idea to run with a device that has a spinning hard drive in it. The Zune HD uses flash and has no moving parts so it won't stutter.
Scarpad on September 30, 2009 7:52 AM
I received my 32gb platinum yesterday. I still had the neoprene pouch that MS used to ship the Zune 30 gb's models in and am currently using that. It'll do to hold it im my pocket until someone releases a decent case. Since these things are $30 a whack I don't want to buy one because it is the only one available, I'll wait a bit and see what comes. The Zune HD is such a looker that it feels a shame to cover it up, plus for the most part it seems pretty durable without one.