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- Product: Protection for the third generation Apple iPod
- Developer: See individual sections
- Minimum Requirements: 3G Apple iPod
- Retail Price: See individual sections
- Availability: Out now
- Apple iPod Carrying Case
- Lajo eXo
- RadTech PodSleevz
- Contour Design Showcase
- Pacific Rim iShield
This is an odd review for me to write, I'll be honest. It's odd for two reasons:
- When reviewing software or hardware, I can tell if the product's good or bad. It either works or it doesn't. Simple. With iPod cases, it's almost entirely a matter of personal taste.
- We sell most of these cases in our Think Different Store, so I run the risk of sounding like a shameless promoter.
And yet, as iPod sales have gone through the roof, the number of iPod cases has grown exponentially. I spent a week at Macworld Expo San Francisco hawking these things, and I've learned what matters when it comes to dolling up your iPod: protection, functionality and aesthetics. Keeping those in mind, here are some thoughts on a few of the more popular cases available for the 3G iPod.
Apple iPod Carrying Case - $39.00
This is the case that comes standard with the 20 and 40GB models, or you can purchase it separately for $39.00. For free, it's a pretty good deal; an extra perk for bumping up to the more costly model, like getting 16" alloy wheels in a Honda Accord EX. You don't really need them, but there they are anyway. When you have to pay, though, it's more like, "What's the point?""
The iPod Carrying Case doesn't offer much in the way of protection. Not much at all. The top and sides are completely exposed, and its construction isn't exceptionally sturdy. It fits the iPod snugly, though, and it's the easiest to get the iPod out of. It has to be, really, as you have no access to the controls when the iPod is in this case. It's a carrying case in the most strict definition of the word...all you can do with the iPod in this case is cary it. There's a belt clip to help with this, and I think they come with a small pouch in which you can place the iPod and the case, or marbles, or mystic runes, but not all at the same time.
Aesthetically, it's Apple. Therefore, it's simple. Plain. Stark. The jet black color contrasts nicely with the white and silver of the iPod, and provides a nice background for any stickers you may want to put on it. So, it's not very good for showing off the iPod, but it will make it acceptable at your next corporate dinner, Republican fund raiser, or any other event where you'd rather be listening to The Shins than what's going on around you.
So, if you're the kind of Mac user who's happy with the Apple Mouse, you'll probably be fine with this. Chances are, though, you'll need a little more.
Lajo iSkin eXo - $25.00
Here, we have a case that's much more dynamic in just about every aspect than Apple's. It comes in more colors than Love's love, and even this accessory's accessories can be colorized. But there's more to life than color, so read on.
The silicone construction of the eXo is soft and smooth, but surprisingly tough. I've put these things through manners of torture that Vlad the Impaler would've found obscene, and they always snap back into shape. Now, having said that, the eXo won't protect the iPod from a thirty foot drop or from being run over by a school bus. But really, if you're dropping a $400 piece of hardware third storey windows or leaving it lying around in a bus garage, you really don't deserve to have one to begin with. For added protection, the eXo comes with a screen protector that fits snugly under the lip (perhaps too snugly, as moisture can collect under it and streak the screen) and a Macclear 2 Zip case.
The eXo has holes punched out to provide access to everything the professional iPod user could need, but they don't all offer simple access. It's easy enough to get to the control wheel and buttons, but the lip on the silicon is too large to provide easy access to the hold switch. You practically have to dig down there with tweezers to switch it, and you may also have trouble plugging in headphones if their base is wider than on those that Apple includes. On the other hand, a detachable belt clip makes transportation quite convenient, and it's simple to peel back the case behind the wheel for quick attachment to the dock.
From a visual standpoint, the eXo comes in so many colors that there has to be something here for just about everyone. Some models even glow in the dark, for Pete's sake. They can be as masculine or feminine as you want them to be (from asphalt black to bubble gum pink), and are bound to attract attention no matter which color you choose. And really, isn't that why you're accessorising in the first place, all you special ring tone people?
PodSleevz - $19.95
It's actually a little unfair to consider this one a case, as it really is more of a sleev(z). A liner(z), if you will. RadTech's PodSleevz (is the singular version just PodSleev, or is it already singular and the plural would be PodSleevzes?) is a thin microfiber that covers pretty much the entire iPod. A clear, plastic window offers protection for the iPod's screen (although it has the same moisture problem as the eXo screen cover), and the control buttons are completely covered as well. However, the buttons' purposes are etched into the PodSleevz and thinned out, so you can still figure out what's what. Button response isn't quite as crisp through the PodSleevz as would be without it, but it's also much better than you'd think it would be.
