pohatu771
08-04-2005, 12:12 PM
Yesterday I was out shopping. I went into CompUSA while everyone else went to the sub shop to pick up dinner, and after looking for a long time, I finally found the iPod accessories. They have an awful layout. The iPods are on one side of the store, Appleshop is in the back corner of the store, and iPod accessories are in with the PC parts.
Hanging from the rack is a sign reading:
"Buy on get one free: iPod Accessories*
*Regularly priced $19.99 or higher. After $19.99 instant rebate.
$39.98-$19.99=$19.99"
So I start really looking. I find a belt clip that I wanted, and after seeing a guy named Brian that worked at the Apple store using, wanted even more. Then, after a lot of looking, I found another case that I had been looking for for a long time.
Review 1: Belkin Leather Holster for iPod
While it may not protect much, this thing is convenient. I have an open top, open face, and open dock connector for on-the-road updates or moving a file from the iPod to a school computer. It has a removable belt clip, which holds tight to the belt, but the release mechanism could be better. I've put my iPod in and out of the case many times since I bought it yesterday, and haven't found any new scratches in it. If you buy one, make sure you take out the "Made In China" sticker. The stud for the belt clip is plastic, but other than that, the case is very well made.
Belkin recommended for: iPod with dock connector (3G, 4G) 10, 15, 20GB
Lair of Eric recommended for: iPod 3G (10, 15, 20GB), iPod 4G 20GB, iPod with color display 20GB
Review 2: iConcepts iPod Metal Case
It's a good thing I'm not stupid, or I would have a hard time with this case. The directions are in the worst Engrish I've ever seen outside a mid-eighties video game. It had a diagram with each part labeled:
Washer Nut Screw
Followed by this:
Note: Pls corrcctly asscmbly the washer +nut + screw as picture shown, otherwise Extra screw length might scratch the PDA
That's exactly how it was written on the paper.
There was no washer, so the extra screw length, were there any, would have scratched my PDA.
The case is very well put together. It's fairly strong aluminum padded with 1/8" foam on the sides, and 1/4" foam on the bottom. Also included is a 1/4" piece of foam in a bag labeled "For 20GB" There is another 1/8" piece of foam on the lid of the case. After peeling off the backing and sticking the extra foam into the case, I attempt to slide my iPod in. It's a bit tricky. There's a hard plastic top, with cutouts for the Hold switch and connectors, and 1/4" foam on the bottom, on each side of the dock connector opening. You have to put the iPod in top-first, then push the bottom down. It fits very snugly, which is good. The case, when closed, leaves about 1/8 of an inch between the aluminum case and the top of the iPod (which is padded), but it's enough to make using the click wheel uncomfortable.
Like a lot of cases, this is definitely designed for the bigger iPods. The 20GB needs the foam insert, or the face is so far from the opening it's very hard to use the click wheel. The plastic top with openings for the Hold switch and connectors covers part of the headphone jack. I had to dremel it out to use the headphones. The dock connector opening is impossible The clip to hold the case closed, for some reason, is off to right, so the left side is about 1/8" open at all times. iPod mini owners seem to get better metal cases. The belt clip on this one, however, is much better than the Belkin clip, I think. The stud that holds it is also metal.
Manufacturer recommended for: iPod 4G 20, 40GB
Lair of Eric recommended for: iPod 4G 40GB, iPod color 20, 30, 40, 60GB
Hanging from the rack is a sign reading:
"Buy on get one free: iPod Accessories*
*Regularly priced $19.99 or higher. After $19.99 instant rebate.
$39.98-$19.99=$19.99"
So I start really looking. I find a belt clip that I wanted, and after seeing a guy named Brian that worked at the Apple store using, wanted even more. Then, after a lot of looking, I found another case that I had been looking for for a long time.
Review 1: Belkin Leather Holster for iPod
While it may not protect much, this thing is convenient. I have an open top, open face, and open dock connector for on-the-road updates or moving a file from the iPod to a school computer. It has a removable belt clip, which holds tight to the belt, but the release mechanism could be better. I've put my iPod in and out of the case many times since I bought it yesterday, and haven't found any new scratches in it. If you buy one, make sure you take out the "Made In China" sticker. The stud for the belt clip is plastic, but other than that, the case is very well made.
Belkin recommended for: iPod with dock connector (3G, 4G) 10, 15, 20GB
Lair of Eric recommended for: iPod 3G (10, 15, 20GB), iPod 4G 20GB, iPod with color display 20GB
Review 2: iConcepts iPod Metal Case
It's a good thing I'm not stupid, or I would have a hard time with this case. The directions are in the worst Engrish I've ever seen outside a mid-eighties video game. It had a diagram with each part labeled:
Washer Nut Screw
Followed by this:
Note: Pls corrcctly asscmbly the washer +nut + screw as picture shown, otherwise Extra screw length might scratch the PDA
That's exactly how it was written on the paper.
There was no washer, so the extra screw length, were there any, would have scratched my PDA.
The case is very well put together. It's fairly strong aluminum padded with 1/8" foam on the sides, and 1/4" foam on the bottom. Also included is a 1/4" piece of foam in a bag labeled "For 20GB" There is another 1/8" piece of foam on the lid of the case. After peeling off the backing and sticking the extra foam into the case, I attempt to slide my iPod in. It's a bit tricky. There's a hard plastic top, with cutouts for the Hold switch and connectors, and 1/4" foam on the bottom, on each side of the dock connector opening. You have to put the iPod in top-first, then push the bottom down. It fits very snugly, which is good. The case, when closed, leaves about 1/8 of an inch between the aluminum case and the top of the iPod (which is padded), but it's enough to make using the click wheel uncomfortable.
Like a lot of cases, this is definitely designed for the bigger iPods. The 20GB needs the foam insert, or the face is so far from the opening it's very hard to use the click wheel. The plastic top with openings for the Hold switch and connectors covers part of the headphone jack. I had to dremel it out to use the headphones. The dock connector opening is impossible The clip to hold the case closed, for some reason, is off to right, so the left side is about 1/8" open at all times. iPod mini owners seem to get better metal cases. The belt clip on this one, however, is much better than the Belkin clip, I think. The stud that holds it is also metal.
Manufacturer recommended for: iPod 4G 20, 40GB
Lair of Eric recommended for: iPod 4G 40GB, iPod color 20, 30, 40, 60GB