Exspect makes high-tech gadgets like induction charging plates for Xbox 360 controllers. But they also make low tech accessories for your gaming gear as well. Behold their line of PSP cases. While they make leather ones, so does everyone else. What intrigued me about their PSP cases was the hemp series.

There are two cases in the series the Hemp Slip Case for PSP-2000 and 3000 and the Hemp Flip Carry Case for the PSPGo.

The PSP Slip Case is just that, a case you slip your PSP into. It’s fairly snug so they’ved included a pull tab that ejects the unit partially so you’re not struggling to get it out of the case when you’re ready to game. It’s also shaped so that you could leave the unit in the case and plugged in to charge the battery. I abused mine some to see how well it stood up to it and I tugged hard on that pull tab a couple dozen times. I did this to see if I could get the PSP to fly out of the case, I could not so that’s an added bonus. I also did it to see how the seams hold up inside. While inspecting that I found out the unit was made in China from the sticker cleverly hidden in there. Of course some day that sticker will peel off and gum up the PSP. I hope it doesn’t get the screen.

The PSPGo Flip Case has a window on the back to show the PSP Logo which is kind of silly if you ask me since it also has the PSP logo on the front. While the Flip case is cool, I really dislike the magnets on the flip face and body. Magnets + computers + LCD screens = bad and I fear that one day those magnets might do some damage to the unit. The magnets are strong enough to hold a fairly heavy pen I had handy which had a metal pocket clip on it. Both from the inside as well as the outside which means those magnets will certainly affect anything you place inside. That’s not a good sign for your PSP screen in my opinion. I guess this is a (flip) case of Caveat Emptor - buyer beware.

Both units have an internal felt lining to keep from scratching the PSP and fairly strong looking seams. They add little weight or size to the units and seem to provide good protection. I would certainly recommend the Slip Case if you were looking for something to keep your PSP safe from scratches, but it probably won’t do much against the occasional drop since there’s no padding.

The Flip Case I’m reluctant to recommend due to the magnets in it. I feel they should have been able to make a flip case without them. Perhaps a piece of spring metal in the flip hinge to keep the case closed but still easy to open. I certainly wouldn’t want to entrust my brand new PSPGo to the case. If they were to remove the magnets in a later version of the cases then I would certainly suggest them for basic protection of your PSPGo while traveling.

Something I thought of while playing with the cases was the ability to customize and personalize. They’re sort of plain tan colors with brown stitching. However, they’re fabric which means you could get a set of markers or colored pens and pretty much make your own designs on the cases. An added bonus that Exspect might not have realized when they made them. It’s certainly something you can’t do with black leather cases and really lets you create your own.

PSP Slip Case

Overall: 8 - Cool design, personally customizable and well made. Could use a little padding.

PSPGo Flip Case

Overall: 5 - Has magnets in it which I don’t like. Cool design, could use a little padding, can be personalized.