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iPad KAYSCASE iPad Air 2 Back Shell
- Thread starter boltjames
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Mine JUST arrived -- I’ll let you know how good it is (or not) after I use it for a bit. There is a considerable lip that blocks the touchdown of the Smart Cover to the face of the touchscreen. I’m not sure how if bothers me or not ...
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Mine just arrived today too. I ordered the Smoked color. It fits well and looks great on the Space Gray Air 2 with the red Smart Cover. All buttons function well and all cutouts line up fine. It does have a lip around the edge, but I would think that has to be there to hold it on. It really doesn't seem to interfere with the Smart Cover much or keep it from closing well, especially when it's laying flat. I'm using the Smart Cover for the Air 1 ($19.50 from Staples). I think I read somewhere that someone thought the Air 1 version was a little heavier and laid flatter more easily than the one Apple now labels as being for the Air 2, but who knows. I do know that I like this combo right now. It keeps the Air 2 thin and fairly light, and I can rip off the Smart Cover when I want to. I also bought the Luvvitt version of this case earlier. It's similar, but this one from Kayscase seems to fit tighter (a good thing), and I like the color much better. I'll post pics later of the Kayscase.
I just tried my iPad Air 1 Smart Cover with my new Kayscase and iPad Air 2, and the cover works SO nicely with it (better than the new white Smart Cover that I just purchased)!
So there IS a little difference between the Air 1 & 2 versions of the Smart Cover... Glad I mentioned that if that helped someone. My Air 1 version works fine with this back cover. Here's a few pics of the Kayscase back cover installed. Kudos to Kayscase for not putting ugly branding on the back (at least on mine):
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Thanks for the pics to all.
I'm not liking that lip on the lower left particularly. I can't see how the Smart Cover would lie flat atop it.
BJ
Here's a side view with the cover closed. My Smart Cover (Air 1 version) does lay flat, even with the lip:
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How much bulk does this add to the amazingly thin Air 2? I was going to wait for Moshi to come out with their Versacover but I am thinking more about this exact setup. You can't beat the price, but I am willing to pay a little more if it means adding less bulk. Thanks!
Thanks for comparing with the LUVVITT Dolce, I actually have that one now but am ordering the KAYSCASE. How does the lip on the KAYSCASE compare to the LUVVITT? I found it was a bit too raised for my tastes, and it's too loose where the lightning port is at the bottom of the iPad, so whenever I have it standing up in landscape using the smart cover, and go to grab it from the right side, Im constantly pulling the lip off because it's so loose in that area. I'm hoping the KAYSCASE will be a tighter fit and won't have this issue.
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It's a pity it's not available in the UK. Nor is the Luvitt. I want a clear case for the back of my iPad Air 2 but can't find anything available over here. The only option seems to be the Boxwave which is releasing next Friday. None of the bigger brands like Incipio, Speck, PowerSupport or Belkin have anything right now.
After using the Kayscase some today, I discovered the same thing about it. The case is pretty loose around the lightning port and speakers. It doesn't affect the appearance, but it is annoying when you try to grab it there. Hope that helps...
I received my "Clear" Kayscase iPad Air 2 back shell on Saturday. It is just OK.
Pros:
1. It fits reasonably well overall.
2. It doesn't have any tacky company logos on it.
Cons:
1. It is frosted, not really clear. It makes the gold iPad look more silver than gold.
2. The cut-outs for the speakers and lightning port at the bottom of the shell make the lip of the shell below the home button so thin that it flops out at the slightest pressure. The case desperately needs some reinforcement at the lip, because when you hold the case in landscape mode with the home button on the right, the lip pushes away from the iPad under your finger. It is annoying.
John
Pros:
1. It fits reasonably well overall.
2. It doesn't have any tacky company logos on it.
Cons:
1. It is frosted, not really clear. It makes the gold iPad look more silver than gold.
2. The cut-outs for the speakers and lightning port at the bottom of the shell make the lip of the shell below the home button so thin that it flops out at the slightest pressure. The case desperately needs some reinforcement at the lip, because when you hold the case in landscape mode with the home button on the right, the lip pushes away from the iPad under your finger. It is annoying.
John
I have the same issue on my LUVVIT Dolce. I should be getting the KAYSCASE this week so I'll see which one has a tighter fit in that area. I generally like soft cases but in this case I will probably swap out for a hard shell once a good one comes out.
Thoughts on the Kayscase:
I'm impressed by the mix of thin hard TPU (back cover) and thicker softer TPU (edges) which gives a really nice feel in the hand.
I'm relieved that the clear frosted version matches my Space Grey so well; I thought for a bit that I should have gone with the darker frost and am glad I didn't.
Something that's really nice about this case is that when the light catches it just right the bright polished steel bezel of the iPad shines straight through nicely, looks really sharp.
My Apple Smart Cover is for the Air 1 because I wanted the deep black, you can see it clearly here. It also (apparently) lies flat whereas the Smart Cover for the Air 2 does not.
Yes, the TPU by the speakers and lightning port is very loose and is a concern, but I'm careful and it won't be too much of a bother methinks.
The downside, and it's a big one for me, is that when the iPad is open and in use the lip is substantial and the milky clear doesn't look good against the black glossy screen.
All in all it's worth the $15. I'll probably use it as a backup down the road as I still want a black rubber paint back shell, but for now it's a life saver as I can use my iPad normally again and not baby it.
BJ
I'm impressed by the mix of thin hard TPU (back cover) and thicker softer TPU (edges) which gives a really nice feel in the hand.
I'm relieved that the clear frosted version matches my Space Grey so well; I thought for a bit that I should have gone with the darker frost and am glad I didn't.
Something that's really nice about this case is that when the light catches it just right the bright polished steel bezel of the iPad shines straight through nicely, looks really sharp.
My Apple Smart Cover is for the Air 1 because I wanted the deep black, you can see it clearly here. It also (apparently) lies flat whereas the Smart Cover for the Air 2 does not.
Yes, the TPU by the speakers and lightning port is very loose and is a concern, but I'm careful and it won't be too much of a bother methinks.
The downside, and it's a big one for me, is that when the iPad is open and in use the lip is substantial and the milky clear doesn't look good against the black glossy screen.
All in all it's worth the $15. I'll probably use it as a backup down the road as I still want a black rubber paint back shell, but for now it's a life saver as I can use my iPad normally again and not baby it.
BJ
Thanks, the iPhone 6 takes great photos.
That's a first generation iPad Air Smart Cover on the Air 2 as it's the deep black version, this years new "black" is really grey.
Last years model # is MF053LL/A (Dark Black)
This years model # is MGTM2ZM/A (Really Gray)
BJ
I also received my clear Kayscase yesterday and have to echo BJ's assessment. Overall I'm very pleased and don't think the thinness of the TPU near the speakers will be a problem for me. My air 2 is silver/white with a white smart cover. The combo looks stunning and the air 2 feels great in my hands. Using the air 2 naked was bothersome to me. It was too thin and just didn't feel comfortable. Now it's nearly perfect.
I noted some folks are having issues with the newer smart covers lying flat. I'm not having the problem with my white cover.