The iPod accessories market has always been a fierce battleground. Hundreds of manufacturers creating the latest little trinket for you to hook onto your iPod. Only a select few iPod accessories are actually beneficial, do what they say and are worth your hard-earned money. ifrogz is a relatively new company offering rugged, silicone cases for the iPod Nano, iPod Video and the 4th Gen iPod.
How It Works
Unlike many other iPod cases, ifrogz cases have pioneered a new frontier of customization. Each case, which retails at $24 USD, is comprised of three components; the main wrapz, a bandz and screenz. You get to choose the color of the wrap and band as well as the style of the screenz, which covers the iPod’s scroll wheel. Their website has an interactive flash and javascript system that lets you see what each color combination looks like an iPod. In addition to those three components, a cleaning cloth is accompanied with the package so that you may prep the iPod before applying the protective screen and then the iPod scroll wheel cover. The larger, non-Nano models come equipped with a belt clip whereas the Nano model sports “fins” so that you can attach an included lanyard.
Thoughts
This is the first time I have seen any iPod cases with a multiple component design. The advantage of this is that you can not only create your own case, but have the ability to purchase additional components at a small price. For example, you can purchase extra bandz, if you wish to use alternative colors from time to time, for only $4.
Build Quality
The components are made of pure silicone and treated with an anti-static method designed to resist lint and dust adhering to the surface. I was actually surprised with the build quality. I had been skeptical about a silicone case but it seems rugged. I tested the strength of the wrap by trying to get it to tear by digging my nail into it as much as possible. Nothing happened, not even a mark was left. The soft texture of the case absorbs the impact of a fall rather well, bouncing the iPod around rather than letting a dent or worse damage occur. However, I have a small gripe with the awkward fitting of the band on the bottom of the Nano wrap. Although, I believe this has been fixed with the newer versions of the case shown on their website.
The wrapz has the perfect dimensions and is exactly the right size to show the entire scroll wheel and display. The band goes all around the wrap to keep it snug, only providing access to the headphones jack. This does make it a slight pain turning on and off hold, but nothing too severe. The good thing is that the band provides a tight fit for the headphones jack, which fixes my age-old dilemma of the headphones disconnecting with the slightest accidental tug on the cable. However, due to the size of the hole in the band, fitting non-Apple headphones will be a challenge.
The cases for the 4th and 5th Gen iPod seem slightly more durable with thicker silicone than the Nano case. As mentioned earlier, the larger cases support the use of an included belt clip which is strong enough to latch in your iPod and features a quick-release mechanism. The whole interface is very similar to cell phone belt clips. However, users should take note that the cases for the 30GB and 60GB 5th Gen. iPod Video are identical, the 30GB version coming with a silicone insert to make up for the extra space. While this may seem like a waste, resulting in an unnecessarily thicker case, ifrogz has documented this and says it provides a safer environment for your iPod.
What’s this screenz thing?
Screenz is a combination of a thin yet protective plastic cover for the front of the iPod and a decal to stylize the scroll wheel. While not necessary for the case to function, screenz can protect the display from minor scratches while adding your own unique touch to the iPod. There are literally hundreds of designs to choose from, with more likely to come. Regardless of which screenz you purchase, two sizes of the scroll wheel screenz are provided – for the Nano and larger iPods. They are essentially decals and can be removed as easily as they were applied.
After testing them briefly, I can assure you that no functionality is lost by putting something over the scroll wheel (track wheel technically). I remember being able to control my iPod in my pocket on the outside of my pants once.
In the end
As promised, ifrogz delivered a quality product at a reasonable price. The silicone wrapz and bandz hold the iPod well, absorbing shocks, while the screenz component protects against screen scratches and adds some flair to the scroll wheel. Making your iPod gym or hiking-proof is a great thing. However, this kind of protection comes at the cost of functionality. The case pretty much hogs up everything, only leaving access to the headphones jack. Turning on hold, hooking up your FM radio remote, charging or syncing require slightly disassembling the case. This can become an annoyance if you are an iPod power user.
While the ifrogz cases do a great job of protecting your iPod, they can be too “grippy” at times. Attempting to slip my ifrogz-protected Nano into my jeans pocket before class began deemed near impossible. The case provided way too much kinetic friction to fit in my pocket. If iPod protection is 2nd on your list, with port accesibility and ease of use being first, I recommend you check out a slick case like the Capsule, TuneBuckle or the carbon fiber C6. But if you want a protected iPod and don’t want to worry about scratching the case when you drop it, the ifrogz line of cases is for you. Head over to ifrogz to customize your own case.
PaulStamatiou.com runs on the Thesis Theme for WordPress
Thesis is the search engine optimized WordPress theme of choice for serious online publishers. If you’re a blogger who doesn’t understand a lot of PHP, Thesis will give a ton of functionality without having to alter any code. For the advanced, Thesis has incredible customization possibilities via Thesis hooks.
