The PSP is a marvel of modern technology that's capable of oh so much, even if the quantity of games is somewhat lacking at present. One of the greatest things about it is its sheer beauty, yet it's also a pitfall too - with beauty comes fragility. The PSP just ain't too durable.
That's why I'm here today though guys, to tell you about two cheap and cheerful add-ons for Sony's hand-held that'll improve its lifespan no end. Worried about dropping it, sick of scratches, or just too afraid to let anyone else even vaguely near it due to fear of claw marks? Read on. You might even find a solution to the machine's oh-so-annoying inability to be used in direct sunlight.
PlayGear Pocket
 | | Logitech's PlayGear is a protective carry case that can take quite the beating |
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First up is
Logitech's custom made PSP case the PlayGear Pocket. Fetching for about 20 American sheets, it more than pays for itself in the added protection it gives your unit (your PSP, that is).
The case holds your machine firmly in place with soft rubbery foam-like innards, which are covered in a "virtually indestructible" polycarbonate armour shell. What does this mean? Basically, you can chuck the thing against the wall and your PSP won't take a bruise. Well I may be exaggerating - to hell if I'm gonna test that theory out - but at the very least, this device allows your PSP to jostle around in a bag all day without fear of damage.
The greatness of the PlayGear lies in the extra little features you wouldn't expect from a carry case though. For one, the PSP can still be used to pretty much its full capability while housed in the shell. You have full access to all the buttons, jacks and side switches, so essentially the machine never needs to leave its protective case.
The upper lid is also hinged on an adjustable axis. This means you can rotate it to act as a sun visor, or flip it all the way over and use it as a stand. This ultimately means the PlayGear doubles us a dock-like holder, as well as an ideal platform for watching movies, hands free. Very cool.
 | | The PlayGear even lets you customise its look to your liking |
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Another pleasing trait of the PlayGear is its ability to use custom inserts. Simply grab yourself this Photoshop
template, print off whatever design you fancy, and slide it into the case.
In fact there are already tons of web sites and forums out there buzzing with downloadable "skins" for the PlayGear, and along with the recent firmware upgrade that gave us custom wallpapers on the machine itself, it's great to have a PSP that now reflects our personalities somewhat.
On the downside, the previously mentioned sun visor feature doesn't work too well unfortunately, adding perhaps 5% visibility on a scorching summer's day. The sad truth is that the PSP screen reacts poorly to ambient light and glare, so sitting in shade - or using a visor as in this case - seems to barely help.
The PlayGear itself is also susceptible to scratches. It may be virtually indestructible if Logitech are to be believed, but it still takes a visual battering. That said...if it's a choice between the PSP and the PlayGear, I know which one I want scratched to hell. Ultimately this is a must-have addition, made all the more special due to the wealth of features that tower it above similar PSP cases.
Hori Screen Protective Filter
Before I tell you about the Hori, here's a brief anecdote. A few weeks back I was sitting there minding my own business while enjoying Freaks & Geeks on the PSP, when a family member casually walked in and handed me some keys. Unfortunately they thought it'd be "funny" to drop the keys on my lap. As I saw those sharp metallic edges screetch and scrape against the beautifully lush yet oh so precious screen of my beloved PSP, my heart practically stopped.
Damage was minimal, thank fuck, but I immediately started scouring the web for anything in the way of PSP screen protection. I eventually came upon this little marvel.
Basically the Hori Filter is a paper thin transparent protector. You peel off the back - much like those old Panini stickers - and place it upon your PSP screen for instant sexual protection. You know what? It works sodding well too.
It's comprised of 3 layers, and subsequently has three unique functions. First of all it, as the name suggests, provides solid protection. The Hori is surprisingly tough you see, and although I haven't taken a compass to the thing, scratches appear to be a problem of the past, with it deflecting foreign bodies with all the finesse of a lightsaber wielding Jedi.
Secondly it also protects against dirt and grime. Sit down and savour this moment...because the Hori barely attracts any fingerprints! Nope, the screen remains beautifully pristine regardless of how much you pat and paw at it.
Thirdly, and perhaps best of all, the screen has an anti-glare layer. This not only cuts down on reflections, but also makes the screen visibly easier to use outside. Sure, it's still a bitch to play games in the sun, but the Hori Filter is what makes the difference between usable on a beach and not. It's worth buying for this alone, particularly when coupled with the PlayGear mentioned above.
The additional good news is that the filter doesn't affect image quality. Scouring the web, I found multiple products similar to this, the difference being many adversely alter the screen brightness and texture. Not so here, the thing is practically invisible, not uglying up your unit or the screen in the slightest. People unfamiliar with the PSP would possibly not even realise it was there.
Another fantastic feature, and perhaps one I might be imagining to some degree, is that the filter not only protects against future scratches, but almost seems to fill in and "fix" previous damage and blemishes. The scratches and gashes delivered with impeccable viciousness by the keys of doom, seem invisible with the Hori now applied.
On the downside, it is a bitch to install. Lining up the film with the PSP screen is a fucker and a half, and with each subsequent try it can be horribly tricky to avoid getting your thumbprints on the sticky side. On top of that, expect numerous trapped air bubbles beneath the surface, although they are surprisingly easy to remove using the included wipe cloth.
All in all for £5 this is unquestionably good value for money, and along with the PlayGear, goes to solve many of the problems associated with the PSP's design. Together they form the best £25 a PSP owner can spend...'cos let's be honest, there ain't a ton of games to spend that cash on for the next few months.
You can hit
eBay up for this bad boy, while the PlayGear is importable directly from
Logitech.
