Customer Reviews

Rhinoskin Apple iPod 30GB Video Aluminum Case

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

 

 

When I first started shopping around for a case, it seemed that Agent 18 had the monopoly on simple, minimalistic, hard cases. Then Rhino Skin finally released this aluminum case, and users finally have a viable alternative.

The description that amazon provides is pretty meager, but there honestly isn't much to talk about. This case doesn't do much, but it does what it's supposed to pretty well.

It fits the ipod video very snugly, I was skeptical when I saw the cover has no top but try as I might the ipod doesn't budge even a fraction of an inch...pretty surprising. You also have access to all necessary controls, I haven't tried to dock it so I can't provide any feedback there.

I was hoping the inside would be completely neoprene lined, however Rhino Case only put neoprene in strategic areas...the result is that you cringe everytime you pull the unit in and out...however no damage results.

The front cover is very clear and doesn't detract from picture quality, however my unit came with a couple scratches on the front...only noticeable under very bright light while the unit is off.

At first I thought the belt clip was pretty flimsy, but it's been working really well so far. Also, that screw on the back is removable, so you won't be uncomfortable if you opt to not use the belt clip.

The lanyard was a ridiculous inclusion...I have no idea who would use it, the ipod video is simply too bulky to be worn.

Finally, the cover definitely adds to the heft and weight of the ipod video, however this only makes me much more comfortable using my ipod outside of a completely cushioned room. I don't feel like I have an extremely fragile piece of equiptment in my pocket anymore, and I might even take it to the gym...others may not feel the same way.

Overall, a solid case worth consideration, a bit cheaper than the Agent 18 (usually) with an aluminum back...I think users will be satisfied with either case.

I read the reviews on both this and the 60bg case before buying and was nearly frightened off. Im glad I wasnt though for this is a lovely case.

What I did do was to order a couple of adhesive plastic skins from bestskinsever.com to protect the face of the ipod in case it was scratched putting the ipod into the case.

I put both skins on - front and back - only to find that it wouldnt go in to the rhinoskin case! So i trimmed the flaps that went up the side of the ipod and it slips out and in like a dream, adn I dont have to worry about the face being damaged.

If I was doing it again I dont think I'd put the rear skin on.

All that said - this is a great little case.

I read lots of steller reviews about this product about how the ipod is so protected inside etc. Well, this product is extremely heavy and made in ipod twice its size, and the belt clip kept breaking. what would happen is I'd be wearing my ipod on the belt clip and then there would go my ipod in the case on the floor while the belt clip was still attached to my pants. I guess, rhinoskin's protection did help my ipod with stand a few falls, but with a better case it wouldn't be an issue. I returned this product right afterwards.

I purchased my iPod a week before this case arrived so I left the factory applied screen protector on in the meantime. Straight out of the box (ordered from Computer Brain), the product had vertical scratches from the top of the circular cut-out all the way to the top edge of the acrylic clear front. It seems the ever-so-slightly raised jog wheel comes in contact with the acrylic on the interior so as to cause the vertical streak scratches. Indeed it appears this condition has worsened over the first 48 hours of my use of this product and I suspect it will continually get worse which in some ways defeats the purpose of this arguably pricey merchandise.

I would give this one star however Computer Brain referred me to Saunders/Rhinoskin and from the moment the Saunders rep picked up the phone, it was a pleasant and faith-restoring experience. She explained they weren't "happy" with the "process" that makes this particular model (keep in mind 30gb and 60gb 5th gen models have different dimensions/specs and I have the 30gb case) and that they have a new "batch" coming in on 03/03/2006. All I simply had to do was fax a copy of my invoice and my shipping info and they would ship me a new case along with a pre-paid return label.

This is excellent service folks and this is how it should be done! This cross-service return allows me to keep my iPod protected while I wait on the hopefully improved new "version".

Apart from the scratches, the case itself appears to be of solid construction and it has a good, solid feel whilst in your hand. And of course, it protects the device completely while allowing unimpeded access to the jog wheel, headphone jack, docking port, etc.

Since my iPod is a video unit and since I will be visually accessing the unit more often than if it were straight-up audio, the scratches that are evolving on the interior of the acrylic has a negative impact on my rating of this product. However the response and accountability Saunders has demonstrated from the get-go I find mitigating and positive. So I leave this review at 3 stars.

I opened the package and the plastic clip disintegrated in my hands. Now it is useless. This sucks!
-David

I ordered this case for my 30GB iPod video (already obsolete...) because it is a hard-case. I used to have an i-Case silicone cover thingy, which was OK. But I'm a pretty rough-and-tumble kind of person, and I wound up cracking the LCD screen on the iPod while it was in my pocket. After I replaced the screen, I searched for a more protective case, and this is IT! The rear half of this case is bead-blasted aluminum, the front is clear plastic. Very durable, this case does not flex at all. It also comes with an attachment for a belt clip, which is kind of cool....except my belt clip broke the first day out. I emailed Rhino-Skin and they're sending me a new clip. Easy as pie. Only bad thing about this case is that it is of a consideralbe weight (compared to the i-Case silicone cover) and if you jog with your iPod like I do, you might want to use the belt clip or invest in an arm-band type of thing. It's too heavy to run with it in your pocket. Also, as wilth all clear-plastic covers, the clear scratches too easily and doesn't look so nice after a while.

But otherwise adn awesome case.

It said scratch proof, but that was a lie...however, I'd rather the case have minor scratches in it than the ipod itself...the waist clip is great though...

Considering what I paid for this case, I am admittedly more disappointed than impressed. The pros: The case feels quite sturdy, although it is very lightweight. This sturdy case may add a bit more bulk to the unit than some people would like. There is a clear, polycarbonate cover for the screen. The aluminum backing looks very cool. My 30Gb slipped into this case snuggly and was not scratched by insertion at all. The cons are there is no protection whatsoever for the top of the Ipod, or for the click wheel. The opening for the bottom port is small, so removing the Ipod from the cover entails having to push directly on the port from the bottom. There is no bottom port cover either. If you're going to buy the Monster ILink A/V cable to watch your Ipod vids on TV (Awesome cable BTW), you're going to have to remove the Ipod from this case, because the opening around the bottom port is too small to allow an adeqate connection. (This cable is plugged into the bottom port instead of the earphone jack as on others).

The Rhinoskin case is protecting the Ipod's essentials, but it could be better. Now that I've taken the time to shop around and read the reviews, I'm buying a better case (or so the ratings say). I'll definitely hang onto this one though to have as a spare.

I purchased this product soon after I bought my ipod. Had even left the annoying shrink wrap on until I had a proper case... The result? Two months of use and huge gouges in the face near the click wheel. Even upon slipping the ipod into the case the first time some scratching occured across the click wheel. The case fits much tighter on the lower half of the ipod with a gap between the face of the screen and the case. Through normal use the occasional piece of sand/pocket [...] worked its way into the case. Since there is no way to remove the ipod other than slipping it in and out I watched in horror as the scratches occurred in the process.

Other negatives:

-Case adds alot of width to the ipod
-Opening in bottom not sufficient for connection to Belkin auto adapter.

Solution:
Use the Apple supplied case..you're much better off

This case is a great investment to protect you delicate iPod.

It's so easy to use and provides excellent protection.

I don't have to worry about scratches on my video screen or any part of my iPod.

My iPod fits in snuggly but not so snug that you can't get it out easily. Make the investment!