Nodus Access Cases for iPhone and iPad are stylish and useful
Back in late 2013, one of our former UK bloggers (Richard Gaywood) wrote a review of an iPhone case from The Nodus Collection. At that time, the Access Case was part of a Kickstarter campaign; now the company is selling the cases through its website. Recently I received both an iPhone 6 Plus Access Case (pre-order for £49.99, price includes international shipping) and an iPad Air Access Case (£99.99, price includes international shipping) for review, so I thought it was a perfect time to take a look at these thin, light and stylish cases again. Check out the review, and then take a chance at winning one of these cases for yourself.
Design
As Richard pointed out in his earlier review, the Access Case uses micro-suction technology to both attach the device to the case and to keep the cover closed. The material used holds onto your iPhone or iPad tightly, but releases with a sharp pull if you need to take the case off.
Both cases are made of a nicely-finished leather in either ebony (black) or chestnut (brown). The two samples we received were both chestnut and really looked good with very fine stitching around the edges. As with most folio/wallet cases of this type, the Access Case can be used as a stand to hold your device in landscape orientation, as a wallet (it has a full-length pocket for cards or bills), and of course as a protective cover for your device.
The top, bottom, and right side of the iPhone and iPad are left open, making it easy to plug the devices in for recharging. There's also the requisite opening for the iPhone camera and flash on the iPhone case, and the smaller hole for the iPad camera on that case.
Functionality
The cases look great, but do they do their job? From my limited testing, the answer is an unqualified "yes". Both cases hold their respective devices in place firmly with the micro-suction material. Both protect the screen and back of the iPhone or iPad. Both work well as wallets. All in all, they do what they're supposed to do.
Removing the devices from the micro-suction material was easy, and the material is easily cleanable if it collects dust or other debris.
Conclusion
The Access Cases for iPad Air and iPhone 6 Plus look good, although they're rather plain. If you want a nice leather case without frills, this is probably going to make you happy. However, both cases come with a price tag that seems unreasonably high considering that there are similar micro-suction leather cases for much less that the £49.99 (US$79.35 at current exchange rates) price for the iPhone 6 Plus case or the £99.99 ($158.71) iPad Air case. A good example is the recently-reviewed Twelve South SurfacePad, which sells for $49.99 for the iPhone 6 Plus version and $79.99 for the iPad Air edition.
Rating: 3 stars out of 4 stars possible
Giveaway
If the price tag on the Nodus Access Cases depresses you, cheer up -- you might win one in our giveaway. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before November 11, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. Two winners will be selected in a random drawing. One will receive a Nodus Access Case for iPad Air valued at US$158.71, while another winner will take home a Nodus Access Case for iPhone 6 Plus valued at US$79.35. Click Here for complete Official Rules.
