iPod Case SuperReview!

There are a multitude of iPod cases available. Everyone has their favorite, but this is because we all have different uses. Some, want an elegant case for work, or a rugged case for play, and then the stylish case when working out or walking through the mall. Yes, we all have different needs. I got every popular case for the iPod and reviewed them all. This is my SUPER REVIEW! It has the cases from Marware, Think Different Store, iSkin, Digital Life Outdoors, Timbuk2, and Radtech, US. I sadly did not get any cases from Contour Design, or Speck Products This SUPER REVIEW does not have my usual personal opinions of each product, instead a rundown of features and how they help different people. Since each person’s tastes are different, I will try not to add my own thoughts. I actually recieved all of these cases and tryed them out a week for each case just to make a good honest review of the case. Let’s rock!

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Marware, Inc. Sportsuit Convertible

Marware is known for good products, and out of all the iPod cases, the sportsuit convertible ranks fairly high. I was skeptical at first. The case is very bulky and was loose on my iPod. It was not until one day when I was running and it started raining that I saw the importance of the bulk. The case, with the front cover, keeps all the water out, and its thickness was great when the iPod slipped out of my hands and plummeted to the ground into a puddle of water. I picked it up and kept jamming.
The Sportsuit is made of neoprene and has special grips on the side of the case. It also has an opening on the bottom to allow for iPod syncing. Instead of an open hole, it has a sealable rubber piece. The belt clip is like none I have ever seen. I can’t explain it to you, but once you get the clip in place, it is not coming off unless you stick a pen tip into a special release hole. This patented clipping system allows you to purchase other iPod accessories form Marware and use them to hold your iPod in other ways. The clip is very tight and works great on anything. You can take the front face off if you like to use the iPod controls while you are about. You can put the face back on with theuse of Velcro(thus the name, convertible). Keep in mind Velcro wears out over time so this might not be the best solution for those of us that change songs a lot. The case comes in a variety of colors, and for active users, this case is the best choice. You can get this case at http://marware.com


Digital Life Outdoors –NeoPod

DLO has some great accessories for your iPod. Their case for the active iPod user comes in three colors and has a lot of the same features as the sportsuit. This case is different because it is lacking a front cover. The iPod fits down into the case very snug and does not come out too easily. It has plastic over the iPod’s window and other areas, but the buttons and jog wheel are left uncovered. The clip is very sturdy. It comes off easily and does not have the advanced clipping features of the Marware. The bottom area is open for a connecter, and is reinforced by rubber but does not close off, so if you drop the iPod in sand or water, you are on your own. The iPod, once in the case, is held in by two Velcro over lays on the top of the case to keep the iPod from falling out. The case is so snug, this is mainly to keep dirt out. If you removed the belt clip, there are straps sewn into the case allowing a belt to go through them and the case is secured to your waist. Not the best active duty case, but definitely the runner up. This case is available at http://www.everythingipod.com/.


Timbuk2 – iPod Case

This is a simple case, for those that ride bikes or do not change songs very often. Timbuk2’s products are designed for messengers and other courier services. They don’t expect you to change songs and file through your music, so they designed a case that can take a fall, and keep jamming. The iPod case is designed with the same look and feel as their messenger bags, and has Velcro clips that clip onto the should bag’s strap. It does not clip onto any other surfaces, because it lacks a clip, just velcros around straps. When the iPod is in the case, a Velcro overlap keeps the iPod away from the dangers of life. There is a small opening in the top of the case to allow for your headphones. I noticed only the Apple earbuds worked because the hole is so thick, that earphones that have a sideways plug, would tend to come unplugged and the sound would fade out, but the earbuds have a straight plug so work fine. The iPod case comes in different styles and is available at http://timbuk2.com


Marware – Sportsuit Sleeve

Another top of the charts case from Marware. This company can do no wrong. Each one of their cases passes all of my durability tests, but oddly enough they are made out of neoprene. The SportSuit Sleeve is made of neoprene, and has Marware’s signature grip sides. It uses Velcro, which over time can wear out, but it will take a few years. The front of the case has a slot to hold your headphones or a few business cards. The top of the case is opened to allow for headphones and your iPod remote to fit through easily. The iPod, like all of Marware’s cases, fits snugly in. When the iPod is in the case, there is no chance for it to move. The case feels very soft and the interior is soft so your iPod won’t suffer from scratching. Finally, the patented belt clip is like no other and you can purchase clips from marware which enable you to attach the iPod to your car, bike, belt, and other surfaces. You can get this case at http://marware.com

