Belkin iPhone 3GS Neoprene Sports Armband – Black
Posted by Notcot on Apr 20, 2010 in Portable Sound & Vision |
Product Description
Belkin DualFit iPhone Sports Armband
- Key pocket
- ClearScreen protector allows for easy navigation
- Adjustable VELCRO closure fits many arm sizes
- Slim lightweight and stretchable neoprene materi
- Reflective material for use in the dark
Chose this over others, as I liked the idea of a built in pouch for your door key – usually I have to hold it in my hand as it bounces out of my shorts pocket.
The armband part is ok, soft comfortable & easy to use velcro to adjust.
However, the bit that actually holds the iPhone is rubbish.
Firstly it’s quite tight to squeeze in the first couple of times, leading to bubbles under my screen cover. But then stretches out very quickly & I fear it’ll be too loose to actually the iPhone in place.
Secondly, the gap you slide the iPhone through at the top is permanently open – relying on just the tight stretchy fit to hold it in place – doesn’t feel secure at all – if it’s facing down (best way to see the screen while running) I’d worry about the iPhone falling out, especially as it seems to get stretched out very quickly. It’s also close to the skin so it’s gonna let sweat onto the iPhone. If you turn it so it’s facing up, it’ll also let rain, as well as sweat, onto the iPhone. It’s such a badly designed fit – the top of the iPhone sticks out a bit – making it feel even less secure.
Thirdly, it’s such a bad fit, that not only does the top of the iPhone stick out a bit but the (very thin and cheap) plastic cover that goes over the screen bends up to make a little dome, leaving a gap between it and the screen, meaning you can’t actually use the screen naturally – you have to kinda press the domed up plastic down onto the screen, then while holding it pressed down hard you have to try and use it (imagine the friction when your fingers may be a bit sweaty during a workout), which is a very awkward and fiddly process.
I’m not convinced they actually designed this for an iPhone 3GS despite what the product title says – I bet they were lazy & just repackaged what they’d originally designed for the iPod Touch, which is a different length and thickness.
Fourthly, the bit in the description where it says easy access to the volume controls is just a flat out lie – they’re not only covered by the neoprene (with a couple of raised lumpy bits over them as a weak attempt to help you find them), but due to the way it shapes itself around the iPhone they end up tucked behind the hard non-stretchy bit of plastic that frames the screen, and against your skin, and therefore you can’t actually reach them at all unless you twist your hand awkwardly and pull the whole thing away a bit from your arm with the other hand – utterly ridiculous…and I don’t have fat fingers – actually quite thin.
Overall a waste of money. One star for the soft comfortable material used for the armband bit.
Rating: 1 / 5
as sports-band cases go this one does aright. light construction and sturdy where it needs to be. the Velcro is part of the band itself so it wont come off with rough use. The one drawback is that the iphone isn’t secured into the case but rather the top half (the top where the earplug goes) is left open. its never slipped out even when i have it strapped the other way round so its not too bad a drawback.
Overall this band has survived 50+ hours of running and gym use without any issues, so it passes the mark.
Rating: 4 / 5
I use this armband in the gym and it’s fine. It is not suitable for outdoor use as it’s not waterproof. I wear it on my arm and sometimes the velcro fastener digs into my arm but nothing major. The plastic covering for the front of the phone is good. It’s thin enough that I can still unlock it etc, but accessing the volume button can be tricky.
Overall, I’d recommend this product if you’re looking for a holder for use indoors but not for outdoor use.
Rating: 4 / 5