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Kid-proof cases?

nightfly13

nightfly13

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jul 17, 2008
679
0
Ranchi, India
The title might be aiming too high, as kids can be mighty destructive, but several of us have discussed in another thread how we're looking for the best solution for bezel/corner and screen protection (against drops) for families with young children - whom we DO want to allow access to the iPad.

The two options I'm scoping presently are the Hard Candy Street Skin for $40 (which is hardcore rubber with a rubber flap that attaches to the screen or to the back of the unit when in use) and the Incase Convertible Book Jacket for $60 (which seems to be the most protective leather folio).

I'm not in love with either option. The protection of the Street Skin seems ideal, but the hassle of the 4-corner tabs for the screen cover gives me pause, and the Book Jacket seems a bit unproductive of the bezel/corners when open (ie. kid drops it face down while cover is open).

The Otterbox Defender isn't available yet, and $90. It's basically ideal, to me, with a highly functional screen covering option, but $90 is just crazy to me.

Other suggestions?
 
Kid expert here. I've got 6, 9, and 11 year olds all of whom have iPod Touch's for more than a year and are always begging for dad's iPhone when we're in restaurants.

I can go on for several paragraphs or just cut to the chase: You want a Belkin Grip Vue. That's it. Extra grip, complete back/edge protection, a bit of a rubbery bounce if it ever drops.

As far as screen protection goes, skip it. My kids are not very careful with their iTouch's and we've never, ever had a single screen scratch on a single one and we're talking dirty sandy hands from the beach, sticky hands from Fruit Rollup's, iPod's that fell in the crack of the sofa, you name it. There's a video on YouTube showing some guys trying to scratch the iPad's screen with rusty nails and the thing is impervious.

Belkin Grip Vue, problem solved.

I'm working on a theory that I can stuff an iPad with the Belkin Grip Vue into a Griffin Elan Passport pleather folio so I can have the best of both worlds which is:

1. Grip Vue protection for the kids.

2. Pleather folio style for executive dad.

3. Never having to take the Grip Vue off the iPad in the process.

I'll let you know how that goes. In the mean time, get to an Apple store and buy a Belkin Grip Vue.

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2010/04/20/belkin-grip-vue-case-for-ipad-review/

BJ
 
Thanks for the feedback. My kids are only 4.5, 3 and 1. My wife's iPhone has a new spiderweb crack pattern down near the button from when the 4.5 year old shoved the (iPhone wielding) 3 year old off the couch, hard impact (had a silicone case but doesn't cover the chrome bezel). Obv the 4 year was disciplined seriously, but all that to say it's not scratches I'm worried about, but hard impacts on the screen.

The Grip Vue does seems to overlap the bezel more and more sturdily than my wife's fashionable pink checkered $6 silicone case did, but it's also a lot more glass that I'm just nervous about.

Reading a post in the 'Apple case after 2 weeks' thread brought an issue up with the 2 cases I mentioned in my first post: does hardcore bezel protection (extending significantly above the glass service) adversely impact the touch interface?
 
nightfly13 said:
BTW the Grip Vue is in stock at apple.com, $50.

I'm not pulling the trigger yet but really appreciate the input.
Click to expand...

Something that's really important in the kid equation is this:

They're using it for gaming.

As such, relying on a folio style case isn't going to do the job primarily because the kids won't be able to pick up the iPad and aggressively interact with it as intended. "Rollercoaster Rush - New York" or "Need For Speed" are games that rely on a tight grip and the physical tilting/panning/spinning of the iPad. In a leathery case, the kids hands couldn't hold the iPad properly (cover foldback is in the way), the sweaty palms would eventually cause discoloration (leather less durable than plastic), and you of course run the risk of the iPad being slung out of the case during an aggressive in-game stunt (most folio's are slip-in's).

The screen is a simple issue to solve. You either believe (as I do) that the screen won't get scratched and go bare-back or you get a stick-on screen protector. Let's take that out of the equation for now.

For the best combination of edge/back protection *and* extra non-slip grip *and* a modicum of shock absorbtion *and* convenience, a case with a form-factor like the Belkin Grip Vue is the way to go.

BJ
 
My kids have dLo Game Jackets on their Touches - a nice sturdy chunky case that gives them grip and really makes it wayyyy more useable. I can hardly type on mine without it! LOL!!

I went with the Speck CandyShell for now, with the 25% coupon it was $34 - $45 wtih shipping to FL from CA.

I'm not afraid to return it if i don't like it. I have no experience with the iPhone/Touch version, so i'm not sure how it will seem to me.

I read the newest batch of Belkin's weren't as good as the originals - they don't overlap the bezel as much. Which could be a bummer. I hope to get more comments on that in the coming weeks.

My kids (5 & 10, but the 10yo is more like a 6-7yo in most ways due to developmental issues) will be using mine for school work while we are out and about, and then i expect it to be used at Civil Air Patrol by a variety of people (teens) weekly. I wish i could avoid that.... but a few things will just be easier using it.

I will then be using it during Search & rescue exercises - and want something grippy for that too.... handing it to my IC to check his email won't stress me out as much if its in a case! LOL!!

But i look forward to seeing how everything is working for real life experiences :D
 
lachyg said:
Ok so I've done some hunting. You've got a few options, if you want to keep it in the case and then take it out, I'd go with the Scosche Hybrid Case, but if you want an all the time case I'd go for the Incipio Destroyer.
Click to expand...

