Product Requirements:
Device:
Apple iPOD (10 or 20 gig models)
I
feel like I’ve been living a lie…
Here
Mikey goes again, claiming to be the Great Gadget Warrior, when I am holding a
deep, dark secret from all of you…
I
have never owned a Vaja case.
Sure
I could claim that I am against the use of leather (which I am not) or that I
think it’s silly to invest triple-digits American in a PDA case (which I also do
not).
However, things changed recently; and when it rains, it pours.
I had
a naked iPod that was sure to be seriously damaged in short order, and Julie had
been sent a custom, 20 gig iVOD case from the nice folks at Vaja. Sadly, she is
sans iPod at the moment (maybe a little gun-shy from the powerbook incident?)
and forwarded the item to me.
As
the old Remington electric razor add goes, “I liked it so much, I bought the
company…”
No,
Vaja has not changed hands, but I actually opened my wallet and braved the moths
that flew out and took the plunge on my very own 10 gig model.
Obviously, I really liked the case.
Here
are the dimensions (in inches):
|
10 gig |
20 gig |
||
|
Naked |
In Case |
Naked |
In Case |
|
4.0 |
4.25 |
4.0 |
4.25 |
|
2.4 |
2.75 |
2.4 |
2.75 |
|
.72 |
1.125 |
.84 |
1.125 |
The
iVOD is really a lesson in simplicity – just a sleeve for your mp3 player.
The
case is manufactured with four layers of material (taffeta, ABS plastic, foam
rubber and leather) to keep your tunes save and lookin’ good. Despite the armor
plating that this system provides, my penchant for destruction did manage to mar
this very pretty case (more on that later).
Going
custom allows the selection of a quarter of a zillion color combinations and
optional name embossing…they even spelled both of our names right!!!
Being
a brown leather kinda guy, I went mono with my case, more to my aesthetics and a
lower “steal me” factor.
Pop
your ‘pod in right through the top and it is held tight (assuming that you are
using the right case, as my 10 gig device took a header out of the 20 gig case
and skidded across a parking lot…great).
The
screen and control wheel are open, but the layers of leather and plastic puff
out to provide face-down fall protection while still allowing unrestricted
access to the controls and LCD. This situation was problematic at times, as the
controls can be depressed while worn on the belt, realizing hours later than I’d
been playing Love Shack over and over (and missing it!!!).
Of
course, I could have flipped the Hold switch on the iPod…hindsight being
20/20…speaking of the hold switch… As there is no cover on the top of the case,
the controls are all exposed and easily reached.
The
Ultraclip is a pretty standard affair, functional and well-made, though I
managed to somewhat mangle mine, a quick flip of my Leatherman bent it back into
shape.
It
was wearing this case on my belt that caused damage – it is never my intention
to be the gadget disaster area that I have become, it just kind of works out
that way. Nearest I can figure, I was getting into or out of the car with the
case affixed to my waist and brushed against the seat, bending the corner of the
top. The damage is superficial and the case still works fine, but (as you can
see) it has a scar across the eye brow.
A
nice little touch is a leather draw-string accessory bag that is offered at no
charge with the iVOD. It is great for any accessories (mp3 or not) that you
carry with you. NOTE: This case is not color matched to your custom iVOD, they
are only offered in the dark brown.
At
the moment, Vaja is offering any custom case options at no charge, but this is a
limited-time offer. If you were ever thinking about this case, now might be
the right time to order…
…the
only thing I would advise is not getting a used one from me…
Price: (Starting at)
$89.90
Pros:
Vaja – need I say more???
Cons:
Pricey
No protection from screen damage, or control bumping
Product Information
| Price: | |
| Manufacturer: | Vaja |
