4G Ipod Hard Case Made Of Aircraft Aluminum 20/30/40/60GB
Binding: Electronics
ASIN: B0007YWIWC
Manufacturer: Pacific Image Electronics
Average Customer Review: 
(From 1 total reviews)
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Customer Reviews
Good case, but 20 GB owners beware! by idiosyncratic
Decent case, but 20 GB owners beware!
Pacific Rim’s aluminum case feels solid. It provides a good balance between protection and function. The top and bottom are both well protected. There is a hard plastic shield over the iPod’s screen, but the click wheel is exposed (PR sells a click-wheel protector, if you are concerned). All this protection doesn’t impede on access to the iPod. You don’t lose any visibility with the screen, and you can use the iPod’s clickwheel just fine. The hold switch is a little difficult to access, although it’s far from impossible. I just need a bit of a fingernail to flip it.
The aluminum exterior is attractive. It doesn’t scratch easily, and I suspect it will hide any scratches it receives well. All the holes are smooth (but a bit large), and don’t detract from the case. The hole that exposes the click-wheel has a nice bevel around it. The only thing that concerns me about the exterior is a quarter-sized hole in the back. It’s so you can pop the iPod out (the case is snug enough that this is necessary), and it is also there to show what size iPod you have (yeah, useless). The interior is likewise well finished. It is completely covered with black foam, which has a very good fit. I would say there is almost zero chance of the iPod getting scratched in there. The foam adds to the exterior image, also, since it frames the screen.
The case also includes a clip, which attaches via a (irremovable) knob on the back. The clip can be rotated freely, and is solidly constructed, with a design guaranteeing it won’t fall off. I don’t think it’s likely to break, either.
Although I don’t own any of them, I don’t think this case would be compatible with accessories that fit over the top (like iTrip, wireless receivers, and voice recorders) or iPod Dock. However, it’s real easy to remove the case, so you’re not locked out of using most of these accessories.
I have one major gripe about this case, though: The case is designed to be compatible with all 4th Generation and iPod Photo models. I have a 20GB model, and the fit leaves something to be desired. It is much too thick. Pacific Rim includes an extra piece of foam to fill the gap, but it is not enough. I cut down a piece of cardboard and stuck that in, and that is sufficient. However, now the openings on the top and bottom do not line up well. You can access the hold button and headphone jack. However, the connector on the bottom doesn’t line up!!! The padding is soft enough that I can move things around so it fits, but I still find this unacceptable. As you can probably imagine, the case is much thicker than necessary. If there were a case made specifically for the 20 GB iPod, it would probably be a good five centimeters thinner.
In conclusion, the Pacific Rim aluminum case is a reasonable good case, although it has a few minor flaws. It is a good value for its price, and one of the cheapest hard cases that can be found. However, I would advise 20 GB buyers to be cautious, since the case is a bit outsized for Apple’s slimmest model. I would defiantly recommend the case for larger models, though. Despite my concerns about incompatibility with the 20GB, I still give the case four stars.