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iPad iPad Air Case Roundup

Ocos,

So are you keeping the Kavaj? How many other cases have you tried before this one? And how do the others compare? Do any of the others score higher than you 8.5 for the Kavaj?

Thanks.
 
Kavaj definitely sounds like a huge disappointment for the price. Thanks for all the reviews.
 
acosmichippo said:
here's an album of pics. I didn't feel like copy/pasting every image link here, sorry.

http://imgur.com/a/tEld6
Click to expand...

"File not found!"

Update:

Now it works. Nice photos. The wrinkles on the back and the slightly misaligned cut outs look like a manufacturing defect to me. Maybe one and the same defect. Never saw that with the 5 Kavaj cases that I bought in the past few years. Also I'm a little surprised that the case covers that much of the bezel, since the iPad Air has bigger bezels than the iPad Mini. I guess they needed it for extra stability because of the iPad Air's bigger dimensions.
 
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Nhwhazup said:
Ocos,

So are you keeping the Kavaj? How many other cases have you tried before this one? And how do the others compare? Do any of the others score higher than you 8.5 for the Kavaj?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

I had the original apple case for ipad 1, the poetic slimline for ipad mini, smart case for ipad air, and the kavaj for ipad air. So for the air specifically, just the smart case and kavaj. Although I'm sure the poetic slimline for the mini is pretty similar to the slimline for the air. Overall, I like the kavaj best of all the air cases I've used. I'm just not a fan of the two-fold covers like the apple smart case and poetic slimline. If you like the two-fold thing, then I'd go for a poetic or any other similar cheap smart-cover clone. You really can't beat them for <$15. Smart case at $80 is just not worth it.

But, if you're like me, and prefer the original ipad case's one-fold cover design, then the kavaj is great. Overall I'm really happy with it, although it is not perfect.

As far as rating the smart case and slimline... I'd say the smart case gets a 5 for me. It's slim, light, The back is nice, but the cover sucks, and it's just way too expensive for what it is. I'd give the poetic slimline a 7 just because it's way less expensive.

I just want to reiterate that my ratings are heavily weighted by the cover design. If you don't like the one-fold design, the kavaj is not for you.
 
laela said:
Kavaj definitely sounds like a huge disappointment for the price. Thanks for all the reviews.
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There are definitely better bang-for-buck cases out there, but none of them are going to be real leather. At $50 it's a way better deal than a smart case or any other real on leather case I've seen. Apart from the smart case, much slimmer and more lightweight too. Sure, it has flaws, but I wouldn't say it's a disappointment.
 
acosmichippo said:
I had the original apple case for ipad 1, the poetic slimline for ipad mini, smart case for ipad air, and the kavaj for ipad air. So for the air specifically, just the smart case and kavaj. Although I'm sure the poetic slimline for the mini is pretty similar to the slimline for the air. Overall, I like the kavaj best of all the air cases I've used. I'm just not a fan of the two-fold covers like the apple smart case and poetic slimline. If you like the two-fold thing, then I'd go for a poetic or any other similar cheap smart-cover clone. You really can't beat them for <$15. Smart case at $80 is just not worth it.

But, if you're like me, and prefer the original ipad case's one-fold cover design, then the kavaj is great. Overall I'm really happy with it, although it is not perfect.

As far as rating the smart case and slimline... I'd say the smart case gets a 5 for me. It's slim, light, The back is nice, but the cover sucks, and it's just way too expensive for what it is. I'd give the poetic slimline a 7 just because it's way less expensive.

I just want to reiterate that my ratings are heavily weighted by the cover design. If you don't like the one-fold design, the kavaj is not for you.
Click to expand...

I also like the one fold design and the lightness of having the soft case back. I have the Kavaj and have gotten two of the Cognac cases. First one had stitching by the speaker holes coming unraveled. They sent me a replacement which also has some funky stitching in the same area. Then on both cases the front covers are just a tad misaligned. The quality of the leather is great but the workmanship is so-so in my opinion. I have the Poetic and like it pretty well, but the Kavaj is still my go to case. I go through this crazy search with each upgrade to find the perfect case and then next time the company either goes out of business or changes the design. I guess at this point, I'm going to call it a day and settle in with the Kavaj.

Thanks for your input.
 
iPad Air Case Roundup

laela said:
Kavaj definitely sounds like a huge disappointment for the price. Thanks for all the reviews.
Click to expand...

How do you figure that? The feedback for this case on here, Amazon and elsewhere had been extremely positive from most people. It's not perfect but what case is? Plus the price is excellent to.

But people are obviously not used to leather. Because it takes time break proper leather in. It gets softer with time and the folds work better the more it's used. And the cuts outs on mine originally did not line up but do now perfectly with a little adjustment. This case actually improves with time, most go down hill from the day you install it.
 
acosmichippo said:
For me, the Smart Covers/Cases are just not stable enough in stand/typing mode. Quite often I find myself moving my iPad, only to have the smart cover flop around and un-magnetize itself, so then I have to fold it back into the wedge shape again. I liked the original ipad case because when you folded the cover under the slot on the back, it was not going ANYWHERE until you took it out. It was also at least as slim as Apple's new Smart Case, probably even moreso. The only thing I didn't like about it was the edges around the iPad - they were pointy, and covered part of the bezel.

