[Review] iCondom "Case"

[Squibbles]

I originally had an eXo, eXo3, and Maclear from Lajo (http://www.lajo.biz). The two eXo cases were bulky, attracted an insane amount of dust, and diminished the iPod's looks. The Maclear Zip case had huge problems in the fit. The iPod would not go in smoothly no matter what I did. Well, so in my search for the perfert minimalistic case, I found the Trendygeek Podshield (http://www.trendygeek.com) and the iCondom (http://stores.ebay.com/jdfastdecalman_W0QQsspagenameZl2QQtZkm) off eBay.

All cases were used on the 15 GB Gen 3 iPod. I don't know how well they'll fare with the 20/40 GB. The iCondom should work the same as it only covers the back, but I'm not sure about the Trendygeek because it goes around the side.

I first ordered the Podshield. I sold it off the same day. The fit was horrible. The back adhesive was larger than the 10/15/20 GB iPod's back. So when you fold it over, it would actually transcend the iPod's sides. So you would have this nasty looking edge of the case jetting out from the sides. Also, the static-cling was much too weak. It would move so easily, and I honestly can't see one lasting for more than a week especially with normal use. I did not try the screen protector.

Well, with the Podshield's failure, I went on ebay and found the iCondom. A bit skeptical, I emailed the seller about the low-tack adhesive. I was worried that it may leave a sticky residue. A prompt response came stating that the adhesive does not leave a residue. $7 isn't expensive, and I ordered one. It came from Canada in approximately one week. Opening it up, it came with 3 back protectors and 8 screen protectors. The low-tack adhesive is quite strong and very hard to peel off. This thing will last for a long time. I applied the back and was satisfied with the looks. But after some more inspection, I could see that it had a myriad of tiny watermarks. I then applied the screen protector. Hint: Don't mess up because one will probably not be able to reuse the screen protector after peeling it off. It took me 3 screen protectors to finally get it on perfectly. This is partly due to my perfectionist self, though. The first night of using it, the watermarks were pretty obvious. I was vexxed by the numerous little marks all over the iPod because the iCondom didn't apply perfectly. But after about 2 - 3 days, the watermarks seemed to have disappeared. The screen is much, much clearer and the back has almost no marks anymore. The back has become almost invisible. Obviously, there are still some visible watermarks but nothing bit enough to annoy me. The iCondom is pretty hard to see. Well, obviously I was ecstatic about the iCondom's quality. Not only did it give me scratch protection but also kept the iPod's beauty without adding any bulk.

Do not expect the iCondom to give you fall, bump, etc. protection. It provides good scratch and fingerprint protection and not much else. This is fine as that's all I ever wanted. I'm not worried about large falls. The only thing that vexed me was the constant fingerprints and the occasional scratch. Highly Recommended.

Pictures:
The pictures make the watermarks seem alot worse than they really are. It's much better in person.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v354/Pratelite/iCondom/icondom001.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v354/Pratelite/iCondom/icondom002.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v354/Pratelite/iCondom/icondom003.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v354/Pratelite/iCondom/icondom004.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v354/Pratelite/iCondom/icondom005.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v354/Pratelite/iCondom/icondom006.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v354/Pratelite/iCondom/icondom007.jpg

[Joshdude]

I use the static cling version of the iCondom screen protector. My shipment came with 4 static ones and 4 adhesive ones. I also experienced the tiny watermarks with the back and screen protector, so I decided on the static ones. I asked the seller, and I was sent 12 extra static screen protectors. Talk about generous!
I wasn't planning on using the back protector as much, so no problem there.

[lain]

Don't suppose either of you have extras for the back & front screen you'd be willing to sell? :D

[Squibbles]

Really? I never knew tried the static cling iCondoms. How are they? Do they last long? Pictures would be nice.. Hint, Hint. Thanks!

[Joshdude]

Yeah they used to be the static cling kind for both the screen and back. Kind of like those decals you put on car windows; the ones that don't have adhesive. Anyway, the statc back protector didn't last, apparently. I received a note with mine saying that the back protectors didn't last long anough and had been changed to the adhesive ones. It also said 4 of the static screen protectors and 4 of the adhesive screen protectors were included, and I could use the ones I liked better. Well, I was dissatisfied with the adhesive screen protectors, so I asked for 4 more, to get what I though I had bid on. The guy sent me 12 more. Awesome, huh?
As long as you apply them right, you don't get many air bubbles. You should use something to roll over the protector as you lay it on the screen. I used a pen with a rubber grip, and that worked really well. I'll post pics in a bit.

[Joshdude]

http://img45.exs.cx/img45/7426/DSCN399.jpg

http://img45.exs.cx/img45/4558/DSCN400.jpg

As you can see, it's hard to tell that it's on. You can see a few small bubbles, but most of them were formed by dust paticles getting trapped under as I applied it. The only way to get rid of these is to peel it up enough to expose the dust, wipe it off, and re-aply it. I didn't care that much. Air bubbles can be worked out by either rubbing the screen with a soft cloth, or gently using your fingernail. You have to be careful if using your nail not to "cut" into the plastic. Be as gentle as possible. You can see in the upper left hand corner that I got a little overzealous and caused a small mark. Oh well.

[fondoo]

my icondoms came in today and i immediately removed my bulky specks skintight case and applied my new icondoms. they work great! i've heard problems with pod shield

[jstylex0r]

icondom sucks with photo

[tarheelsXL]

I use iCondoms w/ a 20gb photo and it works perfectly fine...
Also, I think joshdude's pictures better represent what the iCondoms look like in real life