INSTALLIATION
Sticking your iPod inside the Otterbox Video case is very easy. Just unsnap the clip and connect your iPod to the internal headphone jack. Close it up and your iPod is now in a safe waterproof vacuum inside the Otterbox.

The clamshell opens to about 30 degrees and is closed tightly with a plastic fastener. The 3.5mm plug is built into the interior of the case. In this design your headphones are plugged into the carrying case and not into the iPod directly.

Evil Vladimir says: "Insert your Video iPod into your brand spanking new tasty Otterbox and… Voila! That's French, by the way. Look it up. If you're having difficulties inserting your iPod Video into an Otterbox case, please do the rest of us a favor and consider removing yourself from human society. I'll leave the means by which you can accomplish that to your own imagination."

DURABLABILITY
How durable is the OtterBox for iPod Video waterproof Otterbox case? Can it survive an afternoon with Vladimir, the reviewer?

Evil Vladimir says: "Once you have your iPod Video in your Otterbox case, what do you do? You take your brand spanking new tasty Otterbox case and iPod Video on a little adventure. I took my iPod into the men's room at work.

" Do you mind NOT taking that photograph just now?" ~ Guy standing at adjacent urinal

Should you actually drop your Otterbox into a urinal and give it good hose down? I don't think so, but this America is a free country, no? If you do decide to really give your iPod a urinal bath, please refer to the paragraph above where I discussed removing yourself from human society."

WATERPROOF
The iPod itself is tightly sealed inside the case making it not only waterproof but also fairly shock proof. The Otterbox also has a waterproof headphone connector molded directly into the case. Combined with waterproof headphones it's touted to be ready to use in water, but not tested for diving to any significant depth. Why would you go underwater and watch a movie anyway, you weirdo?

Evil Vladimir says: "When iPod get hot, I make it cold in snow bank. It might not be yellow, but wet, cold and dirty, yes."

The case performs splendidly in snow and the rain. No leakages were noted in light to heavy rainfall. The case is also virtually particle proof (sand, dirt, dust, etc.) as well.

ACCESSING THE CONTROLS
So what happens when you want to access the controls on your iPod while it is inside the case?

A touch sensitive interactive plastic membrane allows you to control the iPod without actually touching it. The membrane is sensitive enough to allow for unimpeded access and durable enough to remain undamaged after prolonged active use.

Evil Vladimir says: "I have hammer. Let's see how interactive this membrane really is."

The OtterBox for iPod Video has a transparent screen doesn't hinder your viewing experience. The plastic is hard enough to be fairly scratch resistant. Glare was not a problem in various lighting conditions.

PRICE
The OtterBox for iPod Video costs about $50 depending on where you buy it. How you get that $50 is up to you.

Evil Vladimir says: "So you're walking home, wasted out of your mind, waving around your video iPod, screaming Metallica's Hit the Lights at the top of your lungs and feeling like you're bleeding all the Jack you drank through your eyelids. And no, those kids hanging out on the corner are not thinking about hitting you over the head with something heavy and running away really, really fast with the aforementioned brand spanking new 60GB Video iPod. Well, they're kinda thinking about it, but it seems that they have better things to do tonight.

The train ride home was kinda long and you're really thirsty so you figure you'll get yourself one of them peach Snapples, just 'cause that's the way you roll. So you walk into the corner store, grab the Snapple and end up buying a scratch lotto ticket with your last dollar. Lo and behold, you win yourself a whole fifty bucks. Awesome. Now I know what you're thinking. You're thinking about investing the fitty with those kids on the corner for a bunch of doobies. Although I value your judgment, I suggest you reconsider and keep walking home. Don't forget to be nice to the store clerk even if he doesn't thank you and doesn't ask to come again.

Ok. You've slept it off and the hangover isn't so bad. Right. Go to Otterbox.com and order yourself one of them tasty Otterboxes for your brand spanking new 60GB video iPod. Now you see how that fitty comes in handy."

THINGS TO IMPROVE
Overall, the OtterBox for iPod Video is a great product, but it isn't perfect.

OtterBox comes with a detachable belt clip, but the design of the clip is a bit flimsy. It seems that the designers realized that the carrying case is somewhat too big to be used in this manner so the belt clip has the feel of a feature that was "thrown" in.

Evil Vladimir says: "I think tasty Otterbox has drawbacks too. The earphone jack contacts are not gold plated - those Otters boys coulda thrown that in (for a fitty? come on!). If Otter can design a high-pressure mold to form the case and then file a patent for it, I'm sure they could've figured something out.

Also, you can't access the hold switch without opening the Otter case, but you can't really scratch your ass with your elbow either, so I think it kinda balances things out. Also you will need to remove your iPod from your Otterbox to dock it but you have to let the thing breathe once in while anyway. So find a way to make your peace with it."

FINAL THOUGHTS
OtterBox is a robust carrying case made of translucent plastic of various thickness. It's a robust clamshell design ideal for use during activities where your iPod is exposed to elements and/or mechanical damage.

If you plan on taking your iPod anywhere near water or the elements, then protecting your iPod with an OtterBox for iPod Video is a good idea.

Evil Vladimir says: "So what if it's kinda bulky and could be mistaken for a set of brass knuckles? It's way better than that sheepskin that came with your brand spanking new 60GB video iPod. That thing sends shivers down my spine. And you definitely will not tolerate one of them rubbers around something you spent several hundred dollars on. Just think, if you spent that several hundred dollars on doobies, you wouldn't put rubbers on them, would ya? I thought so.

To sum it up, if you happen to find yourself with a spare fitty, don't spend it on doobies - get yourself a tasty Otterbox. Doobies will burn up quickly, but the Otterbox will last forever. Seriously, I highly doubt it's biodegradable."

The case is too big to be used during activities where you will not be wearing a winter jacket with large pockets or carrying some sort of a bag, but it's ideal for storage and transportation in rough conditions. You can throw this thing in your trunk without thinking twice about it. It will withstand exposure to water spray and high humidity. OtterBox offers protection for your iPod in most conditions you can think of using the device.

OtterBox makes protective cases for the original iPod, iPod Mini, iPod Nano and iPod Video.

This item is available for purchase from Amazon.com

A company called Otterbox manufactures the Otterbox for iPod Nano. They make all types of water and crush proof cases for everything from cigars to PDA's.

A quick glance through their catalog and you might think you've seen one of their products before in a movie (probably carrying diamonds, chemical weapons or plutonium). For more information, check out: http:://www.otterbox.com

Rating:

Requirements: iPod Video

Manufacturer: http://www.otterbox.com