The completely open top of the PodSleevz provides excellent access to all the necessary ports and such, and a flap in the bottom can be poked out for quick access to the dock port. Unfortunately, although the PodSleevz is thin, it's not thin enough to fit directly into the dock. We did manage to fit it into the Altec Lansing inMotion speaker system, however. And, although it's a tight squeeze, you can get an iPod with the PodSleevz into Apple's iPod Carrying Case. It should also be noted that, of all the cases in this review, only Apple's iPod Carrying Case and the PodSleevz allow you to connect any of the top loading accessories, such as the Belkin Voice Recorder or Griffin iTrip 2, without first removing the iPod from the case.
The PodSleevz comes in six sharp looking colors, most of which would appeal to both men and women, I should think. The blue suede look of indigo is especially appropriate if your iPod is filled with the rock and roll music that's all the rage with the youth of today. The Optex synthetic super-microfiber construction is soft to the touch and can even be used to clean the iPod itself, if you're so inclined.
Ultimately, you wouldn't want to rely on the PodSleevz for full protection. However, if the biggest threat to your iPod is greasy smudges from your Doritos encrusted fingers, PodSleevz are a cheap and cool way to go.
Showcase - $39.95
Here, we get serious. The good folks at Contour Design know a thing or two about design and ergonomics, and they've created here what they like to claim is "like a natural extension of the iPod itself."
They're right.
First off, the Showcase offers complete and solid protection for the iPod. The sides of the case are made with shock absorbing rubber, while the clear front is constructed from shock resistant plastic. Although the case is "one size fits all" (3G all, that is) a strong foam insert holds the smaller models snugly in place. The case is opened from the side, where a flip switch ensures there's no chance the case will accidentally open, spilling your iPod on the dusty ground.
Although the clear plastic top is thick, Contour was smart enough to thin it out a bit around the controls to provide easier access. Likewise, the wide openings at the top and bottom allow for simple access to the dock connector and the hold switch, while making sure that just about any pair of headphones will be able to connect. The belt clip can be easily removed, yet fits on so well that you'd think it's molded into the design.
Aesthetically...well, the Showcase really is just that; it showcases the iPod, offering nothing flashy to the mix. It only comes in white, and thus can quickly start to show smudges. However, the rubber casing has a nice feel to it, and it's exceptionally light for a solid case. If you love the look of the iPod and want to preserve it while showing it off, the Showcase is without a doubt your best option.
iShield - $34.99
If you want the solid protection of the Showcase but would like to add a little more pizzazz to the mix, Pacific Rim's iShield may fit the bill. Made of impact-resistant, lightweight, and durable ABS plastic, the iShield is a solid, colorful way to protect the iPod.
The top half of the iShield (the screen protector) snaps open to allow the iPod to be inserted through the top. Snapping the top back down locks the iPod in place (again, a foam pad keeps the smaller models secure), and only the wheel and control buttons are exposed on the front. Openings on the top and bottom allow for necessary access, of course, but we again run into a problem with the headphone port. Getting to the hold switch is easy enough, but the hole for the headphone port is smaller, for some reason, so not all headphone jacks can easily fit in.
The forward and rewind buttons are also a little difficult to reach, but not terribly so. The belt clip on the back can be swiveled 180 degrees with locks in five different positions, so the iShield should fit comfortably wherever you want to latch it. I'm told that the belt clip can be removed, but my review unit didn't come with instructions, and I'll be danged if I can figure out how to get the thing off.
Here's the bit that'll win people over, though. The iShield features metallic color inserts that can be swapped with ease. Simply pull off one and slide on another. Five colors are available, and you can choose to buy an iShield with just the single color of your choice or with all five for ten dollars more (available at Pacific Rim's website). The colors are reminiscent of the late generation CRT iMacs, and the anodized aluminum construction is scratch resistant, so you'll have to work pretty hard to scuff them up. And hey, if you do, just replace it.
There you have it. Five cases of completely different design and function, each of which is bound to find its target audience. I feel that Contour's Showcase offered the best combination of strength, function and design, with Pacific Rim's iShield following as a close second. Of course, that's this week. Pacific Rim has already announced an iShield 2, there's an eXo 2 available with the eXo 3 on its way, and Matias has upgraded their iPod Armor for the 3G models as well. More are bound to come, and we'll be right here to sell you about them...I mean tell you about them.
Recap:
- Contour Design Showcase - 5 out of 5
- Pacific Rim iShield - 4 out of 5
- Lajo eXo - 4 out of 5
- RadTech PodSleevz - 3 out of 5
- Apple iPod Carrying Case - 2 out of 5
Tags: Reviews ď iPod Reviews ď
