Reviewed: September 13, 2005
Reviewed by: Roger Cox
Manufacturer
Logitech
Type: Travel Case
System: PSP
Rating: 9.0
Features
MSRP: $29.99
The PSP is an expensive handheld device that costs as much as an Xbox and a Gamecube combined. With that said, it makes sense that any smart PSP owner would invest in one of the many cases that are available. Logitech has already put out what has to be the coolest and most popular case around, the Logitech PlayGear Pocket. It’s a clear case that’s designed to be a pocket-able system case. While the Logitech PlayGear Street edition isn’t pocket size, it sure does hold as much as a pocket and a whole lot more.
It can carry 3 PSP UMD’s, 4 Memory Cards, and the system itself. Being able to take along 3 UMD’s plus one inside your system is great. The only thing you have to worry about is losing a considerable investment if someone steals your case (if it’s fully loaded). I doubt anyone will be carrying around 4 memory stick duo’s, but you will be carrying the case.
You have a couple of options when it comes to transporting the case. First of all, you get a strap and a belt clip. These are a nice addition, but how Logitech expects you to use them is a joke in my opinion. They believe people will strap this case on their chest like a messenger bag or clip it onto their backpack. I tried each of these and neither is feasible.
Strapping this case to your chest is uncomfortable, relatively heavy, and you get weird looks from other people. Clipping it to the back of your backpack doesn’t work either because the PSP, plus the Case, plus the games equals heavy. Not only is it too heavy to carry on your bag, it also bounces so much that it feels like you’re walking on a rugged mountain trail instead of just a sidewalk.
Furthermore, when you set your bag down, the weight of it pulls it backwards to the ground. I don’t know about you, but I don’t feel comfortable with my $250 system laying on the floor or possibly the ground, even if it is in a rock hard case.
This is definitely one of the toughest cases I’ve ever seen for a portable system. Its shell is made out of polycarbonate plastic and is virtually indestructible. When you shut the case you can tell there is no way the PSP could bounce out even if it’s dropped. I didn’t want to try the drop test, so I pulled as hard as I could to pry open the case. It didn’t budge at all, so I believe you could drop this case from any distance under normal usage and your PSP would survive cosmetically. The shock from the drop however, may damage it, but that’s not the case’s responsibility. If I were to own one case to protect my system it would be this one. It’s as solid as they come, and I wouldn’t be worried if I dropped it. I trust the case that much!
Playing games on your PSP while it is in the case is more doable than you might think. The back of the case is a mirror image of the system so it contours to your hands. You can’t play games that use the right and left shoulder buttons, but playing games like Hot Shots Golf is definitely possible.
How does the system look? That’s really up to you to decide. When Logitech showed me the case at this year’s E3 Expo, I laughed at it because of its bulky design. Personally, I thought it was extremely ugly at first. But over the past few weeks of use I’ve fallen in love with the design and now I don’t mind taking it outside. If you don’t like the look of it, what’s the point in buying it? Would you take your PSP with you if you were embarrassed how you transported it? It’s all comes down to functionality over design. But I love the design and the functionality and am proud to own this street-smart case that complements my PSP.