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IRL: Optrix XD5 waterproof iPhone case and the RokDock charging stand
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. One of the many perks of being Darren Murph: you get to travel the world, testing ruggedized, waterproof iPhone cases along the way. Meanwhile, our contributor Jason Hidalgo isn't making any excuses for liking a $99 charging dock that doesn't do anything else. Because, you know, CNC-machined aluminum.
RokForm RokShield v3 for iPad mini: Protection with mounting flexibility
RokForm makes some incredibly useful protective iPad and iPhone cases, and now the company has applied its genius to the iPad mini. The new RokForm RokShield v3 for iPad mini (US$59) is a good solution for anyone who wants protection for their mini as well as options for mounting the device. Here's a quick review of the case and mounting system, and readers have a chance to win a RokShield for their iPad mini. Design Unsurprisingly, the design of the iPad mini RokShield is similar to that of the RokLock case reviewed earlier this year. That means that the polycarbonate shell holding the iPad mini is divided into two pieces for easy installation. Those pieces are held together by a elastomer "bumper" that protects the iPad mini from drops and bumps. On the back of the case are four small hexagonal "bumps" that serve to protect the back of the iPad as well as keep the case from sliding when placed on a hard surface. Dominating the back of the case is the port for the mounting system. The RokShield is shipped with two mounts; one that serves as a rotatable kickstand and another that sticks to any surface (like a wall) for hands-off use of the iPad mini. %Gallery-184631% Owners can purchase extra surface mounts for $12 each, a car suction mount for $49, a tripod adapter for $39, or a replacement kickstand for $19. The RokShield comes in a choice of seven color combinationsL black, black and gun metal (gray), black and blue, black and red, aqua and white, white, or white and pink. RokForm also includes a full screen protector for your mini, along with a cleaning kit to get rid of those fingerprints before you install the screen protector. Functionality RokForm seems to design its products to a very fine tolerance, and the RokShield fits the iPad mini like a glove. Installing the two-part case is a cinch, and installing or removing the elastomer bumper -- although it's quite tight -- is pretty easy as well. Once the iPad mini is in the case, it can either be locked onto the surface mount or have the kickstand attached to the back of it. The kickstand works in either portrait or landscape orientation, and is easily removed with just a twist. Whether you want to prop up your iPad mini on a desktop, mount it on a wall, or use it for big-screen navigation in your car, the RokShield and the mounting systems will do the job. It may not be the most stylish case for your device, but the RokShield is certainly one of the more functional mini cases we've reviewed here at TUAW. Conclusion The iPad mini is proving to be a hit for Apple, and the RokForm RokShield case and mounting system is a unique and versatile way to protect your mini while keeping it close at hand. Pros Two-part polycarbonate shell is easy to install and remove, while the elastomer bumper provides a good grip while protecting the iPad mini Includes screen protector and two mounts, with more accessories available from the manufacturer Very reasonably priced for a protective case and mounting system Cons None to speak of Who is it for? The iPad mini owner who wants the ability to mount the device on a variety of surfaces Giveaway There's only one thing better than reading about the RokShield for iPad mini -- winning one! 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 April 5, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a RokForm RokShield v3 for iPad mini valued at $59. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Rokform's RokLock v3 iPad case and RokShield v3 for iPhone 5
In the quest for the perfect rugged case for iPad and iPhone, we search far and wide for case manufacturers who are doing something different. Rokform sent over a few cases for us to look at; both the RokLock v3 iPad case (US$69) and RokShield v3 iPhone 5 case ($49) feature rugged good looks and a number of mounting accessories. Read on as we take a first look at these two protective cases for your favorite iOS device. RokShield v3 iPhone 5 Case The basic case is designed to protect your iPhone 5 well -- it has a hard injection molded polycarbonate frame and a elastomer rubber outer bumper to provide a high-level of impact and drop protection. If you decide that you don't need the extra bulk of the elastomer bumper, it can be easily removed to give you a surprisingly thin case. On the back of the case is an elastomer non-slip grip insert, which not only makes it easy to hold onto the case but also keeps your phone from moving when it's on a smooth surface. One of the trademark features of the Rokform cases is a circular locking mount that can be used with a variety of optional accessories. An adhesive-backed mount and magnet kit are included with the case, you can also get a bike mount ($69), suction mount ($49), sport clip ($29), Rokmeister clip ($29, can also open beer bottles!), or an extended tripod adapter ($29). Extra adhesive-backed mounting kits can be had for $8, replacement magnet kits are $10 and there's even a lanyard ($9) for carrying your iPhone 5 in its RokShield case. RokForm also includes a screen protection film with each case, so all of your bases are covered for full protection of your device. The case with the magnet kit installed weighs 1.5 ounces, pulling off the outer bumper reduces the weight to 1.1 ounces, and removing the magnet kit (it just pops out) makes the RokShield a lightweight .9 ounces. That magnet works well if you have a need to temporarily stick your iPhone 5 to a refrigerator or car! Locking the RokShield onto any of the mounting accessories is a cinch. You just place the back of the case onto the mount and rotate it a few degrees clockwise to lock it in securely; reverse the process to remove it. The case comes in three different colors at this time; black and gun metal gray, black and blue, and just black. As protective cases go, I was very impressed with the RokShield. I like the idea of an affordable mounting accessory ecosystem to go along with the case, and the basic case is reasonably priced as well. RokLock v3 iPad Case If you like the style of the RokShield iPhone case, you're going to love the RokLock v3 iPad case. It doesn't have the elastomer rubber outer bumper, but does feature the same thin polycarbonate frame. On the back, instead of just the circular mounting lock and a grippy insert, you'll find one larger mounting lock and six grippy inserts. Those are handy for keeping your iPad from sliding on a slick, tilted surface or getting knocked off of a table. The remote mounting system (RMS) for the RokLock iPad case comes with a handy feature to make mounting really simple -- a magnet. That magnet aligns the back of the case and the mount in seconds, and then you can lock down the iPad with a twist. For mounting on metal surfaces, those six elastomer grip inserts can be replaced with a $29 Maglok kit that provides six rare earth magnets. Other accessories that work with the RokLock iPad case include a $49 suction mount and a $39 tripod adapter. As with the RokShield iPhone case, a screen protector is included. The case comes in a variety of colors: gun metal gray, pitch black, white hot, translucent aqua, Roksalt (translucent), smoke (translucent bluish gray), and raspberry ice (translucent red). Conclusion The Rokform products for iPhone 5 and iPad (2nd - 4th generation) are well designed and are part of a wide ecosystem of mounting options. The RokLock RMS turns mounting an iPad or iPhone on something as easy as a quick twist, and the magnetic alignment feature for the iPad case makes lining up the case and mount something that could be done with your eyes closed. Pros Reasonably priced array of mounting accessories Attractively designed Elastomer pads keep the cases from sliding on slick surfaces Remote mounting system locks tight for assured mounting on surfaces Magnetic alignment system on iPad is like magic Made in the USA Cons Design may be not be attractive to everyone Who are they for? Anyone looking for protection for their iOS device as well as mounting options Giveaway We've got one RokShield case for iPhone 5 and one RokLock iPad case for iPad 2-4 to give away. 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 January 13, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. Two winners will be selected. One will receive a Rokform RokShield case for iPhone 5 valued at $49, and the other will receive a Rokform RokLock case for iPad valued at $69. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
