Super Dooper iPod Case

Product: Super Dooper iPod Case
Manufacturer: Waterfield Designs
Price: $40.95
Review by: Marc Zeedar

Not everyone agrees that the iPod is the best blend of size, features, and price for a music player, but everyone agrees that it desperately needs a carrying case. While the iPod white face and shiny steel back are beautiful, they are also easily scratched. So right after you spend that $400 on an iPod, spend a little more on a good carrying case. Which case you buy depends on your personality and features you require.

If you would like a stylish case with a clever design, look no further than Waterfield Designs' Super Dooper iPod case. Like their excellent PowerBook G4 Sleevecase and Racer-X cases, the Super Dooper iPod case is made of sleek yet sturdy Ballistic nylon. The sides of the case are colored either in either red, white, or blue, while the rest of the case is black. The back of the case is a mesh designed to facilitate heat transfer: you can see glimmers of the steel back through the mesh.

What's unique about the Super Dooper is the way you access the iPod's screen and controls. Unlike most cases, which give you a clear plastic window to look through, this case has a flap which covers the entire front of the iPod. When it's closed, the iPod is safely protected. Open it (it's sealed with Velcro at the two lower corners) and you can see the screen and access the scroll wheel and buttons. It's clever: it protects while giving you convenient access and there's no plastic overlay to obscure your view.

The side of the flap that touches the iPod is covered with a soft, cushiony material that won't scratch the delicate LCD screen.

The flap has another trick up its sleeve: namely, a pocket! Behind the padding there's an area designed for storing your iPod earbud headphones. When you close the flap, the pocket's essentially locked so nothing will fall out.

The end of the Super Dooper is my favorite feature: a narrow slit that lets you access not only the headphone jack, but insert a FireWire cable as well as control the hold switch. All other cases I've seen cover these essential controls (though most give you access to the headphone jack). The slit design is excellent because most of the time it's partially closed (keeping out dust), but when you need to, you can get inside there. Connecting a FireWire cable requires a little wiggling, but it works without having to take the case off.

The belt clip is a separate attachment, and I really like the way it clamps to your belt. However, the case includes a protruding knob where the clip connects that is annoying if you're not using the belt clip (I prefer to carry my iPod in my pocket). Perhaps Waterfield Designs could offer a model without a belt clip in the future.

For those with a limited budget or minimalists, Waterfield Designs also offers the iPod Sleevecase. This has no opening flap and is a simple nylon bag with a belt clip. However, it does include a headphone pocket and it's $15 cheaper.

Conclusion
The Super Dooper is the most stylish and elegant case I've seen for an iPod (though the name is silly). The design is extremely functional and yet still looks good. I love the way the flap opens so you can actually see and touch the iPod: other cases tend to cover it up so much you miss the cool white design.

While the Super Dooper might be on the expensive side, iPod owners won't complain for this level of craftsmanship and protection. My only complaint is that the case adds a bit of bulk to the iPod (the flap and the protruding belt clip knob), but that's the price you pay for protection.

Click here for more pictures of
Waterfield Designs's Super Dooper iPod Case.

Check out the The iPod Protector Review

.

February 05, 2002