[Nexus 7 Accessories] dej2gp3:
This is a review for the CaseLogic ETC-107 7" Inch Tablet Case for the Nexus 7.

I was looking for a case to take with me overseas to a combat zone, so I had some requirements for a case to hold my Nexus 7:

Durability (able to withstand being thrown around and having heavy baggage piled on it, between a Pelican Case and Otterbox)

Screen coverage (Closes over screen, no need for screen protector, screen not vulnerable to hard things)

Price

Availability (Leaving very short term, no time for shipping)

I drove to WalMart and played with a few of their different case options, putting my tablet inside and testing how solid and safe they felt, and walked out with the CL ETC-107 for $18.99 (it is referenced on the CaseLogic website as being on sale for $24.99).

The case is made of 2 main components; an outer EVA (read: hard plastic with a cloth-y feel) shell with zipper and an inner flap with a velcro tab that holds the tablet. The case is quite sturdy and doesn't have a lot of give when pushed on, making for a solid casing that resists when something impacts it but seems to be able to take a fall pretty well. The edges of the casing are also solid EVA with zippers outside of them, not attached to the edges themselves (see pictures for a better idea of what I'm saying) so when the case is zipped up, the case provides shell protection from all angles. The case is just slightly wider and taller than the Nexus 7 and about 1" thick. Unfortunately, this case only comes in black, which is a pain if you're trying to mark this case with permanent marker.

The inside contains a flap for holding the tablet, with one end sewn into the outer case and a velcro tab on the other, more on the tab in a minute. The flap uses 4 elastic bands on the corners to secure the tablet. The bands come around the corners of the tablet (only over the bezel portion, though) to secure it in place, and while the bands feel taut, they are don't seem overly stretched. On this flap the tablet sits high enough to be able to access the microUSB port and both buttons, though the band near the buttons may make some users uncomfortable. As seen in a photo below, the band goes right by where the buttons are. In the picture the band is slightly more taught due to the pose for the picture, but, from my experience, the band does not interfere with access to the buttons and doesn't seem to be at the right angle to press the buttons. The Nexus 7 fits perfectly into this case, stays in place on the flap, and seems very secure inside.

Now onto the odd velcro tab. The velcro tab enables a feature that is not very prevalent (yet) with these kinds of cases, the ability to convert the case into a stand, albeit rather oddly. The entire inside of the case can attach to the velcro, so by removing the tab, folding over the lid and placing the tab on the outer edge of the inner lid, the cases becomes a stand that looks much like a clam showing off a tablet. Button access isn't as easy in this mode and the viewing angles are limited (which the CaseLogic website markets as "privacy") but it is an interesting feature I've used, and I can say it's functional.

In summary, here is my rating for the case followed by final thoughts:

Ratings (1-5, 5 being best):

Durability 4/5 (Seems like it can take being handled roughly and dropped while keeping the tablet secure)

Screen coverage 4/5 (Screen is completely closed in when zipped up, though I can foresee scratching problems if sand gets inside the case)

Price 5/5 (Good quality for a very reasonable price, especially for a brick-and-mortar store)

Availability 5/5 (Found in a WalMart in a small Georgia town, have to imagine this case is not too hard to find nationwide)

This case feels like a decent low-price compromise between an Otterbox where the tablet is always available and the Pelican case where the tablet might as well be in a vault of safety. While I can live with the stand function, many users will probably find it lacking due to the clam like look and limited viewing angles. I would recommend this tablet to Nexus 7 users who need a cheap case till something better comes out and are worried about breaking their tablet without one or to users who don't mind the size of the case who want some durable protection not offered by the OEM case.

Thank you for reading, please leave any comments and questions, as this is my first review I would like some feedback.

(Be advised, I wrote some personal info on the inside of the case, that's why you see symbols in the pictures)

EDIT: After using the device for a few weeks now, I can say that if you have the case in an upside down stand mode (great for watching something with the tablet on your stomach laying down) with the button side down, sometimes the volume buttons will get depressed. Still haven't had the power button depress.