Introduction:

Griffin Elan Passport & Elan Sleeve for iPad

    I'm back with another review for an iPad case, or two iPad cases in this instance. Today I'll be giving you guys a closer look at a couple of new iPad cases from Griffin Technology called the Elan Passport and Elan Sleeve for iPad. One flips open folio style and the other is a sleeve you slide your iPad into. These two cases are as similar as they are different. Let's get to it and take a look at the features of the Elan Passport.

Elan Passport Features:

• Slim, one-piece folio

• Opens like a book, flips closed to protect

• Inner cover includes card pockets, tab closure to secure cover when closed

• Soft microsuede interior

A Closer Look:

Retail Front	Retail Rear	Front	Back
Open	Backside	Close-Up	Close-Up

    It was nice to see that Griffin decided not to bury this product in a wrist gauging thick plastic coffin and instead went for the minimal package.

Sliding out the Elan Passport from it's packaging revealed a classic leather look (Griffin doesn't state that this is genuine leather so I'm guessing it's not). The look and feel of this product are exceptional. It's just the right thickness without feeling bulky in any way. It's a bit thinner than the Marware Eco-Vue iPad case I reviewed recently and doesn't feel quite as good, but it's still really, really good.

The corner catches that will grip the iPad are a new thing to me. We'll see how well they perform in a second. The left inner cover has some slots in it for credit cards or business cards.

Installation:

   Installing an iPad into the Elan Passport took about 3 seconds. Simply slide the iPad into the two outer corners and then pull up and slip over the other two corners that are stretchy. This secures the iPad with elastic tension on two of the corners, pulling it into the other two corners.

There was one semi-issue with the Elan Passport though; it covers up the power/sleep button completely. Every other port and hole was exposed without issue, but for whatever reason ( I guess happenstance), it covers the button so well you can barely even see it. Now, this wasn't a problem with activating the button, just covering it up. It was take some fancy maneuvering to actually click the button because there doesn't seem to be enough pressure on the button to set it off. But still, it's just kind of odd. Otherwise I really like the Elan Passport for iPad.

Elan Passport Verdict: It's a great looking, feeling and protecting case for your iPad.

Elan Sleeve for iPad Features:

• Slim-fit slipcover protects your iPad from dirt, dust and scratches

• Tab closure secures your iPad, then helps you remove iPad from the Sleeve

• Smooth synthetic outer shell

Retail Front	Retail Back	Front	Back
Latch	Inserted	Bottom	Installed

    Taking a look at the Elan Sleeve for iPad will be a bit quicker since let's face it, it's a sleeve. There's not much too it as far as moving parts.

From a distance the Elan Passport and Sleeve look almost identical. They're the same size, shape and come in basically the same packaging. it's not until you slide it out do you realize it's just a sleeve. It's made from the same, what appears to be synthetic leather, materials and has the same fold over closure, it's just on the top instead of the edge.

Pull this...

which lifts...

this out.

   Installation, of course, is as simple as slipping your iPad into the sleeve. However removal would be quite a bit more difficult if it wasn't for the ingenious design element Griffin put into the Elan Sleeve. The fold over latch run down all the way down to the bottom of the sleeve and has an elastic function which when pulled will pull up the iPad removing it a few inches so you can get a hold on it. This is an almost unseen design feature that will make your life remarkably less annoying when trying to extract your iPad from this sleeve.

Elan Sleeve Verdict: It's a great looking, feeling and protecting case for your iPad.

Conclusion:

    Honestly both the Griffin Elan Passport for iPad and Elan Sleeve for iPad are excellent cases for your iPad. They will both protect and look great while doing it. The materials seem very durable and the craftsmanship is high quality. With the design exception of the power/sleep button being covered on the Elan Passport, both models have been flawless to work with.

I can easily recommend both products. As a word to the savvy shopper out there, never pay MSRP as it is usually way too high, just as in this case. The MSRP for the Elan Passport for iPad is $49.99 from the Griffin site, however you can find it on Amazon.com for less than $30. Also the Elan Sleeve is also $49.99 from the Griffin site and just $28 on Amazon.com. Finding great deals online on Griffin products is something I've found consistently and I commend them on allowing it to happen that way. So many companies today price their products right out of the market. Griffin is smarter than that.

A big thanks go out to Griffin Technology for allowing me to give you guys a closer look at a couple of great new cases for the "magical" Apple iPad *wink*. You can check out their site for just about every important accessory for the Apple iPad, iPod and iPhone.

Update 6-15-2010: Griffin Technology sent me an email stating the following: "Just wanted to let you know the Elan Passport has been revised with straps that don't cover up the sleep button anymore. So that shouldn't be a problem for anyone buying them now."

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