93
Capdase's Luxury Hard Case is a simple, black or silver, anondized aluminum case with two memory stick slots and stand that also comes with a nice leather hand strap.
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95
If you want to be able to drop your PSP down the stairs, don't get this case; if you want to carry around UMDs and stuff in your case, don't get this case; if you want you want something flashy that gets attention, don't get this case. Buuuuut, on the other hand, if you want a very thin case with excellent screen protection, a classy but unobtrusive look, access to all switches/buttons/speakers/jacks and the memory and umd ports, well then look no further, you have found the perfect case...
Cons
• Does not offer "indestructible" protection like a Logitech case
• Can't access usb port with case closed
• Doesn't hold UMDs or M&Ms or skittles
• I paid $30, not cheap, and YesAsia took weeks to ship it.
Pro/Con
• Unobtrusive - looks alot like a sunglasses case or a darts case when closed - for me this is a pro, for example if I left it sitting in my car, a thief probably would walk right by it. You could probably leave this sitting out on your desk at work and people probably wouldn't look twice at it.
Pros
• Very thin
• Classic looks
• Sturdy, solid aluminum face protection
• Rubberised backing has a nice feel
• Can be used as a stand to watch videos, etc
• Easy access to all ports, jacks, and switches means you never have to take the case off
• Stores 2 memory cards - the case has 2 soft platic sleves which hold the memory cards securely in place (not shown in the pictures). Based on earlier reviews, I don't think this was a feature of ealier versions of this case.
• Holds PSP firmly inside - you can even turn it upside down
• Lid closes firmly, no risk of accidental opening
• Comes with leather wrist strap
100
Probably the best case I've ever gotten for my PSP. Stick to what you're good at Logitech -- controllers mice and keyboards. Capdase has you beat.
99
I've been shopping for a good PSP case for months. I have several requirements.
• Must strong but not heavy
• Must be protective but not bulky
• Need only hold the PSP (no UMDs or MS)
After visiting this site and many others, reading countless reviews, looking at photos online, and examing cases in person, I chose the Capdase Luxury. I was a bit nervous, not having actually touched one, but was able to find it online for only $17.99, so it was worth the gamble. I am thrilled with this case. It meets all my requirements, and then some.
It is very light. The back of the case is a velvety plastic, and is very strong and light. The PSP snaps into it firmly, but it can be removed without difficulty. You won't need to remove it though, because the only feature of the PSP not accessible while in the case is the battery. The front is anodized aluminum, and extremely strong. It closes securely around the PSP, yet leaves all the important controls available. It has a thin layer of dense foam on the inside to protect the buttons and screen.
It adds about 2mm to each dimension, so it still fits in a large pocket. In fact, with a little push, it still fits in the original Sony sleeve! Try that with the Logitech Playgear Giganto-Case! The door that opens on the back to allow access to the UMD works perfectly, and snaps closed nicely. It also forms the base for the movie-watching stand.
My only gripes are very minor. The MS cutouts in the underside of the lid do not hold the MS securely. They should just remove them. Also, in one or two places, the edges of the plastic where it joins to the lid are sharper than I would like. It is easily fixed with a bit of sandpaper or an exacto knife.
Overall, I think this is a superb case, with very thoughtful design and excellent manufacturing. For $17.99 it is a steal.
96
Very nice case. You can open the back to change UMDs, which can also be used as a stand to watch movies. The aluminum front makes me feel alot better about carrying this thing around. The memory stick slots are useless (unless you use tape or something to hold it in) because they'll fall out and possibly scratch your screen.
But, I didn't get this thing to hold memory sticks, I bought to hold the PSP. It's very slim, adds next to no weight (when compared to other popular cases such as the PGP) and is very plain looking, attracting little attention to it, which can be a good or a bad thing. If you want a case that will hold a few games, and other accessories, this isn't it. If you want to be able to put your PSP in your pocket and not scratch it to pieces, than this is the only case for you.
100
Nice case. It is very slim, I mean very. Feels very protective and the new back makes it easier to play and makes it feel more secure when you are playing it. And it comes with a little surprise, a black wristrap which made me happy. The stand is awesome, I've watched movies and other clips, it has a nice angle and I can see everything. The USB cord is covered, you're going to have to open it anyway to put the USB cord in to transfer data. Anyways, not a downfall for me. The only problem, which isn't a big one at all is if you have it in some pair or pants (this only happens in one pair, my brown kahki pants, none of my jeans) is that it seems to collect dust, no biggie, an easy swipe with the cleaning cloth will clean it. As for the memory slot holders it holds them in there great, I don't see how but it does. GREAT!
88
I got the sliver top and black bottom one. It looks nice and everything. The one gripe I have is that when my right hand squeezes the right side of the case, the rubber bottom seems kind of sharp. Have to change the holding style a bit. The rubber bottom feels solid and is slide-free. And the back door where the UMD pops out swings open only if you depress the rubber part. This is my first PSP case so I have nothing to compare with. But from what I ses so far I'm pretty happy with it.
98
I have to say I'm very impressed as I spent a lot of time researching cases and reviews and had to choose between this, the PGP, and the Core Case.
As far as looks go, this case in my opinion looks great. I got it in black, after deciding against silver because I prefer the minimalist style, and I have to say, the black blends very well with the PSP's silver-and-black scheme. It is incredibly slim, but still feels strong enough for me. I bought the case just to keep in my pocket or backpack so I don't need it to be ultra-protected from falls onto concrete or anything. The front aluminum cover is clean and logoless and looks great and feels sturdy. It does however get visible smudges and fingerprints when in light, but this is no big deal. I'm also impressed with the rubberized back that looks and feels great to the touch.
The hinges all move smoothly on the case and the back UMD flap comes off easily. However, sometimes I find it difficult to open the front cover, but I just received it and probably will get used to opening it soon enough.
All the ports are visible except the USB when closed, but I would think that everyone would have their case open when transferring files. The shoulder buttons are slightly covered (like 1mm), but this doesn't hinder anything for me because I don't stretch my fingers all the way across the buttons. Perhaps it might be a little annoying for someone with big fingers, but for the most part it should be alright.
Also, one worry I had about buying this case was the appearance that the bottom left corner was unprotected, but in reality the front cover extends past it about 1 mm and the rubber backing rises above the exposed area about 1 mm as well so the exposed area is kind of depressed, and the likelihood of the PSP dropping and landing at an angle that would make contact with that corner is very very slim. My only worry is that a floating pen or pencil in my backpack may scratch or chip the silver area that is exposed on that corner, but I will take care to not let that happen.
The stand feature is pretty nice also, but you should probably keep it stationary while in stand mode, because if you lift up the PSP, the UMD flap falls under and you have to fix it again before you put it down for the stand to be solid. Also, I wanted to see if the cover could be used as a sun visor like the PGP, and while the hinges on the Capdase are pretty strong, if you give it a shake after you have positioned the cover like a visor, the cover will slowly fall forward or backward. So, if you attempt a visor mode, you basically need to be careful or still with it, but it is possible.
I can't say much about the memory stick slots because I don't have any extra ones, but again they are just cutouts in the foam padding that probably will not hold much unless you mod it to be sticky somehow.
Overall, I think this case is an excellent purchase and well worth the money if you are looking for a SLIM, sleek case that maintains the sexy look of the PSP with moderate, but not extreme, protection.
95
The Capdase Luxury Hard Case takes the pros of the Brando Metal Case and makes it even better.
It's very sleek looking. From the outside it looks very similar to the Brando Metal Case (black). The top is anodized aluminum of the same thickness as the Brando case. The bottom is plastic with a rubberized coating. I'm not sure what the intent of this coating is, perhaps to provide some friction, but it feels really nice in your hands.
There are cutouts for all of the PSP ports and switches but the cutouts are smaller and more precise than the Brando case. The only thing that isn't accessible with the cover closed is the USB port. One of the problems I had with the Brando case is that the bottom left corner of the PSP is completely exposed. The Capdase case doesn't solve this issue. If you were to drop the PSP and it landed on this corner, you could easily damage your PSP. This case definitely isn't for people who worry about dropping their PSP from a significant height or on concrete.
The inside of the lid has a foam layer with cutouts for two Memory Stick Pro Duo (MSPD) cards. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any secure way for the cards to stay in the case. I managed to get my 32MB card to "stick" in the slot but I wouldn't feel comfortable carrying MSPD cards in there permanently. Also, the MSPD cards are thicker than the foam. I'm not certain if this means that the cards are in contact with the PSP screen when the lid is closed. As with any case, I highly advise using screen protectors with this case.
The case also comes with a black leather wrist strap. It's a bit shorter than the stock wrist strap and a lot thicker. I think its a nice plus for those looking for a replacement wrist strap.
I have mixed feelings about the covered USB port. I liked the fact that with the Brando case I could keep the USB plugged in and the cover closed to prevent dust from settling on the PSP, but then again I always needed to open the cover anyways to put the PSP into USB mode. Ultimately, I don't think it will be an issue. One of the best features of the Capdase case is that the PSP is securely held inside the case. I shook the case upside down and the PSP stayed in place.
The other feature that makes this case great is that the UMD slot is fully accessible without having to remove the PSP from the case. The UMD access panel also serves as a stand for watching movies. One thing I'm concerned with but I haven't determined if its an issue is that the L and are trigger buttons are partially covered. Depending on how you hold your PSP and press the buttons, it may be an issue.
Pros
• Sleek design
• Lightweight
• Easy access to UMD
• Holds the PSP securely in place
• Comes with a wrist strap
Cons
• Exposed bottom left corner
• Probably wont protect from hard impacts
• L and are triggers partially covered
• No access to USB port when the lid is closed.
• MSPD slots does not hold cards securely.
