 |
Manufacturer ThrustMaster
Type: Carrying Case
Reviewed: April 3, 2012
|
Package Contents:
|
Review Scores: (?) 9 - Installation 9 - Aesthetics 9 - Performance 9 - Durability 9 - Value FINAL SCORE: |
|
|
ThrustMaster S.P.F. Case for PlayStation Vita
Available in three distinct styles, you can choose from the V.I.P. case if you want that sleek round design similar to a carrying case for sunglasses or go with the more durable S.P.F. case in either military black or a camo-yellow/green that pays fan service to the new Uncharted game. For our review, we went with the standard military issue black and silver that matches nicely with the natural colors of the Vita. My first thought out of the box was that the S.P.F. case felt kind of cheap, mostly due to the extremely light weight considering its bulkier size, but then I compared it to a few of my older PSP cases and it was pretty much the same. The S.P.F. just looks heavier in pictures – I guess the camera really does add ten pounds. And once you put your Vita inside the overall weight feels perfect. The two big features of the S.P.F. are the sliding locks mechanism and the double inner high-density foam inspired by the same stuff used in military weapons cases. This isn’t that spongy material found in other cases. This is very rigid stuff and grips your Vita firmly rendering it completely immobile and relatively shock-proof. Thank goodness for the finger-size cutout on the corner or you would never be able to pry your Vita back out of the case. While this is my first Vita case review I have tested numerous PSP cases back in the day and one major issue was always the locking mechanism. Most all cases had these cheap little snap locks that would inevitably open every time you dropped them, allowing your PSP to skid across the floor. The twin slider latches on the S.P.F. ensure that this case is not going to open until you want to open it. Short of a combination tumbler lock it doesn’t get much more secure than this. Another nice feature of the S.P.F. case is the molded inserts in the top (lid) for holding up to six game cards. Additional cutouts protect your analog sticks while transporting your Vita. The exterior shell is molded from a material that will not interfere with your Wi-Fi/3G/Near functionality, so feel free to start that big download and snap the lid shut.
There are a lot of cases currently available for your Vita and you can be sure more are on the way. Some are soft, some are hard, some are simple, and some are elaborate, but I can’t think of any that look this stylish while offering this level of protection with the best locking mechanism out there. Go with simple black or show Nathan Drake some love and represent with the Uncharted case – essentially the same case with different colors and a logo. $30 is a small price to pay to protect an investment that costs 10x that much. Now if only I could personalize that dog tag…
|
If you are a proud owner of a new PlayStation Vita then the first of several priority purchases should be something to protect your investment. While there were several first and third-party options available at launch, for those who just purchased their Vita or those who are still looking for a stylish way to protect your Vita on the road; look no further than ThrustMaster’s new line of hard shell carrying cases.