Works with
Fifth-Generation iPod
The Good
Protects all iPod areas, including clickwheel
Nice styling
The Bad
Clickwheel cover isn’t responsive enough
The Price
US$29.95
The Incase Neoprene Sleeve for iPod is a very good iPod case that provides all the protection and options you’d want, but with one drawback that keeps it from being a five-star product.
The case, which comes in black, blue, and bright pink, is much like other iPod cases: it’s a soft, stretchy neoprene sleeve that the iPod slides into. The case offers access to the dock connector, hold switch, and headphone jack while the iPod is connected. Its also protects the clickwheel.
The overall styling of the Incase Neoprene Sleeve for iPod is appealing. The case is neoprene on the sides and back and has a faux-leather overlay around the clickwheel and screen. The overlay is a slightly different color than the case itself, creating a nice, subtle contrast.
If this were the case’s whole story it would be an excellent item, suitable for any user. Unfortunately, it has a small, but frustrating, flaw. The clickwheel cover — a much needed item for complete iPod protection — isn’t sensitive enough.
When trying to use the iPod inside the case, I found that the iPod sometimes wasn’t responding to my commands. Other times, it responded slowly. Because of the responsiveness problem, I was never able to scroll fast enough to use the by-letter jumps and frequently had trouble scrolling with my thumb at all — a problem I haven’t run into before.
While this issue with the clickwheel cover doesn’t spoil the Incase Neoprene Sleeve for iPod, it does make using it frustrating sometimes. As a result, I’d recommend testing this otherwise very good case in the store before you buy it.
