|
Once again the kind folk at Speck Products provided NZMac.com with a number of iPod protective cases to have reviewed by users of the site. The cases were firmly put to the test, with one reviewer even being forced into a marathon just to see how he got on (and who said writing reviews was an easy job!?). OK, that bit's not true...we didn't force anyone, but sure enough one intrepid reviewer did compete in the Auckland marathon with one of the cases. I'm please to say both reviewer and case did well (saying they were both 'winners on the day' would have been too lame).
In this review we hear from our second group of reviewers and find out their opinions of the cases that they looked. Thanks once again to all the reviewers and to Speck Products. Mitchell Bidois  I was initially apprehensive when opening the package of the iPod Shuffle Metal case because visually it was considerably larger than I had anticipated. Side by side it dwarfs the diminutive Shuffle but the case's solid construction adds to the protection it gives its valuable cargo.
The case came in three pieces, front panel, back panel and clip-on USB housing. Using the screwdriver included it was extremely simple to assemble the case around the Shuffle, which fits perfectly in the case. The base clips on easily but not as snugly as the original base, meaning it rattles slightly with movement.
Pros
 After testing out the case for a week I couldn't imagine a more sturdy housing for the iPod Shuffle. I had no problem throwing the Shuffle in my bag or in my pocket while running.
The raised edge around the Shuffle's front buttons provides the unexpected benefit of cutting out any accidental button presses while you carry the Shuffle around. The light on the front of the Shuffle also becomes more visible thanks to the shade of the surrounding cover.
There is a nice reassuring weight to the case as well.
Cons The design is not as flattering as you might think, and being made of reflective metal it has the unfortunate habit of collecting fingerprints.
The case is larger than expected and the effect is the Shuffle loses some of its Apple 'sex-appeal'.
A larger profile around the USB plug may be problematic when connecting to some PCs. Luckily the open design of the USB ports on the G5 iMac means there's plenty of room around the USB ports and the Shuffle and case plug in easily.
Although the standard Apple headphones fit perfectly through the top of the case, on trying a set of Sony headphones with a larger jack I found I was out of luck, no fit. Overall I'd say this is an excellent protective case but loses some points due to its relatively large size that may affect its use with PCs and incompatibility with some headphones. But if you want maximum protection for your Shuffle, I would thoroughly recommend it. 
Marc McAllister Sleek, stylish, and sophisticated are words of which to describe what the iPod shuffle looks like, all dressed up in its latest case. I have recently had the privilege of receiving the Metal case by Speck Products for the iPod shuffle, to play with. Being one that is fond of individuality, the thought of getting a seemingly unknown cover, both in style and material, was quite exciting. When I received the Metal case, the first thing that I noticed was that it keeps to its authenticity very well, because it actually screws, into itself. This combined with the chrome finish, creates a kind of industrially elegant feel. Usually I would find the combination of metal and white quite tacky, but in this case I find that the combination of matte white and chrome actually work well and compliment each other very nicely. This also makes it easy to wear with clothing in a variety of tastes. Whether you are of the sporty, classy or corporate type, the metal cover will go with almost any outfit.  Using metal, makes this case very sturdy and creates a protective and (in part) anti-shock layer around the pod. Although the case is very sturdy, the USB cover attachment fits quite loosely and is not secure, at times means that it is likely to fall off if bumped.
If you are one of those people who like to just listen to the music and let it play, then you wont mind, but for those like myself who don't necessary feel like always listening to all of the songs on your iPod, then this cover may get rather annoying as it is sometimes difficult to use the outer buttons (next, back, volume up and down). Lastly, because it is a chrome finish, it can easily get very 'dirty' looking from the oils on your fingers. This can be easily rubbed off with any cloth, but I find it to be a little too irritating. Overall this product is a very aesthetically pleasing, chic design but with look, there were elements of practically that were compromised. I would recommend this product to those who would like their shuffle to be good looking and who are happy to turn it on and leave it alone. | Craig Stanton  I put myself forward as a reviewer because I thought I had a good way to stress test it. The Auckland Marathon was how I put the Speck SkinTight Armband (touted as providing you with "the freedom to run, bike, walk or work-out") to the test.
