[megatronbomb]

I’ve had my Nano for less than a week; it’s my first iPod. Due to all the talk of scratching, etc I’ve not really touched it or used it other than to copy music onto it, and make sure that it works (no obvious defects, etc)

The iSkin Duo I ordered Friday night arrived today. I just “installed” and wanted to share my thoughts.

I ordered the “arctic frost” version, which is kind of a pale blue/gray colour. Installation was really easy, basically just slipped it through the screen opening. There are two layers. An inner clear layer, and the blue/gray outer layer. The screen protector fits in between the two layers, so it’s not touching the Nano itself, which I suppose is good to prevent the screen from scratching it. The down side is, due to the design of the screen protector there is a little bit of blurriness or distortion around the edges of the screen. It’s not a big deal for me personally, but it might bother some people. The belt clip comes off really easily.

Once inside the case, the entire unit is nearly double the thickness of the Nano itself, and just a little bigger around the edges.

There is a hole in the outer layer where the scroll wheel is, but the inner layer covers the wheel. The scroll wheel is very responsive when in the case, but like I said, I’ve not played around with the Nano outside of the case, so I have no point of reference. Included was a flimsy plastic wheel cover to fit between the layers, similar to the protective screen, but it is really cheap and diminishes the look in my opinion.

There are little “doors” covering the earphone and USB connectors. I wonder how these will hold up after prolonged use, as they seem a little flimsy and look like they’d tear off easily. Overall it feels really good in the hand. It has a rubbery feeling, not that slick gel like feeling I was expecting, so for me at least that is a good thing, though lint/dust/hair stick to it really easily and is difficult to brush off.

$30 not including shipping is pricey. The iSkin isn’t going to offer the protection of the Agent 18 or any of the other hard cases out there, but for general wear and tear it seems to seal the Nano up pretty well and I think it’ll definitely prevent scratches, gouges, etc.

[Demonhood]

i have my own review, so i hope you don't mind me tacking onto this thread. i've added a [jpg] tag to the title, as i've got pictures to share.

i received the "carbon blast" model a few days ago. i hadn't, due to the furor over scratches and spontaneous combustion, even used my nano yet. it remained tightly wrapped in its original plastic shell, safe from the harsh world around it.

i unwrapped everything and laid it out for its sexy photo shoot.

(click images for larger version)

the case consists of two separate skins. why? i have no idea.
outer layer


inner layer


it also comes with a removable belt clip, the belt clip anchor, a scrollwheel "protector" and a hard plastic screen protector (not shown)


my baby was ready to grow up and finally wear big boy clothes


getting it into the inner shell was a bit of a task. it involved a lot of shimmying back and forth. it was like putting a condom on a sea cucumber. not that i've done that, of course.


once snuggly on, you fit the screen guard on top of the inner case (it doesn't touch the ipod's screen). as the above poster mentioned; it distorts around the edges, but it's not all that distracting.


the outer shell goes on a smoother. it, as you can plainly see, attracts dust like a mutha. but in a normal environment it should be fine. it cleans up real nice.


i also placed the additional protection for the scrollwheel on. actually, it's more about the feel than protection. the little piece of plastic gives the wheel a more natural feel, instead of rubbing circles on the rubber of the inner casing. i'd say it reduces sensitivity by about 30%.

another view


the belt clip was a pain to remove the first time, but i'm a quick learner. here it is in its rotated position


those studs are where the belt clip attaches. they can be removed


the case, overall, seems a bit overkill. the original sexiness of the nano is hidden deep within. it adds some bulk, but since i'm coming from a 40GB iPod, i don't mind so much. the nano is well protected, the headphone jack is big enough for my sony phones, and the belt clip seems secure on my jeans.
overall: 7/10

[Scandalous Ion Cannon]

The protection is great but it sure makes the small sexy iPod bulky and uuuuuuugly.

I got the invisible shield which protects from scratches just as well and when I am using it I still gets people looking over my shoulders at the sexy nano.

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by Scandalous Ion Cannon

The protection is great but it sure makes the small sexy iPod bulky and uuuuuuugly.

