iskin's evo 2 4th generation ipod case review

[CamelBackCinema]

After I got my 4th generation ipod last week, I babied it so to make sure that there was no scratch presented on it. 400 dollars is hefty price for an electronic that scratches so easily.

I ordered an iskin evo2 and it came in a couple days ago. What comes with it:

1.) A very solid stretchy rubber case that fits the ipod SNUGGLY.
2.) Plastic clip. ( I feared that this might scratch the back so took it off.)
3.) Plastic pouch that fits the ipod +case perfectly and also fits adapter and cords perfectly along with headphones.

Build quality is superb all except for a couple things that really bothered me. The plastic screen cover is not actually attached to the case itself because it would be near impossible to put in the actual ipod with that sticking on there. The iskin doesn't have a latch or opening to put in your ipod. You just stretch it out and slip it in. I rather like this idea because it causes less bulk and a lot cooler design. Anyways, the screen protector is just a slip of plastic (designers thought about it a little I guess.) that, due to the rubber grip, fits very snuggly. When it is properly placed it doesn't move around at all unless forced. I won't do it, but I go ahead and say that it will stay put even if dropped. Only thing I do worry about is it scratching the outer linings of the ipod screen. So far... no problem since i have been extra careful.

The belt clip... I will NOT use this because the round plastic clip that clips inside the case seems like it would scratch it but honestly it won't. I am just paranoid. The plastic surface is very smooth but I don't trust the back of the ipod. All that babying for the case to scratch it would be too ironic.

I really like the feel of the case itself a lot. One thing I was ticked off at was that I ordered a glow in the dark one and it doesn't really glow in the dark. Oh well hahahah. Another thing is it is hard to put in your pocket since the rubber doesn't want to slide against my clothing.

For 30 bucks I think it is well worth it and I am very pleased with it. I suspect the vaja product at over twice the price would offer all the things that I was a little annoyed with the iskin case.

Thanks for reading my silly case review.

 

[blessingx]

Thanks for the review. I'm trying to decide between this, a Speck Skin, TrendyGeek Shield or RadTech PodSleevz. They all do things differently. I appreciate your comments.

 

[CamelBackCinema]

Personally, I think the speck skin is silly to have that bottom hatch so you can put it in a dock. A case is to protect.. not make it more convenient. Well I don't use the dock anymore. I feel the safety of my ipod is more important. I am thinking of selling my dock actually.

The other two, I feel in no way could protect my ipod better than the iskin.

Only other case I would want would be the vaja cases.

 

[blessingx]

Thanks again for the thoughts, but it's all give and take (including convenience, looks, etc.), right?
Otherwise we'd all be using Lilipods, Armors or the insane Terforma G2.

 

[ayn]

I have the contour showcase, and I love it.

 

[kugino]

i have the evo and the radtech...the radtech is pretty neat, as it covers the whole ipod (except the top) and even the dial...but, the open top is a little weird looking and the fit isn't as nice as i had hoped. the plastic screen makes the ipod screen difficult to read...so, i've been using my radtech as a duster/screen wiper. the evo works fine...and let me correct the first post by saying that it's NOT rubber...it's made of silicone. no problems so far, and it may be the best soft cover out there...fits snugly, plastic screen is flimsy but clear, and it doesn't add that much bulk to the svelte iPod...

 

[Judge Crandall]

The radtech is definitely has the lowest profile of any case I've seen, other than the pod shield and stuff like that. It doesn't really offer much in the way of drop protection, but it keeps the ipod scratch free and looks damn good too. There is no covering on the top, so if you want to avoid scratches, you have to be a bit careful if it's in your pocket. Basically, if you want to keep your iPod as small as possible, and don't need the best protection, the PodSleevz is a great choice.

the Judge

 

[CamelBackCinema]

Silicone yes.. sorry for my mistake.

 

[Bunnyears]

I also ordered a glow-in-the-dark Evo iskin (the purple, glow color blue) and find that the glow is very overstated. In fact, careful examination shows that only the front piece of the case is made of flourescing material; close examination reveals the seams. The front does flouresce in the dark, but only faintly, and probably depends on the intensity of the ambient light shining upon it before the lights are out. Maybe, going from bright day to a pitch dark closet might give more satisfying results.

