1 of 3
Perry Mack
Urban Armor Monarch Series
Back - closed
2 of 3
Perry Mack
Urban Armor Monarch Series
Bottom ports
3 of 3
Perry Mack
Urban Armor Monarch Series
Honeycomb edges
Article & photos by Perry & Cindy Mack
There are a few great gifts here that will be appreciated by their recipients - assuming you are prepared to give them up once you get your hands on them!
Urban Armor Gear iPhone Cases
Monarch Series
No one ever drops his or her phone, right? I doubt that in the history of humankind have so many people ever owned such an expensive portable device. There are a lot of cases out there, and I’ve owned quite a few. Some were rugged but too bulky, others stylish but easily damaged, and some sleek but too hard too hold. Sounds like Goldilocks and three phone cases. My locks are grey now but I have finally found joy in a couple of styles, both by Urban Armor Gear. The Monarch is a rugged case with a tactile back that lets me get a good grip on my phone and makes it look like a piece of military hardware. Top grain leather underlays an ultra light polycarbonate plate, which is surrounded by a honeycomb patterned impact resistant rubber edge. It weighs in at a paltry 53 grams.
The style is not for everyone but the protection certainly is, as it meets the military drop-test standards (MIL STD 810G 516.6), which state that the drop surface should be 2-inch thick plywood over concrete. The device in the case must be sequentially dropped onto each face, edge, and corner, for a total of 26 drops from a height of 1.2 metres. After each drop, the device is inspected for functional and structural integrity.
All switches and peripherals are accessible and exposed except the on/off/hold button and the volume up/down button, which are relatively easy to find and use (even with your eyes closed). The phone is still Apple Pay and wireless charging compatible.
Cases are available for all phones from the 6Plus up to the 8Plus.
MSRP $59.95 - https://urbanarmorgear.com
1 of 3
Perry Mack
Urban Armor Trooper Series
Back - closed
2 of 3
Perry Mack
Urban Armor Trooper Series
Back storage
3 of 3
Perry Mack
Urban Armor Trooper Series
Bottom ports
Trooper Series
What makes this case special is the recessed storage in the back. Sometimes you don’t need or want to carry you wallet. You just need a credit card (or two) and a piece of ID. It will securely hold up to four credit cards while still providing your phone with protection that meets the military drop-test standard (MIL STD 810G 516.6). The tactile case provides good grip with easy access to the touchscreen and ports. It is a little hefty at 108 grams. As a point of reference, my iPhone 6Plus weighs in 185 grams all by itself.
MSRP $44.95 - https://urbanarmorgear.com
1 of 2
Perry Mack
Rumpl Puffy Blanket
2 of 2
Perry Mack
Rumpl Puffy Blanket
Rumpl Puffy Blanket
For everyone who’s had a love affair with his or her puffy jacket, this is the blanket for you. Rated down to 7°C (45°F) and constructed from a durable water repellent (DWR), 20D ripstop nylon shell, this blanket measures 127x178 cm (50x70”) yet packs down into a 14” x 6” stuff sack. It’s a blanket designed to be outdoors - just like your sleeping bag and jacket.
Why go this route for a blanket? Aside from the resilient outdoor qualities, it has been created in partnership with Canadian photographer (www.jeremykoreski.com) and is part of the 1% For The Planet organization, with proceeds going towards The Raincoast Conservation Foundation benefitting lands, waters, and wildlife of coastal British Columbia. Koreski's top-down image is sublimated into the Old Growth Puffy and showcases a swath of untouched old growth in British Columbia's Great Bear Rainforest.
What better gift for the outdoor person in your life (or you).
MSRP: $129 USD - https://www.rumpl.com
1 of 5
Perry Mack
UAG MacBook Case
Plasma clearly displays the Apple icon
2 of 5
Perry Mack
UAG MacBook Case
A vented base helps with cooling
3 of 5
Perry Mack
UAG MacBook Case
Ports are easily accessed on both sides
4 of 5
Perry Mack
UAG MacBook Case
Rubber corners protect and securely latch the case
5 of 5
Perry Mack
UAG MacBook Case
Rubber feet are securely mounted
Plasma for MacBook
I have the 15” MacBook Pro. And like most people who buy a laptop - I travel with it. But not just on home/work commutes; it also comes with me on planes, in and out of trucks on assignment, on and off-road from Newfoundland to British Colombia to California to Florida. Yes - everywhere. As sturdy as Apple products are, mobile devices need more protection because they travel with you. You can get dirty, tired, exhausted. Your grip isn’t always as good as it should be, and neither is your mental focus. I forget to zip bags and packs closed - stuff falls out. Or I’m in a rush and try to carry too much. Aside from the cost of replacing my laptop, recovering data would be a huge pain; redoing my work would be worse; and I often cover events with deadlines, which means I don’t get a do over. Late, means too late.
The Plasma offers edges and surfaces to grip - important for the sleek smooth finish of the MacBook, which looks fantastic until it hits the ground. Speaking of hitting the ground the Plasma meets military drop-test standards (MIL STD 810G 516.6). No, I didn’t test this feature. But I can certainly see having the case on is better than not. The design of the shell incorporates a vented bottom to help keep your laptop cool. All your peripheral inputs are clear and accessible with the case opened or closed. Rubber feet at the four corners also provide a secure grip while you’re working on smooth surfaces.
The fit is perfect. Your MacBook is securely held in place by the Plasma and yet it is never in the way of your use. The soft rubber hinge feels pretty flimsy when you first pull the case out of the package, but once the laptop is in the case, you see how perfectly it works. The laptop is protected by the rubber corners, which also act as latches to keep the case closed. There are models available for 13” and 15” MacBook Pro’s including the new 4th generation with Touch Bar.
Does it seem worth the $79.95 USD price? Not at first. But I can guarantee the next time I drop my MacBook, the price of the case is going to feel cheap.
MSRP: $79.95 USD - https://urbanarmorgear.com