Customer Reviews

Griffin 9973-CLR5G iClear Case for iPod Video

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I've seen and used many cases and this is definitely one of the best I've come across. The plastic doesn't scratch easily, but don't expect it to be invincible either. It's surprisingly thin and still offers a great deal of protection, by no means is it brittle or easy to crack. iPod Video actually looks cooler inside the case! The plastic is very clear and videos can be watched at any angle without distortions or strange coloration. The bottom part of the iPod where the connector is installed is not restricted at all, allowing for various aftermarket connectors to still work. Also, on the headphone side the jack has ample room and I haven't had a single problem connecting even my studio Sony MDR V-700 headphones.

I've had the iPod in my pocket rubbing against loose change and keys and the case hasn't picked up significant scratches. The kit comes with two different bottom parts to accomodate both the 30 and 60 gig iPod videos. The case itself can be opened very easily sliding a coin in one of the two little slits. No more struggling to take out the ipod for the occasional cleaning, but still attaches strongly enough to never come apart by itself.

A great design initiative on behalf of Griffin was to make the bottom part out of a slightly softer plastic so that it would not develop cracks in time after repeatedly taking it apart.

I highly recommend this case to anyone looking for a hard plastic cover for their iPod Video. I've had silicone ones as well and have come to dislike how they can tear if you're not careful or collect dust due to their "sticky" nature.

Background - Got an 30GB iPod that I knew I wouldn't be docking in a station, so wanted a more sturdy case that would 1. protect the iPod and 2. look good. Mission accomplished.

Pros:

- very slick; crystal clear face plate

- snug fit; not overly easy to take the case off, which is a GOOD thing

- really looks great on the iPod

- comes with shells for 30GB and 60/80GB models; if I upgrade, I don't have to buy another Griffin case

Cons:

- (nitpicky) would have preferred the backside case (bottom half) to be clear like the front; its more translucent, but engravings and other marks are still visible through the back

- clear case front will show fingerprints, but so does the naked iPod :)

I wasted my $ on a Contour Design case that was supposed to fit both the 30G and the 60G--not! It would not fully close around the 60, and it would not suprise me if a 30 would rattle around inside. Griffin had the brains to include two back halves--one for the 30 and one for the 60. The 60 is a perfect fit. No more do I have to worry about my case popping open. It is also easy to pry apart and does not seem any looser after having pried it open a number of times. I really like this case.

The case is hard and provides good protection. I like the fact that it is clear and that you can access the click-wheel, hold button, headphone jack, and usb connection without removing the case. Also, its pretty thin so you can still slip it in your pocket. The only downside is that you need a quarter to open it. You cannot just pry it open with your fingers.

Works fine and isn't easily scratched. Only minus is it seems to get a little dust trapped between iPod and the case, although you can only see it under certain lighting conditions.

I have given this product 5 stars solely because it does exactly what I need done. It provides good protection while allowing full access to all buttons, wheels, and connection ports. It stays on even when dropped while jogging (a BIG plus for me), and has a large enough headphone hole to connect my a/v cables, so I don't ever see an instance in which I would need to take this case off.

However, if you are a person that needs to remove the case for whatever reason, it can be done quite easily by inserting a coin into the bottom side of the case, and popping it open.

The only negative to this case are the inevitable scratches that will form on the case, but there is simply no way to make a case that does not scratch.

Great case, and prompt shipping as always from amazon!

I've had a black rubber case on my iPod for several years...very durable and protective, but not great to look at. I came across this clear plastic case while just browsing and decided it might be what I was looking for. And how. The iPod is still well protected, but now you can see the classic look of it instead of plain rubber skin. The only reason I couldn't give it 5 stars was a small scratch on the upper right hand corner of the screen covering area. It came right out of the package that way so I'd have to call it a Griffin quality control issue, not an Amazon problem. Still very happy with this item.

This case does its job well. It fits into the universal dock without adjustment, which is nice. It protects the iPod from scratches and fingerprints, but not drops. It seems this is the price you pay for a case which shows off the real look of the iPod.

I bought an iClear, but was disappointed by the back side of the case. The front end is beautiful, but the back side of the iClear is (ironically) not clear. It's at best a frosty white, which hides the engravings on the back side. More displeasing is the blatant 'Griffin' advertising that takes the place of those engravings. The iClear also shows more fingerprints than other hard-shells.

The iClear is hard to remove, also, requiring you to dig your nails or a coin into the slot in the side of the case. Oh, and be sure you start at the top of the case, and not the bottom, or you won't get it open. Odds are, you'll find yourself wanting to clean the iPod itself at least once (or perhaps replace the case) in its lifetime. You have to be careful doing so, though, because if you're too harsh opening it (with nails, coins, etc.), you'll scratch the side of your iPod -- exactly what you bought a case to avoid.

You ABSOLUTELY MUST make sure with the iClear that you put it on with both sides facing the same direction. It will happily apply with the back side on upside down or some similar human error, but you'll never get it back off. The first iClear I bought was a victim of exactly that error -- it was placed on incorrectly, and stuck on so soundly that the force required to remove it fractured the bottom of the case's front side.

Just bought this casing yesterday, and I already have a bad attitude towards it. I also own a Griffin FM transmitter. After placing the Ipod in the case, I tried to plug in the transmitter...........no such luck!! The case is too bulky on the bottom, and does not allow the transmitter to be plugged into the Ipod. Poor design by this company, considering they designed both items!!! Try another company.

This case has a nice satin feel to the back which I think helps keep it from slipping from my grip. The case is crystal clear and I especially appreciate that it covers the screen and protects it - my last case did not do that. I also like the way the case locks securely but still can easily be taken off - which I had to immediately after putting it on and realizing I had it upside down! I think it has a very sophisticated look and high lights the gloss black finish of my iPod. I can't see how any would be disappointed.