As to the case itself. Well, it's certainly not worth the $29 + tax,s&h! The fit of the case is poor. It adds so much bulk that it no longer fits comfortably in my hand! (This is probably not a problem for most men) In addition, the screen protector traps dust particles and debris under it unless you are super careful inserting it. You have to make sure that the screen-protector is dust free, the Ipod screen is also clean, your hands are clean, etc. In addition, the protector is shiny. That means that another reflective element is being added to the already reflective screen. In a flourescent light setting (such as office or kitchen), the reflections can really obscure the screen. Add to this the fact that you can not dock the ipod without completely removing the case (yes, you can connect the cable if you have nice manicured nails that can pull out the dock plug). The belt clip is extremely flimsy and does not give a very secure feeling when attached to a belt (I used my heaviest belt w/ jeans), and rotating it to see the screen made me afraid that the plastic was going to snap. The clip did not scratch the back of my ipod, but I felt that the clip was no more than a gimmick. I wont even begin to discuss the cheap,inelegant, plastic "carry-case" (no handle or strap) that looks like a refugee from a cosmetics bag.

Now to the Speck skin. First, pricepoint: for the price of one iskin, you can buy 3, yes THREE speck skins! These skins don't feature such "cool" colors as the evo's, but sometimes subtle is better. The blue is a neutral color with gray-violet undertones (to those of you who don't paint, that doesn't mean purple at all). It really blends well with the tone of the screen when it is backlit. The white is, well translucent white, and the pink is a "lip-gloss" pink, with blue rather than orange undertones. The base of the skin is attached in the front but around the sides and back so that it flips forward so that the ipod can be docked. In fact, you put the case on the ipod by sliding it into the case and then pulling the bottom up over the base. It leaves a seam open on the back and sides where you might think the metal case is too exposed. I've been using the case for 4 or 5 days, and it has not picked up a single scratch there, and I have shoved it in my handbag, dresser drawer, desk draw, etc. The open seam also serves to vent any heat.

The fit of the Speck is much better. Perhaps, because you are not fitting the ipod through an opening that needs to stretch to accomodate it, the skin fits much more closely. It is a snug fit, as opposed to the Evo which is a really "relaxed" fit. The ipod in the Speck is much less bulky than the Evo.

Unfortunately, you have to flip off the base to connect the cable too. The top of the Speck has a large rectangular opening giving full access to the jacks on top, and also, I am told, enabling the use of such devices as iTrip, media reader, etc. This may leave the ipod vulnerable to scratches in that area, but it has not yet been a problem for me. The Evo's top openings are small separate cut-outs that protect better against scratching, but put a layer of thick silicon between the accessory devices and the ipod that might interfere with their operation. Again, I have not tried these out yet.

Now the biggest caveat about the Speck: It does not come with any screen protector. However, I find that the Evo screen protector fits very well, and I am sure that the Javoedge screen protector (which is for my money the best device to protect a screen) will also work well.

Now, I have not gone around dropping my ipod to test whether the the silicon cases give any shock protection, so I cannot assess what protection either skin provides. I will leave that test to someother more intrepid reviewer than I.

If there were to be a perfect Ipod skin, it would probably not be constructed of silicon anyway. It is impossible to slide the ipod+skin (Evo or Speck) into a pocket. There is just too much friction between the silicon and cloth. The leather cases I have seen are also very bulky making pocket use difficult if not impossible. I am wondering if anyone knows whether the HP personalizing stickers offer any good protection against scratches to the Ipod? If so, paired with a javoedge screen protector (which also cuts reflection),that might be the best "pocket protector" for an ipod.

So, to sum it all up:If you are putting an Ipod in your pocket, neither will do,

Buy Evo if you want (limited) glow in the dark, a screen protector, maximum protection of metal surfaces from scratches, etc., and don't care about increasing the bulk of the package.

Buy Speck if you want better dollar value, a slimmer and more elegant appearance, need to use the dock protector regularly, and have an independent means of providing screen protection!

 

[Gandhi]

I am waiting for the Lajo cases for the 4G iPod. I should be getting mine sometime next week. They cover the whole body of the iPod, including the click-wheel interface, and if you buy the optional iShades screen protector, you got everything covered. Reasonably prices too, especially compared to the iSkins.

I will report back once I get the case and have tried it out.

http://202.153.110.46/Xskn/features/4g_ipod.asp

 

[Bunnyears]

I just visited the lajo web site, and the cases look almost exactly like the speck cases but with belt clips, perforations and and evo screen protector thrown in. Since the speck and evo are made in China, this is probably just another chinese "vuitton". I'll bet you can find in in chinatown, ny in the near future, and maybe even cheaper than on the website! If you are at all close to a large urban Chinese community, you should try shopping there!

 

[CamelBackCinema]

I think iSkin tried to remedy the silicone friction by including the plastic pouch which is really a nice addition even though its not that practical. I hold all my other junk in it.

One thing I have to disagree with is the evo skin is very tight and fits my ipod perfectly. It outlines the scroll wheel and the screen perfectly along with every button that is shown.