The Otter Box ipod case is a very unusual case for the Ipod. Just like Otter Box's other cases, the Ipod Case provides full weather/environment protection for your device, in this case your Ipod.

The Otter comes with the case itself, 3 different sized headphone slot inserts, an extra foam piece, and a removable belt clip. The case works with all 4G and Photo Ipods and there is a separate model available for the Ipod Mini and 3G. I used a 30GB Ipod Photo to review the case.

The case opens from the top and is held shut with one clamp. You unsnap the clamp and then the case splits open. Depending on the Ipod Version you are using, you either use 0, 1, or 2 pieces of foam. This makes it so you can get a perfect fit with whatever Ipod you have. For the 30GB Ipod I needed just one piece of foam in the case. Then you simply drop the Ipod into the case. It is a very tight perfect fit and insures that the Ipod will not move around inside the case.

Next you need to pick a headphone plug. There is one for two wire type headphones, one for small cord headphones, and one for large cord headphones (by large or small I mean diameter of the cord). The different plugs insure that no matter what headphones you use with the case, you will still get a good seal around the cord to protect from rain or condensation from entering the case. All the plugs have a slit in them so you can slide the cord into the plug. Then you plug the headphones into your Ipod and close up the case. One problem that can arise with some headphones is that the plug does not fit inside the small space inside the case. The plug has to fit inside the case as only the cord should go through the headphones plug. For some headphones this is not a problem at all, but for some (in particular ones that have a large straight plug) this can cause a bit problem. I was able to use the Etymotic Headphones and the Ipod headphones without any problems.

The screen of the Ipod is protected by a plastic like film that is a bit rubbery so it does tend to collect some dust. The click wheel is protected by a thin plastic. One thing that can be a bit annoying is that you have to push down quite hard to use the click wheel. This is because there is a gap between the plastic protector and the click wheel. This can be annoying if you are one to change songs a lot and do a lot of scrolling, but if you just want to pause every now and then or change the volume, it works out perfectly. For me I use play lists so I am able to start up the play list and not need to switch through songs very often.

On the corners of the case there are rubber bumpers that seem to work well to absorb small shocks and falls. On the back there is a belt clip that is really a stationary clip that can be removed by sliding straight off if need be.

Overall the Otter Box for Ipod is a good case for people that will be using the Ipod in wet or extreme conditions. I can see it being very good to use say on the beach or by the pool. But some things like the somewhat harder to use click wheel, no sync port hole, and problem that some may have with their headphones plug fitting in the case, this is not the best case for everyday in the car or on the bus use. I do like that I do not have to worry about anything happening to the Ipod though, and that for me is a reason to use it often.

Thanks to Otter Box for the Review Sample!