Overall, I feel the cons are minor and dont take away from the major pros of case.
80
Just got my Capdase Luxury Hard Case in the mail and it looks cool. After a closer examination, I have to say that its exterior appearance is its main, if not only, strength. The front part of it is indeed hard, made out of the advertised anodized aluminum. The texture of it feels, well, just like any other metal cases I've handled, but more refine. The back of the case is made out of plastic, though coated in some kinda rubberized material. Even though the front of it is made out of metal, I doubt this thing can handle that much shock, lets say, a drop from about 3-4 feet, an average height of the drop for a 5'5" person walking while playing the PSP, hence I do see why they included a straps, similar to the one that came with the PSP, but black, goes nicely with the PSP and/or case. Also, the exterior appearance, while refined, does look like an ordinary metal case, nothing that stands out, not even a little bit, which is kinda good in a sense that it doesnt attract unwanted attention. In fact, I'm sure it probably wont attract an attention at all.
Onto the interior, unlike the Logitech case, there is no rubber padding, or any padding in that matter. Well, actually, there is a sort of a padding on the inside of the front cover, a foam material with the thickness of that of a dime, or a penny (the thickness). As for the memory stick slots, they're just cutouts in the foam material inside the front cover. I'm sure you can do the same to the Logitech case, just print out a skin to put inside the front part and you wouldnt be able to tell that there's a cutout.
Back to "the case". I must say, the UMD access is a very nice touch. All the buttons/switches/MS stick slot are easily accessible. The overall weight of the case is very light, a lot lighter than the Logitech case. But like I said, it doesnt offer the same kind of protection. When it comes to securing the PSP, the case has a few of what I'd call bumps or grooves, that would put the pressure on the top of the PSP. Now, these grooves/bumps are aligned with the round holes on the sides of the USB port, and they fit nicely. Compared to the Logitech case, which has no securing mechanism, have no fear that the PSP falls out of the case if it happens to magically remove itself from your hand as you grab it at the last moment by the straps.
So yea, if you're looking for a simple case to hold the PSP and a pair of memory sticks, then this is a nice case, as long as you dont make a habit of releasing it from mid air. If you're looking for a better transport case that can hold the PSP, the headphones, memsticks, and UMDs, yes, UMDs, then check out the Slappa case. Check out my review of it before you make your decision. I think I'm goin to stick with the Slappa case for now, since I usually put the thing in my backpack, with the books moving around and all.
97
I previously purchased the MadCatz Stealth case, because of its slim form-factor. After seing this case on PSP411, and reading all the great reviews, I thiought I would give it a try. Although both cases are simular, the end result is like comparing a Toyota and a Lexus, there is that big a difference in the quality of these products.
In this review I will compare the Capdase with the MadCatz, and add a few points not found in other reviews.
The Capdase secures the PSP much better in the case than the MadCatz. The top-inside of the Capdase case actutally has two rubber nubs that fit in the screw-holes on the top of the PSP. There is also a slight ridge along the bottom-inside of the case to futher secure the PSP. By comparison, the Stealth Case basically uses its neoprene rubber, on the inside of the case, to secure the PSP with a slight amout of pressure (somewhat simular to Logitech's PGP).
Because the Stealth Case doesn't secure the PSP very rigidly, it becomes problematic for the UMD door operation. More often than not, the Stealth Case would not be perfectly aligned with the PSP's UMD door and when you attemped to eject the disk, the UMD wouldn't fully eject. Since the Capdase forms around the PSP, like a second skin, UMD ejections are not a problem.
One apparent "feature" of the Stealth Case is the polycarbonate screen protector. I believe the true purpose of this protector is to prevent the front of the case from blocking the PSP's sholder buttons. It the protector is removed, it is difficut to press these buttons, and if you did so it would be a very ackward and uncomfortable experience.
The form factor is one of the best attributes of the Capdase. It basically provides a 1 mm "second skins" around the PSP. The Stealth Case is about 1 cm thicker top to bottom, by comparison.
If there is one catagory that the Madcatz trumps the Capdase, is its extra Pro Duo card holders. Because the Madcatz case is 1 cm thicker, it allowed for the inclusion of a memory card holders that you can slide in additional memory cards, that are held very securely. The Capdase, in comparison, only has two holes cut in the neoprene, on the top-inside of the case. When I tested it, the neoprene didn't secure the memory cards in place at all, and if used I believe it could even damage PSP's screen. Capdase shouldn't have even bothered with this.
The only other aspect of the Capdase that I feel could be improved are the hinges for the top cover. The bottom hinge is stiff and the top hinge is loose. I would prefer that both hinges be stiff so the case can be user configureable to custom angles. As it is, it is only partially configurable to custom angles.
The Capdase Luxury case beats the Madcatz Stealth Case hands down in its execution, certainly worth the ~$10 premium the Capdase commands. This case fits the PSP so well, that there is really no need to ever remove it. I don't think Sony themselves would be able to produce a better product.
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