PROS: Great fit, solid feel, refined look. Doesn't add unnecessary bulk.

CONS: Non-cling screen protector not ideal for case style. A tad pricey.

The Elan is a second-generation version of Griffin's form-fitting iPod/iPhone case series, with an attractive design that allows docking via a slide-off cap on the bottom half. The hard plastic shell fits the iPhone like a glove, while the leather-wrapped exterior presents a refined look without adding the puffy seams and extra thickness of a traditional leather-only case. The Elan offers easy access to all ports and controls, making it both practical and attractive. Some sort of built-in cover protector for the power and volume buttons would have been nice, but it's hard to fault this case too much for not including them.

There's no belt clip, so if you want to wear your iPhone instead of carrying it in a pocket or purse, the Elan is not for you. A transparent screen protector is included, which simply slides into place in the front of the case. This is not a big deal until you remove the bottom cap to dock the phone. Unless you line up the cap carefully when replacing it, the screen protector can snag on the cap. With this particular design, a more permanent static-cling or adhesive screen protector might have been a better choice.

The black leather Elan has a classic look. There's a hot pink leather version too, if your tastes run more toward the Hello Kitty or Malibu Barbie end of the design spectrum. The front bezel on the pink version is molded in a rusty brown plastic that seems a bit of an odd choice.

Griffin's products are of a pretty consistently high quality, and the Elan is no exception. The long-term durability of the leather wrapper is uncertain, but initially it seems to wear well. The Elan is perhaps a tad pricey -- but no more so than most other iPhone cases. Overall, this is a solid choice that looks good and works well.

In search of a hard case for the new iPhone 3G, i chose the Griffin Elan to go with my purchase from the Apple store.

This case is a semi-great hard case, compared to previous ventures with the original iPhone. the case's strengths are it form-fittingness, the device protection and its sturdyness is alright. the case provides unobstructed access to the top AND bottom. the SIM card, headphone jack and power button remain uncovered, but not unprotected. the top and bottom openings rise far enough away from the iphone that almost any treacherous fall would bear on the case over the device enclosed.

Tthe weaknesses are the lack of locking from the top half to the bottom half, its price is slightly disconcerting($34.95) given other similar case prices, and i think the overall design/thickness of the case could be smaller.

It slips in and out of the pocket well, but i would not want to find out the hard way whether or not the bottom part would find some way to come flying off.

All in all, its a decent case, but this isn't the one i'll be sticking with in the long run. it works well enough to get by until something more suiting comes along.

I picked the Elan from Griffin up from the Apple store yesterday it was the only hard case they had left for the 3g, this case is suitable FOR NOW. There's a few things i like and a few things i dislike... It fits very well, and is nice and slim so it doesn't add too much bulk in my pocket. All of the cut-outs are perfect with as little of the actual iPhone showing as possible but still be super functional. It also has a slide away bottom for easy docking like the Incase Slider but there is a tiny but noticeable gap when the pieces are together. My only gripe with it is that the PLEATHER around it is starting to peel off after only a day of use...this will not be my permanent case just something to keep my precious protected until incase has a slider for the 3g...over all i give it 3.5 stars out of 5 because it meets all of my standards except design and price...at 34.99 it was definitely over priced it think.