Belkin Smart Cover Compatible Snap Shield Case Review

[3goldens]

Something I didn't notice on the clear version of this case are hideous burrs around the edges (smoke version). The more I used it, it became very apparent there was no way I was going to be able to stand those razor sharp burrs digging into my palms. I just got through using a razor blade to carefully scrape Most of them down, although not perfect, it is better off then it was. How much trouble is it for Belkin to refine a piece of plastic that they are charging a 100000000000% markup on, come on! Also worth mentioning, the clear version cut out section for the smart cover was off, every time I'd snap the cover on, one side of it would end up partially on top of the Belkin case, I'd then need to physically move it into place. The new one does not have this problem, so it is very apparent that although this is a great back cover, there is ZERO quality control associated with it.

I would take it back, as far as I know I don't think this is a common problem.
Just get another one, why put up with an unfinished product?

 

[joec1101]

Something I didn't notice on the clear version of this case are hideous burrs around the edges (smoke version). The more I used it, it became very apparent there was no way I was going to be able to stand those razor sharp burrs digging into my palms. I just got through using a razor blade to carefully scrape Most of them down, although not perfect, it is better off then it was. How much trouble is it for Belkin to refine a piece of plastic that they are charging a 100000000000% markup on, come on! Also worth mentioning, the clear version cut out section for the smart cover was off, every time I'd snap the cover on, one side of it would end up partially on top of the Belkin case, I'd then need to physically move it into place. The new one does not have this problem, so it is very apparent that although this is a great back cover, there is ZERO quality control associated with it.

Definitely, take it back! You have a defective unit. I've had two of these (one clear and one smoke) and both had excellent finish quality and excellent fit. The smoke version I just got about a week ago and the finish on that one is even better than the first one I got (the clear one) a few weeks ago.

This is a great snap case. If you can't return it for whatever reason, I would contact Belkin and ask for a new one to be shipped to you. There's just no reason to accept/keep a defective unit.

 

[duk]

Hmm... So no one else is seeing a sharp edge where the back of the case meets the top lip? (the part that snaps) I read a few pages back someone mentioning uneven edges and assumed that this is what they were talking about. Darn! Now I've already spent 30 minutes de-burring the thing (for the most part).

 

[EDH667]

Hmm... So no one else is seeing a sharp edge where the back of the case meets the top lip? (the part that snaps) I read a few pages back someone mentioning uneven edges and assumed that this is what they were talking about. Darn! Now I've already spent 30 minutes de-burring the thing (for the most part).

I had both versions, the clear and the smoke. The smoke definitely had sharper edges and seemed to be made with a different material than the clear snap shield.

 

[3goldens]

Hmm... So no one else is seeing a sharp edge where the back of the case meets the top lip? (the part that snaps) I read a few pages back someone mentioning uneven edges and assumed that this is what they were talking about. Darn! Now I've already spent 30 minutes de-burring the thing (for the most part).

A rarity, just take it back and inspect the next one before leaving the store.

 

[HazyCloud]

I just got back from Best Buy with a clear full coverage one. Like someone said, it does cover 2 of the speaker holes but that's not a biggie to me. None of the lines seem to be sharp or rough either. Overall, I think it was a great purchase. Best Buy also price matched my Belkin print out of 29.99.

EDIT*

Best Buy added it to their Sunday ad with the marked up price.

 

[Dreamer2go]

Just bought the Belkin Snap Shield.

It was so hard to find in Hong Kong.
I really like the design, the look and feel as well
It seems durable well enough, and it makes my iPad 2 very smart looking.

I got the clear one, so I can see everything at the back, matte style.
definitely a great case!!!

 

[mac jones]

Just a heads up

I went to Amazon today to look (and buy ) the Belkin snap.

What I found was, other makes for half the price that appear to be the exact same type (light, flush with the top so they don't interfere with the smart cover).

Actually, you see a lot of this, as the big players come out with something and charge twice or three times what it's worth until no one buys theirs any longer .

So in other words; $15 + this one (nice reviews also)

"GreatShield Smart Cover Buddy Snap On Slim-Fit Case for Apple iPad 2 - Silky Satin Black"

There are others.

Tell me what you think. It's hard to say until you try them.

 

[bouda]

Just a heads up

I went to Amazon today to look (and buy ) the Belkin snap.

What I found was, other makes for half the price that appear to be the exact same type (light, flush with the top so they don't interfere with the smart cover).

Actually, you see a lot of this, as the big players come out with something and charge twice or three times what it's worth until no one buys theirs any longer .

