Home > Consumer Reviews > Waterproof Housing for Ipod 5G

The reason I give this only four stars instead of five is because this case is difficult to get on and off (open and close)

When I ordered this, I assumed it would consist of two hinged parts that snap together and close like the LilyPod, which I had been using up until now. Instead, this H20 model is more of a plastic sleeve which fits tightly over the iPod and seals the water out.

The case consists of two parts- a really a snug rubber pouch (the translucent blue part) and a solid black plastic "core" that the iPod snaps into. The blue cover "slides" up over the black part and the iPod. Because the seal has to be water tight, sliding the rubbery pouch on and off the black base can be very hard. Impossible if your hands are wet. The product comes with a little tiny tube of gel which you have to use to grease the seal every few days, and I don't know what happens when the gel runs out... Bottom line? The pouch is NOT for anyone with Carpal Tunnel or Arthritis.

The access to the iPod controls, though, is awesome. It's been so great to be able to control my iPod in the middle of a swim. So that's a feature that makes this product unique and worth the work. However, there is no access to the "on/off" switch, which means taking the darn case apart after every swim if I wanted to have any battery left the next time I got into the pool.

The good news is that I found out how to out the shuffle to sleep- just pause it. That's it. Next time you get to the pool, press "play" and you're all set to go. No dead battery, same song as last time you swam.

Overall? Worth the work, but I'm not sure if the case will remain a tight fit or what will happen when the gel runs out. Time will tell. My Lilypod lasted YEARS, though, so... we'll see!

This product makes me giddy!! I was a little aprehnsive about taking my iPod underwater but after all the research I did here and elsewhere nobody had a bad experience with it. I bought it for swimming laps (leisurly pace) and I thought it might be a little cumbersome but when you're in the water the thing is weightless and even strapped to my arm it doesn't bother me in the least. You MUST buy their headphones seperately, it doesn't come with them and you have to use them or it is not waterproof. I think this is my favorite iPod accessory, besides swimming with it I take it to the spa and in the bathtub!

Waited eagerly for the product to arrive. It came on schedule. But the waterproof headphones I bought are not the ones that H2O specifies you must use for watertight integrity. Hey Guys! Don't you think that bit of information is something you should include in the product description? Yeah, I'm irritated.

Years ago, I used to swim with a Speedo waterproof radio. It was OK, but the sound would cut out because radio waves don't penetrate water very well. Also, it would only last for a month or so and then it or the speakers would fail. Speedo Stopped making it, I guess because of all the complaints. When I saw H2O's case for an iPod Shuffle, I thought that this would be the answer. I already had a shuffle. No radio waves to fade-- just digital music. Fantastic I thought. So I bought a case. First off, the instructions for its use have all kinds of WARNINGS and disclaimers that if the case leaks, H2O is not responsible for the loss of your iPod. The instructions for its use are also complicated requiring a number of steps for proper use... testing, using repeated applications of silicone grease to seal the case -- on and on it goes... Just loading the iPod into the case is a real pain. And then you have to take it out of the case (make sure your hands are dry or you can fry your iPod) to charge it and to load a new play list. What a pain! Then I find that I have to use the H2O headset with it and no other! First, I think this is a real rip to make the device so that you can't use another headset and second, I can't stand the H2O headset. Read the reviews all over the web. They stink. They don't keep the water out of your ears, they look like a head brace, they hurt to wear (the earbuds irritate and grind your ear canals) and to top it off, the sound quality is really really bad. As other HONEST reviewers have stated, the H2O line of headsets suck. Next, I go in the water with this bulky case strapped to my arm, and an orthopedic brace on my head and the 3rd or 4th time I use the thing IT LEAKS and fries my iPod! Man, what a pain. I just want to do my laps with some tunes! Several weeks later, I see this guy at the pool jump into the water with his iPod Shuffle clipped to the back of his goggles WITH NO CASE!!! I go over to his lane, and ask, "Is that Pod waterproof?" He said, "Yeah, it's a Swimman waterproofed iPod Shuffle. It works great." He let me try it out. Just fantastic. Great sound quality, no water drag, easy to use, looks great just like a regular Shuffle. I bought one a couple of months ago. Totally satisfied. I won't use anything else. Further, if you read a review by someone who has not tried a Swimman, then it isn't a good review. They just don't know what they are missing.

What a great solution to the "listen to my iPod while in or under water" problem, and an affordable one at that.

I did read the instructions and I did, as instructed, do a test of the unit (with earphones) first. The case works like a charm. I'm especially amazed at how easily I'm able to use the controls on my Nano when it's in the case.

I'm using it to listen to audiobooks in the hot tub (!) but will also be using it in a swimming pool. I'm using the case with the Aquapac Waterproof, Submersible Headphones with In-the-Ear Design, 3.5mm plug, Depth to 30ft / 10m because I read they had better sound quality above water.

I love the case, love the armband, and love the whole experience.