Conclusion
All in all, I’m quite pleased with the Agent18 Dragon Shield for the Microsoft Zune 80GB model. The clear polycarbonate casing has a nice thickness to it and it should afford plenty of protection for your valued portable media player. The trouble with the hard plastic is that there really isn’t much in terms of grip, even though the surface has a slight texture to it. I’m not sure if it would have taken away from the overall “clean” appearance of the case, but Agent18 might have been able to deploy subtle rubber grips on the sides.
The inclusion of an integrated screen protector is handy and it does not detract from visibility, both in terms of menu navigation and video watching. The controls are fully accessible while the Zune is in the Dragon Shield, and there was not an excessive level of thickness to the plastic to hinder operation. All ports are also available, though I would have liked to see some added protection for the dock connector.
Priced at $24.95, the Dragon Shield from Agent18 probably isn’t the cheapest Zune case on the block, but it’s certainly not the most expensive either. Seeing how the second-generation Zune is still relatively new, you don’t have too many options when it comes to protective cases. The Dragon Shield is a solid choice and earns this editor’s recommendation.
Pros
- Very nice quality polycarbonate casing
- Integrated screen protector is handy
- Very easy to install
- Offers fantastic protection against minor damage
Cons
- Lack of grip could cause slippage
- Debris accumulation a possibility with cutout portions
- No protection given to dock connector
- A little pricey for just some plastic
Overall Rating: 9.0/10