So in other words; $15 + this one (nice reviews also)

"GreatShield Smart Cover Buddy Snap On Slim-Fit Case for Apple iPad 2 - Silky Satin Black"

There are others.

Tell me what you think. It's hard to say until you try them.

Doesn't cover the top of the iPad.

 

[mac jones]

Doesn't cover the top of the iPad.

Maybe, maybe not. Look again at the actually user photos. They are different than the stock ones.

Sort of like those Belkin oddities. But I will have one and post if the top is covered or not. If it's not, it's not good. Doesn't even look good that way.

We shall see what's going on. ( Did these makers have trouble deciding which one they wanted to stick with, or was the open top a first attempt?)

Who knows

 

[3goldens]

Just a heads up

I went to Amazon today to look (and buy ) the Belkin snap.

What I found was, other makes for half the price that appear to be the exact same type (light, flush with the top so they don't interfere with the smart cover).

Actually, you see a lot of this, as the big players come out with something and charge twice or three times what it's worth until no one buys theirs any longer .

So in other words; $15 + this one (nice reviews also)

"GreatShield Smart Cover Buddy Snap On Slim-Fit Case for Apple iPad 2 - Silky Satin Black"

There are others.

Tell me what you think. It's hard to say until you try them.

Yeah, I tried a few of those, they all sucked.

 

[mac jones]

Yeah, I tried a few of those, they all sucked.

Did you try the Greatshield version?

I just received the GreatShield cover I posted above. It looks exactly like the Belkin snap, and covers the entire iPad and does not touch the smart cover at (doesn't come over the front).

I'm going to weigh it and edit this post with the weight, as it weighs more than the Feather case, but is still ok. If it weighs the same as the Belkin then it's just a re-badged Belkin for half the price. Since these are all made in good ol China, you often find re-badged items (as you know)

 

[sotie]

Just a heads up

I went to Amazon today to look (and buy ) the Belkin snap.

What I found was, other makes for half the price that appear to be the exact same type (light, flush with the top so they don't interfere with the smart cover).

Actually, you see a lot of this, as the big players come out with something and charge twice or three times what it's worth until no one buys theirs any longer .

So in other words; $15 + this one (nice reviews also)

"GreatShield Smart Cover Buddy Snap On Slim-Fit Case for Apple iPad 2 - Silky Satin Black"

There are others.

Tell me what you think. It's hard to say until you try them.

I was looking for a cheap snap-on to permanently connect to my treadmill using industrial velcro. I purchased the clear GreatShield and I also have the clear Belkin Snap Shield for my wife's ipad. I wasn't expecting much given that it was half the price of the Belkin and I was right. The quality is nowhere near as good as the belkin. All edges are smooth but the plastic feels much cheaper. Also, the Belkin has a nice smooth velvety feel that helps with grip. The GreatShield is just clear plastic and will scratch very easily. Overall, it suits my need for something to afix to my treadmill just fine. I run at a speed over 8 and the ipad stays in the shield just fine.

 

[mac jones]

I was looking for a cheap snap-on to permanently connect to my treadmill using industrial velcro. I purchased the clear GreatShield and I also have the clear Belkin Snap Shield for my wife's ipad. I wasn't expecting much given that it was half the price of the Belkin and I was right. The quality is nowhere near as good as the belkin. All edges are smooth but the plastic feels much cheaper. Also, the Belkin has a nice smooth velvety feel that helps with grip. The GreatShield is just clear plastic and will scratch very easily. Overall, it suits my need for something to afix to my treadmill just fine. I run at a speed over 8 and the ipad stays in the shield just fine.

The Greatshield I have is is rubberized. High quality. This porduct is as good as the Incipio Feather, but it's thicker, heavier plastic (not good).

But the quality is there.

 

[J.C]

I bought the Snap Shield today expecting it to fit over my Best Skin's Ever skin, as other have said it does. It definitely doesnt fit for me. I can only assume they've changed the sizing slightly or the model sold in Australia is different. Very disappointed and have damaged the corners of the skin trying to get it on.

 

[sotie]

The Greatshield I have is is rubberized. High quality. This porduct is as good as the Incipio Feather, but it's thicker, heavier plastic (not good).

But the quality is there.

The one I have is definitely not rubberized. It's a very hard plastic.

 

[3goldens]

I bought the Snap Shield today expecting it to fit over my Best Skin's Ever skin, as other have said it does. It definitely doesnt fit for me. I can only assume they've changed the sizing slightly or the model sold in Australia is different. Very disappointed and have damaged the corners of the skin trying to get it on.

