PS3 & PSP Review – Exo-Flex Skins
So, you have a great console such as the PlayStation 3 or Portable. Are you tired of the flat, black and silver color scheme? All that finger-printed glossy finish getting boring? Then the Exo-Flex console skins may have caught your attention. But are they worth the price, or do they under-perform and leave sticky residue after removal? Find out in this review!
Lookin' good!
When you go out to purchase a shiny new console, you typically get little in the way of choices – right now you are limited in the United States to a “Piano Black” 80 GB or 160 GB PlayStation 3, while the PlayStation Portable is available in hot pink, “Mystic Silver,” or the traditional “Piano Black” which matches the PlayStation 3.
Enter the third-party market. In this case, we are talking about the Exo-Flex skins for the PlayStation 3 and the PlayStation Portable. These are sort of like stickers that you place on the top (and back, in the case of the PSP) of your beloved console to give it some personality. The company claims a lot of great features accompany their product, and I spent just over a week testing their claims out.
First off, the quality of these skins is excellent. They seem similar to a screen protector, but designed for looks. I chose “Bit Array” for the PlayStation 3 and “Gamma” for the PlayStation Portable. Now then, onto the company’s claims about the skins…
PSP-2000 skin on a PSP-3000
1. NO Smearing or Fading
Though it has only been a week, the design looks just the same as it did the day I applied it. Expect this review to be updated should this fact change, but the way things look it won’t smear or fade!
2. NO Squeegees
Indeed, squeegees (Hard card-like devices used to apply screen protectors and other skins) were not included nor required in applying these skins. You apply them as you would stickers.
3. NO Residue
This refers to possible adhesive material that could be left over when the skin is removed from the console. After leaving the skin on my consoles for a number of days, when I took them off the consoles were as shiny as ever. It should be noted that the skins are very hard to remove and actually stretch a bit before returning back to form.
4. NO Bubbles
Bubbles are a skin’s worst nightmare. Though no large bubbles were present in either the PS3 or PSP versions of the skins, there were a few smaller ones on the PS3 which eventually disappeared a few days later. The PSP version however still has some small but noticeable bubbles around the D-Pad. I have the PSP-3000, and Exo-Flex currently has no skins designed for this model. Whether or not that is the reason I have bubbles is debateable, as the skin seems to fit perfectly except for covering up the microphone and the Home row of buttons not being covered correctly due to a slightly different shape.
5. Water-Resistant Top Film
I could not, nor do I want to test this out! If you have your consoles near a source of water I’d advise you to move either the water or the console!!!
6. Triple Injection Protection
I’m going to have to take their word on this, but the skins do have plenty of thickness to them.
7. Triple R™ Features (Removable, Repositionable and can be Reapplied)
I can confirm that the skins can be removed, repositioned and reapplied with relative ease. I say relative ease because they can be a pain to remove as they stick very well. This can be seen as both a positive and a negative, as it means the bond to the console is tough but can deter you from changing skins too often.
A few caveats here – both versions cover up the font on the console. Something to consider for those who love that chrome lettering, though it does kind of show through the skin as it raises it slightly. Also, at the time of this writing no skins are available for the PSP-3000 system, as mentioned above. The 2000 skin does fit just fine on my 3000, but it covers up the microphone and is slightly off with regards to the Home row of buttons. Everything is still accessible, however.
So in the end, is this a product worth your hard-earned money? If you want to add a bit of personalization to your console without breaking the bank or creating permanent marks on them, then the answer is a resounding yes! I am happy with the skins I chose, and if I feel like changing the look of my consoles it is reassuring to know that the process will be relatively painless, and the end result is pure eye candy. Enjoy the image gallery with a couple of extra shots below!
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- Lookin’ good!
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- PSP-2000 skin on a PSP-3000
PlayStation LifeStyle’s Final Score
Both PS3 & PSP skins cover up the console logo. Sticks really well to the consoles, and stays sticky when removed. |
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15 Responses to “PS3 & PSP Review – Exo-Flex Skins”
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August 3rd, 2009 at 3:06 PM
I like.
August 3rd, 2009 at 3:13 PM
the psp one looks very nice
08/03/2009 at 4:35 PM
Yeah it does, but again there are currently no skins available for the 3000, though the 2000 skins fit everywhere except for the part covering the PSP circle on the UMD door.
August 3rd, 2009 at 3:19 PM
nice
August 3rd, 2009 at 3:24 PM
look pretty solid
August 3rd, 2009 at 4:02 PM
Did you pay for these or not? I don’t get the impression you did. My question would be is would you pay for them with you’re own money? When i look at these I see a guady and cheap way to make your console less attarctive then it really is. It’s like putting spinner hub caps on your brand new sports car, just plain ridiculious. Sorry but I disagree with you that these are worth anyones money.
08/03/2009 at 4:05 PM
No, samples were sent to me from the company. I would still pay for them, though. As my review says, they are high-quality and seem similar to screen protectors for iPhones and other devices, but for looks. It’s not for everyone I suppose, but I like it better than the usual look of the console, makes it stand out.
August 3rd, 2009 at 4:07 PM
Nice review, man. I’ve never seriously considered getting a skin for my PS3, but this review has got me thinking. Would you say that Exo Flex skins are the way to go as opposed to other bands?
08/03/2009 at 4:33 PM
Thanks! Actually, I hadn’t considered skins before receiving these either. So while I have no experience in using other brands, I can safely say that a purchase of this brand is money well-spent.
August 3rd, 2009 at 4:31 PM
MAN, I gotta get my hands on one of those. Im so tired of dusting because sticks out like asore thumb on mine.
08/03/2009 at 4:34 PM
Yeah that’s another plus – fingerprints and dust don’t show up!
August 3rd, 2009 at 5:54 PM
I might check there site out after looking at these.. thanks for the info Paul C
August 3rd, 2009 at 6:24 PM
Good stuff Mr. Contreras, ( do you roll the rrrrrrr)
What is the price tag on these babies?
08/03/2009 at 8:35 PM
Haha nope I don’t roll the r, I’m a SoCal dude.
The PS3 skins are $19.99 and the PSP skins are $14.99. They also have skins available for the PS3 controllers for $14.99.
August 3rd, 2009 at 9:34 PM
I have actually used skins many times before on multiple pieces of tech. I usually get mine from http://decalgirl.com/. Decently priced and good quality. I haven’t had a problem with residue or anything. They also offer PSP faceplates. I can also say they are decent quality too since I have purchased 2.
August 3rd, 2009 at 10:49 PM
I sort of like the controller skins too.
August 4th, 2009 at 7:09 AM
Great review Paulmichael. I’ll keep these guys in mind if I ever decide to “skin”
I would get a Yuengling skin, Steelers skin, or some others haha. I doubt we’d really see officially licensed brand skins.
August 4th, 2009 at 5:06 PM
What I’m wondering is, will they cause the PS3 to be any hotter? My guess is no, but still, I want to be sure.
08/05/2009 at 2:48 AM
I have not noticed any rise in temperature as it doesn’t cover the entire PS3, just the top.
October 30th, 2009 at 4:59 AM
Prefer the way my consoles look now. If anything I would send my PS3s off to colorware and have them painted
November 4th, 2009 at 5:49 AM
There worth the money but with the new Slims there rare