What do you get if you make tiny tweaks to Tunewear’s Tuneshell? XtremeMac’s MicroShield ($20) and MicroShield Plus ($30) for iPod nano, slightly better designs that are otherwise so similar in execution as to be interchangeable. Each MicroShield gives you clear front and rear shells, plus a film-style partial Click Wheel cover; the standard version comes with a carabiner hook, and the Plus version instead includes a second rear shell with an integrated belt clip.

Review: XtremeMac MicroShield & MicroShield Plus for iPod nano

Rather than reiterate Tuneshell’s pros and cons, it suffices to note that MicroShield is a hint more protective and a hint nicer of a package because of its Click Wheel film and hook, which are superior in our view to Tunewear’s non-existent Wheel coverage and generic lanyard necklace; some users may prefer the neck accessory to the belt- or bag-ready one, though. You still get all the same top, bottom, side, face, and back coverage, plus an open bottom that’s fully accessory friendly while providing Hold switch access; the case still feels a little rough around the front edge.

 

Review: XtremeMac MicroShield & MicroShield Plus for iPod nano

Review: XtremeMac MicroShield & MicroShield Plus for iPod nano

MicroShield Plus strikes us as a little too expensive for the simple second rear shell that it offers. In its normal configuration, it’s just like MicroShield, but you pay the $10 premium for the belt clipped rear shell and lose the hook in the process. We found it hard to get the packaging film off of the belt clip, which has a very limited range of motion, and don’t really know that we’d pay anything extra to get this part. Other clip-laden cases, such as Contour Design’s iSee nano V3, do better on protection and versatility for a lower price.

 

Review: XtremeMac MicroShield & MicroShield Plus for iPod nano

Review: XtremeMac MicroShield & MicroShield Plus for iPod nano

The one gap in the MicroShields’ front protection is the Click Wheel guard, which is a donut-like ring of film that does nothing to cover the iPod nano’s central Action button. iSee nano V3 includes a full rubber cover, and Belkin’s Remix Metal has an integrated clear plastic cover; you’ll need to decide whether the metallic nano button is really in need of the extra protection.

 

Review: XtremeMac MicroShield & MicroShield Plus for iPod nano

Review: XtremeMac MicroShield & MicroShield Plus for iPod nano

All in all, the standard $20 MicroShield is a better value for iPod nano owners than many of the clear cases we’ve seen, while the $30 Plus version isn’t quite as good of a deal. Both cases look good and are above average but not ideal in protection, while about par in features, and not super innovative. Consider the $20 MicroShield a worthwhile option if you’re looking for clear protection at a fair price.

Our Rating

B+
Recommended

MicroShield

B-
Limited Recommendation

MicroShield Plus

Company and Price

Company: XtremeMac

Website: www.xtrememac.com

Models: MicroShield, Plus

Price: $20-30

Compatible: iPod nano (video)

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Jeremy Horwitz

Jeremy Horwitz was the Editor-in-Chief at iLounge. He has written over 5,000 articles and reviews for the website and is one of the most respected members of the Apple media. Horwitz has been following Apple since the release of the original iPod in 2001. He was one of the first reviewers to receive a pre-release unit of the device, and his review helped put iLounge on the map as a go-to source for Apple news.