my first iPod - some questions about cases

[pkelecy]

Hello All,

I'm a new iPod Nano owner - it just arrived today - and am anxious to try it out. But after seeing so many posts about how easily it scratches, I decided it would be a good idea to get a case for it first. Deciding what to get, however, has not been easy. There are so many options to choose from it's overwhelming.

After reading through a number of reviews and forum posts, I was at first leaning towards InvisibleShield. But as I thought about it more, and in particular how I would be using the Nano (while doing other things such as driving, mowing the lawn, exercising, etc.) - I thought having a case that includes a neck strap, belt clip, arm band or some such would be nice feature. But this raised a few questions I hope someone can comment on:

1. Are neck straps, arm bands and such as convenient to use as they look? Is this the preferred way to carry it around, or does a shirt pocket work just as well?

2. Most of the products I'm considering (Incase neoprene sports case, zCover, iSkin duo (soon to be release)) use a soft silicone or neoprene material. Do these work well at protecting the finish and preventing scratches or scuff marks, or can the finish still get damaged even with one of these on? For example, I've seen where repeated rubbing between a case and the device body left some visible marks. Also, do they make the Nano harder to use?

3. Although it wasn't entirely clear from product websites, my impression is that with most of these products once the Nano is put in the case there is never any reason to remove it. Is that correct? I ask, because one comment I read from someone who switched to InvisibleShield talked about how nice it was "not having an old style skin to drag it into an out of daily". I wouldn't like that either.

Thanks for any feedback on these. I greatly appreciate it.

Pat

[ipod2genman]

i dont have one, but i would say stay away from the neck straps.
the armband on the other hand, i can recomend. its great for running, which i think is a good use for the nano, being as its flash based.

the iskins are a think of beuty. the material protects the ipod from shock(i.e. dropping it) and also from scratches very well. i suggest the iskin duo(which hasnt come out yet, but im getting it as soon as it does)

also, when its in there, it stays in there. no reason to take it out, unless you buy a different case.

hope that helps ya!

oh, and in the mean time, use a sunglasses case or something like that, gotta keep that nano safe.

[pkelecy]

Thanks for the reply. It was helpful.

I like the looks of the iskin duo, but I don't want to wait too long to get a case. So I hope they're out soon.

One other question. I didn't see an arm band accessory on iSkins website. What would one use for this (that wouldn't interfere with the case)? Apples?

Thanks again for the help. Pat

[ipod2genman]

apples arm band should not be affected by the duo, as its not all that thick. if you have larger arms however, this may not be the armband for you. my arms arent like huge, but i had to stretch it some to get a good fit.

i am on the "contact list" for the duo. you just sign up on there website. they say this week they will have more info.

right now im just restricting my use of the nano, until this case comes out. but when i have used it i put it in a sunglasses bag thing, then if its in my book bag, in a real glasses container(for hard protection).

i would say the duo is worth waiting for. iskin products are very high quality, i expect the duo to be nothing less.

[pkelecy]

Thanks again. I'm on iSkin's contact list also, so should hear when its out.

Right now my nano is still in the box (shrink wrapped), and I plan to leave it there until I get a case for it. I don't mind waiting a little while though, especially for a good product, since I don't have many mp3's at this point. Mostly CD's.

My arms aren't that big, so I guess I'll check out Apple's arm band. I'm sure it's a good product otherwise.

Cheers,

Pat