The band is a very soft rubbery material that stretches enough to keep a good grip around flexing muscles and though the plastic clip that actually holds the iPod does have four metal screws against my arm they were flush with the plastic and I didn't even notice them until looking it over after the run. The band fixes in place with velcro and was very easy to adjust with one hand. On either side of the clip are little grooves for holding excess cables. I found them to be a little too small, and you'll need a finger nail to push the cable in. To ensure the iPod doesn't escape, the pack includes one of Speck's SkinTight covers. It only comes with a clear one and that suited me fine....additional colours are available if you really need to match it to your hairdo that day. The skin flexes well and it wasn't particularly hard to squeeze the shuffle in. Speck must think that it's too hard to get the USB cap in though because it came with its own one embedded in the base.  There's a hole in the back so it's easy to slide the large button up and down and a thicker part to make sure the battery check button is pressed. It was the front that caused me some trouble though. I can't be sure if it was the iPod acting up or if the soft case had shifted sideways with several hours worth of pounding the pavement, but when I tried to skip to the next song it just wouldn't. Then I held the button in and eventually found it fast-forwarding instead. I've since tested it at home and haven't noticed the same problem.
In summary then, it was very comfortable and stood up to the task well. The SkinTight case can be used separately which is a bonus for the times you just want to throw it in your pocket rather than deal with an armband. There was difficulty getting the Forward button to work but I still recommend this one if you're on the move with your Shuffle. Glenn Wolsey So you made that choice and bought the small, compact and stylish iPod Shuffle. But your only problem is, when you go out running and have the iPod Shuffle in your pocket, it's a nightmare to use the controls and operate the iPod. You need an alternative fast!
Look no further than Speck Products, new Skin-Tight Armband for the iPod Shuffle!
Speck products have packed style, durability, easiness of use and protection into this amazing armband for your Shuffle. It looks absolutely stunning when in use. Speck Products have worked superbly on the intriguing design, which matches its exceptional performance.
The armband is perfect for running with your iPod. It makes it easy to access the controls to change your music. Surely this is a product Apple should be looking at to include with iPod Shuffles. It would make many people ooh, and ahh, as Apple has a great vision and eye for top class design.
The armband is made with a Velcro adjustable strap (one size fits all) and a dock like port to plug the iPod into. The plug is made out of high quality durable plastic, it's very strong and there are no noticeable threats of cracking the plastic, even if it happens to fall off your arm on to concrete.
The one commodity of the Armband compared to other competing companies Armbands, is the full exposure and easy access to the controls of you iPod. Speck's armband makes changing tracks a breeze, and pausing music a walk in the park. Get the picture?
In the package Speck have also included a thin rubber case for your iPod. This allows easy access to the iPod's ports. Not the best quality case, but it still does the job. In my opinion, I think the case was included to keep the iPod clean, not to protect it.
After a 10-minute jog I had no problems with the armband falling off or rocking. The iPod was still firmly in place and pumping out music like it was lying flat. Very impressive! Overall, this is a perfect choice for the avid runner or jogger who can't leave home without there iPod Shuffle. Check it out today!
| Tim Wise I work in an office. Alone. Only my calculator keeps me company. So it was with great delight that I welcomed an iGuy into the room. While not much of a conversationalist, he has a knowledge of songs that is second to none…  Set up was very straightforward, which is fortunate because in a typical gadget-crazed frenzy I cut through the heat-sealed plastic and anything that could have been instructions. Your iPod is pushed through an opening at the iGuy's waist. After a small amount of cajoling it became apparent a plastic support should also be inserted (fits between the skin and the back of the iPod). There is a plastic screen protector, which can be removed if you wish, but as this is a feature lacking in other skins I saw it as a great benefit.
So there he was, my iGuy was complete. Now all he needed was a charge up. The pose he has to take in order to 'receive' the charger is an unfortunate design feature, but one which is hard to alter. At least those with a dock charger can allow him to sit down instead of bending over. As I listen to iTunes through desk speakers while in the office, my real iGuy test was one of portability. To my relief, it still fits in my jeans pocket and the rubber material cushions the iPod extremely well. There was never any doubt the iPod was well protected, however when iGuy came out of my pocket he had developed a five o'clock shadow - any lint or dust will stick like glue and it's a devil to get off. As a result iGuy never looked as clean as when he first came out of the packet.  The design of the skin has been well thought out, with extra beveling around the hold switch to let you reach it easily. The only area for improvement was the click wheel cut out which was a bit rough around the edges. I like that the iPod is very well protected and the rubber is very tactile to handle. The flip-side is that the snug fitting, rubber skin does not allow you to get the iPod in and out very easily – something I do every day to plug in my iTrip.
