China: Birthplace of an overwhelming number of iPod accessories and fine leather goods. Perhaps that second part isn't the least bit true, but it didn't prevent Pacific Design from crafting its new leather iPod nano Flip Case in the land of affordable labor.

Pacific Design iPod nano Flip Case

Designed at the company's Austin, TX offices, the Flip Case design is attractive and the polyurethane (no, it's not real leather) is impressively soft to the touch. When closed, the front is kept in place by a small hidden magnet, a good alternative to the typical snap or velcro, although the back features a soft built-in belt loop that is held in place by both a snap and velcro (go figure). It's useless as a belt clip, however, requiring that you actually be wearing a belt or have something similar to secure it to.

Inside, the Flip Case is lined with soft fabric to help prevent the nano from suffering case-related battle damage. About an inch of the sides of the nano are exposed at the top, adding a nice visual touch and making it extra easy to slip the nano in and out of its snug compartment.

Front and Back

Unfortunately, good design only takes you so far?you need good manufacturing as well. It's difficult enough to make precise cuts and stitches when working with a material like leather, and it's even more so when you're working with dimensions as small as the iPod nano. The end result is an attractive and functional case that's simply missing the fit and finish most people would expect when paying $30.

Cut-outs for both the screen's window and the click wheel were less than precise in our unit. While not impeding functionality to any great extent, it's a drag to flip open a case that looks sharp on the outside and find the screen's window is slightly mis-cut diagonally and down and to the left, while the click wheel misses lining up with the case by a few millimeters. Loose stitching around the screen's plastic protector also resulted in a strand of fabric dangling down a bit in front of the screen.

The imprecise cutout detracts from the nano's sharp screen

One look at the bottom of the Flip Case and you see how difficult it is to work with polyurethane when such tight tolerances are required. The cutout for the dock connector looks stretched and will barely accommodate Apple's own plug. There's enough room for it to make a connection, but not for the little catches on the dock plug to grab on. Larger, third-party dock connector plugs will have an even harder time making a connection. The headphone cut-out is similarly imprecise, stretched diagonally and capable of accommodating most mini plugs but certainly not bulkier ones.

We really wanted to like Pacific Design's iPod nano Flip Case. Most cases tend to be made out of silicone in one solid color and higher quality alternatives are hard to come by. Unfortunately, the Flip Case falls short of the mark. If you absolutely love polyurethane or one of the color combinations the company offers, you'll surely be content with the Flip Case, but if you value fit and finish above all else you will walk away disappointed.