Kid-proof cases?

[nightfly13]

Just a small update: iPad hasn't arrived, but my 1337 skin came quickly (4-5d from late night order) as did a cheapo eBay neoprene zip case (like $12 shipped) for stowage. My dad's 'unboxing and review' of the 1337 live on Skype video this morning suggests that it's 'heavy duty rubber' and probably 3/4rds of a pound (50% of the iPad's weight). So Incipio ships pretty promptly.

 

[redman042]

I have a concern that hasn't been raised here yet: excessive pressure on the glass causing it to crack.

I let my 2 yo play with my iPad but only under very close supervision. One thing she likes to do is set it on the ground and sit cross-legged next to it, but after a few minutes she wants to stand up, and she'll lean forward and press against the face of the iPad with her hands as she stands up. She is putting half her weight on it. Of course, after seeing this once, I put a stop to it. Without watching her, I know it would only be a matter of time before she tried to STAND on it. She REALLY likes to try to stand on things for some reason.

I'm sure the glass can only withstand so much pressure before it gives way. I know this firsthand because I once replaced the glass on a broken iPod Touch, and cracked the new glass while trying to press it into the case. So I had to order another, and be REALLY careful the second time.

iPad glass is more expensive plus it looks much trickier to install. No screws. All prying. Yikes!

I know the iPad has thicker glass. But it also spans a much greater distance between the edges. Be careful with your ipads folks -- I don't think any case available can protect the device from the weight of a child. I have no idea what the pressure limit is on this glass - hopefully no one has found out the hard way!

 

[iserian]

Do we have an eta on the defender ship date?

I initially had a purple grip vue on my 6 year olds 64 but have since replaced it with another apple case. IMO you have more grip options with the apple case. My daughter holds it like I do most of the time with the extension out.

I don't think I want the bulk of the incidio but am very interested in the defender and would like to pull the trigger.


Screen crack - IMO if you are worried about this a simple square trade policy will give you 24months of piece of mind.

 

[nightfly13]

Got my 1337 (and iPad)

The case is really high quality. Batman suit tough rubber (sans nipples, thankfully). However, it isn't all good news, as the iPad is more 'weighty' than I anticipated, and adding 0.7lbs or whatever to the 1.5 really makes increases this. Not a disaster, and I feel fine leaving in my 3 or 4 year old's hands without watching them like a hawk (comes with a good screen protector, so the $40 is more reasonable). I'm not sure what I'll do long-term. Just use the iPad in the 1337 all the time, or just put in in there when the kids use it (also have a cheapo neoprene sleeve).. but I find it's pretty slippery in the hands, or super grippy/heavy with the 1337. I feel it gives just the right amount of over-the-front bezel protection, I could drop it from 2-3 feet, glass side down, and it'd probably survive, although I do not recommend this at all!

You can read my epic-spammy impression thread on the iPad here.

 

[redman042]

Screen crack - IMO if you are worried about this a simple square trade policy will give you 24months of piece of mind.

Hmmmm...SquareTrade - Never used them before but you have me thinking about it now. They have a sale on iPad warranties right now. Less than $100 for two years.

 

[iserian]

Ok - looking for something more "GIRL" for my daughters Ipad. Trying the Incase combined with the purple Belkin Grip Vue ---- Looks good but has the downside of being w/out very much protection once outside the slip case.

I'm also very interested in the Vaja Matelasse Case --- waiting to see folks who have ordered this to see how bulky the Ipad is when the front case is snapped on the back.

 

[T4R06]

get an insurance...

 

[nightfly13]

After a month..

Love the iPad and 1337 case. Leave the case on all the time. Every 2-4 days I take it off briefly to show someone the actual size/heft of the iPad and I'm surprised how svelte it really is. But I love the protection and gripability with case on and we are totally used to it. No drops yet (that I am aware of!) but this case takes all the stress out of letting my 3 year old use it for extended periods of time.

 

[nightfly13]

For those worried about the bulk of the 1337 have a look at the durmaSHOT which is the same case without the backside protrusions on the corners. Were I to do it over that might be enough protection.

 

[brentsg]

Thing is, the glass is what you need to worry about.

No case that permits functionality is going to protect the glass from impacts.

 

[nightfly13]

Thing is, the glass is what you need to worry about.

No case that permits functionality is going to protect the glass from impacts.

Well, the way I think about it, the 1337 or even duraSHOT give great corner/bezel protection while in use. I think I could drop mine, at any angle, and it would likely be fine, due to the great corner protection. If one whacked the glass screen against the corner or a table while walking, that'd be different. But I decided on my storage with two ideas in mind: protection while in use (in the hands of young kids), and protection (including screen protection) while stored/stowed. For the latter I have a neoprene case and lots of bags, although I find I carry it around in just the neoprene case often.

I feel it's a mistake to try to find something that'll protect while in use and in storage, because it'll diminish usability.

 

[SchneiderMan]

I reviewed both the 1337 and the DermaSHOT. And the 1337 got a better score from me..
1337 review
http://www.gadgetmac.com/gadgetmac/2010/5/10/incipio-1337-gaming-case-for-ipad.html

DermaSHOT review
http://www.gadgetmac.com/gadgetmac/2010/5/17/incipio-dermashot.html

As well as the Incipio Tek-Nical sleeve which isn't all that great..
http://www.gadgetmac.com/reviews/2010/6/11/incipio-tek-nical-ipad-sleeve.html

 

[wodeh]

Otterbox defender. For certain!

I put an iPhone 3G into an OtterBox and gave it to my then 2 year old daughter. It's been thrown about, chewed, scratched, splashed, dropped and generally subjected to the sort of abuse you would expect from a child.

Suffice to say, the phone inside is still pristine save for the scratches on the back which happened before I consigned it to the OtterBox. I have no vested interest in recommending their products over those who pay me commission, but OtterBox are the gods of phone defence. Accept no substitute!

 

[reptiledude4]

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

LOL, "executive"? Not to hijack this thread or anything, but why did you remove that wonderful signature of yours?

 

[matthewr]

DIY iPad case for kids

I've hit on THE BEST kid friendly iPad case out there. And the best part is it is not marketed as an iPad case, so it is less than $20!

Buy the Lamaze My First Mirror

Remove the mirror from the frame.

You'll note that the mirror and iPad are virtually the same size.

Simply slide the iPad into the case and make sure the velcro closure on the back is firmly closed.

The case is plenty grippy for holding on.

The foam triangle that comes with the mirror can be used to prop up the iPad at a decent viewing angle for the little ones (not pictured below).

There is plenty of padding on the front to protect it from the under 4 year old crowd hitting the front of the iPad (both my 3.5 year old and 6 month old like to do this)!

There are straps on the back to attach it to the headrest of a car.

And best of all, the frame covers the volume button so the little ones can't crank the volume (again, something my boys find it fun to do).