No review of an iGuy would be complete without mentioning the arms and feet– as this is what makes the iGuy the little rubber man he is today. The feet are solid and chunky, fitting the design very nicely. Both arms are bendable, however they are linked by one wire which runs from each arm and through the back so you tend to find when you move one arm, the other follows. Although he's now a little hairy, and not easy to get in and out of the skin, I'll keep using my iGuy – he offers very good protection for my beloved iPod and is a good conversation piece. Now all they need is an iGirl… | Peter Cole The Tough-Skin for iPod from Speck has been around for a little while now, so it was pleasing to see they recently brought to market a similar item for the iPod mini – for those lucky few who got their hands on one before it was replaced by the leaner (in every respect) iPod nano.  Speck not only made this product tough, but also the packaging tough as well! Armed with a pair of Leonardo's most useful invention (scissors) the case was easily breached. The Tough-Skin is obviously a simple unit. One case and one clip. So simple in fact that you don't need instructions – a Kiwi bloke's dream. The funny thing was, I hadn't anticipated this either and spent a good 60 seconds studying the packaging and the Tough-Skin for instructions or even a hint as to how to insert the iPod mini into the skin. No dice. There really was only one possibility – remove the clear plastic screen protector and slide the iPod through it. Thankfully this was undertaken without incident.
The material of the Tough-Skin stretches over the top of the iPod securely encasing it. Phew. Reattach the clear plastic screen protector, as well as the clear plastic click-pad cover and you're done. I know, I know you're going to call me a sissy, but I really would have preferred some sort of guide as to how to get the iPod in there – my heart was in my mouth as I squeezed the iPod through the screen hole. With the iPod securely ensconced within the Tough-Skin, felt incredibly, well… non-slip. The tactile feel of the rubber was superb. You felt as if you had all the grip you could ever want. The translucent rubber is not only ribbed, but of a type that clings to the skin of your hand in a sort of "you'll never drop me" kind of way. It's reminiscent of the rubber used in those solid super-bouncy-balls. The thickness of the Tough-Skin, especially at the corners certainly gives the iPod mini a considerable degree of impact absorption missing without it. Now I'll admit up front that the only time our iPod mini has been dropped was by yours-truly. Thankfully it fell flat so there was no external damage, and it's been fine for many months since then, so I guess the internals survived okay too – but having the Tough-Skin is just so much better. The reason the iPod fell was because the Apple provided clip slipped off my belt. Well the clip that attaches to the rear of the Tough-Skin won't be coming off my belt by accident anytime soon. You get the feeling that Speck got their inspiration from the jaws of a crocodile. Once attached, this baby won't let go – unless you want it to of course. The 'belt' clip attaches via it's own clip system to the rear of the Tough-Skin. It requires the press of a button like mechanism to separate from the spindle, so really, it's not going anywhere. The mounting clip itself can be spun around to any angle so the clip should be able to hang onto a fair range of objects.  As good as the case clearly is for toughening the iPod, protection is not my primary reason for wanting it. Slightly more important to me was as a mounting mechanism for the car. There's a dearth of iPod mini car mounting options available, so the Tough-Skin is going to moonlight as a car mount. All I have to do now is locate something around the dashboard for the jaws of the clip to attach to and we'll be right.
The use of the iPod within the Tough-Skin is so straightforward I almost forgot to make mention of it in this review. The touch sensitive click-pad is protected in the same manner as the screen. A cover of hard clear plastic keeps the controls from being bumped (there's not so much need to use the 'Hold' switch at the top of the iPod). When you need to use the iPod controls, the clear cover hinges down and when you're done, is held closed by a simple, if slightly flimsy looking clip. I should add that the clip keeping the clear cover closed hasn't yet failed, so appearances may be deceiving – it surely worked fine for me. Like the clear screen cover, the hinged click-pad cover can be easily removed as well, if you don't feel you need the extra protection. The hold button at the top of the iPod is still accessible as are the jacks for headphones and remote. There are a few things that need to be considered when weighing the pros and cons for the Tough-Skin. I've highlighted the pros in that it clearly does exactly what it is sold to do. No complaints, it is good at its job. Just be aware that removing the iPod from the Tough-Skin is a little on the difficult side. Why would you want to remove your iPod from its full rubber jacket? Well, our iPod is also half our stereo (the other half is a cool TDK Tremor R80 amp & speakers, with remote control). Sitting in the tough skin, there's no way it can fit into a Dock. Yes you can plug the wire from the amplifier into the headphone socket, but you've still got to charge the player. This means disconnecting the USB cable (in our case connected to an Apple USB power block) from the Dock and connecting it to the iPod mini through the well-sized slot in the base of the Tough Skin. Also be aware that the Tough-Skin is not an all weather cover nor will it keep out sand or dirt any more than before. As is clear from the name and its shape, it toughens the iPod from knocks and significantly lessens the chance of it slipping from your hand. So you need to think, how do I use my iPod mini? If it's more as a stereo component utilising an iPod mini with Dock, you'll really have to learn to master the sliding in and out the iPod mini of the Tough-Skin (good luck). If it's as a portable music player, clipped to your belt or in your handbag, then the Speck Tough-Skin for iPod mini is a really great accessory. |
 |
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Show/Hide comments
Show/Hide comment form