I have a thicker skin than yours, a Wrapsol. Goes on without any effort at all!

In fact I have gotten my Ipad on virtually every shield/shell I have bought, that includes the Belkin, The Speck, The Smart Feather, The Mareware MicroShell Folio, The MicroShell. the Mareware products were an extremely tough fit and the only ones that gave me any kind of problems.

So I would be very very surprised if they change the thickness of this thing.

 

[J.C]

I have a thicker skin than yours, a Wrapsol. Goes on without any effort at all!

In fact I have gotten my Ipad on virtually every shield/shell I have bought, that includes the Belkin, The Speck, The Smart Feather, The Mareware MicroShell Folio, The MicroShell. the Mareware products were an extremely tough fit and the only ones that gave me any kind of problems.

So I would be very very surprised if they change the thickness of this thing.

Weird that I can't get it on. Any tips or tricks? Try as I might, I can only get three corners fitted, with the fourth being a long way off.

 

[duk]

Just realized while looking at iPad in bright light, the corners of this case are forming hairline cracks... No doubt those will grow over time, guess I'll get another exchange. I'm starting to accept the reality that although the form of this case is exactly what I'm looking for, it's not going to make it in the function dept. Bummer.

 

[srl7741]

I think the less coverage case was cut/made that way after seeing it was easier to open the smart cover without the edge from the full coverage there.

For those w/both versions which is easier to open the smart cover with?

 

[3goldens]

Weird that I can't get it on. Any tips or tricks? Try as I might, I can only get three corners fitted, with the fourth being a long way off.

Farthest corners by camera first, and then lower the back on, if it is that far apart truly go exchange it, that does not sound right.

Meanwhile, I did take the Incipio Smart Feather off I had on it just now to try this to see if there was anything worth noting to you with regard to fit and I did see one hairline in the light as duk just mentioned. Would never had thought to look in the little crevice of the plastic snap.

Will be reaching out to Belkin for a replacement.

I definitely don't have my best Buy receipt any more so this may not be very easy! Anyone have any problems with getting this done? I would think it is clearly a new product and clearly still under some kind of warranty, but we'll see

thanks duk for pointing this out.

 

[duk]

Meanwhile, I did take the Incipio Smart Feather off I had on it just now to try this to see if there was anything worth noting to you with regard to fit and I did see one hairline in the light as duk just mentioned. Would never had thought to look in the little crevice of the plastic snap.

Hmm, I wonder how many of these are affected with these cracks, and if getting them is inevitable under normal use, I only removed this case one time.
Maybe an exchange is futile.

 

[J.C]

Farthest corners by camera first, and then lower the back on, if it is that far apart truly go exchange it, that does not sound right.

Meanwhile, I did take the Incipio Smart Feather off I had on it just now to try this to see if there was anything worth noting to you with regard to fit and I did see one hairline in the light as duk just mentioned. Would never had thought to look in the little crevice of the plastic snap.

Will be reaching out to Belkin for a replacement.

I definitely don't have my best Buy receipt any more so this may not be very easy! Anyone have any problems with getting this done? I would think it is clearly a new product and clearly still under some kind of warranty, but we'll see

thanks duk for pointing this out.

Thanks for doing that mate. I had another go at fitting it, using your method, but it's not going to happen. Strangely it only costs $19.95 in Australia. Apple accessories are invariably more expensive here than the US. This is the first time I've come across something cheaper. Maybe it's slightly different.

 

[3goldens]

Thanks for doing that mate. I had another go at fitting it, using your method, but it's not going to happen. Strangely it only costs $19.95 in Australia. Apple accessories are invariably more expensive here than the US. This is the first time I've come across something cheaper. Maybe it's slightly different.

As you can see from this thread there was more than one version.

Does you skin protector stick to the Belkin when putting it on. I noticed the Wrapsol doing that so I have to make sure I kind of shove it in there and then snap the two outside clips on to the ipad.

 

[3goldens]

Hmm, I wonder how many of these are affected with these cracks, and if getting them is inevitable under normal use, I only removed this case one time.
Maybe an exchange is futile.

I went to the belkin site, tried to put in a support ticket for this model and could not.

First there is no drop down for ipads, so I found it in mp3 players, whatever.....

It would not find the model number and just kept returning to call Belkin, so that's what I'll do on Monday, call Belkin.

Will report back.