Review: Sena Cases Leatherskin Case for iPod Touch

Posted by: dgoldring on Sep 09 2008

One of the first things I noticed about my iPod Touch was that nice smooth metal that covers the back.  It adds an inadvertent feature by creating a nice reflective surface.  Now, you can enjoy your favorite games, programs, and tunes on the front, and just flip it over for a mirrored surface you can use to adjust your tie or fix your makeup.  Perfect.  Well, perfect that is, until you start touching the iPod Touch.  Then, you realize that the Touch is not so…touchy.  Or maybe it is a little too touchy.  Because the next thing you will realize is that reflective surface is also magnetic…fingerprint magnetic.  Before long, that nice mirrored surface is going to be a mess of dirt and smudges.  Forget admiring your new glasses and haircut in that reflective surface.  You need to cover it…and fast!  Enter Sena cases, with their Leatherskin case, offering both fantastic functionality and an extremely attractive cover for that already dirt and fingerprint smudged device.

Before we get into the case itself, let’s take a look at the packaging.  I am always amazed the lengths some of these companies go to package their cases.  Sena, for example,packages your case as though it were the most important accessory you will ever purchase.  And anyone who has ever dropped their phone knows this is probably true.  I have to admit, I do feel much better about a case when it is packaged like this than when it is just tossed in a box or plastic bag for shipping.

Within the box, which you see above, you will find a nice red bag, emblazoned with the Sena logo.  You will also find the belt clip kit.  Let’s take a look inside that red bag at the case itself:

NICE!!

The case is made from an exceptionally nice soft leather, which surrounds your iPod Touch on all sides, protecting it from dirt and scratches.  I got the case in black, but it is also available in a whopping twelve different colors.  It fits so snugly around the Touch, that it is almost like a second skin rather than a case.  This is fantastic, because it adds very little heft or bulk to the device.  One of the major attractions of the iPod Touch is its extremely slim form factor, so, it would defeat the purpose to add a large, bulky case. 

  

The front of the case is almost entirely open, in order to accommodate the massive screen on the iPod Touch.  A strip of leather across the top and bottom (above and below the screen) hold everything in place.  The bottom strip also has a cutout in order to accommodate the home button.

The single piece of leather which forms the front also wraps around to either side, helping to maintain that snug fit, while also minimizing the number of weak points on the case. 

The bottom of the case is mostly open, with only two thin strips of leather holding everything in place.  This allows access to the sync/charge plug and the headphone jack.  Most of the time this worked fine.  I did find, however, that sometimes, these leather strips interfered with the sync charge cable.  This occurred mainly when I was using the older style cable with clips on the sides.

The top is also completely open, with a strap reaching across the middle of the top from the front to snap in the back.  I was a little concerned that this snap might snag on other things or get in the way of using my device.  I found, however, that the design of the case, as well as the smooth finish on the snap, ensured that no such problems would occur.

 

The back of the case is made from a stiffer leather, which is nice because it gives you something to grip.  A softer leather around the entire case would tend to slip around too much in your hand.  This harder backing ensures that the device will not slip, and helps prevent you from dropping your device.  There is also a small screw hole on the back, where you can attach the belt clip.  I am not a fan of belt clips, so I was glad to see that this one was completely removable. 

Nonetheless, the Sena belt clip is unique and bears an additional look.  Most belt clip have a one piece nub which sticks or screws onto the back of the case.  The Sena nub is two pieces.  There is a nub and a separate screw.  The beauty of this is that you can screw the nub onto the case to attach the belt clip, or put the screw in by itself to cover the screw hole on the back of the case.

I did notice, however, that the screw did not sit flush when inserted by itself.  It would be nice if Sena would include a screw that would sit flush and was colored to match the back of the case.

Use the screw to attach the nub, and you can then secure the case on the included belt clip.  Like I said, I do not typically use belt clips, but I know many of you do.  This one felt very secure.  Additionally, since the nub is notched, you can attach the case at any angle.

On the inside, the front is lined with velvet, ensuring that you will not scratch your iPod Touch when sliding it in and out of the case.  With your device out of the case, you will also notice the Sena website url etched on the inside.  I did not mind this branding as it was subtle and allowed you to use the case without becoming a Sena billboard.

I found this to be a fantastic case for my needs.  It protected my iPod Touch, without adding any unnecessary bulk to the device.  My only regret is that there is nothing to protect the screen, and my screen is badly in need of additional protection.  That being said, I was glad that there was no flap or cover over the screen.  I find whenever I use a flip or book style case, the flap always seems to be directly in my way.  I much prefer this open style case, which gives me direct access to the screen.  In other words, as usual, Sena has designed the perfect case for this device.

What I Liked: Form fitting “skin” style case.  Easy access to controls.  Open access to the screen.

What Needs Improvement: Can block sync/charge cable.  No screen protection

Where to Buy: Sena Cases

Price: $39-$42 (depending upon color and finish)

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