AT A GLANCE




Secured by a loop of Griffin branded elastic, the California Roll looks more like a uniquely designed wallet than a case. It will fit most mp3 players of iPod size and shape.
   
    The outside of the California Roll is trimmed with a canvas around a slightly textured and plastic coated material. The only description I can think of is a fine mesh of fish scales. Rather fitting considering the product name (although, I’ve never seen a California Roll that looked like this – perhaps a Salmon Skin Roll though…). Currently only available in black, but blue and red are scheduled to be released soon. Inside are three pockets, two mesh and one neoprene.
    
    Each pocket is secured with a small tab of Velcro, keeping the bits where they should be. Only the center pocket (completely neoprene) has a flap that goes over the top of the device. Even packed with a set of headphones and my Creative Zen Vision:M, the case doesn’t look much larger. But the California Roll wasn’t a slim case to begin with.

As you can see from the top, at least on my mp3 player, the headphone jack is still accessible and the device is protected from all angles.

    In hand, the California Roll feels smooth and just a little sticky. You certainly don’t feel like you are going to lose control of this case. But you also aren’t going to be fiddling with your digital audio device much once the strap is secured either.



    Since the center pocket doesn’t allow access to the front of my device, I preferred to store my Creative Vision:M in one of the side pockets which were shear enough to allow navigation through the fabric. Not the optimal solution, but unless I wanted to remove the device from the case every time I wanted to make a change, it was the only option available.



    Since the center pocket doesn’t allow access to the front of my device, I preferred to store my Creative Vision:M in one of the side pockets which were shear enough to allow navigation through the fabric. Not the optimal solution, but unless I wanted to remove the device from the case every time I wanted to make a change, it was the only option available.

THE DRAWING BOARD



    Because of the nature of elastic, I was always a little afraid that I might crush the screen as I close this case. Not that it would have made the unit any safer, but perhaps Velcro may have been a more comforting option. And, at the risk of sacrificing more protection, access to the interface through the center pocket would have been a nice addition.

PURCHASING


    You can purchase Griffin Technology’s California Roll here for $19.99 USD.

PROS


  • Plenty of pouch space
  • Provides good protection
  • Quality construction


CONS


  • Main pouch covers interface
  • Elastic can be hard to use
  • A little bulky when fully packed

Value
Ease of Use
Features

Overall



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