Review: Trident Aegis case for the HTC EVO View 4G
Yesterday we reviewed the Trident Aegis case for the HTC EVO 3D which, in spite of its quirks, offers "maximum protection and minimal bulk" and is "one of the best cases" we have ever used. But how does the Trident Aegis stack up when protecting the larger, bulkier, and heavier HTC EVO View 4G tablet?
Like its smaller cousin for the EVO 3D, this case comes in five colors: black, blue, red, pink, and green. It also consists of a soft inner silicone case and a hard outer plastic shell, offering maximum coverage that pretty much protects the entire device. At $39.95 it's a bit pricier than the case for the EVO 3D, but that's to be expected since it is protecting more real estate. And as an added bonus, it comes with an included screen protector and an optional clip for your stylus.
But is this case from Trident really all it's cracked up to be? Read on to find out more.
My first impressions of the case were that it seemed solidly built, well-planned, and of decent quality. The silicone, of course, is quite a dust and lint magnet, which is reflected in some of the close-up photos below. (The fact that I have three dogs and two cats running around my house doesn't help with the dust situation.) Still, the hard plastic shell does a good job of covering most of the back of the EVO View, keeping the dust problem to a minimum.
The inner silicone casing provides for a nice tight fit, and the cut-outs seem to align properly to all of the buttons. If anything, the silicone case almost seemed too tight at first, as I experienced problems with the power button on top being pushed when it shouldn't have, and out-of-control volume buttons on the side. It took me a few moments to position the tablet just right in the silicone case so this wouldn't happen again.
Once the EVO View tablet is in place in the silicone sleeve, the next step is to snap on the hard plastic outer case. This can also be a bit time consuming and tricky, especially when making sure that side grips align properly to the silicone cut-outs. However, once this is in place, you have what is actually a pretty slick-looking finished result, and it really does seem to add quite a bit of protection without a lot of added bulk.
Like I mentioned above, this case does come with one clear screen protector, which seemed good enough to me and gets the job done. It does not seem to affect touch screen responsiveness at all, and in fact seems better at repelling fingerprints than the ZAGG screen protector I had previously installed on the device.
I should also note that there were some air bubbles under the screen protector that I simply could not fix, no matter how hard I tried. Of course, this is most likely due to my own incompetance when it comes to installing screen protectors, but I did feel a slight sense of disappointment at having to deal with these until I buy a new screen protector. Basically, you have one shot at installing it right, so take your time and be careful.
Drawing on the screen with my HTC Scribe stylus was also a breeze, although I noticed that it seemed a bit more slippery than it did when my ZAGG screen protector was installed. Some might view this as a positive, but when using the Notes application to jot things down, my writing just did not seem as natural as before. Perhaps this will change as I get more used to it.
Speaking of the stylus, this case offers one key feature that many others do not: it includes an optional snap-on clip that firmly holds the stylus above the device, making it much more difficult for this overly expensive accessory to get lost in the bottom of your bag.
Generally, my experience with this case has been very positive. It seems to offer a lot of protection, and it really doesn't add too much bulk (although it is noticably heavier after extended periods of use). I'm not so fond of the silicone parts that cover the power and volume buttons, as you have to position the tablet in the case just right to prevent accidental pressing. However, the clip for the stylus and the included screen protector are nice added touches.
Overall, I'd recommend this case for someone who is harder on their electronics or who plans on taking their EVO View to places where it might be damaged. Indeed, according to the manufacterer's website, this case features a "drop protection system" that insulates "from everything including light bumps to violent drops with a unique shock-absorbing design." From my brief observations, this case does seem to deliver in this regard.
On the other hand, if you tend to baby your devices like I do, or if you prefer your tablet naked during use, a simple cloth carrying case might be a better option for you. Especially in the latter scenario, the process of taking this particular case on and off might be a little too long and complicated.
The Trident Aegis case for the HTC EVO View 4G (and the HTC Flyer) can be purchased directly from Trident for $39.95, although it can also be found for a bit less at Amazon.
