Marketplace Pick
Market Pick
INTRODUCTION
So you've got
a new iPod Nano. And you've read about the Nano's inexplicable desire to pick
up any and all scratches possible. Or you've seen pictures of a Nano that
was improperly placed in someone's back pocket. Yes, it is a tiny device -
but that doesn't mean it can handle any more abuse than the rest of your gear.
Enter iSkin with their Duo for the iPod Nano. A dual layer case that, according to iSkin,
not only provides shock protection, but also looks good too. How does it survive
in the real world? Read on for the review!
WRAP
IT UP
While I completely
understand that real men can and do wear pink, you would be hard pressed to
find pink accessories in my life. Unless you look to my wife, who's favorite
color is pink, and then you will understand why pink (or Blush Rush, as iSkin
calls it) is the color of choice for this review. As mentioned in the introduction,
the Duo is made of, gasp, two layers (Figure 1). The inner layer
(white), will glow after being exposed to light, provides extra hand grips,
covers the click wheel, but leaves all other ports open. The second, outer
layer, slides over the inner layer, and then you pop in your Wheel Cap, polycarbonate
screen protector, and RevoClip2 (ie belt clip).
(all images link to higher resolution)
Figure 1:All
the parts disassembled.
(all images link to higher resolution)
Figure 1:All
the parts disassembled.
Figure 2:
My wife's iPod Nano, installed in the Duo.
The new RevoClip2 is a step up from the last iteration (Figure 3), but my wife did succeed in almost completely breaking one of the teeth that hold the clip to the back of the unit. It's still attached (just barely), and the clip still works great, however. My wife really only leaves this clip attached when she is going to the gym, otherwise, she opts to leave the plastic nubs just sticking out of the back.
Figure 3:
A close up of the new RevoClip2.
HOLD
ME, USE ME...
The sides of the Duo provide essentially three
levels of grip (Figure 4). The first is the silicone itself, which
is tacky, but not sticky - although it does pick up dust and dirt fairly easily.
Second grip areas are the two micro-goosebump patches (two oval areas covered
with very small bumps of silicone). Last, are the four areas through which
the inner layer extends through the outer layer. The chances of this case
accidentally slipping out of your hands is small, and even if your Nano was
to take a dive, the Duo has eight inner-layer shock point absorbers.
Figure 4:
The side of the Duo with its three main grip areas.
The top of the Duo case is open to provide access to the hold switch (Figure 5), but is otherwise completely protected.
Figure 5:
The top of the Duo case.
And on the bottom, rather than leaving those ports open all the time, iSkin has small silicone flaps that cover the headphone and docking ports (Figure 6).
Figure 6:
A close up of the flaps that cover the headphone and docking ports.
HOW THICK
ARE YOU
One of my initial concerns with the Duo is how
thick the device would be case on, versus case off (Figure 7). And
while there is a noticeable difference, it still doesn't detract from the
Nano's tiny form factor. In fact, I would almost say it enhances it.
Figure 7:
A thickness comparison of the iPod and the Duo.
PURCHASING
You can purchase
iSkin's Duo for the iPod Nano here for $29.99.
PROS
- Great protection
- It glows!
- Easy access to all ports and switches
CONS
- iSkin Wheel Cap makes case harder to use
- Teeth for RevoClip2 can break
OVERALL
IMPRESSION
My wife's comment
on the iSkin Duo for the iPod Nano? "It's awfully cute." She really
like this case solution a lot, and so do I. It not only allows you to customize
the color of your iPod and protect it, but do so without losing the all important
form factor. A highly recommended solution for any iPod Nano owner, even if
you don't like pink. Taking all things into account, we give the iSkin Duo
for the iPod Nano the following score:
Figure 2:
My wife's iPod Nano, installed in the Duo.
The new RevoClip2 is a step up from the last iteration (Figure 3), but my wife did succeed in almost completely breaking one of the teeth that hold the clip to the back of the unit. It's still attached (just barely), and the clip still works great, however. My wife really only leaves this clip attached when she is going to the gym, otherwise, she opts to leave the plastic nubs just sticking out of the back.
Figure 3:
A close up of the new RevoClip2.
HOLD
ME, USE ME...
The sides of the Duo provide essentially three
levels of grip (Figure 4). The first is the silicone itself, which
is tacky, but not sticky - although it does pick up dust and dirt fairly easily.
Second grip areas are the two micro-goosebump patches (two oval areas covered
with very small bumps of silicone). Last, are the four areas through which
the inner layer extends through the outer layer. The chances of this case
accidentally slipping out of your hands is small, and even if your Nano was
to take a dive, the Duo has eight inner-layer shock point absorbers.
Figure 4:
The side of the Duo with its three main grip areas.
The top of the Duo case is open to provide access to the hold switch (Figure 5), but is otherwise completely protected.
Figure 5:
The top of the Duo case.
And on the bottom, rather than leaving those ports open all the time, iSkin has small silicone flaps that cover the headphone and docking ports (Figure 6).
Figure 6:
A close up of the flaps that cover the headphone and docking ports.
HOW THICK
ARE YOU
One of my initial concerns with the Duo is how
thick the device would be case on, versus case off (Figure 7). And
while there is a noticeable difference, it still doesn't detract from the
Nano's tiny form factor. In fact, I would almost say it enhances it.
Figure 7:
A thickness comparison of the iPod and the Duo.
PURCHASING
You can purchase
iSkin's Duo for the iPod Nano here for $29.99.
PROS
- Great protection
- It glows!
- Easy access to all ports and switches
CONS
- iSkin Wheel Cap makes case harder to use
- Teeth for RevoClip2 can break
OVERALL
IMPRESSION
My wife's comment
on the iSkin Duo for the iPod Nano? "It's awfully cute." She really
like this case solution a lot, and so do I. It not only allows you to customize
the color of your iPod and protect it, but do so without losing the all important
form factor. A highly recommended solution for any iPod Nano owner, even if
you don't like pink. Taking all things into account, we give the iSkin Duo
for the iPod Nano the following score:
