[Jason Dunn]

http://www.vajacases.com/affiliate&ID=100

When I received a Creative Zen Micro late last year, it was the first hard drive-based audio player I'd ever owned. It came with a small pseudo-satin pouch that looked fairly nice, but after using to hold the Zen Micro on a few trips, the pouch stitching became unravelled and it essentially fell apart. I was looking for a case to protect the Zen Micro, and when I think of cases I think of Vaja first because their cases, while expensive, are of unmated quality.

Vaja's case for the Zen Micro is dubbed the "Zeon". Pricing starts at $60 USD, and all cases are custom made. This is not your average brown leather case - with colours such as ginger, violet, and forest, Vaja allows for a case that can be uniquely your own. In addition to the solid colour cases, Vaja has combination cases where the front half is one colour, and the back half is another. There are well over 100 different colour options, and Vaja leathers have extremely vibrant dyes so what you see on the Web page is what you get in person.

I opted for a "Blue Caterina" case to compliment my white/silver Zen Micro. The package after after a few weeks, and even the Vaja box looks impressive. After unpacking the box, I inserted my Zen Micro into the hard-sided Vaja case. The fit was perfect - there's a "lip" that the Zen Micro slides under, after which it sort of locks into place. Tipping the case upside down and shaking it doesn't move the Zen Micro, so while it's not truly locked in by a latch, the Zeon case does a good job of securing it in place. The case fit my Zen Micro like a glove, and had Vaja's usual exquisite workmanship. The window on the front is cut away to exactly the right size, and has a plastic protective shield to guard the Zen Micro screen from damage. The front panel is cut away to allow access to the Zen Micro controls, and Vaja didn't make it too close so that it interferes with the buttons. I opted for a little customization, which Vaja charges $10 for. Now this case was really mine!

It this reads like a perfect review, that's because it is - the Zeon case for the Zen Micro is perfectly executed: stylish design, glorious colours, and functionality make this the ultimate case for your Zen Micro. Check out Vaja's site for more details. [Affiliate]

[Jason Dunn]

http://www.vajacases.com/affiliate&ID=100

When I received a Creative Zen Micro late last year, it was the first hard drive-based audio player I'd ever owned. It came with a small pseudo-satin pouch that looked fairly nice, but after using to hold the Zen Micro on a few trips, the pouch stitching became unravelled and it essentially fell apart. I was looking for a case to protect the Zen Micro, and when I think of cases I think of Vaja first because their cases, while expensive, are of unmated quality.

Vaja's case for the Zen Micro is dubbed the "Zeon". Pricing starts at $60 USD, and all cases are custom made. This is not your average brown leather case - with colours such as ginger, violet, and forest, Vaja allows for a case that can be uniquely your own. In addition to the solid colour cases, Vaja has combination cases where the front half is one colour, and the back half is another. There are well over 100 different colour options, and Vaja leathers have extremely vibrant dyes so what you see on the Web page is what you get in person.

I opted for a "Blue Caterina" case to compliment my white/silver Zen Micro. The package after after a few weeks, and even the Vaja box looks impressive. After unpacking the box, I inserted my Zen Micro into the hard-sided Vaja case. The fit was perfect - there's a "lip" that the Zen Micro slides under, after which it sort of locks into place. Tipping the case upside down and shaking it doesn't move the Zen Micro, so while it's not truly locked in by a latch, the Zeon case does a good job of securing it in place. The case fit my Zen Micro like a glove, and had Vaja's usual exquisite workmanship. The window on the front is cut away to exactly the right size, and has a plastic protective shield to guard the Zen Micro screen from damage. The front panel is cut away to allow access to the Zen Micro controls, and Vaja didn't make it too close so that it interferes with the buttons. I opted for a little customization, which Vaja charges $10 for. Now this case was really mine!

It this reads like a perfect review, that's because it is - the Zeon case for the Zen Micro is perfectly executed: stylish design, glorious colours, and functionality make this the ultimate case for your Zen Micro. Check out Vaja's site for more details. [Affiliate]

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

Hmm, it adds a lot of bulk to me. Most cases do that, so nowadays most of my devices don't have one; the bulk added to a small device is such that it defeats the purpose of having a small device in the first place!

[Jason Dunn]

Originally Posted by Lee Yuan Sheng

Hmm, it adds a lot of bulk to me.

I haven't really found that. I didn't get the belt clip on mine, so the back is flush. It adds a few MM in every direction, but I'm willing to put up with that to protect the device.

[Jason Eaton]

Well the amount of bulk becomes a judgement call versus the protection it gives.

Speaking to the Vaja cases, they really are a good case. I have had a Vaja case for my iPod mini for a bit now and it has been great. There is a bit of padding but that really helps for absorption.

If the screen cover is an indication to the amount of abuse I must be giving my device I would have to say it has seen its share of quick stashes into pockets with keys, bouncing around my cup holder in the car, and a couple of minor fumbles unto the desk from my bag.

All in all the case is holding up very well and the iPod itself is emaculate. You could find a slimmer designed cover out there but I wonder if it would have held up as well or kept the iPod in as great condition. Nothing but cudos from me and my Vaja case.

[klinux]

Another thumbs up to Vaja cases. The case sans belt clip is very slim (using it on a 2G 20Gb iPod).