Kudo Solar Case with HDMI for iPad2 / iPad3 - Blue

As an original participant through the Kickstart program, I have used both the original LilyPad and the subsequent Kudo Pad. Because I received a copy before they went public, I have had mine for several months. I have the light blue case, and find that it looks nice, and holds up well, in spite of the many hours I have spent using it.

Without the case, my normal usage on my heavily used iPad is only about 5 hours. As the pastor of three churches, my iPad IS my office, and I very much need it constantly. Prior to having the Kudo, I would have to have my iPad on a charger for much of the day.

My usage with the Kudo case varies, based on what I am doing, but it is always a minimum of 2 1/2 days. This includes about an hour of movie watching per day, and a significant number of hours doing research on the Internet, plus using Bluetooth accessories, and a few games of scrabble each day.

However, on a recent trip, I strictly used my iPad for audiobooks, about 12 hours per day. Since I didn't have WIFI, I had it on airplane mode. During the trip, it sat on the seat next to me, in the sunshine. After 2 1/2 days of travel, both iPad and case were still at 100%.

The good:

The case totally encloses the iPad. I have actually accidentally dropped my iPad on more than one occasion, and was very grateful for the case. It is a piece of armor!

The length of time it stays charged, especially when I have loads of sunshine

The fact that it charges my iPad while I use it

Very good magnetic cover works well

Made with recycled materials

If I have a cord along, I can use it to charge my iPhone.

The not so good

It is not an easy stand to deal with. OK for widescreen, not so good for reading

A bit heavy it doubles the weight of the iPad

After a few months of use, one of the legs broke

When the cover is closed, and you are using the iPad, it does not charge (or anytime it is locked)

So why do I give it five stars? Because I have found nothing better. It protects and charges my iPad without wires, and I never, ever, have to worry about it.

Every Sunday morning, I put my iPad into the case and travel to three churches keeping all of my notes in front of me. During this time I drive 80 miles and conduct services at three churches. At the end of that time my case is down by 25% and my iPad is at 100%.

While I enjoy my 5700mAh External Battery Power Bank 360 Degrees Rotating Stand Case Holder for NEW iPad, iPad 2 3G Tablet, and Ipad 3 Purple, the mere fact that it requires a cord to connect the battery in the cover to the iPad makes it a bit more difficult. Still, it is a cheaper alternative if the cord isn't an issue, and it doubles the life of my iPad. I use it at home on days when my usage is lighter.

Your own usage will determine what works best for you, but I really do love mine. I am often stopped and asked about it by others, who are quite impressed by the look and concept.

I bought this case at 50 percent off. From reading reviews on Amazon of the Kudocase in various colors, I honestly expected that I would be getting a somewhat flawed product. I knew that many people said the legs were hard to pull out, and I agree with that assessment. But otherwise, I think this product is great. The backup battery keeps my iPad charged at 100% all day long, even when I am using it outside at maximum brightness. The case protects the iPad well, the light blue color is pretty, and although it may be a bit on the heavier side for a case, I don't find the weight unreasonable at all. I have no problem holding it propped on my thighs the way I normally do, or carrying it in my bag to use on the go. The ability to charge other devices off the case while traveling is really convenient too.

I haven't tested the whistle locator feature. I can't whistle :) But I am never far from my iPad anyway.

Conclusion: if you often use your iPad on a stand angle, such that you would need to use the legs, I don't recommend this product. The difficulty of retracting the legs will annoy you. But I bought this product to extend my iPad's battery life, and it does a great job of that. I'm giving it four stars because of the legs, but because I don't personally care about the legs this is really a five-star product for me.

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Although it is a very expensive case it is worth its price. It is the best armor you can get and just very very solid. The solar cell works very well and even if u have the stand out and put your ipad on the cell it continues charging. I can pretty much walk around all day and the battery level will keep going up and up!!! also hdmi and other stuff works without problems :) some other nice things are that you get a bag with another solar cell for charging it inside the bag for free if you purchase this case, and a tree will be plantet in your name! The front of the case is made out of leather, what is also hard to see on the picture

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