Since 2002, Contour Design has maintained the iSee line of ultra-clear hard cases for nearly every iPod model, and has continued to do so at reasonably low prices, consistently earning iLounge recommendations at ratings between B and A-. The latest iSee for the fifth-generation iPod shares most of its predecessors’ strengths - low prices and good looks - but also inherits most of their weaknesses; it’s easily scratched, and we’re concerned with certain important aspects of the cases’ construction.
Build Quality: This category assesses three aspects of case manufacture - fit (3 point), finish (4 points), and general resilience in simulated everyday use testing (3 points). Our highest rating of 10 reflects a lack of external imperfections, internal imperfections, and the ability to withstand typical daily stresses without showing damage. Small imperfections in fit, finish, and resilience result in individual point deductions, with more serious flaws resulting in 2 or 3 point losses. Additional points can be lost if the case seriously scratches the iPod inside.
The iSee earns full points for both the fit and finish categories of our Build Quality assessment, with all holes lining up accurately and no perceivable external or internal blemishes. Additionally, the case is available in two custom sizes, one each for the 30GB and 60GB iPods - a feature that users of the thinner iPod model will appreciate, as universal cases often force them to carry unnecessary bulk.
Where the iSee loses three Build Quality points is in resilience tests: our iSee and those of our readers have accumulated quite a few scratches of their own in normal everyday use, and proper fail-proof assembly can be tricky. iSee users should be careful to ensure that the iSee’s halves are properly and completely mated, and, if using the belt clip, that it is fully attached. We recently learned the hard way that with careless or even casual assembly, the iSee may come apart on one’s belt. Still, we’re certain that this was our error, and that with careful, proper assembly, users will have no problems.
Ease of Use: We have suggested many times that the best iPod cases simultaneously protect an iPod and permit full-time access to its screen and controls. Protectiveness is evaluated in a separate category; a high rating in the Ease of Use category only reflects your ability to easily access the necessary portions of a given iPod. Five parts on each iPod are given 2 points a piece for ease of user access while the iPod is inside the case. Any iPod's headphone port, bottom connector, and Hold switch will gain 2 points if fully usable inside, regardless of whether a protective flap covers them part time. Each iPod's controls and screen will each gain a collective total of 4 points if fully usable inside, or 1 point if either or both are covered by a part-time flap, and 0 if both are always covered. Lacking a screen and Hold switch, iPod shuffle's rear controls and lanyard necklace attachment will each receive 2 points if usable inside the case.
With easy, full-time access to all five key areas of the iPod (screen, Click Wheel, Dock Connector, headphone port, and Hold switch), the iSee almost scores a perfect 10 for Ease of Use. One point was deducted since iSee’s headphone port isn’t large enough for many third-party headphone plugs. The Dock Connector hole, however, is plenty large enough to accommodate any of the 30-pin plugs we’ve seen. One nice touch that is consistent across Contour’s recent cases is that the plastic around the iSee’s Click Wheel hole is very nicely - ahem - contoured, making scrolling quite comfortable.
Special Features: This category recognizes two dimensions of case design - packed-in bonus items and originality. A maximum of 5 points are allocated for a case's detachable pack-ins (1 point per well-designed pack-in, with possible zeros for low-grade/generic pack-ins), and a maximum of 5 points for design/conceptual innovations. Dramatically customizable, handmade cases or otherwise novel new case innovations can earn up to 5 points. Individual points can be earned for interesting materials, pockets, and simple personalization options. Two points can be earned by standard cases offered in 10 or more color options, 1 point for cases with five or more options. This category also denies all points (rating: 0) to a case that entirely or almost entirely clones another company's popular design. The use of individual similar or identical features does not constitute cloning; we are mostly concerned with the outright duplication of an existing design.
Contour’s guiding principles for iSee cases have always been simplicity and elegance more than innovation and creativity. As such, there’s not much to say about the iSee’s “special features,” but the included cleanly-detachable, slim belt clip earns it a point nonetheless. The clip is quite similar in design to the one we loved on Contour’s iSee 4G (iLounge rating: B+), with a strong spring-loaded attachment point locking the clip in place on the case’s sides. Each package also includes four rubber pads that can be attached to the case’s rear corners, protecting that surface from scuffs when laid on a flat surface.
Protectiveness: It is in fact possible to protect every millimeter of an iPod - at least part-time - and still allow all of its features to be easily accessed. This category solely rates the case's protectiveness, doing so in two ways: coverage area and strength. A maximum of 8 points are allocated to a case's coverage of the iPod's body, with the full 8 to any case that covers all of the iPod save a tapered hole for its headphone port. A maximum of an additional 2 points are allocated based on the case's body material, with 1 point for medium-grade soft rubber, leather, and padded fabric, or 2 points for hard materials that can resist shocks or crushing.
The iSee provides full-time protection for the iPod’s screen, back, and corners, but leaves the Click Wheel, Dock Connector, Hold switch, and headphone port exposed at all times. Thus, it loses three of the eight possible points for iPod coverage area, but gains both of the possible “strength” points as a hard case.
Value: This category assesses two dimensions of the case, pricing (8 points) and the reviewer's overall feeling about the case (2 point bonus or penalty). There are many different types of iPod cases out there, and many ways to evaluate the reasonableness of their pricing. Internally, we distinguish between three major categories of cases on pricing: "standard," "handmade," and "branded fashion." Handmade cases can command a price premium over standard cases, and branded fashion a premium over even handmade cases. We internally use an eight-point price evaluation system that assigns a "fair" value to a case based on our knowledge of existing case prices for these different case types across different iPod models, assigning a "fair" value of 5 points, with a maximum 3 points of bonus for highly aggressive pricing and 3 points of penalty for poor pricing. Additionally, the reviewer has 2 additional points of bonus "tilt" discretion to reward cases that actively merit good evaluations in his or her judgment, and 2 points of "tilt" penalty for cases that merit typical bad evaluations. In the event that is a case is grossly mistailored, however, the reviewer may deduct up to total six points as a penalty.
Priced at $26 and available in Apple Retail Stores sans shipping costs, the iSee Video holds what is roughly a $10 advantage over what has lately become considered “standard” for full-size iPod cases, earning 2 points for “aggressive pricing” above our 5-point baseline.
Conclusions:
For those users who want a hard case that doesn’t drastically change the iPod’s look, the iSee is certainly a visually and financially attractive option. However, because of the case’s tricky, potentially precarious mating between its front and back halves - compounded by its tendency to scratch - this is not a case that’s going to allay all fears of iPod damage and inspire care-free operation. We’d recommend it more for off-belt carrying than on, but because of its holes and scratchability, don’t pocket of bag-hold it with keys or other sharp objects, and consider separate film for the iPod’s Click Wheel.
A Note From the Editors of iLounge: Though all products and services reviewed by iLounge are "final," many companies now make changes to their offerings after publication of our reviews, which may or may not be reflected above. This iLounge article provides more information on this practice, known as revving.
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