With so many design options, you can use the template over and over and never have it look like the same site. The theme is robust and flexible enough not only to accommodate a site like PaulStamatiou.com, but also to enable the site to run far more efficiently than it ever has before.
I used the Scribe WordPress plugin and service to optimize this blog post for SEO.
{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
Excellent review!
I wish there were more reviews like this… it would have aided in my search earlier this year. I ended up going with the iSkin eVo3. I may consider writing something up about it because the reviews I read really did not do it justice or give me the warm and fuzzy feeling, it was just the lesser of two evils.
Just curious, but did they sponsor you for this review?
The cases were free. I tried to be as unbiased and professional as possible. Did it not look that way?
no, your review seemed completely honest, but the giveaway was the fact that your picture showed three cases, and it’s a rare person that spends 87 dollars to have three color options for his ipod, so I figured they must have been sponsored.
but yeah, I wasn’t trying to say you’re a crook ;)
Great review. I still love my iSkin though.
One thing I’m wondering is you mentioned about the anti-static treatment. Does it actually work? I only ask because my iSkin always gets full of lint when I put it in my pocket.
Yeah I think it does. It’s been sitting in my messenger bag for a few days, which is dirty to the max and nothing has attached to the Nano case.
Mmm, grippy… Wouldn’t gripping be a good thing? If you were at school the iPod wouldn’t be able to get knocked off the desk easy…
Oh well, good review and unbias considering you named some other cases at the end.
My iSkin has the same problem as cavemonkey50’s. I bought a black one but it is more gray at the moment and I don’t even put it in my pocket! Is the anti static treatment available separately or is it done to all of them?
Am I the only one that hates silicone cases?
They look very tacky, for my refined taste. (ha)
I prefer simple, leather ones, like the white leather flip one I got from Belkin, for my iPod nano.
For me, the best money I’ve ever spent on an iPod case has to be my nano’s a.b. sutton leather case. Much better value than the leather case by Apple.
I realy like this cute yet funtion second skin on one’s ipod.It’s a sure buy.AWESOME!!!
well, I just bough one off of ebay, close to $5 free p&p. have a nice day :)
are the cases impact resistant
meh. don’t really like the frog design on there though….otherwise a pretty good idea.
Can anyone letme know if the ipod case works fine or not without the band. I ordered the case & the sticker but left out the band.
very good review i was thinking about getting one and now i’m defintely getting one….let you guys know when i get it
prats007:
On the one hand, yes, the ifrogz case for your iPod will work without the band. However, the purpose of the band (besides allowing you to add a cool second color to your look) is to actually protect your iPod by covering up all of the different ports and other “openings” to prevent damage from dust, lint, dirt, sand, etc. In other words, the ifrogz bandz is one of three “layers” of protection for an iPod.
Dave Politis,
ifrogz PR team
The ifrogz is exactly what I am looking for, but I have one worry. Having to take off the casing everytime a charge is needed. Can anyone feel me in on that situation? Also how is the clip for running and working out?
Cheers
Hey Timmayt,
If you just take off the band, then its fine.
I have 2 problems with my nano’s ifrogz skin (I got the bandz, skinz and screenz):
1. the screen on the nano is slightly depressed. thus, the screenz cannot cover it without space around the edges of the screen (i.e. bubble). this is not a big deal when the screen is illuminated, but otherwise it is less pleasant.
2. the middle button’s sensitivity was compromised by the screenz
Has anyone experienced these problems?
Does anyone have a solution?
Thanks
-ivan
ivan,
The screen works fine. It takes practice with putting on the screen. All adhesive screens are like that.
I personally have had ZIP problems with my iFrogz.
P.S. If they get dirty or collecting w/e on it, then take a damp papertowel to it. Takes whatever right off.
~Lindsey
hey, just want to make sure before I go and order one of these…they fit the 2nd generation nanos, right?
@dan – I’m not sure about the new cases, I reviewed this many months ago. I recommend emailing them.
Nice review.
Hey Timmayt, Check ZOFUNK cases. They allow you to charge ipod without removing the case. I am quite satisfied with Zofunk (www.zofunk.com) so far.
I was wondering if i could have a generation 2 nano in the nano case??
hey, Free is always great! I want a free case for my iPod video!
This company sucks. I paid express mail for an item that was never sent out in time for a birthday present (even though I paid double to have it shipped sooner), and when I nicely called the company to see where the item was, they were rude to me and refused to reimburse me for shipping or anything else. They didn’t even apologize for the mishap. When I finally received the item, it wasn’t nearly as good quality as I had expected. The folks running this company are amateurs, and I would steer clear from their overpriced, over-hyped items.