I thought I'd post some pictures of my recently acquired Vaja iVod i-Volution mini-iPod case. The case is absolutely awesome. Everything about it just oozes quality, it really is VERY well made.
I chose a custom built case in the color 'Torrone'. This colour is like a coffee-beige sort of color and is very nice, the pictures don't really do it justice. The case came in a very exclusive looking black carton box with the vaja logo embossed upon it. The whole out of box experience was very 'Apple-esque'. One of the best experiences I have to say was the smell. As soon as you open the box you are hit with a glorious warm fresh smell of new leather.
My silver mini fits into the case snugly and perfectly, there is no way the mini might accidently fall out in any way what-so-ever.
As this case was custom built for me in the colour I chose and with no belt-clip, it cost extra than the basic mass produced black version they will soon be selling.
Overall the case cost me $69.90 + $20 shipping (to the UK). The package was sent FedEx Express and was delivered from Argentina [Vaja's home] to the United Kingdom, in 4 days. There was 4 days of build time prior to that, so the entire process took 8 days from order placement to receiving. Given that the Vaja website states 20 days for the process, I was very pleased.
Therefore the total was $89.90. This may sound very expensive for what is in essence a ipod mini protector. However, I can't really explain why, but, I feel its well worth it. Its something about the handmade leather craft that makes you feel like you own something special, something different - its the same sort of feeling the mini gave me when I got it. Two special items that seem to meld together to form one luxiourus and envy-grabbing piece of kit.
My advice - Go Get One!!
Also my iTrip Mini arrived this morning via the friendly neighbourhood UPS man So I thought I'd share some pictures with you.
I ordered my iTrip Mini on Friday afternoon, it was shipped the same day and sent all the way from Griffin in the US to my house in the UK by this morning (Monday). So thats 3 days (including a weekend) from ordering to arriving - as you might be able to tell I'm a bit happy
The iTrip mini fits perfectly onto the top of the mini, as you'll be able to see from the below pictures. From the pictures on Griffin's site the mini iTrip looks really big and cumbersome; a bit too tall. But when you get to see it in reality, it seems to be nicely proportioned in comparison to the iPod mini.
I've only had chance to test it on my home stereo, but I got nice clear reception from around 7 meters away, at which point a slight fuzz joined the signal. So that seems extremely ample to me, and a good indication that it will work well in my car when I get round to trying it.
My only point of contention is that it appears to have some sort of thin white cardboard sticker, that fits perfectly into a slight recess, that covers the entire top surface of the itrip. I dont know what this is for, but I'm guess it is to cover up some tooling imperfections that are visible on the top surface of the plastic. It is not really visible and I suppose if it was a choice between the sticker and a jagged plastic seam, I'd prefer the smooth sticker.
Overall I am really happy with the itrip mini, it is small, perfectly form fitting and performs its job with aplomb.
A big thumbs up for Griffin who not only have created a great product, but have shown a level of customer service second to none.
What can I say, go and get one. Your ipod mini will never seem the same again.
I hope this has helped somebody make a decision on the iTrip mini or the Vaja case and please feel free to ask me any kinds of follow-up questions that you can think of.
Thanks,
Richard
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