Matias Aluminum Hard Case: Easy Modification for 5G

[heeeraldo]

in Future Shop today, I tried out a couple cases the sales guy thought might fit my iPod, including the Matias Aluminum case. Because the headphone jack was moved, the case wasn't terribly usable, unless the user wanted to store but not listen to their iPod.

the search continues...

[sparkky]

that's a bummer. I was hoping to re-use that case when I get the 5g

[TheFly]

Uh. Yeah. That's what happens when a company changes the form factor of an item. Stuff that worked with the previous models won't work with the new one.

Give it time. And don't rush out and buy the first cases that come to market and expect them to be quality. They'll probably be so rushed to be released.

[shepard]

There website says it is compatable with the 5G? Did they change the top openings or something on the ones ordered online?

[imullarney]

^^^^any updates to this??? i saw that too and i am thinking of getting one for my 5g. please let em know.

[imullarney]

anyone know anything about this?? does it work now??

[imullarney]

PLEASE HELPY!!! PLEASE I BEG OF YOU...ANYONE!

[sidebruns]

Last week, I emailed the company with the same question (their reply at bottom):

On 21 Nov 2005 13:37:07 -0000
emailer@matias.ca wrote:

Phone:

Referred by: Current 3G ipod armor and 17" laptop armor owner

Webreferrer:


Dear Sir or Madam; I have been waiting for a new armor case
to be released since the 5G iPod came out. Currently, I have
been using my 3G styled armor case to carry it around, but
the case is too big. From the pictures on your website, the
new case looks identical to the last case. Do you have
pictures of the headphone jack on top? Because, I know it
doesn't line up with my current 3G case. Or has the photo of
the front of the case with the 5G iPod been photoshopped with
the headphone jack to give the illusion that there's no
interference? Also, if it is the same case as the 4G, won't
the iPod slide forward and back because it is slimmer than
the last model? I know of other ways to spend $40, and use my
dremel tool to allow for the headphone jack. I would also
like to add that a clear 5G armor case like the one for the
mini would appeal to me as well. Thank you for your reply.


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Matias Help Desk

help@halfkeyboard.com
+1-905-265-8844


From : Help Desk <help@halfkeyboard.com>
Sent : Monday, November 21, 2005 11:53 AM
Subject : Re: Message
| | | mac | Inbox
Dear Sir,
Thanks for your email and purchase of our products. You are correct, the case we are currently selling for the new iPod Video is the standard 4th Generation case with the top opening enlarged to accommodate the new ear phone jack. Since the length and width of the iPod is the same, the edges fit the case and it does not move inside the Armor. I believe you would be able to do the same with your dremmel tool for your 3rd gneration case. Having said that, we are looking into a slimmer model in the new year. Please feel free to visit our website in January for more info.
Rgerads,
Barbara

[imullarney]

yeah i ended up wrighting them also and got a reply with about the same info besides the statement about making a slimmer one. so what er you going to do?? buy now or wait for the new model??

[sidebruns]

not that i'm a loyal matias customer, but i might wait for a new one to be introduced in a month since my current armor case has saved any damage to my 2nd gen ipod many a times. this is my first ipod that has an engraving on the back, and i might go for a hard case that allows me to see the back.

[jerrodh]

I've been using my iPodArmor for with my 5G since the day I bought the iPod.

Yes, the headphone port has moved, but I 'hacked' the top so it would work. Yeah, I'm a cheap geek.

Here's how:

The plastic is too hard to easily cut, so I melted it away. Go grab an old mid-size screwdriver. Go back to the kitchen, and turn the burner on High (careful, kids!). Press the screwdriver on the burner, and allow it to get hot. When it does, lay the rod down on the spot where the headphones need to be, and push. It doesn't take much heating time or pushing pressure to do this... I did it in one or two shots, if I recall correctly.

If necessary, trim away oozed goo with an X-Acto knife. My hole is only big enough for Apple's earbuds, but there's surely more melting room if I wanted to use my Shure E2c's with their much larger plug.

((BTW, I unscrewed and removed the top of the case before I did this... which made the hardware easier to handle)).



It works, and it's damn protective (though there is a significant amount of sliding - the iPodArmor is very thick). However, it's only temporary for me until something better comes along.

[imullarney]

so is this the case that we are talking about?? the new one that they had for the 4th gen from maties?? or is this an older one that you had modified to work?? sorry i am kinda confused

[sidebruns]

i'm sure he's talking about an older case that he modified, and not the "newest" that was released from matias with the different plastic piece on top that allows for the headphone jack. otherwise, he wouldn't need to ghetto-rig it. ;-)