Quick Guide To Cases: Look Here First!

[Cakkc]

EDIT: Apologies about the Lajo Key section. Completely missed that sticky (don't ask how, it just slipped my mind!) It won't happen again, believe me. Please realize that this is just meant to be helpful, and is largely based on my own opinions.

I was answering another thread about must-have accessories and started droning on about cases. The list is rather helter-skelter and not nearly large enough, but I thought it might help a bit for the new users looking to buy a case. Please PM me with corrections, additions, etc.

Hope this helps as a guide!

*Silicone Cases- These cases are made with silicone, a kind of rubbery-plastic stuff. While they sound flimsy, they typically provide great protection.
*Advantages: Slim profile, tend to "grip" canvas pockets, provide a surface that is easier to grab than a regular iPod, some are compatible with docks and top-mounting accessories, shock protection, over-all "cool" look due to highly customizable colors and many varieties.
*Disadvantages: Collect lint in pockets and get quite dirty. Do not provide as much drop protection as other cases. Screen protection is usually a separate piece, and sometimes a separate product all together. Silicone can rip or the color can bleach out, although both of these effects are highly unlikely and rarely occur. Getting an exact fit is important, otherwise the iPod can look baggy.
*Leading distributors-
~Lajo/Xksn- China-based company. Many case varieties, although website is sometimes non-descriptive and hard-to-navigate. Offers GREAT sales (currently a 4th of July one going on!) during major holidays, and generally good values. Check reviews on this site and others to get information on his products, as descriptions are almost non-existent. Good customer feedback. Shipping is quite cheap, but is from China (read: can be a bit slow). Find him here.
~iSkin- U.S. Based company. Currently offers 2 (I think) cases for the new 3Gs, with the eVo being the most popular. Navigating the website is a breeze, and items can periodically be found on sale through their website and redistributors. The website feels more user friendly and descreptive than Lajo's does, at least to me. Many colors (beware: some users have reported that colors look much more washed out in real life than in the website images). Website is quite descriptive and accurate. Find them here.
*Main Case Styles: Although everyone claims to be different, there are really only a couple of main case styles to look for. Pretty much every case is just a variety of these.
~Classic Silicone- These cases do not cover the buttons or scroll wheel, cannot be docked with (unless the case is partially removed via the scroll wheel holes), may or may not cover the firewire port, and can't be used with top accessories (i.e. iTrip). Classic example: Lajo's eXo or iPod Art series.
~Maximum Coverage Silicone- These cases cover virtually all of an iPod, usually have cut-outs only for the hold button, headphone port, and a couple of other insignificant places. Extremely thin silicone is used to cover the touch-sensitive wheels and buttons. Classic Example: Lajo's eXoFlp series.
There are also several additional features you may want to look for:
~Dockable Silicone- These cases have some gimmick that allow docking without removal of the case. They typically cover the firewire port and may be found in any of the other 3 styles as far as button coverage and accessory mounting is concerned. Classic Example: Lajo's exoFlp series (allows docking through an almost hinge-like silicone section)
~Accessory Silicone- These cases are either thin all over (like Lajo's eXo3s) or have significantly less silicone on the top (like iSkin's eVos) to allow the use of top-mounting peripherals. Once again, these can be found with any of the other 3 styles as well. Classic Example: iSkin's eVo.

There are more silicone case manufacturers than these two companies; however, Lajo and iSkin have proved to be the leaders in the iPod case market. Each offers a very different product with several distinct characteristics. Browse both to get a taste for what you want.

Mid-Weight Day-To-Day Hard Cases- These cases are made for day-to-day use, but are designed to take more wear and tear than a silicone case might. Ideal for throwing into a backpack. Usually made with hard plastic or similar materials.
*Advantages: Usually provide more protection than a silicone case, while still not considerably bulking up the iPod. You will feel much more secure and confident after throwing your iPod into a backpack while using one of these cases than you would when using a silicone case. Shock and drop protection is great. Can provide a better gripping surface for the iPod, and also almost always have built-in screen protection. No more fiddling with wet-spots or akward positions!
Disadvantages: If you do get one of these style cases, take your iPod out and look at it every once in awhile: you'll be shocked at how small and beautiful it is. Even the slimmest of Mid-Weight cases add size to your iPod, and can slide around in pockets easier than a "grippy" silicone case. Sometimes can have problems dealing with the heat created when actively synching or using an iPod.
~Best Bet- In my opinion (heavily emphasis on my, mind you ), the best Mid-Weight case is the Contour Showcase. This is manufactured by Contour Products and keeps your iPod looking, well, more "iPod-y" than most cases do. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful... I love mine. However, the white cases tend to get dirty very quick and there is no scrollwheel/button protection (so dirt can get trapped in between the `pod and the case). The case is also a 1-size-fits-all style and 10-15-20 GB users will have to use a foam-insert to prevent rattling. This definitely makes your smaller iPods much larger, but still secure. You can find contour here.

(If anyone knows any more cases that fit in this class, PM me and I'll add them).

