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Sep 21 2005
Vaja I-Volution Leather Suit Review
PSP Hardware Review | PSP Case
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| Summary: Top of the Line
97
This is my fourth PSP case. The others run the gamut from so-so to really good. I was of the opinion that I would probably never find a case that I liked better than the Playgear Pocket. It was sturdy looked decent hanging from my neck strap, and I could put in Blood Rayne inserts.
The I-Volution looked intriguing, but I was still a little leary of spending almost as much for a case as I did for the PSP. Looking at Vaja’s site I saw that they had iPod cases for quite a bit less. I was still in the market for a case for my iPod so I thought I would see how that looked for the money. If I didn’t like it I could always sell it on ebay.
When the iPod case finally showed up, I was so impressed with it that I immediately went back to Vaja’s site and ordered the PSP case. After another three week wait, I had it and have been enamored ever since.
It has that new car smell, and it looks as good as one, too. I ordered one that was black (to match my entire wardrobe) with a jade interior. The quality of Vaja’s leather work is as top notch as they come. The edges where the interior and exterior come together are smooth and blemish free. I expected at least a small bit uneven form somewhere, but there is none. I wear the PSP on a neck strap, and I get a lot of compliments on how nice it looks.
I like how well it fits on the PSP, too. It adds very little bulk to the size of the PSP. Some of my other cases add a lot of mass to the machine making it hard to put in a pocket and far too heavy to wear on a neck strap. Basically, it has a really elegant look to it. I wish I had it when I took my mom out for Mother’s Day. It goes much better with my suits than the others.
The case is padded since it is made up of soft, high quality leather. I wouldn’t like to drop it or fall on it, but I think it could protect the PSP in a short drop. It’s not nearly as sturdy as the Logitech Playgear Pocket, but what is? It does share one problem with the Playgear, though. The Vaja case has several openings, leaving access to all of the PSP’s ports, shoulder buttons, and access hatches. So,as with the other case, if I’m outside and it starts raining, I find myself frantically trying to stuff the PSP inside my shirt. The Nyko charger case is water resistant, but there’s no carrying it on my neck anyway so it won’t get wet unless I fall in a puddle.
I do find it amusing to be walking along with my girlfriend, have a drop of rain hit me on the head, and I start screaming as if I’m being murdered while she covers her face in shame. But other than water getting in, I don’t think my PSP will come to harm in the I-Volution.
I really like how useful the case is. I can change memory sticks and UMD discs without having to remove the PSP. I can operate all of the machines functions with it in there. The Wi-Fi signal passes through with no problems and I seem to get the same range to my access point. Most importantly, the case allows for easy gaming. There is enough room around the analog nub to allow for the full range of movement.
The case can even be used as a stand for watching movies. But, when doing so there isn’t a lot of space available for a headphone or speaker plug. If the headphones you use have a plug that is rather long you may have an issue. I haven’t tried it with the headphones that came with the PSP since I never use those, but my Sennheiser earbuds have a plug with a 90 degree angle, allowing them to tit with no problem.
One thing I really like about this case is the clasp. The use of a magnet was a stroke of genius. I see my Charger Case latch getting weaker and weaker with use. It is starting to worry me. I see the same thing with the Playgear, but it is far less pronounced so far. The magnet in the I-Volution should hold up for years. There is no worry about it falling open because there is no weight on it. The PSP is strapped to the bottom of the case so the lid is basically a cover. The magnet is more than strong enough to keep it closed.
The three pockets on the inside of the lid each hold one memory stick Duo. They are easy to get in and out, far easier than I thought it would be. Not having to carry around the cases that Memory Sticks come in turned out to be a big plus. I can carry around the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy. I won’t have enough battery life to get through it, but I’ll have it with me anyway.
I love this case. It does almost everything I need a case to do, while looking better than I would think a case would look. They call it a “leather suit” for the PSP and that is what it is. It’s a luxury item for those who want to splurge on something nice for their favorite toy. This is easily my favorite PSP accessory.
Vaja does fantastic work, and I have no problem recommending such a nice piece of work to anyone. People often ask me where I got it. Even when I warn them about the price, some want one anyway.
Yes, it costs a lot of money. Yes, there is a stronger case out there. No, there is no other case on the market today that looks and feels as good as this one. No one needs this case. But a lot of people want one. I say, if you have the means to get it, you won’t be sorry you did. I highly recommend this case.
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PRODUCT INFO
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Comments
09/21/05
5 
BestOfWest
| Arizona USA | SOCOM: bestofwest
09/21/05
18
andyz
| New York USA
you wear the PSP on a neck strap?
+
09/21/05
29
sabledrakon
| Maine USA | SOCOM: Sable_Drakon
Why does anyone need a leather case for thier PSP? I know people should get quality, but that is just overkill.
+
09/21/05
19
Agent808
| Hawaii USA
its kind of silly how much you carry it on around your neck like jewelry  anyways, good, complete review hehe, i dont think i'll switch to a leather case from my 20 dollar PGP but its always nice to read reviews on other cases. i'm still looking for that one case to rule them all lol. one that will make me forget about my PGP and so far, i dont think this is it. i'm looking for the lord of the cases, while not ripping my arm off to buy it.
+
09/21/05
18
SoUL
| California USA | SOCOM: soldier20k
09/21/05
aaron901
| Australia
i never like the idea of buying cases to protect my gadgets (mobile phones, iPods, PDAs, PSP etc.). i'd rather enjoy the PSP as it is and if accident happens, i'll just get a new one, instead of spending so much money on a case that "protects" the PSP and kills its beauty at the same time.
+
09/22/05
1
KnightRider
| UK
This thing is almost as expensive as the PSP itself
+
09/22/05
4
rikimarusama
| UK
This case definately looks the business, but too expensive for me!! Nice customisation options too. Maybe one day...
+
09/22/05
12
NaK
| California USA
You wear your PSP on your neck? I think the people that compliment you on how it looks are being sarcastic. But still, the yellow looks very nice!
+
09/22/05
28
yoyo_pete
| 
| Ohio USA | SOCOM: [BC] YoYo-Pete
SoUL said: "yellow isn't my color"
They come in a whole slew of colors... You can pretty much pick the inside and outside color you want.
+
09/22/05
42
theazhrei
| Michigan USA
andyz said: "you wear the PSP on a neck strap?"
Yeah. This case is lighter than the Playgear as well. You do get used to the weight pretty quickly.
+
09/22/05
42
theazhrei
| Michigan USA
sabledrakon said: "Why does anyone need a leather case for thier PSP? I know people should get quality, but that is just overkill."
No one needs this case. But I'd wager a lot of them want one. I don't need some Italian leather shoes, but if I ever find some nice ones in my size. .
+
09/22/05
42
theazhrei
| Michigan USA
SoUL said: "yellow isn't my color"
Mine either. I love that you can choose from dozens of color combinations. I can't imagine there will be a lot of black and green ones out there.
+
09/22/05
42
theazhrei
| Michigan USA
NaK said: "You wear your PSP on your neck? I think the people that compliment you on how it looks are being sarcastic. But still, the yellow looks very nice!"
I would have thought so, too if we didn't have conversations about it. As someone at a party was saying to my (complaining) girlfriend, it my "bling."
+
09/22/05
28
yoyo_pete
|
| Ohio USA | SOCOM: [BC] YoYo-Pete
I gotta know.... Tell us about wearing it around your neck. How often do you play it or have it on? Do you play theme music wherever you go? I really want to know all the details of your PSP habits.
+
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