Expert's Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
Griffin’s iVault is a metal case for your iPod shuffle. The iVault encases your entire shuffle in a lightweight, brushed-texture metal — available in five colors — that includes internal padding to protect your iPod’s plastic face. The shuffle’s front and back controls are all exposed allowing for full use as well as for viewing the shuffle’s battery status light.
The holes allow just enough space for effective use except for the headphone port, which is much too small. Apple’s headphone miniplug fits with ease, but many third-party headphones with larger plugs will not.
The biggest drawback to the iVault is that it makes syncing and charging the shuffle difficult. The two halves of the case are secured by four screws, making it difficult to take the case on and off. More significant, when your shuffle is in the iVault, its USB port is completely covered — you have to rely upon an included USB extension cable to connect your iPod to a computer. If you regularly use your shuffle as a USB drive, this is a major inconvenience. Design mistakes and a high price plague Griffin’s iVault despite offering excellent protection in an attractive design.–Derik DeLong