Trident Case Kraken AMS Series for iPAD 5 - Retail Packaging - Red

Needing a protective case for a new iPad Air, and knowing my preference for the Trident brand of cases, I decided to order another Kraken case.The Kraken case came packaged without directions, which is not a deal breaker, since it is rather simple to understand how the bits assemble (especially after disassembly from the packaging). It is composed of three parts, a silicone inner sleeve, a plastic display frame and protector film assembly, and another hard plastic rear piece that mates to the other plastic frame piece's slight pegs.Getting the silicone portion on was easy, followed by the hard plastic display frame and its integrated screen protector film, which takes a bit of patience and finagling to keep from pushing the silicone off the iPad. Once done comes the much more difficult final part that clamps it all together. It took me several tries, all the while fretting that I would break the hard plastic. As one side attached, the other would pop loose from the mounting pegs on the screen frame portion. Getting past the silicone projections for the earphone, power, side switch, and volume rocker was the most difficult. The volume rocker especially. The rocker appears to have very tight tolerances, resulting in the volume being pressed continuously. I have to regularly pull the silicone rocker cover up out of the plastic frame to fix it sticking, and worry how long before the silicone rips. Once together, I noticed that the final plastic piece that mates to the pegs on the frame part was cracked near the volume rocker, so that may be the cause of the volume rocker sticking. I assume it was broken during assembly, thus confirming y fears of the plastic being easily broken.All that withstanding the case does appear to offer good protection to the iPad, although I have not yet dropped the iPad, unlike y Kraken-protected phone, which has survived well. The protective film for the display that is integrated into the hard plastic frame affords noticeable protection, but also results in noticeable Newton-ring like rainbows visible on the display, an annoyance that definitely bothers me at times. Shifting the angle helps, but they are still there. Eventually, I will probably remove the film and replace the film with a dedicated screen protector panel like the Spigen brand. I did this with my HTC One's Kraken case, as it exhibited the same issue.The case itself could use a little more grippy material on the outside, as it is somewhat slick to hold, although I have not dropped it yet.So three stars for the difficult assembly and screen protector issue. Otherwise it offers great protection to your pricey toy.

disappointed in the newer ones. I had my first one, which was green, for years, it was GREAT. Our son would drop it and step on it and stand on it as he grew up. He is almost 5 now and it developed a crack on the side. We threw out the old one (wish i just glued it) and bought another one (red). I highly doubt color affects the quality and texture of the plastic. This newer one felt more gritty to the touch and the buttons that snap together on the sides dont stick out far enough anymore to actually hold it together. I noticed the rubber gets pinched when trying to close it and adjusted that so its not getting pinched, still....no solid snap close anymore. I guess I can ask for an equal replacement to see if it was a fault one, and if its just the quality of production, ill have to find another brand now.UPDATE 1:buying the green one again, and returning them both if the quality isnt what is used to be. Sigh. I really hope I just got a knock off that someone else returned or something, I really loved Trident, have had the case since 2013.UPDATE2:(4-5months after update 1 and going back to a green case)Fed up with this case, the one i bought in 2013 was great and lasted years. They seem to have cheaped out. The silicone doesnt even fit correctly (even with the patience i get it to snap in fine. There are slits in the silicone to mate up with the plastic covers and they are not aligned by far, not user error, they only can go one way. The adhesive on the front piece that protects it easily detached on this replacement one also, allowing dust etc to enter.I really wanted this to work because of the silicone insert, it just makes sense to protect it so much more than a plastic case alone. Ive given up with resnapping this and opening it and cleaning it almost weekly now.Sorry Trident, I tried to be a loyal repeat buyer. I guess profits cant be made if someone buys a case every 4 years...5 months on the other hand and you're back in business.

This is a great case for what I paid ($38.75), but there is a notable difference in the product from the pictures the Amazon shows. The main front button is NOT covered by a rubber button as shown. Instead there is simply a round hole in the screen protector for the button - no moisture protection at all. I contacted Trident and they said this is correct - the screen protector just has a hole where the button is, and the pictures on their site confirm this. Other than that, it seems fairly rugged, and I like the accessory connection on the back. Trident offers several types of mounts and a hand strap (sold separately) that will lock onto the case. Overall, I would give it a thumbs-up, but the open hole in the front would make me very wary of using it in the rain.

I absolutely love this case. The screen protector that is built in made me disappointed at first, but after I put the case on my iPad 5, I can't imagine using it without the screen protector. It fits nice and snug, so you don't feel any sort of gap in between the protector and the actual screen. The only problem I've had with this -- and I don't think it was the case itself -- Siri stopped working for a brief period of time. Apple said that sometimes the cases people put on them cover sensors and other things that allow certain functions to work properly. I reset the settings, and it's worked fine ever since with the case on. I have this same case on my cell phone, they're the best cases you can possibly buy. MUCH better than Otterbox. The case on my cell phone has been on it for 2 years, the case is still perfect, not scratched and the phone hasn't had one issue. I'll never buy a different brand of cases again.