Why You Need a Waterproof iPod Case for Your iPod

I am an avid kayaker who wanted I way to take my iPod video kayaking with me. Not so I could watch reruns of Lost while I paddle, but so I could listen to some tunes while I was getting trashed in a huge rapid!

I had looked around at some of the waterproof bags to keep the iPod in, but I just didn't feel safe leaving my $400 investment in a plastic bag. Right as I was about give up looking a company called Otter Box came out with a rough and tough waterproof iPod Case. I jumped on it and I thought Id share my own personal review with you.

Waterproof iPod Case- Protection

Not only does the waterproof iPod case offer water proof protection, but it adds some great overall protection. The waterproof iPod case is constructed out of a very durable plastic that provides great shock resistance against impacts. It also is a great way to protect the screen. I always keep my iPod in the waterproof case because I feel it keeps it much more protected during storage.

The waterproof iPod case is rated to safely withstand a drop of two feet on a concrete floor. I personally put the waterproof iPod case to a much greater test and dropped it from almost two stories. The case remained intact and barely got scratched. The iPod lived through the traumatic experience, but I don't know if I would trust the waterproof iPod case to be able to handle multiple impacts from that height.

The drawback that comes with all this protection is that the waterproof iPod case its self is rather bulky. It is about 3 times as thick as the 30 gig iPod. This means you can't fit it comfortably in your pocket when you're just walking around. It also means that it won't fit in any of those clever little iPod holders for your car.

Waterproof iPod Case- Dryness

I suppose one of the first things anyone would really want to know about this waterproof iPod case is how waterproof it is. Well, the manufacture doesn't provide a maximum depth for the case because this waterproof iPod case isn't rated to withstand the pressures that come with scuba diving.

I decided to test this waterproof iPod case in a number of ways. The first most basic tests I did as take the waterproof iPod case in the shower with me. I figured if the case couldn't stay dry in the shower then I surely wasn't going to take the waterproof iPod case kayaking with me. The iPod case held up just fine in the shower; no leaks and no condensation.

After the shower test I decided to give the waterproof iPod case a real test. I left the water from the bathtub faucet running at full blast with the iPod case taking the bulk of the stream. I let the iPod sit there for about a minute or two. Even with the hot water pouring down on the iPod case it remained completely waterproof and did not even get condensate.

Waterproof iPod Case- Accessories

The waterproof iPod case comes with a belt clip, but you can purchase an arm band separate. The belt clip is pretty sturdy and works well. Depending on the size of the iPod you have though it can feel rather bulky if you were trying to wear the waterproof iPod case while running or jogging. If you have one of the smaller iPods than I don't think the waterproof case would be very bothersome.

As I mentioned before, there is also an arm band for the waterproof iPod case. I have never really been a fan of arm bands for any kind of music device. They just feel awkward to me. The arm band made by the manufacturer for the waterproof iPod case is made to slip in where the belt clip sits. This requires you to take out the belt clip. The arm band seems to work as good as any arm band, but again, with the larger iPods it is going to be very awkward and bulky. I would think that with anything around the size of the iPod Nano would be fine to wear in the waterproof iPod case on the arm band while running. I have a 30 gig video iPod and there is no way I would ever wear it in the arm band. Once the video iPod is in the waterproof case it is just too bulky.

Remember when I said that because of the bulkiness that the waterproof iPod case provides that it wouldn't ft in most of the iPod car holders out on the market? Well, Otter Box, the manufacturer has thought of that too. They provide several solutions for mounting your iPod in its waterproof case to your car. The mounting bracket simply slips into the same spot on the back of your iPod case where the arm band and belt clip hook into.

Otter Box offers three styles of mounts so that there is one for everybody! They have a suction mount that will mount on any smooth surface. This means you can swap it from car to car, take with you on the boat, or even mount it in the shower. What better way to use your waterproof iPod case?

There is also a handlebar mount that is made so that you can take your waterproof iPod case out on your motorcycle, ATV, or dirt bike. And because the case is dirt proof and grit proof you will be all set.

There is also a basic mount for adding the waterproof iPod to your cars dash.