Speck iPod Skin and iPod Armor

[Jacko]

So I've been living with these two cases for about a month now and wanted to pass along some thoughts and musings...

Speck's iPod Skin is the day-to-day home for my 30GB ipod and a good home indeed. The skin is tough, grippy and a very snug fit. The bottom access flip-thingy works well and allows for easy docking. The nibby in the bottom helps secure it to the unit so it never comes open.

The holes are positioned well and provide easy access to the scroll wheel and buttons. The button holes do require that you use a bit more precision when touching the pads, but I actually kind of like that as I think the pads can be a bit too touchy.

I made two alterations to the design which helped me address two functional areas I thought were lacking about the case. Just like everyone else (do marketing types read this forum??), I wanted a soft case with access to the controls, dockable, a belt clip option and screen protection.

I put PDA protector on the iPod screen to protect that -- done. I purchased an iPod Armor case (more on that below) and ordered an extra belt clip set. I superglued one of the belt clip attachments to the back of the iPod Skin so now I can use the belt clip when desired.

I used the extra belt clip as a carmount by just supergluing the clip to a place on the dashboard. Now I can take the iPod in the skin, clip it to the dash, hook up to the belkin unit, and Shazam!

All in all, I'm very, very happy with the iPod Skin.

The Armor serves a different purpose: exercising, traveling etc. I wanted something really tough to store the iPod in when I'm exercising and won't need to access the unit for playlists etc. I just power up and hit the road.

The Armor case was a bit pricey, but because of it's unique protection and design I went for it. It's really a lot lighter that I would have thought and believe me, it looks cool. I was on a flight yesterday from the West Coast and when I pulled it out of my bag, I caught two people sneeking a peek...

The iPod fits snugly in the unit, but it's really quite easy to insert and remove. Actually, it's a lot easier than pulling the iPod Skin on and off. The door snaps close tightly so I'm not worried about it flying open when running.

I have not mounted the belt clip set on the Armor yet because so far I haven't needed it. When I run or cycle, I have a jersy with pockets that hold the unit securely.

I know how difficult choosing cases is for these gems. I went back and forth for some time before pulling the trigger, so I hope this helps some of you with you agonizing decisions...

jm

[Henjie]

Hi there.

How's the iPod Skin's Kraton material after you superglued the belt clip to it? Is it 100% okay? Which superglue did you use?

I'm planning to put a belt clip on my iPod Skin, too and any info and instructions would be appreciated. Thanks! :-)

~Henjie

[Jacko]

The material is fine -- no ill affects. Just make sure to use a reasonable amount so that the glue does leave a crust on areas out side of the contact area.

I used Crazy Glue.

jm

[Kilrathi]

A question about the iPod Armor -- is there one version of the Armor that fits both 2G and 3G iPods or are there different ones? I wasn't able to figure it out from the website, and the Directcase site (which sells them for $40) only mentions 2G, though I'm thinking that may just be out of date. It looks like the only differences would be the location of the holes in the top of the case, though I suppose you could alter the Armor to fit the smaller 3G iPod's dimensions, too.

Also, what do people think about the Deluxe case that's supposedly forthcoming from XtremeMac? I like the fact that it appears to give you access to the Firewire port while the case is closed (which Armor doesn't, right) so I could conceivably hook up the Belkin Battery Pack while my 'Pod is protected in the case. Anyone have any other thoughts on that case?

[lazybusinessman]

i was wondering if you could combine your iskin and your ipod armor together....cause it would be ideal for me if i was traveling just throw it into my bag. i would be a little worried about just throwing my ipod in there with just the iskin on. so just wondering if it would fit in there with the iskin on.

[rice mac]

lazy businessman,

I dont think that it would be possible to do that (eXo case in Mathias Armour). It is a very tight and the foam is compressed when a 'naked' iPod is in the case.
http://homepage.mac.com/father_fisheye/.Pictures/iPod%20Armour%20pics/DSC00209.jpg

More pics of Armour with 30GB iPod
homepage.mac.com/father_fisheye/PhotoAlbum5.html

[njl]

The ipod armor + iskin thing? Doesn't work. I bought the ipod armor and an iskin thinking this would be a great way to carry the ipod around. The ipod+iskin (mine's a 40gig) did not fit in the ipod armor even after I modified the armor by removing the foam padding. It was really close though, and I think if there was a thinner version of the iskin (maybe half as thick as it is now) it would have fit (with the foam removed). As it is, all I did was ruin a perfectly good ipod armor case.

[swy32x]

njl, he said speck ipod skin, not an iSkin

[iPodPirate]

I, too, own a iPod Skin by Speck and I am very happy with it.
I bought the 3 pack, for my ever wavering moods (blue, black, clear). They are very functional with the flap for docking. The texture is rather tacky so slipping it in your pocket for on the go isn't all that possible. But then on the other hand I usually only use them for jogging. Where their the tackiness is welcome. Overall great item for minor protection.