Review: a look at Agent 18 cases for the iPhone and iPod
Posted by Dennis Sellers 
Dec 20, 2007 at 6:57am
Agent 18 makes a variety of cases for the iPhone and iPod. Recently, Macsimum News put several of them through their paces and were overall pleased with the results.
Eco iPhone Shield
The US$24.99 Eco iPhone Shield for the iPhone is a hard, black plastic case that’s made from recycled materials. It has a two-piece slide on/off design that offers full access to the headphone port, camera, sleep/wake button, side controls, bottom connectors, microphone and touch screen. The Eco iPhone Shield comes with an Universal Dock Adapter that has plenty of space to allow you to dock the encased iPhone in a speaker system. This is a really nice, convenient touch that many cases don’t have. Alas, there’s not enough room inside for a body film-covered iPhone, though you can attach a screen film from another party—something I heartily recommend.
On the down side, the case showed some scuffs and scratches more quickly than other cases I’ve tried. Of course, that’s its job so that’s not necessarily a complaint. (The Eco Shield is also available in a version for the iPod touch at the same price; obviously, it’s precision fitted for the touch rather than the iPhone.)
Macsimum rating: 8 out of 10.
iPhone Shield
The iPhone Shield is like a beefier version of the Eco Shield. It has the same features (and the same price tag) but comes in frosted clear or white. It’s a little thicker so provides a bit more protection. On the other hand, it’s a bit trickier to insert and remove the iPhone. Also, the back of the iPhone Shield exposes the Apple logo, which (let’s face it) is always a nice touch.
Macsimum rating: 8 out of 10.
Classic Shield
The Classic Shield ($29.95) is for, as you might guess from the name, the iPod classic. It’s comprised of two durable, transparent, polycarbonate pieces that click together to protect the iPod (including the screen). It leaves the headphone socket, click wheel, and base free for use, and has an interchange back plate for compatibility with both 80GB and 160GB iPods. You’ll need a coin to insert your iPod classic by prying the case open at the slot near its top.
In almost two weeks of use, the Classic Shield has proven durable and relatively scratch proof. It fits the classic snugly and has the added advantage of coming with a four-position viewing stand and a thin stainless steel belt clip. It gives the iSkin Claro a run for the money as my favorite iPod classic case—and the Classic Shield is 10 bucks less expensive.
Macsimum rating: 9 out of 10.
NanoShield
The NanoShield ($19.99) for the 3G nano has all the features of the Classic Shield except that it doesn’t have a viewing stand or belt clip—and I’m not sure why. It’s available in a light-frosted clear polycarbonate back and front with lens protection. Also, the front and backpieces aren’t easy to remove. There is also an eco-friendly version (also $19.99) that has all the NanoShield’s features, but is made from recyclable materials.
Macsimum rating: 7 out of 10.
Agent 18 also makes a line of FlowerVest soft silicon cases that come in a variety of colors for the 3G iPod nano; however, we didn’t test drive any of them.
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Contributor
Dennis Sellers
Dennis has been a newspaper editor/reporter (seven years) and teacher (seven years). He has over 4,000 magazine, newspaper and online articles to his credit. He has also covered the Mac and tech industries for over a decade for such online publications as MacCentral, MacMinute and now MacsimumNews.
