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March 1, 2009
OtterBox Protection for iPods Tired of Scratches?
While at CES I met Kristin Golliher at the OtterBox booth during the ShowStoppers event. We discussed the iPod Nano I received as a Christmas gift. When I returned to Key West I found two iPod Nano 4th generation OtterBox cases on my desk. One is the Impact and the other is the Defender.
I guess you could say the Defender is the tough guy that protects most everything on your iPod while allowing you access to all the controls and connectors. The Impact case provided more basic protection against bumps and shocks. (That does not mean electrical shocks.) All the connectors and controls are out in the open for easy access and better touch control. I tested both.
The Impact ($19.95) This is an easy to use sleeve with openings at both ends for access to connectors and a circular opening on the front to provide access to the Click Wheel. Of course there is an opening in the back so you can see the Apple logo. I like the good fit and the open feeling of this case. It is great for those who want to protect the iPod against bumps and light drops but not those who drop, step on, or abuse their positions. This case is not protected against water.
The Defender ($29.95) The Defender from OtterBox has three layers. 1: a clear, thin membrane to protect your screen and Click Wheel 2: a hi-impact polycarbonate skeleton 3: a silicone skin to absorb bump and shock
The Defender also has a built-in stand for movie viewing. This case is not protected against water.
If you want a case that does protect against water at some level the OtterBox Armor Case ($39.95) might work for you. It is not good for scuba diving. Check the warranty for any OtterBox case before you assume it will protect to the level you need.
I like the Impact for its easy setup and light weight. It works for me around the house, in the car and on a plane. It should also be fine for those who use an armband to hold their iPod. The Defender has become my case of choice as I am not good at protecting anything fragile. I fire up the iPod, stick in the earbuds, then drop the unit into my pocket. Pocket change, car keys, and pocket lint attack any MP3 player that I own or test.
The Defender did create a learning experience for me as I had issues with the thin skin of the case interfering with the Click Wheel. After several tries I mastered the pressure required and all worked fine. I like the Impact for its easy setup and light weight. It works for me around the house, in the car and on a plane. It should also be fine for those who use an armband to hold their iPod. The Defender has become my case of choice as I am not good at protecting anything fragile. I fire up the iPod, stick in the earbuds, and then drop the unit into my pocket. Pocket change, car keys, and pocket lint attack any MP3 player that I own. The Defender did create a relearning experience for me as I had issues with the case interfering with the Click Wheel. After several tries I mastered the pressure required and all worked fine.
The prices are right. The protection level you need is available. OtterBox cases are worth checking out for anyone who needs to protect their iPod as well as other electronics.
For more information on these and many other OtterBox products CLICK HERE.
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