Review: Griffin Streamline for iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G
The Griffin Streamline is available from The iPhone Blog Store for $19.95. If you are looking for a running/workout case that is lean and comfortable, then look no further than the Griffin Streamline! Let’s see how it measure up after the break!
Design
The Griffin Streamline is made of a plastic outer rim, a neoprene “sleeve” that holds the iPhone/iPod Touch and an elastic armband; simple. There is a clear plastic cover in the front of the device to protect the screen. This clear cover still gives you the ability to touch and interact with your Apple device.
Daily Use
I have been using the “Couch to 5K” app [iTunes Link] for a while now. for the most part I have been holding my device while I walked/ran. However this case has changed that! Not only is it comfortable and lightweight, but it protects the iPhone (even if you dropped it) and adjusts to just about any arm.
I typically walk/run 3-4 days a week in the early morning. I can’t express what a pleasure it is to run with this case. It does not slip on the arm (really it should lie at almost your elbow and the bend in your arm prevents it from falling off, at least that is my experience. if you try to tighten this or any armband higher up on your arm, my arm will go numb:-) and allows access to the screen while running or resting between intervals. if you need to clean the case (if for nothing else, the build-up of sweat over time) simply wash by hand in cold water with some soap. Another feature that this case has is a reflective trim around the inside edge of the case. The trim is very thin and can only be seen from the front of the case, not the sides. I think it is novel that Griffin added this, but in real life, I don’t think a car is going to see me because of it.
Conclusion
This is bare-bones case with no extra pouches for keys or cash; it is just a well made case that looks good, fits well and does what it is supposed to do; securely hold your iPhone while you workout while keeping it safe and remaining comfortable. At $19.95, this case is a steal and a practical give-me if you exercise with and iPhone/iPod Touch. This case has earned a really high rating.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Holds the iPhone securely
- Neoprene is easily washable
- Armband is adjustable
- Clear screen cover still allows input
Cons
- Basic case, no storage for money or keys
- Reflective trim could encompass more of the case
TiPb’s Rating
July 8th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
While I’m sure you have good intentions. I’m not sure I can seriously consider a review for an item by the people that want to sell it to me. You have a bit of a conflict of interest.
If you just presented this as an in-depth description instead of a “review” it would be a little more up-and-up
July 8th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
I have been looking for a decent case that isn’t ridiculously expensive to run with. Thanks for posting this! I will be ordering one! haha
July 8th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
@meks it isn’t their own product, it is a griffin product. tipb sells MOST iphone accessories in their accessories section.
you can also buy this case from amazon and other sites as well. they aren’t advertising their own product, as it isn’t their product
July 8th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
@iMuggle
It’s not about who the case is made by, but rather the intentions of this review. There’s an incentive for TiPB to sell this case, as the more cases that are sold, the more profit for TiPB. Therefore, there is a conflict of interest.
TiPB would never “review” one of the products they sell and give it a negative review even if it deserved one. While I understand it’s important for TiPB to make money, “reviews” like this come off as cheesy and quite the opposite of helpful for the readers of the TiPB because of the apparent bias involved.
July 8th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
This is a great case that I had bough when it first came out to use with the original iPhone. My only complaint was that the volume buttons would get depressed while wearing it whenever I would bend my arm. I had to cut a slit in the neoprene case around the volume buttons to avoid this issue. I have not tried it with a newer iPhone as I no longer have the case. YMMV.
July 9th, 2009 at 10:07 am
Will this case work if you already have a case on the iphone?
i dont want to take my case off and then put on this case and then when im done, do it again.
thanks…
July 9th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
@Matt
Sorry Matt, you have to remove your existing case to use this one
July 12th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Do you know any good armbands for iphone 3gs that will fit an external case?
July 12th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
@RJ I am sure they exisit, but I am not sure of any personally. I don’t think the TiPb store sells any that I have seen, so a Google search might be in order!
July 12th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
I hear that there’s a warning in the instructions that you could get beat up for sporting this like a pip-boy 3000.