Raspberry Pi Pod and micro:bit base

Another case review. This time, it’s the red-and-clear Pibow Coupe B+ from Pimoroni. This is an outstanding case, so expect lots of positives and very few negatives. Unlike other Pibows, you get fewer layers so that the USB/ethernet ports protrude from the top, but it means that you get much better access to the GPIO pins (more on that later).

First, the positive:

• The case comes in environmentally-friendly paper packaging: a candy-striped bag.
• Once assembled, it’s very solid (like all Pibows) despite the individual layers being very flimsy. This is a design feature of the case and it’s the assembly that makes it strong.
• Because there are fewer layers, the design of the case allows you to get access to the GPIO pins very easily. You can even plug in a GPIO expansion board, like the Pibrella, without removing any part of the case.
• The GPIO pins are labelled on the top of the case, as you can see from the picture.
• There are slots for the CSI and DSI ports.
• The overhang of the layers provides excellent protection for the micro SD card, but it is still accessible.
• The layers have been drilled so that you get access to the Pi’s mounting holes.
• The colours are just perfect – really looks slick.

Now, the negative points:

• For some reason, they’ve chosen to include assembly instructions as a sticker. This sticker is stuck on the back of the wrapper, across where you would naturally open it. It’s not possible to peel it off without ripping it and it’s pretty difficult to get into the wrapping without ripping it.
• Little bits of red plastic fly off everywhere as you unpack the case, making you wonder if you’ve snapped something somewhere. Actually I think it’s the insides of the screw holes but still, it’s a bit disconcerting.
• The pin labels use the BCM numbering scheme. This is fine for most people, as the BCM scheme is widely used, but it does mean that those used to other numbering schemes aren’t catered for.
• The EEPROM pins are not labelled at all – this could cause confusion and incorrect connections. They would be better off labelling them DNC or just putting a -, rather than just skipping them.
• Because of the design, you don’t get much protection for your USB/ethernet ports.

Overall

This is an outstanding case. The guys at Pimoroni have clearly given a lot of thought to the ways in which people use their Pis. The killer features are clearly to do with the GPIO – you can plug in a GPIO board without removing the case and the port numbering is a masterstroke. Plus there’s the little touches like being able to still access the Pi’s mounting holes and also the great protection there is for the micro SD card. There is the slight problem with the packaging, but I must admit I’m a bit of a sucker for environmentally-friendly wrapping so I can see what they were trying to do. They could perhaps redesign the label so that the tear comes neatly between the instructions, but that’s a very minor point. I’m going to say it’s a 9.5/10 for the Pibow Coupe.

No disclaimer for this one – I bought it

With a couple of Raspberry Pi Model B+s I, of course, needed a couple of cases. So, I ordered a couple and thought I’d provide my opinion on them.

The first one is the Multicomp case, available from a number of retailers for around £5-6.

First the good points.

• It’s got a nice finish with the Pi logo embossed in the top, which makes it feel like an official product, even though I’m pretty sure it’s not.
• If you insert the Pi into the bottom half of the case, it fits securely and makes it a good choice if you want to leave the GPIO pins exposed.
• The overhang of the plastic at the point of the SD card protects the card but still allows you to remove it easily.
• The design is nicely curved, fitting with the aesthetics of the new Pi model.
• It has a handy mounting point for the camera on the inside so that the lens pokes through the case. Screws are included.
• The holes for all the ribbon cables are all well-positioned, although the width of the CSI and DSI holes look a bit tight to me (I’ve been reliably informed that they’re fine).
• On the base, there are some mounting slots so that it can be mounted on the wall.
• The case is well ventilated with slots on the underside.
• There is a slot on the side for a GPIO cable.

Now for the bad. Brace yourselves.

• The plastic is not of the highest quality. It actually feels very flimsy in your hands when you take it apart. I wonder how long it will be before the bits around the USB/ethernet ports snap. It just feels… cheap, which I guess it is for £5, but still…
• The insertion procedure to get the Pi in there isn’t all that obvious. You need to put the GPIO side in first under some lugs and then press it down onto the other lugs.
• It rattles. I hate a case that rattles once the Pi is in and the top is on. I suspect it’s because the lugs aren’t a tight fit. A bit disappointing.
• It’s extremely difficult to get the top of the case off once the Pi is inside. You need to have the knack. So, if you want to quickly get at the GPIO pins, you’re out of luck. A little patience and just the right amount of squeeze is required.
• The parts of the case around the USB ports protrude slightly from the ports, i.e. it’s not a flush fitting. I can imagine some USB devices with wider bits around the connector would have trouble making a solid connection.

Overall

Overall, I think I’ll have to give the case a 7/10. For the money, it’s acceptable, but it does feel on the cheap side. It provides adequate protection for your Pi, and it’s attractive, but it is inordinately difficult to take apart. It earns an extra mark for the camera mount, which is a nice feature. Not entirely recommended, but okay.