Disco iPod case for the iPod Video

reviewed by Ted Bade, November 2006

The Disco iPod case by Griffin is a hard plastic case with a rather fun twist. This case responds to motion with a display of blinking LEDs that delight the eyes in a variety of patterns. It’s a solid case, which is fun to watch, and might even impress your friends!

In the early 70’s I made what was called a “light organ”, a primitive (by today’s standards), device that blinked Christmas tree lights based on the music that was input to it. It was a lot of fun to watch. I still have this fascination with blinking light today, 36 years later! I found the Disko case rather fascinating.

This case is a typical hard plastic case, with a clear plastic cover that protects the iPod’s screen and a hole that gives easy access to the iPods wheel and controls. The top has slots giving access to the switch and the audio/video connection. It comes in two pieces that snap together to protect the iPod inside. The Disko box contains two back pieces, one larger for the 80GByte iPod and the smaller for the 60GB one. The Disko comes in two colors, black and white, just like the iPods you would place in them.

Around the circular opening that gives access to the iPod’s wheel is an array of red, green, and blue-colored LEDs. The bottom of the case houses the electronics and the battery necessary to run the LEDs. Motion causes the lights on the Disko to do their dance. There are five flashing light patterns. You really have to see it to believe it! The lights create an illusion of dancing around the wheel opening, some times back and forth and some times round and round the circle, using one or all of the three LEDs. What can I say? It’s pretty cool! It’s not really practical, but it is definitely fun!

The bottom section houses the electronics and two small 3 Volt coin batteries. I asked the people at Griffin and they expect the batteries will last for about 5 hours of operation. That is 5 hours of light shows. Since each sequence lasts only a handful of seconds, I expect that the batteries will keep the Disko flashing on occasion for a long while. The bad news is that because of the electronics pod on the bottom of the case, you need to remove the iPod from the case to connect it to a charger or your computer.

There is a small access panel on the bottom of this electronics area that opens to give access to the batteries. Getting the batteries out is a little tough. Unless you have very nimble fingers, you might need a small screwdriver to pop them out of their holders.

As a protective case, the disko is really good. It is made out of a hard plastic that appears very rugged. The iPod sits in the case and is held solidly in place, once the back is on. Getting the case open is difficult, as it closes quite tightly, which is both a good and not so good thing. It is good that the iPod won’t accidentally fall out, but when you need access to the iPod, getting the back off requires a strong fingernail or a small flat screwdriver or other similar device.

The Disko is an interesting case for the iPod. It protects the iPod and the iPods screen. It is a sturdy case, coordinated with the iPod colors, but most of all it is fun! The price is standard for an iPod case, which is a deal because you get the electronics as well. You’ll have a hoot showing if off to your friends. Well, except those that think you are kind of crazy anyway ;-)