Radtech – PodSleeve

Their slogan says it all; “Science that makes sense”. That is so true for any of radtech’s products. They do not keep your notebooks or iPods safe from drops or water like other cases, but they will definetly keep your products scratch free. I use Radtech’s ScreenSavrz to keep my iBook monitory clean, and even though I use a carrying case, I put my iBook in the SportSleeve to keep it scratch free. The same goes for my iPod. It goes in a Podsleeve, a thin and soft material called optex is used in all of Radtech’s case products. This material, developed by Radtech is soft, thin and highly versatile fabric that can be strathced, pulled and washed in a washing machine, and still keeps your iPod scratch free. The great thing about the PodSleeve, is it completely covers the iPod and you can operate the buttons through the material. The screen is also visible through a sewn plastic window. A final touch, the bottom has a removable hole allowing the iPod to plug into the computer. The great thing about the case, is you can dock it while in the case. It is that thin. You can get this case from http://radtech.us

iSkin – exo2

In the first round of rubber cases, the iSkin exo2 is rated number 2 in the list. It comes in a variety of colors and fits very close to the iPod. The exo2 is more advanced than the exo, which will be reviewed next. The holes for the buttons are easier to touch due to lower edges, and the hold switch on the top is easier to activate. The main complaint of this case is the belt clip just falls off your belt and sends your iPod falling to the ground. After a week of use, I just kept the thing in my pocket. The reason the belt clip fails, is due to a slider lock to keep it in place, but the slider does not lock, and easily moves over releasing the iPod from the belt. Good thing this lock is not use on parachutes, because you would be falling to the ground. The bottom of the iPod is covered but you can pull back a small flap to allow for docking. Rubber cases hold in heat, so all of the rubber cases I received had small openings on the back to allow for heat dissipation while transferring songs. You can get this case from http://iskin.com

iSkin – exo

This is similar to the exo2, except there are some issues that need to be worked out. The clip is different, and works a lot better. The buttons are hard to push , and the hold switch is hard to reach due to high rubber walls around it. Also the bottom of the case is open, so any dirt that wants to enter can walk right in. Unless you really need the belt clip, I would recomment getting the exo2. You can get this case from http://iskin.com

XSkn

For rubber cases, this is it. The Xskn is the best way to go. The main problem with othe rubber cases is their buttons are open allowing for dirt to get in. The Xskn has no open front, except for the window, but this can easily be covered with a supplied plastic insert. The best part, is you can still operate the iPod. The buttons area is thin rubber, and the iPod works fine in the case. The bottom docking area is open, but is smaller than the exo. Sadly the hold area is difficult to reach as well. As of this writing, Xskn is developing a follow up to this, and will be making appropriate modifications. The clip is well made, and does not fall off like the exo2. This case is available in many colors including glow in the dark, and only at http://thinkdifferentstore.com

XtremeMac – Deluxe

This leather case is great for the style conscious iPod user. You want to listen to beastie boys while walking to the board meeting, and want a case to match your briefcase. This case is just what you need. The iPod slides down into the case and is comforted by the soft edges. The edges have a rib the goes down the side so your iPod won’t fall forward out of the case. A flap comes over the top to keep your iPod snug. Then a Velcro flap locks the case down. When the cover is on, it looks like you have a PDA strapped onto your waist. The top is open to allow for headphones to stick through, and the hole is just large enough for the remote. If you lift the face of the cover off, you see a hole on the bottom so you can sync your iPod via the firewire cable, without having to remove the iPod. The latch on this case is great. It is thick, solid and secure. You have to put it on the case sideways, then once clipped onto your belt or pants’ pocket, it is not going anywhere. You should see the video of me jumping up and down in my room just daring the case to fall off. The front and back of the case are highly padded, but not too thick. This is the best leather case I have seen for the iPod. You can get it at http://xtrememac.com

In conclusion all of the cases had positive and negative aspects. When it comes to my opinion, the top cases were the Marware Sportsuit Sleeve, Radtech Podsleeve and Marware Sportsuit Convertible. The Xtreme Mac Deluxe Case was the only case that was stylish and functional. This is my opinion, and I suggest doing some research before making a final purchase. If it just safety you want, all of the cases keep your iPod free of scratches. If it is functionality or style, only a few have that as well. It all comes down to what you need from your iPod case and where you take your iPod .