So I think the ideal case design would be a hybrid of Apple's original iPad case and their newer Smart Cases. Start with the slim back of the Smart Case, which holds the iPad by just snapping in, then add a one-fold cover and slot on the back like the original iPad case. Best of both worlds. Honestly, I'm bummed no one has made a case like this yet. Until then, I'll try out the Kavaj.
Click to expand...

I am finding the three fold air Smart Cover a fair bit better than the last Smart Cover for typing wobble. Not sure why it just is. The last I had was the original code red maybe the removal of metal hinging.
 
I received my Kavaj iPad Air cover today and it is by far the best iPad case I've owned, aside from maybe the original Apple case for the iPad 1. I've had Yoobaos, etc for my iPad 2 and this is much better. Very high grade leather, a nice, tight fit, and it looks top notch. I love the real stitching around the edges, unlike some cheaper cases that have color-matched rubber coating around the edges of the leather that starts to peel eventually.
 
fredylee said:
Can anybody who got the Kavaj Case measure the weight, please? and let us know? Thx.
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It's weighs 150gm.

I just weighed it myself on my coffee scales. So an iPad Air + a Kavaj Berlin weighs in less than a naked iPad 4th gen. 40gm less to be precise.


By the way, Kavaj phoned me from Germany today just to make sure I was happy with the case. Their customer service is second to none.
 
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theautopilot said:
It's weighs 150gm.
Click to expand...

Thanks. That's very close to iPad Apple Smart Case. Apple Smart case is 141gram. I like Kavaj product. However hated the velcro, and the framing up front and the unevenness on the back due to Velcro.

I hope they come up with a better version. Pricing and material is pretty good.
 
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acosmichippo said:
For me, the Smart Covers/Cases are just not stable enough in stand/typing mode. Quite often I find myself moving my iPad, only to have the smart cover flop around and un-magnetize itself, so then I have to fold it back into the wedge shape again. I liked the original ipad case because when you folded the cover under the slot on the back, it was not going ANYWHERE until you took it out. It was also at least as slim as Apple's new Smart Case, probably even moreso. The only thing I didn't like about it was the edges around the iPad - they were pointy, and covered part of the bezel.

So I think the ideal case design would be a hybrid of Apple's original iPad case and their newer Smart Cases. Start with the slim back of the Smart Case, which holds the iPad by just snapping in, then add a one-fold cover and slot on the back like the original iPad case. Best of both worlds. Honestly, I'm bummed no one has made a case like this yet. Until then, I'll try out the Kavaj.
Click to expand...

Tumi makes the case you are looking for with the snap in back and one fold but it is $145!!
 
tandeh said:
I backed this kickstarter looks interesting, its available for the air (even biz leather, as stated in the description and comments), might get a cheap case to tide me by till April,, whats everyones opinions and are there any cheaper similar alternatives? (i've got till 26 Dec cancel):

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects...h-magnets-for-unlimited-ang?play=1&ref=search


Image


Image

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wj2azeftnTg&noredirect=1
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This looks so perfect but April is a LONG time from now :-(
 
To soften the leather, get those wrinkles out and to keep a nice finish on the case in general, rub on some Lexol Leather Conditioner. I have the Kavaj iPhone case, it still looks better than new after one year (I also use the Lexol Leather Cleaner though, as I have the spray bottles of both around).

They get better with age.
 
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Giuly said:
Moshi has now updated the VersaCover for the iPad Air, shipping December 1st.

f1wpsis.jpg
ry1oIhu.jpg
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What is the weight ?
 
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ICQf0r3v3r said:
apple smart case or KAVAJ Berlin ?))
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I can't speak for the Apple case as I don't have one. I have the Kavaj Berlin in both the cognac and black colors. I would say it would depend on which style case you prefer. I have tried many style cases between multiple iPads and know what I like. I don't mind the snap in hard back cases like the Apple but I do find they add more weight to the iPad. For me I so prefer the one fold and tuck in back for the typing mode. It's just so much more stable and sturdy. Tuck the back in the tab and done.

I have the Poetic slimline and even as slim and light as it is, it still adds more heft to the iPad. The magnets are pretty strong so the tri-fold does seem to stay together fairly well. But when on my lap, it will tend to move back or forth depending whether it's propped higher on the point of the tri-fold or lower when more flat. The reason I even mention the Poetic is that it's the same design as the Apple leather case.

Many don't like the bezel that the Kavaj has. They prefer a totally open screen. For me the lightness of the case and original type design totally makes up for the bezel. And the Kavaj bezel is much thinner than other cases of this type design as well as it sits tight to and hugs the iPad.

I was at the Apple store last night and was tempted to pick up an Apple case but they didn't have any out that you could actually pick up and play with. Then I also knew at the end of the day I would much rather have the Kavaj design.

So go with your preference for design or buy both so you can switch off.
 
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