Heavily Armored Cases: These cases are certainly not for day-to-day use, unless you live in the slums of New York or lead an extremely active lifestyle. Typically made of either aluminum or metal, these add a lot of bulk to the iPod. Mainly for huge shock and drop protection.
*Advantages- Great shock protection and almost total protection against just about everything. Can take shock, drops, spills, muggings, and probably will outlast you. Many claim to be "heat sinks," which may or may not be true. If it is, then these cases distribute heat more effectively and safely than a bare iPod, itself.
*Disadvantages- Usually add a ton of bulk to the iPod. Most cover the entire `pod itself, preventing all operational control. In other words, many require you to make a playlist and stick with it, unable to change songs, volume, genres, etc. Some are not very nice on the eyes. Typically very expensive. The use of metal and harsh materials leads to scratches when using some units.
*Leading Distributors-
~Eroch Studios- Eroch Studios makes a single case, called the Lilipod. This case is interesting and unique in that it is waterproof. It also incorporate foam and other shock-protection to provide the "Perfect iPod Environment," or so the tongue-in-check website proclaims. Great for the beach or, if you're daring and have waterproof headphones as well, synchronized swimming . Find Eroch Studies here.
~Matias- Matias makes the iPod Armor, widely acclaimed to be one of the best things since slicable bread. Claiming to be a heat sink and heavily foamed, the iPod Armor provides protection from everything from scratches to screen breakage (is that a word?) to a tacky, mismatched outfit (if only...). The Matias iPod Armor enshrouds the entire iPod in a hard aluminum shell, leaving only the hold buttons and headphone port open. For this reason, it isn't suitable for usage in wet conditions. The exterior of the case is embossed with the outline of an iPod, and is quite pretty. find them here.

Leather Cases: These cases tend to focus more on style and visual appeal rather than protection. They range from the very cheap and very fake to extremely high end.
*Advantages- The nice cases look great, and some companies offer a large-range of customization options. These cases say, "Yes, I have an iPod. Yes, it cost a lot. Yes, I still have money to spend on a great looking case. Yes, style is more important to me than durability. Yes, please rob me (just kidding)." Regardless, these cases tend to cater to older members of the workforce, rather than teens or the "I-Bought-An-iPod-Because-I'm-Cool" crowd. Lots have pockets to store cash and credit cards in, as well.
*Disadvantages- Protection is usually not the main issue with these cases. I have yet to see a leather case that covers the scroll wheel and touch buttons. As a result, many allow fine particles to get between the case and the iPod, creating scratches. The addition of credit card and money slots can sometimes add bulk. 50% or so of leather cases are in PDA style, with a top-cover flap. This prevents easy, immediate access to the controls and usually restricts one-handed access. As stated earlier, makes your hip Mp3 player look like a typical PDA.
*Leading Distributors-
~Vaja- Vaja is the top-end of the leather spectrum, and has a price to match. Many customization options. From what I've read, this company really creates B-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l, quality products. Very little information is available about any of their cases besides the Vaja i-Vod and i-Vod Mini, unfortunately. More of a youthful leather case than a classic PDA. Hard-to-navigate website. Find them here.
~Marware- Marware is a company that offers several styles of cases, but have a great following for their work with leather. Their line of products features several more affordable leather cases, as well as some very nice "Executive PDA" leather cases. Great, great customer support and very in tune with the iPod community. Find them here.

[Cakkc]

To be continued... (last post hit 10700 characters )


The posting of Lajo Key Program codes is not permitted in the forum. Your previous post has been edited.

^^ My apologies for missing that sticky. Thanks for the edit.

[zena]

very useful guide thank you! (i read this on that other post as well)

[Coolpepper43]

I have to disagree about most of what you said about silicone cases. They have lots of protection the same as the "Mid-Weights". I feel comfertable about dropping it on the floor and not worrying that it will break. And what you said about Lajo. For one their shipping is not slow! I have ordered from them countless times and they usually get to my house in 5 days. Anyways your assumed 7-10 days is still not a long wait. And there amazing low $5 shipping around the world is amazing! Second, it was not ethical to put up your key on this website. Third, calling Lajo's company "small" and less professional is a lie. They are huge just as big as iSkin and they are also just as professional. Other then that, good guide!

[enjoilax]

Dude. Forum rules. Lajo key program is not allowed...

[Lysistrata]

Sorry I'm bumping up a really old thread but I thought this would be quite useful in putting in the "Gear Guide" section of the website.

However, I noticed there is one big category of ipod cases that is missing from the list: athletic cases, the ones usually made of neoprene and are designed to be strapped onto a limb. Anyone have additions to this?

[btvsrocks]

Originally posted by Cakkc

~iSkin- U.S. Based company. Currently offers 2 (I think) cases for the new 3Gs, with the eVo being the most popular. Navigating the website is a breeze, and items can periodically be found on sale through their website and redistributors. The website feels more user friendly and descreptive than Lajo's does, at least to me. Many colors (beware: some users have reported that colors look much more washed out in real life than in the website images). Website is quite descriptive and accurate. Find them here.

I realize this is an old "bumped" thread... but isn't iSkin a Canadian based company?

http://www.iskin.com/corporate.html

(yay canada )