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Well, here we go. The 5G iPod (or iPod with Video, to the unenlightened) has been out for some time now, and the iPod case manufacturers are starting to catch up. For a while, there was pretty much nothing out there for 5G owners, save for maybe the invisibileSHIELD. The good news is that there's now quite a bit from which to choose. The bad news is that none of the units I've reviewed are all that great. I don't know...maybe it's just me. I'd like to think I'm possibly burnt out on reviewing the same old cases retooled for a different iPod, but some of these have fundamental flaws that extend past their lack of inspiration. Case in point are these offerings from Speck Products, but the problem extends to other designers, too.

Take, for instance, the See-Thru ($29.95 three pack). I was most excited about this one because I thought it looked coolest in the pictures. It does looks pretty good on the iPod, too, but things go south from there. The See-Thru is a clear, hard plastic case that fits snugly around the iPod. Only the click wheel, USB port, hold switch and headphone jack are exposed, so you get decent protection against scratches. The plastic won't cushion against a fall, though, and there's no belt clip or any other form of attachment to keep it on your person.

In the models I reviewed, there were three main flaws in the design. First, the hole for the headphone jack wasn't centered properly, so I couldn't fit my Altec Lansing headphones past the case (the Apple earbuds, however, did fit). Second, the front and back pieces that compose the See-Thru snap together around the iPod to fight tightly enough so there's no wiggle room. This is good when the iPod's in use, but it also was far too difficult to get the iPod out. You're supposed to squeeze the sides together, but there was no room the squeeze. I ultimately had to pry the two pieces apart with a screwdriver. And finally, the pack includes three translucent colors: black, red and clear. Of the three, only the clear model makes any real sense because the others cloud up the iPod's video screen. You can see through well enough to select songs, but the black and red models make it seem like you're looking at photos or watching video through a filter. The screen becomes dark and muddy.

And so, because of its lack of functionality and only minimal protection, the See-Thru may be one of the worst iPod cases I've ever tried.

On a more positive note, let's move on to what I think is the best of the Speck line-up: The Fun Skin ($34.95). This model doesn't waste it's time coming in colors, it comes in textures...or shapes...or something. You can get this model in Cloud or Grass (Grass comes in green or black). Both models are of the soft, rubberized variety, and you slip your iPod through the open screen area of the case (a removable screen protector is included).

Once in the case, your iPod looks like...well, with the Cloud model, it kind of looks like the Michelin Tire Man or that Stay Puff Marshmallow thing from Ghostbusters. I want to say the Grass model looks like a Koosh Ball, but I know that's not what I'm looking for. The tiny pieces that stick out look more like they're designed for cleaning mud from your shoes than for protecting your iPod, but that's what you get. Although I greatly prefer the Cloud model (Grass isn't all that comfortable to hold or use), both offer good access to all the necessary ports and controls, both offer great protection from both scratches and minor bumps, and both include a detachable belt clip for convenient use. One case covers both the 30 and 60GB 5G iPods, with a removable plastic insert making sure you get a proper fit no matter which iPod you have.

The Tough Skin ($34.95) is pretty much the same as the Fun Skin, only...a little more tough and a little less fun, I guess? It's advertised as "ruggedized" protection, not "rubberized," but I don't see much of a difference. It's textured to look more like treads of a tire, which is sort of ironic, considering the Fun Skin Cloud is the one that looks like the Michelin Tire Man, but so be it. It has the same easy access to the ports and click wheel, the same removable plastic plate for screen protection, the same belt clip, the same plastic insert for 30 and 60GB model use, and the same price. The only thing that makes me favor this slightly less than the Fun Skin is that the top lip over the screen bowed out a bit, which looked a bit wrong and slightly hampered the Tough Skin's ability to hold the screen protector in place.

Speck's last two models are actually the same thing packaged differently. The Skin Tight is another rubberized case, but this one works quite a bit differently from the others mentioned above. First, you have to select the 30 or 60GB version; you can't use it with both. Second, the bottom back of the case flips up for insertion, so you can keep the case on the iPod when using most docks; simply flip up the bottom and insert iPod. However, because there's no cut-out for the USB port, you have to flip up the bottom even if all you want to do is connect the USB cable. Third, no belt clip, but I'll get to that in a moment. I first want to point out that although the click wheel, hold switch and headphone jack are easily accessible, the same problem with the front upper lip not quite fitting perfectly does remain.

Now, if you have no need to keep the iPod affixed to your body (for some, a pocket's enough, I guess), you're good with the 3-pack (clear, black and blue). However, note that Speck does sell the Skin Tight with Armband ($34.95). Here, you get only one color (clear). The case itself is exactly the same as described above, but a sturdy armband is included for those who like to engage in activities while listening to their music. Simply squeeze the iPod into a hard plastic clip that holds it tightly and comfortably against a padded backing, then wrap the stretchable armband around your...you know...arm...and fasten it in place with the Velcro straps. It's all quite sturdy and reliable; I never once felt as if the mechanism was going to lose its grip on my iPod.

My only complaint here is that I've never felt my upper arm was the best place to put my iPod. Too hard to access it there. I prefer my belt, where I can easily unlatch it to get easy access to the controls. You pretty much need two hands to remove the iPod from Speck's armband clip, and considering that the clip is on your arm...well, you can see the problem.

And that's pretty much it for Speck. If these products left you wanting for something more, click here to read my review of 5G iPod cases from various other manufacturers. If you'd like to learn more about the products covered above, follow the links below.

Applelinks Ratings (5 being highest):

More 5G iPod (with video) case reviews.