Customer Reviews

Marware Sportsuit Relay Case for iPod nano 3G and Nike Plus (Black)

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Pros:
great product. it comes with clear film protectors for both the screen and the click wheel. it also comes with the shoe pouch so you can wear the sensor on non-nike+ shoes! a great deal for any ipod nano owner who uses nike plus

Cons:
After about 3 weeks of use i've started to notice little nicks on the edges of my ipod nano. Since I only use the nano with the armband, (except when i take it out to update my nike + runs) the damage is definitely coming from the armband. It seems like the damage is coming from rubbing between the ipod and the stitching that connect the protective plastic screen and the armband. The nicks are small but definitely noticeable.

Personally the nicks don't bother me that much, as I only use my nano for Nike+ and other work out purposes. However if you're [...] about keeping your ipod nano in pristine condition, you may way to go elsewhere.

Also another small problem.. i wear the armband on my forearm and i tend to sweat a lot when i run. as a result some moisture does soak through the neoprene material and some of the moisture comes in contact with the ipod. i don't think this will be a problem for my ipod, but it is a little annoying when i take the ipod out of the armband to sync after a run and there is moisture on the body and screen of the ipod.

one last nit picky negative: there's no way to dock the ipod nano while it is inside the case.

The Marware Sportsuit was better than expected. It allows for a pouch to use the Nike Plus system and also includes a shoe wallet for the sensor. This allows you to use shoes other than Nike and it works great. The Sportsuit can also be worn on your wrist making it easier for access to your nano.

The only negative is that the touch wheel does not work very well through the protective clear plastic but while running or walking, you only need access to push the center button for updates.

Great Product!

This product worked just as it says. Fits great and is perfect for the Nano with Nike+. The little space for the wireless receiver works great. Also the little hole for the headphone plug is exactly where it should be. The only drawback is sometimes it is difficult to use the controls through the plastic. But this is not really a big issue. A couple times I have paused runs by pressing the pause button, while attempting to press the center button, to hear run information. Now im a little more careful, and this really isnt a problem. I like that it can be worn on the wrist or upper arm. Works great and is made well. I would recommend.

There are not a lot of good options for the new Ipod Nano video yet, and even fewer for the Nano with Nike+ installed. This case does adequately hold and protect the Nano. It is made as a wrist case though and comes with a short adapter to fit around your upper arm. The velcro on this is not the strongest though and you will sometimes get separation. If you want to use it as a dedicated upper arms case the best thing is to put a couple stitches through it to hold the extension on.

The other problem I had with this case is it is incredibly difficult to use the controls through the plastic protector. This isn't a big deal if you listen to music while you run, maybe a skipped song while you are trying to change your run data or change the volume. If you listen to longer audio tracks, like Audiobooks it can be a real pain. It is hard to find you place in an hour long track in the middle of a run.I have learned to set it and leave it because of this. The Sportsuit Relay is better than anything else I have yet found, so long as you understand its shortcomings up front.

I bought this armband specifically because it fits the nano with the nike plus attachment and it comes with a sensor pouch for my sneakers. As an
armband, it is comfortable and can be used as either an armband or wristband which is nice. However, there are a few drawbacks that buyers should be aware of.

1) It is really difficult getting the nano in and out of the case. The back of the case has an opening similar to that of a pillowcase, except there are two stitches that make the opening about .25 inches too narrow on either side. I have to really struggle to shove the nano with the attachment in there and getting it out is even more of a hassle, since there is quite a bit of humidity built up between the screen and the plastic front (sweat does get into the case from the back).

2) It is not entirely waterproof/sweatproof. I don't sweat heavily, but I have noticed after runs that there is some humidity build up in the case on the back of the ipod and between the screen and the plastic, making the plastic cling to the screen. Therefore, don't expect this armband to protect your ipod in a downpour.

3) The first armband I received had faulty stitching on the top which caused part of the top to rip off while I was trying to get the ipod into the case. I sent it back to the Amazon marketplace seller and they sent me back a replacement.

For the price, I expected a better designed and better quality armband. While waiting for my replacement, I bought a different one for about 5 bucks after shipping. It is called "nansporty" which is basically a knockoff of the official Apple armband. With a 1.5 inch piece of double sided velcro, I was able to get that case to fit the nano with the nike plus attachment. It comes in better colors and seems to be more sweatproof than this one. I also have an easier time getting the nano into and out of that case (although that one is a bit snug too).

