The lowdown
Got an iPod but no case for it? Chances are then that it's going to get scratched up pretty quickly. Manufacturer Vakadoo is here to help though with a range of sturdy locking cases that protect the entire surface of your iPod, including the screen. The iVak Soft Feel series are designed to fit the 5G iPod (30GB or 60GB) and come in a variety of jazzy colours; Blue, Fuchsia Pink, Apple Green, Purple, White and Black.
What's good?
The two-part jigsaw case is stylish, extremely robust and fits the 5G iPod really snuggly without adding too much bulk to your player. The design also keeps access free to all your iPod's features like the charge link, hold button and click-wheel. The rubber finish is comfortable to hold and more importantly scratch resistant; even after extended use it still looked pretty much brand new.
The limited edition set of the iVak (which we tested) also contains a handy VakWrap for wrapping up your headphone wires so they don't get in a horrible tangle.
What's bad?
Naturally as with most iPod hard cases, you'll probably find you need to remove the iVak for docking purposes - not a big deal you'd think - but to remove it you need to use the supplied credit card shaped iKey which is a bit fiddly. Also, at £16 there's definitely cheaper cases on the market.
Do you need it?
If you've just spent a couple of hundred quid on a 5G iPod then it makes perfect sense to protect it from those inevitable scratches and knocks, especially as a good clean screen is so important for video playback.
And compared to other mainly plastic iPod cases we've come across, the iVak's soft finish is far more desirable.
