Review: TakTik case for the iPhone 4 (Verdict: Rugged)
Remember the watch bands for the sixth-generation iPod nano by Lunatik? The nano watch bands were the brainchild of Scott Wilson's MNML design and they started a revolution in wearble computer technology in November 2010 with a wildly successful Kickstarter project that raised almost $1 million dollars.
Unfortunately Apple completely renanoed the seventh-generation product and sunsetted the square iPod nano -- and a cottage industry of wearble iOS devices -- in the process. My favorite conspiracy theory is that Apple redesigned the nano because it's secretly designing its own wearable iOS device, but in reality I think that Apple realizes that the pure-play iPod days are numbered and that it's just an impulse buy holiday present.
Although it might be the thinnest iPod ever, without iOS, apps or WiFi the new iPod nano is a dead-end product that amounts to nothing more than a cash grab by the company. Theories and rants aside, the iPod-nano-as-a-watch industry is dead, at least for now. But iPhone cases are booming and Scott Wilson and Lunatik are coming out with their first case for the iPhone 4: TakTik.
Billed as a premium protection system, the TakTik delivers on that front. TakTik is both rugged and protective, providing 360 degree protection for the iPhone 4 and 4S. I tested the polycarbonate version which includes a second layer of Gorilla Glass to protect the screen (a $25 upgrade). An upgraded all-aluminum version is also available.
Features include:
- Shockproof Suspension System 9mm Impact Truss + Ballastik Bezel
- Upgradable High Sensitivity Gorilla Glass Lens Protection
- Gore Acoustic water + dust resistant mic/speaker covers
- Photo/Flash friendly camera opening
- 3.5 HSJ cover made from anodized aircraft grade aluminum
- 30-pin plug allows quick access for charging
- Silence switch
- iPhone antenna friendly metal case
- Designed to military specifications
TakTik provides an impressive amount of drop protection although I wasn't able to completely put it through its paces. But with this level of protection come compromises. For example the covered power and home buttons require some additional force to press, although they work just fine. And the headphone and docking connector ports are slightly harder to get to because of the additional impact proctection, but these are the type of caveats that come with any mpact case and are easily adapted to over time.
TakTik prices range from $100 to $180 depending on the options that you choose, so it's definitely a premium-priced option. But what is your iPhone worth? If you're the least bit klutzy, have butter fingers or use your iPhone in rough or industrial environments, TakTik is well worth the price of admission.
Several color and configuration options are available on the TakTik website and an iPhone 5 version is coming soon.