The good folks at Vaja Cases have long been pumping out quality high-end products. At the moment, I have a few BlackBerry cases, a couple iPhone cases, and even an awesome yellow and black case for my iPod classic. To say the least, their products rock. That’s why, when the Vaja ivolution Top GT Case for iPad showed up at my door awhile back, I couldn’t wait to use it. I knew it had every chance of becoming my iPad’s ‘daily driver’ (in terms of case selection)… and after over a month of use, I’m pleased to say it has achieved that status.
If you’d like to read more about this beautiful iPad accessory from Vaja, keep reading. I’ll try and provide my take, and you can decide for yourself if the case would be a good fit for you.
Out of the Box
No surprises here. Straight out of the box the Vaja ivolution GT Case for iPad was a stunner. First off, the packaging from Vaja was bright, colorful, and unique. Upon removing it from the packaging you’re almost overwhelmed with the smell of the leather.
A bit more about the leather (side note), Vaja has a little section on their website about it. They use full grain cowhide, taken from the top ten percent of Argentina’s leather. Hides are selected with quality, strength, character and grain in mind. I can attest to the fact that the leather used is always top notch… I haven’t received a ‘dud’ yet… and like I said, I’m the proud owner of many items from Vaja.
Back to the ivolution, upon closer inspection you’ll notice many details. The Vaja logo looks to be almost ‘stamped’ into the insides of the case. There’s even some nice touches on the hardware portion, with the Vaja logo etched-in as well. All-in-all, if you plan to or have an order from Vaja on the way, you can look forward to a pleasant unboxing.
Fit, Finish and Quality
I don’t know what else to say here, other than the darn thing fits great. Being a top case, the ‘lid’ portion comes right off when you want to use your iPad. The top fits very snug on top, but is not too tight to set and remove. It’s easy to use. The back portion of the case holds your iPad much tighter than the lid, and with good reason. The back remains on your iPad at all times, and provides not only an awesome look, but a pretty darn solid level of protection for your magical device.
The materials used and the obvious attention to detail put in when designing (and making) this one is apparent. Two thumbs up.
Form Factor
I’ve been using this case for over a month now, and let me tell you… if you don’t mind having a case in which you have to remove and replace the lid to access your iPad… this case is a true champ. It looks great, and the amazing thing is, the more you use it, the better the leather starts to look. Since I started using it, the case has taken some wear-and-tear for sure, and it’s done nothing to it other than add beauty and character.
Personally, having the removable top is a good option for me. At first, I found it a bit of a pain to remove and find somewhere to place the lid. However, as I kept using it, I think I appreciated it more for it’s protective qualities. I knew that when I replaced the lid, it’d remain secure and safe in my laptop bag, on my desk, or wherever I happened to leave it… and besides, that, the case just looks so darn good, doesn’t it?
Other cases that I’ve used with ‘flip’ lids are great, but the whole flip part tends to get in the way and flop around all over the place. The ivolution case eliminates the problem by making the lid a separate piece altogether. Toss it aside when not in use, and replace it when you’re done. Easy.
Customizable Options
As with any Vaja product, when you order you can customize it to your liking. Click the ‘customize’ button on the Vaja site, and you’re presented with a number of options. First, you get to choose the main color (for the outside and back). Choose from 25 colors from ‘Birch’ to ‘Galapagos Green’.
26 color options are available for the inside and striping. Choose a different color here, and that’ll be the color found inside the case, AND the double stripes down the front.
Two other customization options are available, but they’re paid options. The first is a text option. Tick it off, and enter some text you’d like to see added to the case. It will be added for you on the bottom of the case… it’s a nice little touch if you want to add your name, initials, or maybe a business name. The cost for this is $20.
The last option allows for a graphic to be emblazoned on the back. Placed in the same location as the text option, your logo will be etched into the back with care… .cdr, .ai, .jpg, .bmp and .tif files are accepted at a price of $30.
Pros
Looks amazing
Not much else to say here. The ivolution top GT looks amazing. It’s a unique look to say the least, the racing stripes across the top panel give it a one-of-a-kind finish. It’s all good.
Customizable options
The many colors and customization options make this an attractive choice. Choose your colors, heck, even monogram the case with your name, initials or maybe a company logo. Whatever you like, Vaja can customize it to your specs.
Solid protection
The case envelops your iPad, holding and protecting it quite admirably. While it’s not a ‘rugged’ case by any means, I can attest to the fact that it will hold up to normal wear and tear… at least, the wear and tear of a geek like me. Take that for what it’s worth!
Cons
Price ($190)
For many (if not most), $190 is a little exorbitant for an iPad case. I can’t argue with that. I suspect that most folks will drop $25 to maybe $70 TOPS on such an item… So, if you’re looking for something that fits into that much more reasonable budget, look elsewhere.
Form Factor
While I grew to enjoy the form factor, many may not appreciate or just plain like the removable lid. If you have a feeling this may be the case for you, Vaja does have a number of different cases, in different styles, colors and form factors.
Wait time
If you need a case right away… hurry up and wait. Because each Vaja case is custom made to order, the handicraft process will take roughly 25 days. After order, expect to wait up to a month (sometimes more) for the case to arrive at your front door.
Conclusions
If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line eye-turner that is built to last… You can’t go wrong with the Vaja ivolution Top GT Case for iPad. Yes, it’s expensive as heck, but you get what you pay for. I have a feeling this case is going to last for years and years to come. As long as Apple keeps using same dimensions for their next-gen iPad devices… I’ll be the first to whip my old iPad out of the case and toss the new one right in.
For more information, or to place your order, head on over to Vaja (hit up the link below). When you arrive, click Products > iPad, and select the violation Top GT from the list at the bottom of your screen. For what it’s worth, Vaja has a wide selection of iPad cases, in all sorts of customizable colors and form factors. Chances are, there’s a case there that will suit your needs just fine.
Vaja ivolution Top GT Case for iPad ($190) [Vaja link]