I got the invisible shield which protects from scratches just as well and when I am using it I still gets people looking over my shoulders at the sexy nano.

You consider a piece of plastic and metal sexy?!?

I think the iSkin Duo deosn't really look like it affects the small size appearance of the Nano. atleast from what I can tell by the pics Demonhood has supplied.

VERY nice Demonhood. Thanks for the review and the pics.

[Scandalous Ion Cannon]

Originally Posted by Railroader

You consider a piece of plastic and metal sexy?!?

Yup. Lots of people refer to nicely designed technology sexy. Is this the first time it has fallen upon your virgin ears

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by Scandalous Ion Cannon

Yup. Lots of people refer to nicely designed technology sexy. Is this the first time it has fallen upon your virgin ears

Oh, I've heard it used before. I assure you, my ears aren't "virgin". I do work in a factory remember.

I wasn't always a Christian who liked purity. But I am now.

And I would consider a woman sexy, not an inanimate object. Alternative lifestyles indeed!

[analogika]

Originally Posted by Railroader

And I would consider a woman sexy, not an inanimate object. Alternative lifestyles indeed!

Welcome to Apple - you must be new here.

Oh, and welcome to the twentieth century, where design matters.

Oh, and some heathen are actually capable of separating sex appeal from actual fornication.

Oh, and the dictionary says

"sex·y
adjective
...
·informal - exciting; appealing : I've climbed most of the really sexy west coast mountains."

[Scandalous Ion Cannon]

Originally Posted by Railroader

And I would consider a woman sexy, not an inanimate object. Alternative lifestyles indeed!

Great, well I find men and Apple products sexy. So there.

[andreas_g4]

Even ugly men and the eMac?

[andreas_g4]

Originally Posted by Scandalous Ion Cannon

The protection is great but it sure makes the small sexy iPod bulky and uuuuuuugly.

I got the invisible shield which protects from scratches just as well and when I am using it I still gets people looking over my shoulders at the sexy nano.

Even if no one would be interested in my iPod - I hate the looks of protection devices.

[Scandalous Ion Cannon]

Originally Posted by andreas_g4

Even if no one would be interested in my iPod - I hate the looks of protection devices.

I had one of those rubber cases on my 3G iPod. I hated it. It was hard to take out of my pocket as it would grab my pocket lining and come out with lint stuck to it. It also added a ton of bulk to it.

[analogika]

Originally Posted by andreas_g4

Even [...] the eMac?

touché

[Scandalous Ion Cannon]

Originally Posted by andreas_g4

Even ugly men and the eMac?

Obviously I don't find every man nor ever Apple Product Sexy.

Actually I only find the black iPods and g5 towers sexy.

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by analogika

Welcome to Apple - you must be new here.

Oh, and welcome to the twentieth century, where design matters.

Oh, and some heathen are actually capable of separating sex appeal from actual fornication.

Oh, and the dictionary says

"sex·y
adjective
...
·informal - exciting; appealing : I've climbed most of the really sexy west coast mountains."

Oh, I stand corrected.

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by Scandalous Ion Cannon

Great, well I find men and Apple products sexy. So there.

I admit, I stand corrected.

I have no problem with that. So there.

[The Big Tomato]

I just received one and am very happy with the product.

Like the carbon black color - has just enough orange to I can spot the Nano in my backpack or in the car. The black Nano has a habit of easily blending into the shadows...

Also like that you can remove the belt clip mounting plate within the case - makes for a nice, trim look without it.

Couple of minor quibbles:

The wheel covering must sometimes come 'off of center' - sometimes the Nano will not register turning the volume up or down until I rejigger it a little bit. Minor, but a little annoying when I am in the midst of running. etc. (The case overall works great for running/working out - my main objective was to get a case that had no way for any moisture to get in - only exposure is the hold button on the top.)

Also, due to the screen cover having a little bevel to fit in between the two case layers, it is sometimes hard to see the battery level icon in the corner.

Other than that, it is a great product - (plus express shipping is only $3.50 more).