Most of the cases I found were for the nano 2G so this was a good find. And the product itself is excellent. Can be worn on the wrist or arm (handy extender is included) and the ear phone port lines up where it's supposed to. This also comes with a holder for the transmitter so you don't have to buy the special Nikes made specifically for the iPod. I'm very particular about my running shoes so this is a nice bonus. The only negatvie so far (and the reason it's 4 stars instead of 5) has to do with controlling the iPod wheel - it's sometimes difficult through the cases plastic cover. Other than that I really like this equipment.

This product exceeded my expectations! When I ordered this product I thought...MAKE SURE YOU GET AN ARM BAND THAT WILL FIT THE NEW NANO and THE WIRELESS RECEIVER...that was my only criteria.

Then when I receive the package I was VERY happy to see that a shoe wallet came with it (when I switch shoes between back to back runs) and that the band can fit not only on my upper arm, but on my wrist! I LOVE THAT PART! It's easy to see and move the wheel while walking...while running it is more difficult.

Couldn't be happier with this item and HIGHLY recommend it to my fellow running friends!

ALMOST ONE YEAR LATER!
I've been running a lot and I haven't had any problems with this arm band falling apart or anything, BUT...

I'm running about 10 miles every weekend during the hot days of summer and humidity...I guess with all my sweat soaking through the arm band to my iPod...it doesn't work any more. I'm so sad and frustrated! My screen on my iPod just flickers and I've done everything they say to do for home repair. I can't find my receipt to prove I bought it to be able to take it into the Apple Store/Genius Bar. UGH!

Anyone want to donate an iPod to me?

I love to run and I love my iPod. What a great combination of iPod and Nike +. However, I don't like Nike shoes. Needing a reliable armband for my runs, I choose the Marware Relay Case so I can use it with Asics shoes. Nice, sleek and somewhat sexy, I was anxious to hit the road. It started out as 5 stars for me: One star for how it looks and the tight fit, another star for the easy to use shoe wallet for the Nike receiver and a third star for the ease of iPod use once its in the case. However, I quickly realized that this was not a 5 star product for me: I had to deduct a star as the arm extender is more of a hassle than a time saver. Why on earth did they not make it just one band for all the way wear around my arm? Is it because they wanted people to have the ability of wearing the relay case on the wrist- which is what I have to do now if I'm in a rush and/or don't feel like playing around with the extender? It fits tight once its on my arm, but its a hassle to get it there. It is one of the worst armbands I have ever used. Go past that, I had to deduct another star for the somewhat hassle to get my iPod in and out of the case and headphone hookup which can also be a hassle when I'm on the go. These are the only two hangups, but to me, they are pretty big hangups. All-in-all, I would like to think that there are better Nike+ armbands out there, but this one does the job as well (its just not as easy to use as the other ones).

I run with my Nike+ iPod about 3-4 times a week. I am not a big sweater, but this thing turns into a sponge even on my short runs. The plastic cover gets fogged up and when I take out my nano at the end of the run, there is a far bit of moisture on it. It has all but ruined my nano. It turns itself off and will not come back on. It takes several hours for it to come back to life.

Two other points, don't run in a shirt with no sleeves, the armband will rub your skin raw. The click wheel is very hard to use when you need to raise/lower volume or anything else that requires you to scroll.

After doing a lot of research I decided on the Marware Sportsuit Relay for my Nano. I chose it on several criteria
1) had to allow for the Nike Plus adapter
2) needed to be versatile (fits wrist or arm)
3) needed to keep moisture out (fails at that)
4) needed to be easy to use and relatively durable

So far I have mixed feelings.

On one hand it stays on my arm/wrist, the scroll wheel is reasonably accessible through the plastic cover, it's pretty comfortable to wear, and easy to get iPod in and out after a couple times using it.

Downsides are it allows moisture in the back so the iPod has to be constantly removed to dry (which I wanted to avoid), the quality can only be described as cheap feeling - especially the tacky patent number on the back of the product showing through the plastic window when no iPod is in it, and it doesn't provide any headphone cord management (although I rig mine through the strap it doesn't always stay).

Overall this is a usable device and it's not bad enough for me to replace it with something else (mostly because I don't think there's anything really better out there on the market sadly), but I wouldn't recommend it either. Sadly the Nano is now in a 4th generation so I doubt there will be any new great cases coming out for the 3G.