The scosche is on my list to see how everyone likes it - i think it would be a good "field case" option for me....

I wonder if i have to pay now if i preorder?
 
boltjames said:
... The screen is a simple issue to solve. You either believe (as I do) that the screen won't get scratched and go bare-back or you get a stick-on screen protector. Let's take that out of the equation for now...
Click to expand...

While I appreciate your experience, input and perspective, I think there might be a bit of a false dichotomy that prohibits me from taking the screen out of the equation: I'm not concerned about scratches, I'm concerned about the iPad screen being shattered while in use. This very thing happened last week to my wife's iPhone while in a silicone case. When I think about a 9.7" glass screen I almost want to cancel my order for dread that it won't survive 6 months in my rowdy household.... not when it's left on the ottoman and handled by my two toddlers (and we don't want to make it off-limits, that was a major part of our justification for the purchase).

Obviously if they whack it with a stick or bang the glass against a hard corner nothing can be done to protect the screen. But I'm looking for a case that offers bumper bezel protection when in use, AND some kind of serious screen protection when stowed, either to be tossed in backpack or left on a coffee table. The trick is the screen cover should be easy. So the folio wins for ease of use, but the Street Skin or Defender win for in-use protection. The Defender really meets all of my criteria, but it's $90 and not available.

Any alternative suggestions? I'm tempted to just get something like a Grip Vue and a $15 neoprene sleeve for stowage.
 
nightfly13 said:
I'm concerned about the iPad screen being shattered while in use. This very thing happened last week to my wife's iPhone while in a silicone case. When I think about a 9.7" glass screen I almost want to cancel my order for dread that it won't survive 6 months in my rowdy household.

Obviously if they whack it with a stick or bang the glass against a hard corner nothing can be done to protect the screen. But I'm looking for a case that offers bumper bezel protection when in use, AND some kind of serious screen protection when stowed, either to be tossed in backpack or left on a coffee table.
Click to expand...

pillow.jpg


I think the technical term for what you're describing is: "a pillow".

BJ
 
nightfly13 said:
Interesting concept, funny theme song. Pretty sure the video shows a ceramic tile with an iPad image stuck on it surviving, which isn't unimpressive!

Seems they've already jacked the prices up from $15 to $20 + shipping.
Click to expand...

In think there's a separate vid on YouTube of them dropping an actual iPad. Could have imagined that though. Maybe they tried it w/ a real iPad and it broke & that's why they had too jack up their prices.

Too bad about the price increase, because I was interested at $15. Now, I think I will just get some stretchy string and tie my own ba.....NEVER MIND....
 
Decided

After a silly amount of debate and decision-making, I opted for the 1337 Case for $35 shipped (with a screen protector) from Incipio (got a 2g iPhone case for $5 for the wife, too). I'll pick up a cheapo neoprene sleeve and be done accessorizing for some time. Fair-well, kind forum, thanks for catering to my passing obsession for iPad protection :)
 
nightfly13 said:
After a silly amount of debate and decision-making, I opted for the 1337 Case for $35 shipped (with a screen protector) from Incipio (got a 2g iPhone case for $5 for the wife, too). I'll pick up a cheapo neoprene sleeve and be done accessorizing for some time. Fair-well, kind forum, thanks for catering to my passing obsession for iPad protection :)
Click to expand...

Let us know how the 1337 works out... I'm thinking of getting that, too!
 
MacToddB said:
Let us know how the 1337 works out... I'm thinking of getting that, too!
Click to expand...

I agree - i mean, you can't just STOP the thread, we need feedback!! :D

My CandyShell should be here tomorrow, and i'll add that to the thread. I let the kids use it yesterday... sitting on the floor with it between them. That wasn't tooooo paranoid was it?
 
Just now reading this thread so I thought I would throw my 2 cents in.

For your best bet with kids, I'd probably look at the Otterbox or the new Hard Candy Cases Squish Skin which ships on May 18th.

Based on what Hard Candy is showing the Squish Skin is modeled after a Wii Controller Jacket which should protect well. I'd imagine it adds bulk but I suppose thats the trade off if you want hard core protection.

Here is the link to the Squish Skin: http://www.hardcandycases.com/squish-skin-ipad-case.html
 
psychonaut said:
Just now reading this thread so I thought I would throw my 2 cents in.

For your best bet with kids, I'd probably look at the Otterbox or the new Hard Candy Cases Squish Skin which ships on May 18th.

Based on what Hard Candy is showing the Squish Skin is modeled after a Wii Controller Jacket which should protect well. I'd imagine it adds bulk but I suppose thats the trade off if you want hard core protection.

Here is the link to the Squish Skin: http://www.hardcandycases.com/squish-skin-ipad-case.html
Click to expand...

Ohhhhhh, i'm going to pre-order one of these I think. Looks wayyyyy more useable in the field. I wonder what kind of stand i can find for it??

And if i should really go for the green one! LOL!

Thanks for sharing!!!
 
Yeah I would have gotten the squish skin if it were shipping. I like Incipio's stuff, but the 1337 was the only one actually available. Unfortunately, I won't get it for another 25 days or so (supply problem from my side, not a prob w/ shipping). Will try to remember to post back, but you'll have to likely decide without my feedback.
 
I preorded the squish skin. I have three youngsters and this looks like the best protection from drops. Will post pics and review when it arrives.
 
You need shock and impact protection, and the Belkin Vue Grip will not suffice. I would go with one of Incipio's silicone cases.
 
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